The Agenda

“For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state. For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's. But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel,” Philippians 2:20-22, KJV.

In this passage of scripture, Paul speaks highly of Timothy, the way that we should be speaking of each other. It appears that there are many who love the Lord and then there are those who love themselves. When I say this, I express it in the context of selfishness. The agenda that we have when spreading God’s word should be to help others in any way that we can. Some are in a position to help financially, some are in a position to assist socially or emotionally, and we should all be in the mindset to minister spiritually.

I thank God for His people whom He has placed in my life. I thank God for “trees planted by the water.” It is an honor to fellowship with like-minded individuals. Many days, I get pressed with heaviness of dark spirits. These spirits are in people who sometimes don’t even recognize that they are there. But the Holy Spirit reminds me that we wrestle not against flesh and blood. I understand this more keenly each time Halloween readily approaches. I will expand on this through out next week.

When we offer to do something for the Lord, let it be for the Lord. We must examine our motive for doing what we do for God. Jesus clearly points this out in the example of how we should conduct ourselves when praying. Matthew 6:5-8, KJV, “And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask Him.” What is the motive for doing what we do?

Jesus uses another example later in the same chapter regarding fasting. Matthew 6:16-18, KJV, “Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.” What is our motive for doing what we do?

We must come with a pure heart, ready and willing to give up anything for Christ, even our very lives. But sometimes I wonder as some aren’t even willing to give up their lifestyles for Him. Many as the scripture printed above read, have their own agenda, not Christ’s. Just as I mentioned in a previous post, (By One Spirit), some are title seekers. Some are great pretenders. What profits a man to gain the whole world and lose his own soul? I’m sure that many think they are doing the church a great service by being able to cast out demons and lay hands upon others, but who are they doing it for? God knows the heart.

“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity,” Matthew 7:21-23, KJV.

Additional Reference: Mark 8:36