WHY Does God Answer Prayer?
On What Basis Does Our Access
to Him Come?
Salvation is in Christ alone. And so is answered prayer (John 14:6).
We don’t cross our fingers or knock on wood. That’s nothing but a bunch of false hope, luck, witchcraft. God’s people pray to the Father in the name of Jesus and God answers!
24 hour prayer? No. Where do we see the church doing 24 hours in the New Testament other than when Peter was locked up Acts 12? God answers prayers due to the name of Jesus, not because people pray around the clock…. sounds like works instead of faith which God requires, which pleases God (John 14:13-14; 16:23-24; Hebrews 11:6).
There’s no end to the phony gimmicks that Satan is using his human agents to use in replacing Jesus Christ from the center of salvation! There is no salvation without Jesus Christ! Read Colossians 2.
Man’s access to God is Jesus Christ, period (John 14:6; Acts 4:12; 1 Timothy 2:5, etc.). Anything added to this divine prescription makes it “another gospel”, a heretical false gospel (Galatians 1:6-9). Jesus Christ plus nothing equals salvation, access to God. There is none beside Him.
“Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.” Isaiah 45:22
God sent just One to die in our place, to forgive our sins and bring us to Himself!
“For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:” 1 Peter 3:18
Today we see SO much pride-filled witchcraft going on in the name of “prayer warriors” and special “intercessors”. Personally I am learning to stay clear of the “prayer warrior” terminology and those who claim they are such, etc. Seems to lift up us, the mere pray-ers, and not Him and leads to pride in people as they boast of themselves, that they get prayers answered or that their prayers and calling is more important than others. Nonsense! Prayers are answered on one basis – the blood, the cross, the name of Jesus Christ. Any and every child of God can pray in the name of Jesus and God will answer it based on the righteousness of His only begotten Son, not some “powerful prayer warrior” or self-appointed “intercessor” witch (John 14:13-14; 16:23-24).
Beware that in any “prayer group” all it takes is for just one of those members to introduce a sugar-coated stealth request or attitude and the whole group is influenced. The course and direction of that group will be off target from that time forward. This is why many a disciple has and is learning to keep things down to a simple minimum void of the “need” or false obligation to join in with any and every “prayer group” that comes along.
TODAY: Someone was circulating a request for Christians to come together at a certain time tonight to “visualize” something that pertained to our nation.
ANY time you see someone using the word “visualize”, or “visualization” it’s the devil! New Age, occultism that is in open denial of Jesus Christ, it’s antichrist. Satan’s whole job description is to STEAL, to kill, and to destroy (John 10:10). This is just another way he seeks to steal the glory from the only nail scarred risen LORD and Savior who alone paid the perfect price to bring men back to God! (Colossians 2:8-10, 18-19)
God answers HIS people’s prayer by His own blood that gave access to HIM, not us visualizing it, or quoting it enough times…. this robs the glory from Jesus Christ and gives it to men, sinners. ANTICHRIST!
Praying in Christ’s Kingdom is Definitive and Absolute
In Christ’s kingdom, praying is not a guessing game or a roll of the dice. Believers don’t need to “make a wish” because they have a God who answers all their prayers! The Almighty Himself beckons His children to simply “ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.”
“And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. 24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.” John 16:23-24
LET’S TALK ABOUT THE WITCHCRAFT!
I heard a “ministry” commercial beckoning people to send in their prayer requests so the false ministry could pray for those people in the “holy land.” As if that was going to be the reason God answered their prayers! Pure gimmick! Totally phony. WHY? WHY are prayers answered? Is it due to the geographic location on the earth from which prayer is made? Pure antichrist witchcraft! The NAME OF JESUS CHRIST is the only reason God saves and answers prayer! And you must know Him first of all!
SOME are under the delusional myth that if 1,000 pray that God will answer prayer. Some erroneously believe that the more quantity of people who pray, the more God will answer. Not! Stop it now! Rid your mind of this…. here’s why…
“Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” Matthew 18:19-20
Two or more Jesus says…. makes no difference if it’s 2 or 2 million BECAUSE PRAYER IS ANSWERED BY FAITH IN AND DUE TO THE NAME OF JESUS, not the amount of people praying (John 14:13-14; 16:23-24).
“And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.” Acts 3:16
Answered prayer is just like salvation – it only comes in the name, the divine authority of Jesus Christ.
“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12
YOU have NO clue how much power is at your disposal …. if you simply abide and ASK …. in the ALMIGHTY name of Jesus….. WHATTTT DID HE SAY???? CAN YOU READ??????
SATAN is always trying to remove the worship of CHRIST (Colossians 2:8, 18-19). That’s his job, right? (John 10:10) We do not earn our place with God. Answered prayers from God are not by continuous intercession, fasting, and repentance! NO! While those things, namely repenting are essential, we must realize that all these things are gifts from God which came only by the perfect sacrifice of Christ. Over emphasizing anything else, even good things, is not holding up and exalting the HEAD, Christ but rather robbing the glory due His holy name alone (Colossians 2:18-19). Let’s read what Jesus said about our access to God, praying and the simplicity of it…. John 14:13-14; 16:23-24…. EVERY blessing of salvation comes exclusively through JESUS CHRIST.
When we pray in the name above all names, let us rest in the NAME of Jesus, the only reason why any prayer can be answered! Matthew 11:28-30 amen?
Repentance is a necessity. God requires it (Luke 13:3, etc.). And yet Christ alone paid the way with His own blood for us to be saved and receive all the blessings of God. Book of Hebrews!
PRAYER is ONLY answered by GOD through JESUS CHRIST – not “prayer bracelets,” a pagan rosary used by bead-counting pagans, mary, the phony pope of rome, or any other gimmick…. Repent of the witchcraft now or you will perish. PRAYER CHAIN? 24 Hour prayer (except for in extreme danger situations (Acts 12)? No. ALL FLESH! WHY is prayer answered? Because many are involved? No. Because we pray long? NO! Prayer is answered through CHRIST not a chain or the amount of people or time! This type stuff sounds holy on the surface yet is a ploy of the enemy to rob the glory from Christ.
NEVER formularize God or praying to Him. Many heresies are circulating which sound holy and yet are poisonous! Beware saints. We have access to God by faith and only and exclusively in the LORD JESUS CHRIST who perfectly won salvation for us on that cross in which He bled to redeem us!
The blessings of the kingdom of God are appropriated by faith via the perfect, finished work of Christ! Romans 4-5
Beware of the good luck charm shotgun praying methods men and devils seek to utilize. God set forth a simple, clear plan for His children to have their prayers answered by Him.
The biblical key we should behold is that whether there is one person or many praying, it’s only effective in the eyes of God if the emphasis is placed on JESUS CHRIST’s heavenly priesthood and not anything else. The erroneous idea perpetrated today is that because many people are praying in a “chain” the prayer will be answered. This is evil – seeking to rob the glory from Christ alone!
Justification and all the blessings of God are individually appropriated BY FAITH in the finished work of Christ which alone gives us access to the throne and blessings of God.
Jesus Christ is the only way of salvation and the only way for answered prayer for those who are authentically born again. The unsaved can pray till they faint and those prayers are not promised to be answered, except a sincere prayer of repentance and faith to be saved. How be be Saved
God the Father answers prayer and does miracles in the name of Jesus and on His perfect merit alone! (John 14:13-14; 16:23-24) Anything added is of Satan in order to draw attention from and steal the glory from Christ! (Colossians 2:18-19)
The biblical key to know is that all prayer is answered by the Father through Christ – and not by any fleshly endeavor such as seeing how many people we can get to pray for some situation – as if the name of JESUS CHRIST were not enough for God to answer our prayer! Read John 14:13-14; 16:23-24 afresh.
Jesus for Salvation
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6
No one can approach the Father for salvation or answered prayer but through the name above all names – the name of Jesus Christ.
“He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.” John 5:23
Ask the Father in Jesus’ Name for Answered Prayer
IS OUR FAITH in our own ability to accomplish a certain thing? OR is our faith in God through Christ? Simply ask Him saints…. here’s how ….
“And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.” John 14:13-14
DID GOD say He answers prayers if a lot of people are praying (un-biblical “prayer chain”) OR because an individual or 2 born again Christians pray in the name of Jesus????? (John 14:13-14; 16:23-24) Same principle: Did Jesus or His New Testament disciples have a rosary? No. Counting beads while praying pagan prayers is never going to get a prayer answered from God.
Of many of the prayers we see in Scripture, brother Charles Pray notes:
“Many of the prayers from the mighty men of God and Jesus Himself were prayers they made alone either on the mountain top or in the wilderness by themselves to God directly Amen. As we see in God’s Word, I also believe that worship to God includes corporate prayer and in all cases God is receiving all the Glory and honor only due to Jesus’ ultimate, perfect sacrifice.”
Launching a campaign to get “as many people as possible praying” in a so called “prayer chain” on a certain matter is never seen in the New Testament. The idea of this all by itself is saying that JESUS’ divine Person and perfect sacrifice was not enough to get God to answer our prayers. Read Hebrews. Prayer is a simple, humble request to God through Christ – the only reason we have access to God. Putting the emphasis on numbers of people we can get praying is stealing the glory from the nail scarred risen Savior who bled, was buried, and raised again to give each individual saint access to Him and the Father. Praying together is biblical but not seeing how many people we can ramp up.
“Prayer chains” or things like 24 hour prayer are no where in God’s Word – and take the emphasis off of Jesus, which is Satan’s design – to rob the Son of God of the glory due only to Him (Romans 11:36). Jesus’ blood is the only reason we have access to God – CHRIST’s perfect sacrifice. Take a close look at Colossians 2:18-19.
There doesn’t need to be a whole lot of people praying. No, there needs to be one or more praying with pure, sincere heart full of faith. Jesus promises He will answer when we pray to the Father in His holy name.
Did the LORD ever say anything like “Without working hard it is impossible to please Me.” No.
“But WITHOUT FAITH it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Hebrews 11:6
Are you living by faith or do you have “an EVIL heart of unbelief”?
“Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. 13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; 15 While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.” Hebrews 3:12-14 Fresh Start with God
SATAN’S job is to steal glory from Christ. Let’s not help him! Elevate Jesus, the only Head of HIS body (Colossians 2:18-19)
PRAYERS are answered by God only after one is truly born again and prays to the Father in Jesus’ name.
“And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. 24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name (on the basis of My authority): ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.” John 16:23-24
Learn this truth and “your joy” will “be full.” If you for a moment believe that your prayers can be answered by God based upon any goodness or performance of your own, you have been deceived.
Praying in Christ’s Kingdom is Definitive and Absolute
In Christ’s kingdom, praying is not a guessing game or a roll of the dice. Believers don’t need to “make a wish” because they have a God who answers all their prayers! The Almighty Himself beckons His children to simply “ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.”
Pray harder? No! Pray in faith out of a pure heart to the Father in the mighty name of Jesus Christ!
It’s time to cease complicating these simple truths the LORD gives us!
Jesus alone purchased you and your place with God. Prayerfully pour over this truth in Romans 4:4-5 and Titus 3:5-6.
In contrast to the good luck, shot in the dark, bead counting, prayer genie, new age occultic visualization, Christ-denying concoctions of the world’s cults, the Father promises and answers the prayers of His saints, ALL who trust Jesus Christ, His holy name alone, as the exclusive reason for all access to the one true and only God.
BEWARE OF THE GLORY-ROBBERS! Colossians 2:18-19
FIND one “prayer chain” in the Bible. Nowhere. The number of people doesn’t get a prayer answered, the NAME OF JESUS DOES!!!! (John 14:13-14; 16:23-24)
Isn’t the idea of a “prayer chain” paramount to the pagan, catholic rosary? Same devil behind it! It shuns Christ’s perfect sacrifice which exclusively gives us access to God! (Hebrews 4:14-16; 7:34-35; 10:19-21, etc.)
“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;” 1 Timothy 2:5
JESUS CHRIST alone bought our access to the Father with His own precious blood! (Hebrews 4:14-16; 7:24-26; 10:19-22) Trying to confess your sins to another sinner – a priest dressed up in a black costume, “Practicing His presence,” or saying a rosary, novena or any other type witchcraft is an occult, works-based, Christ-denying, glory-robbing, works-based, Christ-defying lying philosophy that contradicts Scripture. Repent sinner. Prayers are only answered by the Father in THE NAME OF JESUS!
“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” Romans 5:1-2
All of our own good works or righteousness is as putrid in the eyes of the Almighty as can be stated. The Bible puts it this way:
“But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” Isaiah 64:6
Attention: YOU are a sinner and nothing you could do could change that. Christ alone can justify you – by mercifully granting you HIS righteousness.
“But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation (atoning sacrifice) through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;” Romans 3:21-25
Here’s the only way to be saved, forgiven, and have God answer your prayers:
“For by grace (unmerited favor) are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9
Are you willing to admit the obvious – that you are a sinner in need of the Savior? If you are ready to make peace with your Maker, go here.
GOD is not a genie or slot machine. We don’t obey Him to get something from Him but because we are choosing to love and worship Him for who He is, the Almighty, supreme LORD our Redeemer!
Bead Counting Counterfeit
Here’s an obvious example of how Satan seeks to rob the glory from Christ by getting his prey focused on something, anything else but the nail-scarred, risen LORD and Savior:
SCAM ALERT: The catholic rosary is an antichrist scam – making people believe that praying and counting beads is going to get them to God or get their prayers answered. Being forgiven, being right with God, and answered prayer, comes exclusively – ONLY – by the LORD Jesus Christ! All else is a scam! The LORD continually warns us to “Beware of false prophets”! Any person who does not come to God in repentance and faith THROUGH CHRIST, will have their eternal soul scammed/cast into hell forever.
Long before the roman catholic cult arose, bead counting to earn favor from God has been around. It’s an ancient pagan practice.
Christ alone gets the glory for access to the Father and answered prayer – not you for all your 24 hour praying, bead-counting rosary praying, supposedly practicing His presence, or any other human effort.
“But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.” Matthew 6:7
Many today vainly believe that they shall be heard of God for something other than the blood and mercy of Jesus Christ. They believe they are earning their way to God and answered prayer by their own self effort of much praying, and other forms of asceticism (suffering to earn divine merit). This is paganism and shows they are not trusting the LORD but self.
“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Hebrews 11:6
“I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which thou hast shewed unto thy servant.” Genesis 32:10
“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;” Titus 3:5-6
“Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” Romans 4:4-5
Prayer is the divinely granted privilege of all who have truly been born again into Christ and His body. The precious precious blood of Jesus Christ alone purchased them to the Father in salvation and this includes every good blessing that accompanies salvation including answered prayer. Jesus says to His own to simply “Ask and it shall be given you” (Matthew 7:7) and “If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.” (John 14:13-14)
We have access to God through Christ alone – for salvation and prayer.
“Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; 21 And having an high priest over the house of God; 22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;).” Hebrews 10:19-23
Debbie Lord writes:
“We should always be reminded of what a precious gift prayer really is. Communing directly with the Father–Who was and is and always shall be, and the Great Lover of our souls, This communion made possible by and in the Name of His humble, obedient and beautiful only begotten Son, who overcame all temptation and sin and willingly shed His blood in tortuous sacrifice. The veil was torn at the moment of His death so we could be one in Him, our Lord and King, together with the Father.”
Yes, God requires our faith and obedience and such is vital to our relationship with Christ and answered prayer. Yet, first and foremost, we are brought into relationship with the Father through he merit of Christ Jesus alone and it’s through His holy, wonderful, Almighty name that our prayers are answered. Making Peace with God
“If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” John 15:7
Beloved, YOUR PRAYERS are not answered because you or your group is so special. Prayers are not answered by God due to any mere flesh or because someone stages themself to be this big “prayer warrior” or “intercessor.” Oh no! No, God has no respect of persons and you and your group are depraved, wretched, and “filthy rags” outside of the present mercy of Jesus Christ (Psalms 139:4-5; Isaiah 64:6; Romans 7:18). God does not answer prayer because any of us are so “wonderful” but rather because of the one and only “Wonderful Counselor”! (Isaiah 9:6-7) Prayers are not answered because someone pretends to have a more direct line to God! – “Ye are dead and your life is hid with Christ in God.” (Colossians 3:3) If you are hidden with Christ presently, you can have your prayers answered on Christ’s authority/Name alone! “ALL power (authority) in heaven and in earth” is given to Him, not you (Matthew 28:18-20). Jesus is the only direct line or access to the Father, period! Christ alone is the only reason you have access and salvation. When we get impressed with Jesus Christ, all mere men will pale and we shall then repent and put away the idols of our hearts (Ezekiel 14:3). God will share His glory with no mere man (Isaiah 42:8). Answered prayer is due to the perfection of Jesus Christ and let’s make sure that HE ALONE is receiving the glory for buying us back to the Father and making us one with Him. The blood of His cross bought us back to the Father (Colossians 1:20). It’s time to cease robbing the glory from the only One it’s due to – Jesus Christ! His blood alone accomplished such an otherwise impossible task! – “And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.” (John 14:13-14) When you pray in Jesus’ name, you are praying in His authority and upon HIS MERIT which is perfection! Now, JUST ASK HIM – ASK< ASK< ASK! What are you waiting for?
The title or calling for any mere man of a “prayer warrior” or special “intercessor” appears nowhere in the Bible and in my estimation seems to steal the glory from the One who bled to purchase our redemption and answered prayers. This title seems to place undue importance upon the pray-er (person praying) than upon the nail-scarred risen LORD and Savior, who alone made our salvation and access to God possible.
Those who are God’s are brought into relationship with Him through Christ alone. He hears their prayers. They have such privilege on the basis of the mighty, divine, glorious Name of Jesus Christ!
We are saved by Christ alone and the sheer mercy of the Father given to us due only to the sacrifice of His only begotten Son. We are redeemed and called to glorify His holy name alone!
“O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.” Psalms 34:3
“Let them praise thy great and terrible name; for it is holy.” Psalms 99:3
“Forasmuch as there is none like unto thee, O LORD; thou art great, and thy name is great in might.” Jeremiah 10:6
“O my God, incline thine ear, and hear; open thine eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by thy name: for we do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousnesses, but for thy great mercies.” Daniel 9:18
Jesus came and died, was buried, and rose again to share His Father’s love with all who will. Yet, Jesus will not, under and circumstance share his divine glory with any mere man.
“I am the Lord: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.” Isaiah 42:8
There’s only One to glory in – The only One in whom we have been granted “righteousness”:
“That no flesh should glory in his presence. 30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:29-31
Jesus Christ’s sinless, holy, divine blood won your access to God:
“Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:14-16
The Great Intercessor
“But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.” Galatians 4:4-5
When God could find no other to stand in the gap bridging the chasm that separated Him from fallen mankind, in the fullness of times, He sent His only begotten Son.
“And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.” Ezekiel 22:30
No one else was worthy or qualified to pay that ultimate ransom price. Jesus Christ alone came – with the help of no other mere man – and paid in full price for his redemption. Christ satisfied the claims of the Father’s justice to buy man back to Himself.
“God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; 3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high:” Hebrews 1:1-3
Christ now sits at His Father’s right hand, making intercession and mediation for all who will repent and receive Him.
“But this man (Jesus), because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. 25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. 26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens.” Hebrews 7:24-26
Your justification and salvation are because of Jesus Christ alone and not due to your own merit. In fact, you and I deserve only judgment for our sins yet through Christ we get justification! Fallen, Depraved Mankind
It is clear that our LORD wanted to be most remembered for the price He single-handedly paid for our sins:
“For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: 24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, this cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. 26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.” 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
Our access to God came at a very high price – the highest price that has ever or ever will be paid. When Jesus was dying on that cross to redeem us, He said “It is finished” which means that the price of our redemption had been “paid in full!” (John 19:30) Jesus was intent upon us remembering this price that He paid. He wants to be “crucified among you (us).” (Galatians 3:1)
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Feedback:
“This is powerful message. Thank you Christ. You are our Provider. He already knows what we have need of even before we pray. He answers us according to his Word. He has answered many of my prayers in the past and He will in the future when we seek Him and empty our selves of our selves. Then the answer comes . Flesh is as grass and it will wither away but the Spirit is eternal and so is His Word.” Carol B.
“This is just wonderful! I love reading these every day! I love where you said, “It’s time to cease robbing the glory from the only One it’s due to – Jesus Christ!” AMEN! He is to get ALL the glory! Going to share this one. 🙂 God bless!” Karen R.
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Articles
“Blessed are the Poor In Spirit” [podcast]

Jesus’ longest recorded message to His people stands on the foundation of the very first words our Savior uttered in this sermon on the mount.
The foundational truth of the entire sermon on the mount (Matthew 5-7) is found in the very first words of our LORD when unveiling this elaborate, far-reaching, and profound message to His disciples of all ages. Here are His first words:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:3
Note, “poor in spirit.” Not poor financially or religiously. The two should be mutually exclusive. The Greek word translated into English as “poor” is PTOCHOS. It means pauper, beggar, poor…..desperate and spiritually impoverished. Christ looks to desperate, hungry and thirsty people who want more of Him (Is. 66:2). Their hearts pant for more of Him (Ps. 42:1-2). They deeply desire more of His presence and Word. | Sin: Man’s Core Problem
Of this pillar truth of being “poor in spirit”, F.B. Meyer says:
“Note the passive side of the blessed life. To be poor in spirit, that is, to be lowly in one’s self-estimate; to be meek, not always interested in one’s rights; to mourn for the evils of one’s own heart and for the sin and sorrow around; to hunger and thirst after Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. These dispositions do not purchase blessedness, but to cultivate them is to be blessed. On the positive side are mercy, purity, peace and willingness to suffer all things for Christ. Here is 1Co_13:1-13 anticipated!”
Of this foundational cornerstone biblical essential, William MacDonald writes:
“This first blessing is pronounced on the poor in spirit. This does not refer to natural disposition, but to one’s deliberate choice and discipline. The poor in spirit are those who acknowledge their own helplessness and rely on God’s omnipotence. They sense their spiritual need and find it supplied in the Lord. The kingdom of heaven, where self-sufficiency is no virtue and self-exaltation is a vice, belongs to such people.” Believer’s Bible Commentary
Jesus said: “without me ye can do nothing.” John 15:5
“The more we know Christ the more we are aware we NEED Him!” Anita Villarreal
The path to victory is humbling ourselves in repentance and announcing our own utter poverty!
“But to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.” Isaiah 66:2
The absence of a “poor” or desperate for more of Christ “spirit” is the clear indicator that the self-righteous person is trusting in self and not Christ.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit (desperate, beggar, pauper): for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:3
The phrase “poor in spirit” speaks of being in a perpetual heart posture of being desperate for the LORD, being fully dependent upon Him as a beggar, a pauper.
“We never feel Christ to be a reality, until we feel Him to be a necessity.” Austin Phelps
God allowed Judas to betray Jesus and God allows our enemies to bless us to be broken. Judas the betrayer, was instrumental in Christ being delivered to be crucified, in His body being broken and blood poured out for the sins of the world.
The betrayal of our enemies also allows us to be broken.
“I have been to this place more than once. It has only been me and Jesus! It is a hard place to be. I have said ‘Jesus if You don’t help me, I am not going to make it!’ Looking back I can see that He has shown up, every time, even though at the time I wasn’t seeing it. Jesus has saved my life!! For that I am very grateful! Thank You Jesus!” Karen Cochran
Jesus commands us to love our enemies and oh how much easier this is to do when we realize how He is using our enemies to bring us to the bless-ed place of brokenness (Matthew 5:44).
“God uses the bad things that happen to us to save, sanctify and glorify us.”
The LORD has no interest in the empty worship of men or religion which is vastly prevalent today as it was in Christ’s day.
“He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.” Mark 7:6-9
No other sin so grieved the Savior as un-engaged religious pride and worship which actually insulated men from Him. Religious groups where this is found misrepresent Christ while claiming to be the only way to Him. No other group received more harsh and dooming words from Jesus Christ as those who were the very leaders of the religion He started 2 thousand years earlier (Judaism). The Jewish system of religion is the only religion God ever started or ever will start, and it is now obsolete. Christ came to bring all people into a personal relationship with Him and the Father and Holy Spirit (John 14:6, 17:3, 1 John 1:3, 7…).
Though it may appear outwardly to be different, today we have so much empty “worship” in the modern church world and this is why true disciples are coming out of her by the millions – “Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.” (Rev. 18:4). If Jesus commanded those who will be His to “Come out of her,” there must be something to come out of! The Son of God is no lunatic – He is “the Great Shepherd of the sheep,” who gave His life for His people and seeks to feed them with His pure Word and protect them (Ps. 23; Jn. 10; Heb. 13:20; 1 Pet. 2:2).
Relevant?
In today’s everything-and-anything-goes, trying-to-be-relevant-instead-of-Christ-like, church world of ungrounded people, a myriad of things have replaced Christ and His holy Word. In the world of evangelical religion today, there is anything but the pure Word of God. Here are some of the things that have crept in and are in full blown emphasis today in the modern church:
- a thrust to be “relevant” – a cloaked word used often by the emergent/seeker-friendly movement which boils down to being just like the world in order to win the world. Win them to what?! – to aself-serving “form of godliness” that denies Jesus instead of self?
- new Bible versions which are taken from corrupt manuscripts and are weak at best (see Amos 8:11 and BIBLE VERSIONS)
- fictional books from fad authors who misrepresent the Almighty through their caricatures and have and are leading many into idolatry as a result.
- soft, spineless leaders who do not present the biblical Gospel of Jesus Christ with repentance, the holiness of God, and necessity of personal holiness, hell, and judgment to come, etc.
- an emphasis on entertainment using music and arts at the expense of declaring divine truth in its pure form
Does the LORD call His true people to be like the world (relevant), or to follow Christ and be unlike the lost? Think about this: what are the lost being won to if the church world is no different than they are?
“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you (conditional), And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1
Jesus Didn’t Lie to Us
In this late hour, just as He foretold numerous times, “many” are being led astray by false prophets who have come in sheep’s clothing and are deceiving “many.” (Matt. 7:15; 24:3-5, 11, 24; 1 Tim. 4:1-3; 2 Tim. 3:13; 4:2-4; Jude 3-4, etc.) Eternal damnation awaits (2 Pet. 3).
The prophecies of the final days are dancing on stage in our faces.
In the vast majority of modern assemblies of “worship,” Jesus is no longer tended to or bothered with, much less elevated as the Creator, Redeemer, and “Head of the body.”(Col. 1:15-18; 2:18-19) No, instead, men and women who having “itching ears” are making popular false prophets who tell them what their sinful hearts desire to hear (2 Tim. 4:2-5).
Why should we be surprised? This was all foretold. The adulterous emphasis in the apostate church world, perpetrated by wolves who wear sheep’s clothing, is clearly enumerated as it is shown in resume’ form in 2 Timothy 3:1-7. – They are leading astray those who are just like themselves – “lovers of their own selves…lovers of pleasures MORE than lovers of God…”
Christ told us differently. Who are you following? Jesus said: “If ANY (that includes you)man will come after me, let him DENY himself, and take up his cross daily (die), and follow ME. For whosoever will save (preserve) his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it….So likewise, WHOSOEVER he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.” (Lk. 9:23-24; 14:33) These are the very words of the Alpha and Omega – when is the last time your pastor preached these words?
Instead of laid down lives, studying His Word to know and find out more about Him, self-serving and idolatrous emphasis bombard the people as they are constantly asserted by false leaders. “How to Get Rich,” “How to Live a More Fulfilled Life,” “How to Use God’s Word to get what YOU Want,” “12 Steps to a Better Life,” “How to have Better Relationships,” “How to Have Your Best Life Now,” “How to get Your Miracle from God,” “7 Keys to a New You,” “How to be a better Husband/Wife/Father/Mother,” “How to Get More for ME, Me, Me!!!,” etc. To the un-discerning eye, these things may seem harmless, but they are deadly. A man-centered gospel is a false, soul-damning heresy (Gal. 1:6-10; 2 Pet. 2:1-3). One can get a miracle, become a better wife or daddy, learn conflict resolution, read polluted fad “Christian” books, and use principles to get some self-help, and still die and go to hell. God is calling His people to become more intimate with Him, to repent of our sins, to know Him, to turn fully to Him, to become His disciples, and all else will follow (2 Chron. 7:14; Matt. 6:33; Jn. 17:3).
Jesus Christ is the Supreme God and Divine Creator of All that Is – the Whole Universe
“For by him (Christ) were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.” Colossians 1:16-17
Whenever and wherever the living and eternal Word, the divine Person of Jesus Christ, is NOT being sought after, studied, emphasized, worshipped, upheld, elevated, adored, praised, feared, and obeyed, false teachers are the leaders (Col. 1-2). Walking in these things nurtures saints and fosters in them a heart after God (Acts 13:22). Read Colossians 1-2 closely and prayerfully.
We have but a mere “form of godliness” if we have not presently chosen to crave more of Jesus, crying from our hearts and mouths – “He MUST increase, but I MUST decrease.”(Jn. 3:3; 2 Tim. 3:5) One can be actively involved in a local church environment while “ever learning,” and yet “never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (2 Tim. 3:1-7) All worship that does not elevate the Person of Christ is evil idolatry. Spiritual adultery is being spread in the hearts of men wherever Jesus Christ is not being peered into, loved, obeyed, and sought after with a whole heart! Any and all spiritual activity that does not begin and end with Jesus Christ is unadulterated idolatry. – “Thou shalt have NO other gods before me.” (Exod. 20:3)
Jesus is the Only Head of His True Body
“In whom (Christ) are hid ALL the treasures of wisdom and knowledge…As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. BEWARE lest ANY man spoil (ruin) you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in HIM, which is the head of all principality and power…Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.” Colossians 2:3, 6-10, 18-19
It’s not how it makes us feel friend – it’s whether or not its biblical that matters! God forgive our sins! It’s time to repent, elevate Jesus Christ, and die to self that Christ might reign gloriously. – “Ye are dead and your life is hid with Christ in God.” (Col. 3:3) The kingdom of God is all about Jesus, not me or you or any other mere man. IF in fact you are going to be apart of His eternal kingdom, you must die – if you don’t He won’t live in you and you will not be with Him eternally. – “they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.” (Gal. 5:24) You must suffer the death of your personal will and self-life or you will not be an overcomer (Rev. 2-3). You will consequently die and go to hell with all other rebels (Rom. 6; 8:17; 2 Tim. 2:12; 1 Pet. 2:21; 4:1).
Embracing the Cross
The overcoming disciple must cling to that old rugged cross. He must die the death that Christ ordained Him to die and set the example for us to behold – “not my will, but thine, be done.” (Lk. 22:42) He must of necessity resist the ease of the modern church program which makes church attendees instead of making disciples. He must possess a love for divine truth as he refuses to buy into the un-biblical falsity of modern religionist who rob Christ of His due glory. He must “buy the truth and sell it not.” (Prov. 23:23)
Only those who choose to daily die to self that Christ – the Greater One – might reign in their mortal bodies, will escape the horrific times to come where many are promised to fall away (Matt. 24:10-13, 24; 2 Thess. 2:1-12; 1 Tim. 4:1-3; 2 Tim. 3:1-7; 4:2-4).
Listen closely to what Jesus said concerning being ready to meet Him as we face these final days in which we now live:
“Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.” Luke 21:33-36
The from moral coward runs from the cross which represents Christ’s sacrifice. He flees the life of a true disciple which demands laying down one’s own way, will, and life to love Jesus. He runs to the entertainment and the feeling of ease and would rather be told things that demand no repentance or sacrifice. He loves the wolves who don sheep’s clothing and their smooth messages (2 Tim. 4:3-4). This is the false form of Christianity (completely foreign to Scripture) that has lulled him to sleep in the first place. He denies Christ instead of self and His command for us to die to the self life. No, instead he relishes the temporal pleasures of this fleeting life. Like Esau, he is giving up his eternal birthright (Heaven) for a temporary fix (bowl of soup).
If you are going to be with Jesus, you must at once RUN from any leader who is not preaching the cross – he isn’t even saved (1 Cor. 1:18; Phil. 3:17-18). He’s an imposter. He’s part of the diabolical conspiracy against the LORD Almighty. He’s a counterfeit – in league with those who are “enemies of the cross of Christ.” (Phil. 3:18)
First, make sure you are coming to the LORD daily in prayer and worship and His Precepts. When gathering with other believers, bring a heart that is hungering for more of Jesus.
Any “church attendance” or “worship” that is not producing in your heart a desperate hunger and thirst for more of Jesus Christ, is completely misguided and being led by a person who has either never been saved or is backslidden! Run beloved, run for your life! Find true remnant disciples and flourish in worshipping the one true God, holding fast to His holy Word. Cease to further the cause of wolf ministries! Stop (by your attendance) endorsing and supporting with your finances ministries that are leading people away from Jesus instead of to Him!
Jesus said:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:3
In these precious words recorded in Matthew 5:3, the Master was saying that those who are desperately impoverished in their hearts, realizing their utter need for Him are “blessed.” Undue loyalty to the organizations and futile programs of mere men invariably taint and hinder the personal relationship He made us to experience with Him. LORD, please bless us to know and love You and You alone! We will have “no other gods before You.” (Exodus 20:3-4)
In Genesis 32 we read of Jacob wrestling with God. The LORD broke Jacob and as a result a “poor in spirit” disposition possessed him…
“I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which thou hast shewed unto thy servant.” Genesis 32:10
Without a heart after God, all we have is a mere “form of godliness.” (Acts 13:22; 2 Timothy 3:5)
PRAYER: LORD, with deep resolve, I this moment make the obedient decision to come out of the antichrist, out of the apostate religious system where mere men, machinery, masters degrees, and programs are elevated in place of You! This moment I return to You O LORD and submit my spirit and whole being into Your holy and perfect hands! I love You LORD Jesus. Please forgive my sin of idolatry and spiritual adultery and fill me with Your Holy Spirit afresh. Please cleanse me by Your blood right now LORD. Please send me forth and make my life a fruitful field to Your glory alone. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Here’s how the blessing of knowing Him happens. Am I that weary and thirsty traveler in the hot, dry desert, panting after that glass of cold water laid before me? In other words, am I currently and personally seeking the LORD with outright abandonment and absolute desperation?
“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for THEY shall be filled.” Matthew 5:6
Q Who did Christ say were “blessed”?
A “they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness”
Q Who did Christ promise would “be filled”?
A “they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness”
One must “hunger and thirst” after the LORD, after His righteousness, in order to be “filled.”
“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” Matthew 5:6
Anyone who claims to be a disciple of Jesus and does not choose to have a heart after the LORD like David, does not “hunger and thirst after righteousness”, has nothing but dead religion, is lukewarm, and is going to be rejected from Christ unless he repents (Revelation 3:15-16).
“As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?” Psalms 42:1-2
“This psalm, Psalm 42, is a desperate plea to know God deeper. There’s a deep hunger in our inner most parts of our being. I ask You Jesus to come and clean me so You can then fill me in my inner most places that I don’t yet know You. Thank You Jesus because I know You will hear my prayer.” Karen Cochran
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus, please forgive me for the sin of not seeking You with a whole heart, for being self-absorbed and deceived. I utterly need You with every fiber of my being – every moment. You made me, died for and came and found and saved me while I was in my sin. Please forgive me for allowing the cares of this world, deceitfulness of temporal riches, lust for things other than You, and religion, consume me because I wasn’t seeking and being filled with more of You. I begin this moment to set my heart affections upon You alone and find my whole identity and purpose in You. May Your presence in me increase as You fill me afresh with Your Holy Ghost. Please increase in me Jesus and I choose to decrease, purging all that does not belong to You. I love You my LORD Jesus Christ. Praise Your holy name forevermore.
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Abiding
Having a Pure Heart Requires the Cross Life [podcast]

“Great Podcast. Thank you. When I think about Mat 5:8 I think of Psalm 24 3 “Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place?” 4 “He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.” Who is worthy to stand in God’s holy presence? Only those who are living holy and righteous lives! Those disciples who are free from pride and sin and are maintaining inner purity. With no idolatry, hypocrisy and deceit in their hearts! They hungry and thirst for the righteousness of God! Matthew 5:6. And are living in a New Jerusalem state of mind!”
“Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” Matthew 5:8
“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” Proverbs 4:23
“Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.” 1 Timothy 6:12
“We either allow God to throw us into the fire of affliction, using His fullers’ soap to cleanse, purify, and burn away the dross (impurities) and refine our character, or we will be thrown into the flames of eternal hell forever on the day of Judgment. Only the pure in heart will see God (Matthew 5:8). Better to burn now in the refiner’s fire so you don’t burn forever in the fire that will not be quenched!
Mark 9:49 “For every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt.”
“Everyone will be salted with fire in one of two ways: (1) either by fiery tribulation in this life, which comes to those who genuinely follow Jesus Christ (Luke 14:33-34; John 15:18-21), or (2) by the fire of hell in the next life, which comes to those who reject Jesus in this life (vv 47-48).” Life in the Spirit Study Bible.
We must endure hardships and remain faithful until the end of our lives! And who shall stand when He appears? Only those who endure until the end will be saved (Matthew 24:13). And receive final salvation!” Karen Cochran
Jesus, Founder and Perfecter of Our Faith
Hebrews 12
“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.”
“For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.” Galatians 5:17-18
“Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.” Proverbs 20:11
“Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” 2 Corinthians 13:5
“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 7:16-21
David, a man of God said to have a heart after the LORD, had fallen into gross sin and was in desperate danger and need of repentance and mercy from God. Here’s a portion of that prayer of repentance:
“Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thytender mercies blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I acknowledge my transgressions:and my sin is ever before me. 4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. 5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. 6 Behold, thou desirest truth in parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. 7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiterthan snow. 8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.” Psalms 51:1-8
If your life is not all about CHRIST, you are in trouble. Stop. Re-turn afresh to the LORD. Declare JESUS CHRIST as the LORD, Savior, Master, First Love of your life in this world! Do it with force! Memorize Galatians 6:14.
“Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” Galatians 6:14
Only the “pure in heart … shall see God”, shall be with God.
“Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” Matthew 5:8
“Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.” Psalms 51:4
You must come clean, completely clean. Get honest or go to hell. You have a choice to make.
“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” Proverbs 28:13
Genesis 3 – Adam blamed Eve and Eve blamed the serpent. Neither blamed themself.
“And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat. 13 And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.” Genesis 3:12-13
Nothing has changed.
“How few ingenuously confess their own sin! They see not their guilt. They are continually making excuses for their crimes; the strength and subtlety of the tempter, the natural weakness of their own minds, the unfavorable circumstances in which they were placed, etc., etc., are all pleaded as excuses for their sins, and thus the possibility of repentance is precluded; for till a man take his sin to himself, till he acknowledge that he alone is guilty, he cannot be humbled, and consequently cannot be saved. Reader, till thou accuse thyself, and thyself only, and feel that thou alone art responsible for all thy iniquities, there is no hope of thy salvation.” Adam Clarke
Of the 4 types of heart soil that the Word of God lands on, only the 4th is right with God and will be with Him eternally.
“in an honest and good heart”
“But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.” Luke 8:15
Prayer: Precious holy Father, please have mercy upon me for my sin of not putting You first, not honoring You. I repent, I return now to You Jesus and denounce self-idolatry and spiritual adultery. I love You supremely LORD. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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Articles
Is Hell Forever or Temporal? [podcast]

The original Gospel prominently includes the judgment of hell coming to every person who dies on sin (Mark 9:43-49, etc.). EVERY preacher not preaching hell is a false prophet who is preaching “another gospel” and is “accursed.” (Galatians 1:6-9) Jesus and His holy apostles taught it and there’s no excuse for not doing the same. Repent now self-serving coward.
Are Hell and the Lake of Fire Eternal or Temporal?
As an eternal memorial of the holiness of God, the pit of hell will be an open, visible display of what happens to those who do things their own way instead of living in relationship to their just Maker.
“And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die (consciousness never ceases), neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh.” Isaiah 66:24
Anyone who wonders why God is going to damn all rebels to hell does not understand or begin to appreciate the depths of the depravity of man in the eyes of a holy God nor does He begin to understand the ultimate sacrifice of the Son of God.
“How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation.” Hebrews 2:3
PRAYER: Holy Father, in Jesus’ name, help us preach hell so hot that those separated from you can feel the flames and smell the smoke! In Jesus’ name. Amen.
MAY God bless us to preach hell so hot that sinners can feel the flames and smell the smoke!!!!
“True and righteous are thy judgments”
You think God is harsh, unjust? You going to sit there and arrogantly judge the Almighty? Humble yourself. He’s super merciful and it’s proven in that we – you and I – are not in hell! WE’VE LIED, STOLEN, USED HIS HOLY NAME IN VAIN, ETC.
“And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, TRUE AND RIGHTEOUS ARE HIS JUDGMENTS.” Revelation 16:7
Judgment Day nears…. Yet, because God is “not willing that ANY” of us “should perish” we have this time, today, to repent and make things right with Him, to settle out of court – before it’s too late (2 Pet 3:9). He wants to drop all the charges you racked up against yourself. Making Peace with God – before it’s too late.
“He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” Micah 6:8
It’s all fun and games until you die and go to hell – to be forever incarcerated in the lake of fire, consciously tormented world without end.
You know you are dealing with an antichrist cult when they deny eternal conscious suffering – NEVER ending! How do we now this? Great question….. keep reading! Listen to the podcast here above.
“And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9 Who shall be punished with EVERLASTING destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; 10 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.” 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10
v. 9 The fact that “destruction” is spoken of here as “everlasting” clearly proves that annihilation is a lie. The Greek word for “destruction” is olethros ol’-eth-ros and means to ruin. This is like the biblical word “perish” where it refers to being ruined or spoiled and not annihilated or not completely done away with. Again, the term “everlasting destruction” means that this destruction in hell which will be experienced by all who die in sin instead of in Christ, will last for ever – will be “EVERlasting.”
“Who shall be punished with EVERLASTING destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;” 2 Thessalonians 1:9
Jesus warns us to fear God who is able to send us to hell:
“And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. 5 But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.” Luke 12:4-5
What did Jesus teach about eternal punishment? In Mark 9, Jesus repeatedly uses the term – “their worm dieth not” – “worm” here is an idiom for consciousness which He says will never end. Lost souls will suffer unending torment. Annihilation is a lie. Here Jesus is warning us to get rid of all sin lest we be cast into hell, separated eternally from He who is “Holy, holy, holy” and commanded us to “Be ye holy; for I am holy” (Isaiah 6:3; 1 Peter 1:15-16; Revelation 4:8).
“And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into THE FIRE THAT NEVER SHALL BE QUENCHED: 44 Where THEIR WORM (consciousness) DIETH NOT, and the fire is not quenched. 45 And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into THE FIRE THAT NEVER SHALL BE QUENCHED: 46 Where THEIR WORM (conscious feelings) DIETH NOT, and THE FIRE IS NOT QUENCHED. 47 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: 48 Where THEIR WORM DIETH NOT, and THE FIRE IS NOT QUENCHED. 49 For every one shall be salted with fire (preserved in suffering), and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt.” Mark 9:43-49
“Salted with fire” refers to preservation. This further exposes the annihilation lie. Notice how these cultists are amateurishly obvious in their selective, seductive theology as they seek to do away with the plainly stated eternal divine retribution that is coming on all wicked souls. Is salt not obviously a preservative? Well, is Jesus not confirming and reiterating the rest of what He is saying here with the obvious truth that all sacrifices in hell will be salted to preserve them from being annihilated so they can be tormented consciously as a just reward for rejecting the very precious blood of Jesus? The Father didn’t send His only begotten Son to die in vain.
HELL IS FOREVER AND SO IS THE CONSCIOUSNESS OF EVERY OCCUPANT OF HELL. They will never cease to feel the horrific pain.
In light of this Mark 9 passage, Jesus, the only Savior, preached hell and commanded His people to preach hell in order to warn men to not go there. Hell is the justice of a holy God and is a vital component of the original Gospel message preached by Jesus and is a manifestation of God’s love. Only wolves in sheep’s clothing leave it out of their messages!
“You only live once” on earth but you will live eternally in Heaven or hell. By default, as being fully guilty, you are going to hell as a sinner to pay for your own sins – unless you repent and receive Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. … 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:9-10, 13
From an eternal perspective, no person who dies and goes to hell is a success but rather a total failure, a rebel who will never escape the conscious torment of the domain of the damned. Are you born again and presently abiding in Christ? If not, the flames of eternal damnation will feed upon your soul forever. Repent now sinner and believe on the LORD Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins – before it’s too late.
Unleash Heaven’s holy fury on sin by preaching the consequence of dying in sin – eternal hell!
False teachers also ignore the simple idiom Jesus uses here in saying that “their worm dieth NOT.” This refers to their consciousness which makes sense.
This passage begs the question of Why O Why would the Son of God give such a severe warning if the penalty for violating it weren’t so severe and eternal? That is, if those who die without Christ are just going to be annihilated? After all, Jesus tells us here that it would be better, that is more profitable, to literally cut off our hand, to cut off our foot, and to even pluck out our eye if these members cause us to violate the holiness of God.
This message demonstrates as an example, that no Greek or Hebrew is needed and is certainly not the main rule of interpretation. We must take God’s preserved Word for what it clearly states in our own language, as we compile, compound, put together Scripture with Scripture (Isaiah 28:16; 1 Corinthians 2:13). This is the method of priority in apprehending truth, the highest, stated rule of interpreting truth.
If conscious suffering in hell isn’t unending, the Son of God is a liar. Only cults teach this temporal punishment heresy. When you hear someone teach such, you know he’s an agent of Satan.
Heavenly Father, please grant to Your children an eternal perspective, in Jesus’ name. Amen dear LORD.
Damned sinners of the past are “Set forth for an example” …. “Eternal Fire”
“Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of ETERNAL FIRE.” Jude 7
- “suffering”
- “vengeance”
- “ETERNAL (unending) fire”
3 Things in Mark 9:42-49 that Jesus says to Establish that Eternal Suffering is Never Ending
- “their worm (consciousness) dieth not”
- “the fire that NEVER shall be quenched”
- “every one shall be salted with fire”
“ETERNAL judgment” is one of the six foundational truths of Christ according to Hebrews 6:2. We see the LORD Jesus using the term “ETERNAL damnation” as recorded in Mark 3:29.
“shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever” (Revelation 20:10)
According to Revelation 20, at the Great White Throne Judgment of the wicked, death and hell shall be cast into the lake of fire.
“And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20:10-15
In Revelation 20:10 above, the Bible assures that those tormented in hell “shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.”
Hell is the righteous judgment of the one true and holy God and awaits all who are not 100% in Christ when they die.
Concerning the unrepentant wicked, David prayed: “Let death seize upon them, and let them go down quick into hell: for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them” (Psalms 55:15). May the flames of eternal damnation envelop the unrepentant enemies of God as He said they would (Psalms 9:16-17).
Of all who take the mark of the beast, sealing their eternal doom with all other unrepentant souls, the Bible states:
“The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: 11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. 12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. 13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.” Revelation 14:10-13
Notice v11 – “And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up FOR EVER AND EVER: and they have no rest day nor night” … this is not someone who ceases to exist but rather someone who is preserved to be consciously tormented, to be “salted with fire” (preserved in suffering).
Those who use dishonest means to come to the conclusion that the suffering in hell of the wicked will ever end, do so because they are sensual, determining what they believe based on their own feelings. This seems to reveal that they serve the god of self and not the Savior who was crystal clear on this matter.
The Bible never hints that hell and the lake of fire (which it will be cast into) are temporary. Throughout Scripture they are revealed to be eternal in their duration.
Wolves across the globe, seek to explain away the complete and crystal clear meaning from God’s Word concerning the conscious everlasting torment that awaits all who leave this earth outside of a born again, abiding relationship with the one Redeemer, Jesus Christ. They seek to take away from God’s Word which, by itself, brings the plagues of Revelation; including the lake of fire (Revelation 20:11-15). They do as they are led by their father the devil who did the same thing to the first man and woman. Satan did this by adding one 3-letter word to the Word of God. God told the man that if he sinned, “Thou shalt surely die” (Genesis 2:17). Satan then told the woman “And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die” (Genesis 3:4). In other words, the enemy of our souls told the woman that she would not suffer consequences for sinning against God. Yet, the LORD kept His Word and forced the man and woman out of His presence and pronounced many curses on them. Satan still seeks to diminish the severity of the divine warning of coming judgment. Look at this sample of what the Bible says lies just ahead for all who die outside of Christ – in sin:
In light of the fact that Christ-denying rebels seek to soften the blow and thereby lower the defense against sin, let’s look at a menu of the eternal consequences for dying in sin:
- A place of complete consciousness (all feelings)………..…Luke 16:25
- Torment with fire and brimstone……………………….……Rev. 14:10
- Weeping and gnashing of teeth…………………….………..Matt. 8:12
- A place of eternal remorse (devastating regret)……….……Luke 16:25
- A place of torments………………………………………….Luke 16:23
- No rest day or night forever (eternal misery)……….……….Rev. 14:11
- A furnace of fire with wailing………………….………..….Matt. 13:42
- A place of everlasting burnings………………..…………..Isaiah 33:14
- A lake (ocean) of fire…………………………….………….Rev. 20:15
- Unquenchable fire (ferocious flames)……………….………Mark 9:45
- Outer darkness (blinding loneliness)……………………….Matt. 22:13
- No 2nd chance to escape (utter hopelessness)…….…..……..Luke 16:26
- A place of sorrows (seething remorse and despair)…………….Ps. 18:5
- A place of everlasting destruction………………………….2 Thess. 1:9
“But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” Revelation 21:8
Questions answered concerning where the lost soul goes at the moment of death:
Many are in hell right now. Judgment begins at the moment one dies (Luke 16:19-31; Hebrews 9:27). The unregenerate dead go to the rightful place they deserve as divinely just judgment is exacted upon them at the instant they die (Luke 16:19-31). Read these passages closely: Luke 16:19-31; 2 Corinthians 5:6-8; Philippians 1:20-23; Revelation 22:11. At the Great White Throne judgment, God will dredge up from hell all who died in sin and then cast them into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:11-15).
Annihilation heretics today try to make “death” and “perish” mean to no longer exist, to cease to exist. They don’t understand that “death” means separation. According to the whole and clear counsel of Holy Scripture, “death” means separation from God eternally in hell. Instead of looking objectively at the whole of what Scripture teaches, they make the error of hyper-defining certain words to fit this heresy.
“For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” James 2:26
Notice: “the body without the spirit is dead” … at death the body and spirit separate. The spirit goes to glory or hell immediately upon death – when the spirit leaves the temporal earthly body.
In Luke 16:19-31, Jesus speaks of a “CERTAIN MAN” which casts doubt upon this being a parable. Either way, Jesus is teaching and the Son of God speaks of one man who died and went to a place of comfort while the other went to a place of torment.
“For as the body without the spirit is dead – There can be no more a genuine faith without good works, than there can be a living human body without a soul.” Adam Clarke
“We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 5:8
In the verse above, the apostle Paul clearly conveys that when he leaves his body at death, he will be “present with the Lord.” Now, notice below how Paul speaks of the certainty of being “with Christ” when he departs from his earthly body at death.
“For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:” Philippians 1:23
A just God must have a penalty for sin. A loving God paid the ultimate price for that sin.
We owe a debt we cannot pay – He paid a debt He did not owe.
“That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” John 3:15-17
In eternity, do you want to be glad you sought the LORD during your days on earth or regret in remorse that you refused to?
Peace with God | More on Hell here
SHOULD “GEHENNA” BE TRANSLATED “HELL”?
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