Are You Really A Prophetess?

Greetings in the name of Jesus! This is Rob Haymes. This is 15 Minutes With Jesus. Wherever two or three are gathered together in My name, Jesus said, there am I in the midst of them. To those of you who love Him in truth: mercy unto you and peace and love be multiplied. (Jude 1:2)

Amen, Father; thank you Father. We come to you in Jesus’ name, thanking you for your Word; your Word is the truth, and that’s what we want, is the truth, thank you Lord. We want to love the truth, and we want to do the truth, thank you Father, so, Bless this program Father, Amen, in Jesus’ name. 

Today’s program is a question: Are you really a prophetess? Let’s turn to 1 Cor 14:3, But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men. Ok, verse 26, How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. 1 Cor 12:4, There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. Verse 27, Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way. Let’s go there and read about it.

1 Cor 13:1, Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. As you can see by these scripture, prophecy is a manifestation of the Holy Spirit. It is He who is speaking through the person, not the person themselves; it is always for the edification, exhortation, and comfort of the people to whom He is speaking. It is a gift of the Holy Spirit. In other words, when a person prophesies, they are speaking by the Holy Spirit; it is not them speaking, as in Mat 10:19 & 20, where Jesus said, It is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you. 

Let’s go to Deut 18: 21, wow, I wasn’t expecting this, but I believe it is the will of the Lord for me to read these scriptures, verse 15, The Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your midst, from your brethren. Him you shall hear, according to all you desired of the Lord your God in Horeb in the day of the assembly, saying, Let me not hear again the voice of the Lord my God, nor let me see this great fire anymore, lest I die. And the Lord said to me: What they have spoken is good. (This is Moses) I will raise up for them a Prophet like you from among their brethren, and will put My Words in His mouth, and He shall speak to them all that I command Him. And it shall be that whoever will not hear My Words, which He speaks in My name, ( That’s Jesus) I will require it of him. But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in My name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet shall die. And if you say in your heart, How shall we know the word which the Lord has not spoken?—when a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, if the thing does not happen or come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him. 

So, this is the real test: if someone, male or female, claims to be a prophet, or a prophetess, if they are true, then the thing which they prophecy will come to pass. Today we are talking about prophetesses.  Looking through the Bible, I found about 11 women who were called prophetesses, or who prophesied and what they said came to pass. Let’s go to Ex 15:20. In Exodus 15, Miriam, the sister of Moses and Aaron, was called a prophetess. Then Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took the timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances. And Miriam answered them: Sing to the Lord, For He has triumphed gloriously! The horse and its rider He has thrown into the sea!  I did not find where she prophesied, but I certainly did not find where she prophesied falsely. I believe the sister of Moses and Aaron was a true prophetess. Isaiah’s wife is called “the prophetess”. It does not say that she prophesied, but one of the Hebrew meanings of the word prophetess is the wife of a prophet. 

Deborah, in Judges 4:4, was a prophetess, and a judge of Israel. Let’s go there, Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, was judging Israel at that time. And she would sit under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the mountains of Ephraim. And the children of Israel came up to her for judgment. Then she sent and called for Barak the son of Abinoam from Kedesh in Naphtali, and said to him, Has not the Lord God of Israel commanded, Go and deploy troops at Mount Tabor; take with you ten thousand men of the sons of Naphtali and of the sons of Zebulun; and against you I will deploy Sisera, the commander of Jabin's army, with his chariots and his multitude at the River Kishon; and I will deliver him into your hand? And Barak said to her, If you will go with me, then I will go; but if you will not go with me, I will not go! 

So she said, I will surely go with you; nevertheless there will be no glory for you in the journey you are taking, for the Lord will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman. Then Deborah arose and went with Barak to Kedesh. What she prophesied came to pass. 

In 2 Kings 22, King Josiah, a righteous king, sent men to inquire of the Lord regarding the judgement of God that was to come upon Judah for their evil deeds, as described in the Book of the Law, which Hilkiah the priest found when they were restoring the Temple. The men went to Huldah the prophetess. 2 Kings 22:11, Now it happened, when the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, that he tore his clothes. Then the king commanded Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam the son of Shaphan, Achbor the son of Michaiah, Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah a servant of the king, saying, Go, inquire of the Lord for me, for the people and for all Judah, concerning the Words of this book that has been found; for great is the wrath of the Lord that is aroused against us, because our fathers have not obeyed the Words of this book, to do according to all that is written concerning us. So Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam, Achbor, Shaphan, and Asaiah went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe. (She dwelt in Jerusalem in the Second Quarter.) And they spoke with her. Then she said to them, Thus says the Lord God of Israel, Tell the man who sent you to Me, Thus says the Lord: Behold, I will bring calamity on this place and on its inhabitants—all the words of the book which the king of Judah has read—because they have forsaken Me and burned incense to other gods, that they might provoke Me to anger with all the works of their hands. Therefore My wrath shall be aroused against this place and shall not be quenched. But as for the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the Lord, in this manner you shall speak to him, Thus says the Lord God of Israel: Concerning the words which you have heard—because your heart was tender, and you humbled yourself before the Lord when you heard what I spoke against this place and against its inhabitants, that they would become a desolation and a curse, and you tore your clothes and wept before Me, I also have heard you, says the Lord. Surely, therefore, I will gather you to your fathers, and you shall be gathered to your grave in peace; and your eyes shall not see all the calamity which I will bring on this place. So they brought back word to the king. All the things that Huldah prophesied came to pass. So she was certainly a true prophetess of God. 

Next, I found Anna, in Luke 2:36, Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. You think maybe she might have been a true prophetess? And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem. Mary, the mother of Jesus, prophesied, and what she said came to pass. Her cousin Elizabeth also prophesied, being full of the Holy Spirit, and what she said came to pass. Phillip the evangelist, one of the Seven, had four daughters who were virgins and they prophesied. I do not believe that Phillip raised four daughters who were false prophetesses, based on who he was and what his ministry was like. 

The scripture also mentions the husbands of some of these women who were prophetesses of God. Miriam was subject to Moses; Isaiah’s wife was subject to him. Anna’s husband, Deborah’s husband, and Huldah’s husbands are mentioned. A true prophetess of God will always be subject to her head, her husband, as unto the Lord. She will not try to use her gift to usurp authority over her husband or over men in the Church. If she is single, she will be concerned about the Lord and how to please Him. 

False prophets raise up false prophetesses, by a lying spirit of divination. If, when they say to you, “You are a prophetess”, and you believe it and receive it into your heart, it will affect your whole life. Let me ask you a question: if you believe that you are a prophetess, no condemnation here, can you tell me something you prophesied that came to pass? Deborah prophesied, and it came to pass; Huldah prophesied, and it came to pass; Mary prophesied, and it came to pass; Elizabeth prophesied, and it came to pass. They all prophesied by the Holy Spirit, not lying divination. The Holy Spirit, Jesus said, will glorify Him. If you are a true prophetess, you will be speaking by the Holy Spirit to glorify Jesus and to exalt Him! If you prophecy and it doesn’t come to pass, it’s not the Holy Spirit speaking through you. He is the Spirit of Truth. It is a lying divination, or a vision of your own heart, and you need to repent and stop talking, and be a saint who loves Jesus; who loves the Father; who loves her husband, and her children. Mary Magdalene was not a prophetess, but she loved Jesus a lot! And He honored her very much: as she was the first person that He appeared to when He rose from the dead. If you give the Devil place, he will take it. Just because you are born again, baptized in water, and have the Holy Spirit, that does not mean you cannot yield to the Devil. If he lies to you, and you receive it, you are giving him place. The scripture says, Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.

So, those of you who believe you are a prophetess, I ask you to humble yourself before your Lord Jesus Christ, and seek Him and ask Him, “Lord, am I really a prophetess?” And be willing to repent and be cleansed by His Blood. He loves you, and He gave Himself upon the Cross for you, not to condemn you, but to save you and give you eternal life with Him in His Kingdom. He loves you and He will straighten things out in your life if you will come to Him.

Thank you for reading this message from 15 Minutes With Jesus at roberthaymes.com . May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you who love Him in truth, Amen. ( 2 Cor 13:14)

 

 A Warning From God

Greetings in the name of Jesus! This is Rob Haymes. This is 15 Minutes With Jesus. Wherever two or three are gathered together in My name, Jesus said, there am I in the midst of them. To those of you who love Him in truth: mercy unto you and peace and love be multiplied. (Jude 1:2 )

Today’s program is A Warning From God. We’re going to start in Mark chapter 1, verses 1-5, The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in the Prophets: Behold I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you. The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. Then all the land of Judea, and those from Jerusalem, went out to him and were all baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins. Verses 14&15, Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the Kingdom of God, and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe the Gospel!

If you sin against your brother, your brother has something against you, and Jesus said, before you bring your offering to God, you must go to your brother and make things right with him. He also said, If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, I repent, you shall forgive him. If he does not come to you and confess his sin to you, you may not have the opportunity to forgive him. You cannot leave out the “If”s in God’s Word. If you confess your sins He is faithful and just to forgive you of your sins, and to cleanse you from all unrighteousness.  If you remain faithful unto death, Jesus will give you a crown of life. Jesus said in Matthew 7, It is not those who say Lord, Lord, (that’s Christians), but those who do the will of my Father who will inherit the Kingdom of God. He said, Many will come to Me in that day saying, Lord, Lord, have we not done many wonderful works in your name, and then I will say unto them, Depart from Me, you who work iniquity. Clearly these are Christians; people who call Jesus Lord, who are committing iniquity and not repenting. 

1Jn 2:1-6, My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world. Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep his commandments. He who says, I know Him, and does not keep his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps his Word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked. If you love Me, Jesus said, keep my commandments. If you are not keeping his commandments, being led by the Holy Spirit each day, denying yourself, your desires, your own self will, to do the will of the Father, to keep Jesus’ Words, then you’re not loving Him. Let’s turn to Psalm 32:1-5, Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit. When I kept silent, my bones grew old through my groaning all the day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my vitality was turned into the drought of summer. I acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity I have not hidden. I said, I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,  and You forgave the iniquity of my sin. If we transgress Jesus’ commandments, we must confess our sin to Him; we must have godly sorrow and repentance and turn away from our sin. Then through the grace of God given to us in the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross, the Blood of Jesus will purge our conscience and we will walk on with a clear conscience, justified from sin. If we say, It’s all covered by Jesus’ sacrifice and we claim justification without repentance, then we are still in sin; just as though we refused to go to our brother in repentance when we have sinned against him.

Let’s go to Rev 2:2-5. Jesus is talking to the Seven Churches in Asia: I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name's sake and have not become weary. Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent. Jesus is clearly judging the churches in Revelation 2 and 3 and warning them that if they do not repent of certain things, there will be severe consequences. He said, I know your works, and there were certain works that were not pleasing to Him of which He commanded them to repent. 

In Rev 2:16 & 17, Jesus said, Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. If everything is covered, and all your evil works are already forgiven and there is no judgment for them, then why did Jesus command the churches to repent of their evil deeds. In verses 2:21-23 we read, And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent. Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works. Clearly Jesus is addressing evil works in these passages, as well as good works, promising rewards for both. Jesus Christ is not only our Savior, but He is also our Judge, and He will give unto every one of us according to all our works. If we have repented of our sins, then we are cleansed by the Blood of the Lamb, and we will not be judged for those sins, as they are washed white as snow and blotted out of the Books. The Books will be opened at the Judgement and we will be rewarded according to what is written in the Books. Rev 3:2 & 3  Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God. Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you. 

Rev 3:8-10, I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept my Word, and have not denied my name. Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie—indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. Because you have kept my command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the Earth. Here we see that the Lord will reward good unto those who have done good. Rev 3:14-19  And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of my mouth. Because you say, I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked— I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. 

To say that we are “Forever forgiven” is a lie. Forgiveness is forever for those who repent and believe Jesus’ sacrifice for their sins. He died for our sins. 1Jn 1:5-10, This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and his Word is not in us. 

The righteousness of the law is fulfilled in us who walk not in the flesh, but in the Spirit. Rom 8:13 & 14, For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. If you live after the flesh, practicing the works of the flesh, you will die, but if you through the Spirit do put to death the deeds of the body, you shall live. And just as he did in the Garden of Eden, speaking to Eve about partaking of the fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, so Satan says to Christians concerning Romans 8:13; You won’t die, you are forever forgiven. You are under grace. Let’s turn to Ezekiel 13:22, Because with lies you have made the heart of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad; and you have strengthened the hands of the wicked, so that he does not turn from his wicked way to save his life. Eze 18:30-32, Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, says the Lord God. Repent, and turn from all your transgressions, so that iniquity will not be your ruin. Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies, says the Lord God. Therefore turn and live! Eze 18:4, Behold, all souls are Mine; the soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is mine; the soul who sins shall die. Jesus said in Matthew 10:28, And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Do we fear Him? Do you fear Him? Do you believe this? Do you believe that God will destroy your soul if you continue in sin and won’t repent? Or do you say, All my sins are forgiven; past, present, and future. My friend, there is no such thing as a future sin. A sin must be committed in order to exist. And, in order for it to be forgiven, according to the Words that I’ve just read you, and many other Words, throughout the Scriptures, you must confess your sin to God; you must come to God.

John the Baptist came preaching the baptism of repentance before Jesus came. When Jesus came He said, Repent and believe the Gospel! Heb 10:26-31, For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. Anyone who rejected Moses' law died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know Him who said, Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord. And again, The Lord will judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. In 1 John 3:7 & 8 we read, Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. He who sins, or practices sin,  is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. 

Interpretation of  a message in tongues:

I am God Almighty. Those of you who are listening to my servant Rob speak my Words to you this day,  humble yourselves before Me; humble yourselves and consider my Words. I love you! I love you! That’s why I’m rebuking you; that’s why I’m warning you this day. It is not to condemn you, but to save your souls alive, says the Living God!

Thank you for reading this message from 15 Minutes With Jesus at roberthaymes.com . May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you who love Him in truth, Amen. (2 Cor 13:14)

 Life And Death

Greetings in the name of Jesus! This is Rob Haymes. This is 15 Minutes With Jesus. Wherever two or three are gathered together in My name, Jesus said, there am I in the midst of them. To those of you who love Him in truth: mercy unto you and peace and love be multiplied. (Jude 1:2)

Thank you Heavenly Father; thank you for this day; thank you that you are with us to speak your Word to your people by your Holy Spirit: the Words that you have given me this day. Today’s program is called Life And Death. Jesus came that we may live and not die. He said, If anyone lives and believes in Me, he shall never die. Do you believe this? In Him is life. He overcame death and hell when He rose from the dead, and He came to give us eternal life. 

Let’s read 1 John 1:1-10, That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life—the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us—that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write to you that your joy may be full. This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His Word is not in us. The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Let’s turn to Rom 8:1,  There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 

For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. If you continue in sin, and you won’t give it up, you will die, eternally. If you will repent of your sins and come to Jesus: the one who gave His life upon the Cross, that you might live, you shall inherit eternal life in Him. He was dead, but now He is alive forever more. So shall it be with you in Him: if you die in Him, when He comes in His glory, you shall be raised from the dead into an eternal glorified body, like His, to live with Him forever in His glory and the glory of the Father. The Father sent His Son to die for you that you might live in Him and never die. The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.  

Jesus came to give us life, and that more abundantly. John 10:10,The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd. Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again.  The Devil comes to steal from you and to kill you and to destroy you. That is his plan for your life. If you continue in sin, and will not come to Jesus, you are of the Devil, according to 1 John 3:8, He that practices sin is of the Devil, and his plan will be fulfilled in your life. He will steal it from you through his lies. Through your sins you will be destroyed. Jesus said, If you will not believe in Him, you will die in your sins. If you die in your sins you will be damned to eternal torment in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, with no rest, day and night, forever and ever. Jesus died to save you from death, and rose from the dead to give you life, if you will come to Him and repent of your sins and receive Him into your heart. Whosoever will call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved from death and shall inherit eternal life in Him. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever lives and believes in Him should not perish but should have eternal life. 

In Him is life! 1 John 5:10, He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself; he who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son. And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God. In John 3:36, Jesus said, He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him. 

Ok, let’s go to John chapter 6: we’re going to talk about the Bread of Life. Verse 32, Then Jesus said to them, Most assuredly, I say to you, Moses did not give you the bread from Heaven, but My Father gives you the true bread from Heaven. For the bread of God is He who comes down from Heaven and gives life to the world. Then they said to Him, Lord, give us this bread always. And Jesus said to them, I am the Bread of Life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. But I said to you that you have seen Me and yet do not believe. All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. For I have come down from Heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day. The Jews then complained about Him, because He said, I am the Bread which came down from Heaven. And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How is it then that He says, I have come down from Heaven? Jesus therefore answered and said to them, Do not murmur among yourselves. 

No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, And they shall all be taught by God. Therefore everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me. Not that anyone has seen the Father, except He who is from God; He has seen the Father. Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life. I am the Bread of Life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which comes down from Heaven, that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living Bread which came down from Heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world. The Jews therefore quarreled among themselves, saying, How can this Man give us His flesh to eat? Then Jesus said to them, Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His Blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My Blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For My flesh is food indeed, and My Blood is drink indeed. He who eats My flesh and drinks My Blood abides in Me, and I in him. As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me. This is the bread which came down from Heaven—not as your fathers ate the manna, and are dead. He who eats this bread will live forever. What does it mean: to eat this bread; to eat My flesh and drink My Blood? It means, to believe in His sacrifice of His Body and His Blood, upon the Cross, for your sins, and thereby to be forgiven, and to be cleansed of all unrighteousness, and to inherit eternal life in Him: the righteousness which is by faith in Jesus Christ to all those that believe.

Jesus said, I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but by Me. 

Jesus is the life! In Him is life!, and He is the only way to the Father. 

Thank you for reading this message from 15 Minutes With Jesus at roberthaymes.com . May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you who love Him in truth, Amen.

 Trusting In A Man

Greetings in the name of Jesus! This is Rob Haymes. This is 15 Minutes With Jesus. Wherever two or three are gathered together in My name, Jesus said, there am I in the midst of them. To those of you who love Him in truth: mercy unto you and peace and love be multiplied. (Jude 1:2)

Amen! Thank you Father, in Jesus’ name, for this program. Thank you Lord that you are with me to speak your Words by your Holy Spirit. Thank you Lord. I pray that you would give us all grace to understand what you are saying this day. 

Today’s program is called, Trusting In A Man. Let’s turn to Jer 17:5,  Thus says the Lord: Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart departs from the Lord. For he shall be like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see when good comes, but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land which is not inhabited. Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; but its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit. The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it? I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings.

Trusting in a man-putting the words of a man above the Words of God. His Word is truth.

Let’s turn to 1 John 2:26, These things I have written to you concerning those who try to deceive you. But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him. And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming. If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him. It is the Holy Spirit who is the teacher; it is Him in you, and in any true minister of God who is sent by Him. In John 16:13, Jesus said, However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. He will glorify Jesus, the Holy Spirit, never a man. If a man is teaching without the anointing of the Holy Spirit, you have no need of him. Jesus taught by the Holy Spirit, and so did His disciples. He said, I only say what I hear My Father saying. He also said, The Words that I speak, they are Spirit and they are life. It is the Spirit that quickens, or gives life; the flesh profits nothing. They that are led by the Spirit of God are the sons of God. In Acts chapter 13, we read about Paul and Barnabas being sent by the Holy Spirit. Verse 2, As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them. Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away. So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. 

1 John 2:26, These things I have written to you concerning those who try to deceive you.

The people of Germany, in the 1940’s, were seduced by Adolph Hitler. He walked in the spirit and power of the Devil. He was an antichrist. 1 John 2:18, Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour. Even now, little children, there are many antichrists. If you are looking to a man; trusting in a man, you are open prey for that spirit to take you over. Rev 13:1, Then I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name. Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority. And I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed. And all the world marveled and followed the beast. So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him? And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months. Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in Heaven. It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation. All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. If anyone has an ear, let him hear. The whole world will worship the Antichrist; he will declare himself to be God, everyone whose name is not written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

2 Thess 2:1, Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come. Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. Don’t be deceived: just because you are a Christian, of whatever degree, don’t think that you cannot be deceived. Your name can be blotted out of the Book of Life, if you turn away from Jesus and stop following Him only; if you go after another man and trust in him. Rev 3:5, He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. Trust only in Jesus Christ. 

1 John 3:7,  Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. Mat 24:3, Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age? And Jesus answered and said to them: Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, I am the Christ, and will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 

Mat 7:15, Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them. An antichrist is of the Devil; the Antichrist is of the Devil. The sheep’s clothing is the Word of God. They will come speaking truth; speaking the Word of God, and then they will speak lies, when they have won the hearts of the people. 

2 John 1:6, This is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, that as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it. For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward. Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds. He that abides in the doctrine of Christ, he has both the Father and the Son. Trust in the Lord your God; Him only shall you serve. 

“In God We Trust”:

The reason that our country, America, has been so blessed, is because our forefathers truly trusted in God. They gave Him glory and honor, and He was with them in the founding of our nation. It was not “One nation under George Washington”; it was not “One nation under Thomas Jefferson”; it was “One nation under God” with liberty and justice for all. Now, who are we trusting in? When you follow a man; when you trust in a man, you make flesh your strength, and your heart departs from the Lord, and you are cursed. Church!, who are you trusting in?

Several years ago I was involved in a church which was led by a false prophet, a minister of Satan. Through trusting in my preacher I was brought into bondage, and I ate the fruit of his lies that he taught. Through his false doctrine I fell into sin, and it was only the great mercy of my God, and the intercession of my Lord and Savior before my Father, that I was led to repentance, and by the truth of His Word, He brought me out of that darkness and into His light. The Lord continued to lead me in righteous paths to break me of my rebellion, and bring me into obedience and His righteousness. In the process of my deliverance and sanctification, I made a real commitment to God to believe what is written in his Word, over and above what my preacher or any other man might say. It was the light of His Word that delivered me from that darkness. After leaving that church, I started following another man: a preacher that taught a lot of truth. The Lord then went to great lengths to deliver me from following him, and that was the end of my trusting in a man. I remember saying to Jesus at that time, “Only you, Lord, only you.”  

We have a King; He is righteous, and He is coming in His glory, and the glory of His Father, to establish His Kingdom on the Earth, and all His enemies will be put under His feet. Jesus is our great King! Those of us who truly trust in Him shall be saved.

Thank you for reading this message from 15 Minutes With Jesus at roberthaymes.com . May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you who love Him in truth, Amen. (2 Cor 13:14)

 My Love Is Sufficient For You

Greetings in the name of Jesus! This is Rob Haymes. This is 15 Minutes With Jesus. Wherever two or three are gathered together in My name, Jesus said, there am I in the midst of them. To those of you who love Him in truth: mercy unto you and peace and love be multiplied. (Jude 1:2)

Thank you Father; we thank you for this day Father; we ask your blessing on this program today. Give us ears to hear what the Holy Spirit is saying.

Today’s program is called, My Love Is Sufficient For You. Let’s turn to 2 Cor 12:8, Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. Not too long ago I was struggling with some afflictions, and the Lord Jesus spoke to me and said, “My grace is sufficient for you.” Then He touched me, and lifted the affliction off of me. What a joy! I felt so much better, all that night!, and I realized His grace is truly sufficient for me. The Apostle Paul wrote, in Heb 4:14, let’s turn there,   Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. When you are in need, you can come boldly to Jesus and the Father and ask for grace and they will respond, if you come boldly, in faith, in humility; faith in what? Faith in Jesus sacrifice for you upon the Cross, through which He brought you into fellowship with Him, through your repentance and faith toward Him. What is that? It’s His love. 

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, upon that Cross for our sins, that whoever lives and believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. The other evening, as I was meditating on the relationships I have, and the Lord spoke to me again, “My love is sufficient for you.” Then He touched my heart. I was weeping and thanking Him for His love, not only for the Cross, but also for how He has loved me all my life. I realized, at that moment, that if everyone turned away from me, Jesus would still be with me; His love would sustain me. Thank you Father; thank you Jesus. 

Sometimes you may feel that nobody loves you; I’m here to tell you that Jesus loves you.  

He gave His very life for you, and if you will come to Him, in humility, with all your heart, you can know Him. He said, Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light. 

Let’s turn to Eph 2:4, Lord I thank you; I praise you; thank you Lord, But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God. God gave His Son because He loved us: His great love with which He loved us. The grace of God is His love toward us in Christ Jesus. His love is sufficient for you. Jesus loved us when we were dead in trespasses and sins, and He gave His life for us, that we might be forgiven and live in fellowship with Him and His Father forever. 

Isa 53, Who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, and as a root out of dry ground. He has no form or comeliness; and when we see Him, there is no beauty that we should desire Him. He is despised and rejected by men, a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief, and we hid, as it were our faces from Him; He was despised and we did not esteem Him. He was rejected of men, that we might be accepted of God in Him. In Him, you are not rejected; the Father loves you!, and He has accepted you because you believe in His Son and His sacrifice for you. Eph 1:6, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. When we reject Him, we condemn ourselves. He does not change. His love is true and everlasting. If we will repent and turn to Him and obey Him, we will abide in His love. 

John 15:9, Jesus said, As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. He said, If you love Me, keep My commandments. We love Him, and continue in His Word, because He first loved us and gave Himself for us. Let’s go to John 17; Jesus was praying to the Father, shortly before He was arrested. Verse 20,  I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me. And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them. In verse 23, Jesus said,... that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. If you are in Jesus, according to His Word, the Father loves you as He loves Him. Do you believe that? That’s hard to believe, isn’t it? But it’s the truth, because Jesus said so. That’s how much the Father loves us. His love is true and faithful. If you will trust Jesus, no matter what you are going through, He will uphold you; His love will sustain you. He will be interceding for you before the Father at His right hand. He will bring you through into victory, but you must trust Him and believe Him and follow Him, even unto death. Let's turn to 1 Cor 15: 54, So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: Death is swallowed up in victory. O death where is your sting? O Hades where is your victory? The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 

1 John 4:7, Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.   In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us. If someone says, I love God, and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also. 

Understand this: the only reason that Jesus endured and willingly went through all He went through in His suffering for you and me, is because He loves us, and the Father, and the Father loves us. Receive His love this day. His love is sufficient for you.

Thank you for reading this message from 15 Minutes With Jesus at roberthaymes.com . May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you who love Him in truth. Amen (2 Cor 13:14)

 The Givers and the Takers

Greetings in the name of Jesus! This is Rob Haymes. This is 15 Minutes With Jesus. Wherever two or three are gathered together in My name, Jesus said, there am I in the midst of them. To those of you who love Him in truth: mercy unto you and peace and love be multiplied. (Jude 1:2)

Father, in Jesus name, we thank you for this day; we thank you for this program that you have given me, thank you Father, for your people. Give us all ears to hear what the Holy Spirit is saying, in Jesus’ name, thank you Father.

This program is called, The Givers and The Takers. There are people that love God, and will love you and do you good, and there are people that love themselves and only want what they can get from you. They walk in witchcraft to manipulate you and get what they want. God brought people into Jesus‘ life to minister to Him of their substance. Let’s turn to Luke 8:1, Now it came to pass, afterward, that He went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with Him, and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities—Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons, and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others who provided for Him from their substance. Let’s turn to Luke 10:38, Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus' feet and heard His Word. But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me. And Jesus answered and said to her, Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her. Martha and Mary and Lazarus had a house, and Jesus stayed at their house and they fed Him and showed hospitality to Him and His disciples.

Satan tries to bring people into your life to take from you; to steal, kill, and destroy, like Judas. Let’s turn to John 12:1,   Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was who had been dead, whom He had raised from the dead. There they made Him a supper; and Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with Him. Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil. But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, who would betray Him, said, Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor? This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it. You see that? He was a thief, and he took money from Jesus, and he betrayed Him unto death. But it was the will of God, that the scriptures might be fulfilled. Matt 7:15, Jesus said, Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. They want to devour you, like the scribes: Jesus said, Beware of them, for they devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence, make long prayers. They love the chief seats; the honor of men. They don’t love you or God, but themselves only.  

The Scripture says, Let him who stole steal no more, but let him work with his hands, doing that which is good, that he may have to give to those that are in need. Let the taker repent and become a giver. When God leads you to give to someone, it is a blessing; to show compassion. But when you let people manipulate you, it is not a blessing, and they will keep on manipulating until you stop letting them use you. We’ve got to learn to overcome the takers; the wolves. Jesus said to beware of them; they can really mess up your life. 

Rom 16:23, Paul said, about Gaius, he said, Gaius my host, and the host of the whole Church, greets you. 3 John 1:1, talking about Gaius, one of the saints, who was a giver,  The Elder, To the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth: Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you do for the brethren and for strangers, who have borne witness of your love before the church. Gaius was a giver; he showed much hospitality to the brethren.

In 1 Kings 21, we read about Ahab and Jezebelle: they were takers. They killed Naboth and took his vineyard, and God judged them.

Give and you shall receive. You give as God is leading you, not by response to the takers and their manipulation. It is always according to what you have, not to what you don’t have. It’s not he who gives much money who is spiritual, but he who does the will of God. Jesus said, I only do what I see My Father doing.

Barzillai, in 2 Sam 17, was a great man, and he also was a giver. He provided for David and his company when they were in the wilderness, fleeing from Absolam. 2 Sam 17:28,...beds and basins, earthen vessels and wheat, barley and flour, parched grain and beans, lentils and parched seeds, honey and curds, sheep and cheese of the herd, for David and the people who were with him to eat. For they said, The people are hungry and weary and thirsty in the wilderness.

But the greatest givers of all are the Father and His Son Jesus Christ: For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever lives and believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. God gave His beloved Son to die for us; Jesus willingly gave His life for us, and shed His Blood to deliver us from our sins and from death. Others have followed Jesus, and taken up their cross and died for His name-the true martyrs of Jesus. Others have suffered greatly for His name, and for the Gospel’s sake.

In 2 Sam 11, King David became a taker when he lusted after Uriah’s wife, Bathsheba, and he took her for himself and killed her husband with the sword of the Ammonites.  But God confronted him through the prophet Nathan, and dealt with him and judged him, and David repented. He never went back to his vomit again. He became a great giver to the people of Israel, and to God. He gave very much of himself and his substance to the building of the Temple of God. He also gave us many wonderful songs and psalms by the Holy Spirit.

Ok, let’s turn to Luke 6:27, Jesus said, But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise. But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful. Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you. This is how the Kingdom of God works; this is how life works. Jesus said, Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. If you are a taker, people will be taking from you. But if you are a giver, you don’t even have to consider your needs. God will be sure that men will give unto you, according to your giving. If you give generously and graciously, like He does, according to what you have, people will be giving into your bosom; you will have an abundant life. Jesus said, Don’t even think about your life, what you need, but seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all your needs will be added to you. When you see your brother in need, let the Holy Spirit lead you in doing them good. Forgive if you have anything against anyone, and you shall be forgiven. Show love and kindness and it will be shown to you. Don’t wait for people to give to you. Do what Jesus said: Give and it shall be given; forgive and you shall be forgiven. Love God and serve Him and obey Him and He will love you and bless you. Love your enemies and do good to those who hate you. Who knows if they won’t change and do you good in the end. What kind of life do you want? Do you want to live in the blessing of God, or do you want to be cursed? You can manipulate people and get things from them, but you won’t be blessed; you won’t be happy. Even when we must suffer for the Lord’s sake, and do without, He will be with us: we will have what we need, and He will give us His joy, Hallelujah! In due season, if we sow righteousness and goodness, we will reap a good harvest, Amen! Just don’t let the takers deceive you into giving to them when God is not leading you to do so. Let Him lead you in giving and doing good and you will be blessed. It’s ok to say no.

I know what Jesus said, in Matt 25:31-46, about the sheep and the goats. I’ve always had fear concerning these Words, and I definitely want to feed people and give them drink when I see them in need. I definitely want to take in a stranger and give them shelter, but I have had to learn the hard way how people will manipulate you, if you let them, and you can get into a situation that is very difficult by feeling sorry for someone and doing things to help them when God is not leading you to do so. Whenever you see someone in need, you must seek the Lord, and understand what He wants you to do in the situation. Some people know very well how to manipulate Christians who have a heart to give and to help, and they are very crafty at getting you to give to them. They are takers, not givers. Many of them don’t work, and they live off of other people’s labors. That doesn’t mean that you should stop giving and helping, no! You just need to truly let God lead you by His Holy Spirit in doing so, and then it will be a blessing. Saying no to a taker is a blessing. Giving to a giver is a blessing. A real giver will do what they can to help you while you’re helping them; they will truly be thankful. So, be filled with the Spirit and give cheerfully and graciously as He leads you and you will be blessed. 

Thank you for reading this message from 15 Minutes With Jesus at roberthaymes.com . May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you who love Him in truth, Amen.