Daily Bread 11-4-16

Matthew 7:15-20

15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

ref. - Jer 23:16 - Thus saith the Lord of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the Lord.

Mic 3:5 - Thus saith the Lord concerning the prophets that make my people err, that bite with their teeth, and cry, Peace; and he that putteth not into their mouths, they even prepare war against him.

2 Tim 3:5 - Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

Acts 20:29 - For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.

Luke 6:43 - For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

This is not a warning to watch for ourselves, it is a warning to watch out for those who will not help us. Today it is time to look at others and determine what, if anything God is using them to do to help us. If we are following someone who never helps us to improve but just limps us along enough to get by, we may want to check their motives. Not what we are receiving from them but what are we providing for them. Why are they not giving us food that will cause us to prosper and increase? You see, many false prophets have gone out into the world, we know that, but are we allowing them to manipulate us away from the will of God? Take a look at the ones who try to inform and instruct. Are they using the Bible backed with other scriptures or is it just personal advice? Are they causing you to glorify God or them? Are your needs spiritually being met through their teachings or are they just telling you what you want to hear just to keep you a name on their roll of "attendees"? Look at what shape the people that have been in the Church for a long time are in, are they still improving, or have they just become spots on the wall? We need to pay attention to who we are following and listening to. It is not so difficult to be a gainsayer pleasing the people with compliments and unwarranted blessings but are they truly telling us something that penetrates past our own desires and touches our soul? Are they letting God use them to demonstrate His power or are they just cheerleaders trying to work us into an emotional frenzy so that they can stand tall and say, "see what I did"? Today is the day to start to call out these false prophets by denying them the attention that they are so addicted to and following someone who can help us. Jesus Christ is that someone and there are still men today that teach and preach his words led by the Holy Ghost. Not teaching us traditions or deceitful stories made to lure us in, but the true word of God. If you read the Bible, you will read that accompanying the armor of God is the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. Let us not let men pervert what has been already made perfect. Let us follow the Word Of God, divided in the Spirit, speaking to our souls, and causing change that draws us closer to God. A good tree will not bring forth bad fruit, but also a bad tree will not bring forth good fruit. Through the good word of God we will not receive destruction but everlasting life, through anything else, we will never see eternal life. So let us look around and decide who and what we are going to follow and live therein. Either we will be changed daily to improve in Christ, or we will be changed daily to benefit others. Which one will you choose? Have a great day!!!