Pastor Barry's  "Chapter & Verse"  Day 214

August 1;   Matthew 5:24;   5/260(II);   ‘Obey the Word’

Matthew 5:24 leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

God’s Word works.  Every blessing that has been provided for Christians, by the redemptive sacrifice of the Lord Jesus, on our behalf, belongs to us.  God’s Word is a ‘Legal Document.’  If you believe the Word and release your faith when you pray, believing that particular blessing is yours, the Bible says that your prayer will be answered.  This verse, and many others, teach that there are things that we do or do not do, that hinder our faith and the blessings that legally are ours from manifesting in our lives.  Sin greatly hinders the blessings that the Lord wants you to have.  He also wants us to live in line with the Word of God.  Remember, the Lord does not want you to sin because sin causes misery, pain and destruction.  Contrary to religious thinking, the Lord does not punish us when we sin, the ramifications of sin punishes us.  Psalm 66:18 teaches that if we continue in sin, the Lord will not hear our prayers.  God is holy and sin becomes a barrier for all that the Lord wants you to be blessed with.  v24 tells us that if there is hard feelings between you and another, before you approach the Lord, you must reconcile your differences with that other person.  Unforgiveness, anger, bitterness, jealousy etc. all hinder our prayers from being answered.  They also cause misery and often physical distress, which is another reason the Lord does not want you to sin.  The Word works, the Lord always desires to answer your prayers because He loves you.  Check up on yourself.  Refuse to allow anything from hindering your prayers and fellowship with the Lord.  Live right and enjoy life.