Ambrose Brothers: Acts

Ecclesiastes 7:29 "This only have I found: God made mankind upright, but men have gone in search of many schemes."

Well back to Ecclesiastes. I apologize for our delay through the book of Ecclesiastes, I guess we needed to take some time to ponder wisdom and folly (ha ha). Today we are going to jump ahead a few verses and finish chapter 7. What a great statement Solomon makes at the end of the chapter. In all his searching, all his seeking, this only did he find. Let me paraphrase, "God made people good, but we have messed it all up."

What does this mean to us? Well I don't think you would have to look very far to find all kind of schemes. Turn on your TV any late night and you can find all kinds of get rich quick schemes, and weight loss schemes, and cure your disease, by eating tomatoes schemes. My personal favorites are when you see a person in peak physical condition walking on a treadmill, and you can have a body like that too!

Unfortunately those claiming to be followers of Christ are quick to develop shcemes as well. The prosperity Gospel, Seeker Friendly, Emergent. The dictionary definition of Scheme is this "A secret or devious plan; a plot." All of these we have just discussed fall perfectly into this definition.

Have you ever stopped and wondered why? Why so many schemes? Well I will give you a quick and clear answer. You may not like it but it is the TRUTH. Being a Christian takes work, and overall people are lazy! Don't stop reading, give me a minute, before you log off and remove us from your favorites. (like anyone has us as favorites LOL)

Look at the secular schemes, lose weight by taking pill, get rich without working, and on and on. None of these require any effort on the part of the person. I can make $600,000 a month working part time from my home. NO YOU CAN'T! You can lose 250 pounds by taking this pill before you eat 6 plates at the buffet. NO YOU CAN'T!

"Jesus wants you to be rich just start speaking to your wallet, say 'You big fat wallet, full of money' and it will be so" NO IT WON'T "Just ask Jesus to fill the God shaped hole in your heart and you will find what you searching for" NO YOU WON'T! "You will offend people if you preach sin, you should preach grace and love" WRONG!!!!!!

Jesus may want you to be rich, but he may want you to earn your keep as a tent maker while you preach the Word for free. (The Apostle Paul) If there is a hole in your heart, you should go to the doctor! And the Scripture says, "no one seeks after God, no not one, all have turned away" So if your lost your not seaching for God, He is searching for you! If you don't preach sin then you can't preach repentance, and if people don't repent they cannot be saved!. After Peter preached at Pentecost,the people cried out, "what shall we do?" Peter replied "Repent and be Baptized everyone one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins." (Acts 2:38)

Stop seeking schemes, and follow what the Word of God says! Stop following the false teachers of today, and understand, that if you want to be a Christian, you must deny yourself, take up your cross and follow Him. We are saved by faith, so no man can boast, however Paul said in Acts, to "prove your repentance with your deeds"

Action step for today.

Evaluate what you are following. I heard a statement along time ago, and it makes pretty good sense. "If your a believer and are not doing anything for Christ, Satan will leave you alone, because he has already defeated you. However the enemy attacks, when we are moving forward!" If your life is just sailing along, without conviction of sin, attacks from Satan, and testing, and trials from the Almighty God, you better stop seeking schemes, and follow what the Word says!

You know what? Life is hard, Jesus said "In this world you will face troubles, but take heart, I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD!" Stop messing it up by trying to make it easy!