The Differences of Apples and Oranges

When studying the Word of God, we initially tend to gloss over matters we don't like to contend with and glean the "name it and claim it" stuff. God wishes above all things that we be in health and prosper even as our soul prospers is one of those claim it, run around the church, and know God loves me too kind of verses. We walk out of one of those sermons stating, "ooh, he sure did preach this morning!" 

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, we don't hear too often in the Sunday sermons (Ephesians 6:4 AMP). Husbands love your own wife, isn't one that gets too many jump for joy portions of the service (Ephesians 5:28-33 AMP). Yet there they are for the believer to know there is a guide to life teaching us how to behave and live appropriately. The thing is, it doesn't make the flesh feel too good. It doesn't leave room for error (Matthew 24:4 AMP). It does give direction for the believer to be strong and continue to be blessed. But that takes maturity for those to not only hear that serving of the Word but to understand it as well.

Children do the same thing when given a balanced meal for dinner. There sitting before them is a colorful plate with meat, a side dish, and the vegetable. My parents told my siblings and I to eat the vegetable first. We thought they were being mean having watched them eat whatever they wanted first. It was later did my mother tell me that if she allowed us to eat the meat and side dish first, we would be too full to eat the vegetable and to her, the vegetable was the most important part of the meal. For us, the vegetable was the most icky part, most of the time. My mother would find molded, smelly, hairy surprises wrapped in a napkin weeks later behind the hutch or tucked away under the table in a nook or cranny. We didn't know how beneficial a green vegetable could be until consequences came after the hidden discoveries. 

Once we become adults, there should be things that aren't necessary to repeat. No one tells a full

functioning, independent adult, that he/she must be fully dressed before going out in public. No one tells an adult that it is one foot in front of the other to walk appropriately. No one tells an adult to listen before speaking and that it is rude to interrupt someone in mid-sentence. It is automatically understood - right? Is it necessary to still redirect adults to eat appropriately for optimum health? To exercise for their own benefit? To flee fornication for physical, emotional and spiritual health? To abide by the golden rule (Matthew 7:12 AMP)? Did I go too far? Is there still those that need the guidance? When does it stop? When is the believer mature enough and understands that peculiar treasure are those that comprehend the Word of God and are walking accordingly (1 Peter 2:9 AMP)? 

Paul asked the question, are we going back to the milk of the Word (Hebrews 5:12-13 AMP)? Why would he ask such a thing? Is it because he was frustrated teaching the same lessons over and over again or was it because when speaking to the congregation and them asking him questions. In order to ask the questions there has to be some sort of understanding of what has been taught. Paul met some people of Corinth at the altar doing leud and lascivious acts because they wanted to believe it was apart of their religious practice. Where did they get that lesson from? Have we done the same thing saying that it was in the name of Jesus when there is no such verse substantiating the claim?

Often I refer to the 23rd Psalm because it is a verse not only for the lay-persons but for those in the 5-fold ministry. There is a description that the Lord prepares a table before me in the presence of mine enemies (Psalm 23 AMP). First meditate on the Lord is preparing a table for me!!! Now, let's see who is there besides me and the Lord...my enemies? I wondered why would my enemies be there with me and the Lord. Where did they come from? Why do they expect the same treatment as the Lord is giving to me? The Word says that I am the righteousness of God, no evil shall befall me, no plague come nigh my dwelling (Psalm 91:9-10 KJV). So what business do my enemies have there with me and the Lord? 

Here we are in the last days where what used to be common place isn't anymore. People aren't as considerate as they used to be. It would seem everyone calls themselves Christian but the practical application is not there. We can see it in the disposition and in their families. How are you faring? Can we see the fruit you are baring (Matthew 7:16-20 AMP)? Is it good fruit? In the next few entries, we are going to make plain the fruit of the Holy Spirit and why it isn't one of those run around the church kind of sermons that people talk about for months to come. It is a necessity to practice all 9 fruits to be about our Father's business in the most optimum way (Galatians 5:22-23 AMP). In the Christian singles blog, hopefully you can see the importance of knowing what tree you have attached yourself to. If this is a quandary, please read the entry, Hitching Your Wagon.