“For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable” (Romans 11:29 NKJV)
“But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet” (Acts 5:1-2 NKJV).
Brief Encouragement
As an encouragement to us and for the work on this website, the Lord revealed to us that He has blessed us with a great company of very simple-hearted, truly humble, truth-loving and faithful brothers and sisters. These are those who receive the Lord’s message we share here by faith. Truthfully, the Lord says that these brethren love Him, but they must be faithful in service to Him. We give glory to the Lord in sincerity of heart for being part of such a loving and truly God-fearing family of faith. The Lord is pleased with a child-like attitude and the fruit of His Spirit is evident in our humble state (Matthew 20:26).
Vision of Regretful Giving
On the September 29, 2015, the Lord gave Charis a short vision, and the message conveyed in this vision is our topic for this week. As you may have noticed, this is also one of the ways on how the Lord gives us subjects to write about.
Vision Given to Charis on September 29, 2015
“I had a vision this morning after our early morning prayers. I saw a minister of the gospel sitting on a chair, looking disappointed. I heard him say, “I honestly thought it was the Lord who blessed us with that gift, because Brother Sam is asking back the gift he gave us”. Then the Lord said, “My son [John] (not real name) is sad because I commanded My son [Sam] (not real name) to bless them with something they needed to do My work. My son Sam is now regretting doing good in My name and he has since taken back that gift in his heart. Whoever gives someone something in My name, and regrets his decision for helping My needy children, I tell you that person has forfeited his Heavenly reward for that act of kindness”. End of vision.
Rapture Vision of Consuming Fire in the Heavens
Briefly, brethren as you may have noticed we are sharing quite a few short visions on this website and we do so only as the Lord reveals. We are not exaggerating or inventing these warnings from the Lord. We have been equally warned by the Lord through the 'Lying in Jesus' Name' article never to lie in the Lord's name. This is what we share for your edification.
"I (Brother Glenn) had a beautiful rapture vision around 2:30 a.m. or earlier this morning (October 5, 2015). I saw the Heavens opened and a massive cloud of fire appearing in the sky. I knew the LORD was in that glorious glowing CLOUD but I did not see Him. I heard no voice, and as I looked on I saw myself enveloped in fire but I was not consumed, and I saw myself ascending up into the Heavens towards the fire cloud while someone who was with me and whom I cannot remember was left behind". END!
Remember the prophet Elijah was raptured into Heaven in a chariot of fire (2 Kings 2:11). I saw no chariot but a massive cloud in blazing full strength fire (2 Thessalonians 1:6-7; 2 Peter 3:12; Luke 21:26-27; Matthew 24:30; Exodus 24:17).
Remember the prophet Elijah was raptured into Heaven in a chariot of fire (2 Kings 2:11). I saw no chariot but a massive cloud in blazing full strength fire (2 Thessalonians 1:6-7; 2 Peter 3:12; Luke 21:26-27; Matthew 24:30; Exodus 24:17).
Choosing God and Truth Above Unrighteous Living
Brethren, many of us overlook our giving habits. The Bible says we must give cheerfully and not grudgingly (2 Corinthians 9:7). In the above vision, the Lord showed us the condition of a brother’s heart who, after identifying the need of his fellow brethren, was moved with pity and prayed. After prayer, the Lord spoke to him. Since he was in a position to help, he obeyed and did so. We personally know this brother and the Lord acknowledged the good things he was doing in a message to him through this ministry (Acts 10:4; Proverbs 19:17). This message is not to shame or expose; the Lord allows us to share these experiences as examples, with the aim of helping those of us who struggle with such things.
Have you ever given something to someone and regretted your decision because along the way you had a disagreement with the person, or he just did not live up to your expectations? We are often tempted to initiate our own justice when others performed below our expectations and we end up regretting our giving. This is taking back not only the gift, but we also lose our blessing from the Lord. It is worth noting that when we give to others, the Lord does not expect us to demand accountability because this results in giving on condition.
From our experience, we have learnt that the Lord attaches very little significance to worldly things (John 6:27). He knows love and human relations are being compromised as a result of material things. He will demand an account from us as stewards of His assembly (1 Peter 4:10; Romans 14:12) and being a good shepherd, the purpose of His giving is to serve others (John 10:11; 15). Many of us are familiar with the fact that when we were children, we probably had the unpleasant experience of receiving something from a friend but later asked to give it back. Such giving is done grudgingly and is aimed at compensating for loyalty. Does this not remind you about certain people who give in return for future favours? A few years ago, we were blessed with some material things by some brethren. However, the Lord tested us and some of them as He issued some sharp rebukes to them. This resulted in some of these brethren questioning our motives. Little did these precious brethren know that the Lord was testing us to see if we would be faithful to His Word, or loyal to the brethren for giving to our ministry! Would we sacrifice telling the brethren things the Lord dislikes in their lives for their salvation for the sake of material things, or would we rather risk losing our own credibility when entrusted with truth? In our response, we chose truth and risked enduring ridicule and slander. We must never be afraid to risk losing friends when we are presented with the opportunity to minister truth to them in the name of the Lord for their good (Leviticus 19:17; Jude 1:23). Like the Lord, not everyone will welcome us, but only those He sends us to (John 10:27).
Keep Your Promises to God
In our Scripture reference at the beginning of this message, Ananias and Sapphira’s intentions were noble after seeing the genuine spirit by which the others were giving (Acts 4:33-37). They were encouraged and without being forced, decided to give too. However, after selling their property, they regretted their decision, and this resulted in their loss (Acts 5:1-10). Brethren, let us not be mistaken! Many of us think that entering into a covenant with the Lord is arbitrary and we can walk back any time. This is not so! We must honor our vows to Him, and that involves coming through with what we intended to do (Deuteronomy 23:21-22; Numbers 30:2; Psalm 76:11). The punishment the Lord meted out to the children of Israel was largely due to them dishonouring the Lord Almighty by not keeping their promises (Jeremiah 42:18-21; Deuteronomy 31:16-18; Ecclesiastes 5:4). We can remember how Joshua and the elders of Israel kept their promise to the Lord after giving their word to the Gibeonites after being deceived by them. They kept the covenant promise despite the false premise under which it was made (Joshua 9:9-19). It was a regrettable decision, but everything done in the name of the Almighty God must be irrevocable. Joshua feared God and upheld this covenant. Hundreds of years later, King Saul and his sons violated this covenant and killed some of the Gibeonites .Tragic consequences followed – there was a three-year famine in the land, and only after seven of Saul’s sons were hanged by the Gibeonites as retribution was peace restored to the land (2 Samuel 21:1-9).
In the Bible, marriage was also meant to be a covenant, a promise made unconditionally before God and not to be broken (Matthew 19:1-8; Mark 10:9). Many couples today, including Christians, enter into marriage without understanding the seriousness of their vows; they regard marriage as a revocable “contract”, as opposed to a covenant that is not meant to be broken. Even though many Christians and preachers justify their decisions to divorce, God’s Word on the subject has not changed (Malachi 2:16). For more on marriage and divorce, you may read The Sin of Adultery and Keeping Secrets articles. We are also aware that there are certain TV preachers who ask their listeners to be “covenant partners” or make “pledges” to support their ministry financially. Still there are other preachers who encourage followers or congregants to write and make “vows” to Jesus. Brothers and sisters, unless you are willing to follow through with your promise, at whatever cost, you are better off not making the promise in the first place (Deuteronomy 23:22)! The Bible sternly warns us against making vows to God and failing to honor them (James 5:12):
When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it. Do not let your mouth lead you into sin. And do not protest to the temple messenger, “My vow was a mistake.” Why should God be angry at what you say and destroy the work of your hands? (Ecclesiastes 5:4-6 NIV).
In conclusion, have you been giving or helping others and afterwards complaining and regretting? Please repent, brothers and sisters. Remember, Our Heavenly Father was pleased to reconcile us to Himself through Jesus’ suffering and blood on the cross (John 3:16; Colossians 1:19-23; Isaiah 53:10-11 NKJV). Therefore, let us also learn to be pleased in our giving (Romans 15:26-27) and may the Lord help us to be faithful and obedient in fulfilling our promises. If you would like to have a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, please begin by praying this
Blessed in your giving,
Brother Glenn and Preparing for the Kingdom Ministry Team.
