Today I had a wonderful opportunity and experience in God. Do not ever forget God will check us out. He will arrange situations and circumstances in our lives to see what we are really made of. There are too many Christians in the Body of Christ that talk a Godly life, but the fruit of the Spirit; in “goodness,”“righteousness,” and “truth” is not manifested in their lives. Paul taught this truth (and to us today) to the Christians at Ephesus, “(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) 10Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.” (Ephesians 5:9-10) I hope they learned the lesson Paul taught I cannot speak for them, but I can speak for myself and what I see today moving in the Body of Christ.

Many of my friends would say, David do not speak these words, just pray that God changes their heart. Well that is not the way God operates, hence no change. Paul tells us, “But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: “ (Ephesians 4:15) It is no wonder there is little spiritual growth in the Body of Christ, few preachers and teachers are telling the Body of Christ God expects His children to grow up. Oh no my friend, this message does not make people happy or fill seats and offering plates. I am really tied of this milk toast religion of just loving everyone while they continue in great error expecting God to show them the error of their ways. No my friend God expects us, “ye” those who are “spiritual” (those who possess wisdom from God’s personal judgments and dealings in their lives, heart not head knowledge, and the authority) to “restore such an one in the spirit of meekness.”“Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” (Galatians 6:1) We are to tell our brothers and sisters “in love” and “in the spirit of meekness” that they have gotten off track and need to repent (about face, ) to go again in the direction God is moving. Thank God for His love and grace, but there is more much more in God that He desires us to experience and handle. We never forget His love and grace, but if our experience in God is just love and grace, we will never move into the “weightier matters” of God. “W oe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.” (Matthew 23:23)

Back to my opportunity. My wonderful son Daniel and his charming wife Sarah gave me $200, $100 for BHG and $100 to send Pastor Wilson in Sankaraguptham, India. This was great timing on Dan, Sarah, and the Lord’s part for I needed some extra money to purchase some presents for our trip to Nairobi, Kenya. I cashed the checks and stopped by the Western Union I use to send money to Nigeria, Nepal, and other countries. During the transaction the nice lady gave me back the $100 bill and asked for $10 for the transaction fee. I paid the money and questioned her giving me back the $100 bill. She said I gave her two $100 bills, now I knew I only had $200 in my wallet, $100 in five twenties and one $100 bill. I said are you sure she said I am 100 percent sure. I said okay. As we were driving out to the Marine Corps Base to shop at the Exchange I told Karen. I asked Karen to call the Western Union so I could speak to them again. She did and I got the girl who helped me earlier. She again said she was 100 percent sure she was right, however, they count the money at 14.00 and would call me if they were short. After my call I felt so good, I did the right thing. Do you know God is more concerned about our integrity, honesty, and truthfulness than our ability to speak in tongues, cast out demons, do signs and wonders, or preach the Gospel message. My mind went back to two events from the past when we lived in Georgia. It was during this time in my life God really began to deal and judge in my life so that He could lead me into greater ministry. If God can not trust you with what He has already gave you He will not be able to give you more of His goods. “For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.” (Matthew 25:14) Here in this verse the man travelling is our Lord and Savior Jesus and we are the servant. Notice He gives us His goods, not another servants goods (now I like that), because He has found us faithful. The first event to this day still makes me think. I stopped by a convenience store called the Circle K in Jonesboro, GA (where we lived) and purchased some gas. As I was filing my tank I looked down and saw a funny looking bag. I finished, picked up the bag, and went inside to pay for the gas. I told the lady behind the counter I found this bag outside by the gas pumps, paid for my gas, and left. About two weeks later I was back at the Circle K and a lady behind the counter said there is the man who returned the $5,000 of store receipts that I forgot at the gas pumps. God does have His ways of checking us out and praising His servants. She thanked me many times, I paid for my gas, and left. As I got into my Jeep the Holy Spirit spoke to my spirit, “if you knew what was in the bag would you have taken it back? I said yes, but still to this day I wonder. You see I knew and already counted the $100 for Pastor Wilson as gone from my hand, but how about $5,000. I could do a lot of good works for God with $5,000, couldn’t I? A few days later Phil, a friend of mine invited me to a tent revival to hear this gifted woman of God, highly anointed and used of God. I said yes and went. The entire time the music was so loud I could not follow the service. Phil loved it, but I was getting a headache. The organ never stopped even when she started preaching about the “Money Angel.” She spun a tale of herself walking down the street and while passing an ATM it started spitting out $20 bills. She said the “Money Angel” was rewarding her for her service to God and if we would give her $79 she would pray for the “Money Angel” to give us favor when we walk by an ATM. Nonsense and foolishness, just like another woman I heard on TBN say she has power in the heavenly and earthly and deserves to receive God’s blessing. What presumption, great foolishness, and err; knowingly and willfully leading someone into error. Phil was one of the first in the huge snake line. God does not meet our greed for things by supernatural means. What nonsense and foolishness, but in most churches today foolishness and nonsense makes the speaker much money. I can tell you story after story from all around the world of such lies and nonsense. It is no wonder those in world, who need the resurrection life of Jesus Christ, do not trust many in the church, they are not trustworthy. The receiving of the Gospel message happens when the Spirit of God draws and when the words of the messenger are received and believed through the speaking and validation of the messenger. Billy Graham was one such messenger; never touched by public scandal, a real man of God full of integrity and honesty.

My friend, God is so concerned about our words being true and honest. He is very concerned about our integrity. James tells us, “But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.” (James 5:12) Now when the Bible says, “all things” it means “all things” not some things, but “all things.” Above all things, “let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.” or let your yes be yes and your no be no, be honest and tell the truth in “all things.” This is more important and above all of the church activities and outward spiritual works that we go after. God is not looking at all of our religious service and duties, we think He is, but He is not. God is looking at our heart motives and intentions. He is looking at how and why we do things for Him. If we want to have God meet our need then we must have eyes to see He whom that is invisible (Hebrew 11:27). We must have the eyes of our heart focused on “goodness,”“righteousness,” and “truth” only here my friend are “true” riches and treasures beyond our wildest dreams. Oh by the way, Western Union called and they were $100 short.