Holes in Your Money Bags? [podcast] Curing the Dilemma of Diminishing Returns. If we want to see Heaven’s floodgates opened, we must examine what compliance, what agreement, what obedience the LORD may be leading us to render.
The Reason Your Bag has Holes in it [podcast] (below)
YOUR own bank statement tells you exactly who you are. Matt 6:21
A financial investor takes your money and multiplies it for your last few years in this temporal life, right? In contrast, laborers for Christ take your support and multiply it for Christ and themselves for all eternity. In Christ’s eternal kingdom – everybody wins, all the time, forever. King Jesus reigns forever!
“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Matthew 6:19-21
Invest in Heaven and reap, be rich forever. Boom. Matt 6:19-21; 2 Cor 9:6-11
It’s interesting to observe that people will commit their money in advance for nearly anything, to anyone except the One who gave them that money. Unreal. The priorities of our hearts are openly revealed in how we spend, we put out the money God has placed in our hands.
“Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.” Luke 6:38
Paul was not coveting any man’s money – “I have coveted no man’s silver, or gold, or apparel.” (Acts 20:33) No! He wanted God’s people to invest in Christ’s eternal kingdom – into eternal souls – and by doing so fill their “account” in Heaven. – “Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.” (Philippians 4:17)
Is God watching how much you give, monetary amount? OR is He looking for how much you kept back for self instead of giving to the Savior’s work and His people in need? Read Luke 12 and 16.
Read Acts 2:44-45 and 4:32-35. This is how disciples live.
SOLID investments get no better than Christ’s kingdom! (Matthew 6:19-21) The Only Eternal Investment.
Does the LORD get the first portion of your day, your dollar? (Mark 1:35; Proverbs 3:9-10).
In an hour when so many who claim to be saved are funding pet and political causes, will you be one who says “No! Jesus saved and sent me to spread His Gospel, to see eternal souls won into His eternal kingdom and not to fund frivolous temporal affinities! I am getting behind the teaching of HIS Word!” (Matthew 9:35-38; 28:18-20)
Without exception, the happiest, “more blessed,” the most joyful people we meet are the givers (Acts 20:35). Their hearts are full of joy – because as they give they are freed of the sins of greed, covetousness and their hearts are filled with joy for participating in the Gospel of the One they love (Matthew 6:21).
God can split the Red Sea but an even greater miracle would be to split, to open the hearts of self-serving rebels who claim Christ as Savior but contribute nothing to His work – because THEY matter, not Him (Matt 6:21).
Those whom God has placed in your life to preach His Word into your life, to feed and equip you – are His gifts to you – and your opportunity to fund HIS work and lay up treasure in Heaven (Matthew 6:19-21; Galatians 6:6). “WE are labourers TOGETHER with God.” (1 Corinthians 3:9) Let’s roll saints, Jesus is coming!
When you give to our LORD’s work, you are fueling those He called out and ordained to communicate His Word, to do His work, daily. Amen. You are participating in Christ’s Great Commission, and laying up treasure in Heaven!
How much and with what heart posture we give is what the LORD looks at. Our giving to the LORD proves how much He means to us. It is shown in how we give to His kingdom people and work – the heart and the percentage (Matthew 6:19-21; 2 Corinthians 9:7; Mark 12:41-44). He gave us the ability to earn money that we may have to give – which is an integral part of our worship of Him.
“Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.” Ephesians 4:28
“But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.” Deuteronomy 8:18
There’s no work so important or eternal as the work of our LORD’s Gospel! Let’s fuel it saints. “WE are labourers TOGETHER with God.” (1 Corinthians 3:9)
ARE YOU supporting those God says have “beautiful … feet”?
“How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!” Romans 10:14-15
Saints, any man who is called out of God and obeying HIM by endeavoring to preach the whole of His Word, is not well supported. And, this is your opportunity to obey God whose graciously given you all you have, and to lay up treasure in Heaven as Jesus instructed you to do (Matthew 6:19-21).
When Christ is truly first in our lives, His cause, His Gospel is what we support – BEFORE we support any other cause which are ALL infinitely inferior to the eternal Gospel of Jesus. Jesus Christ first, not pet or political causes. SAINTS, LET PRAY FOR AND SUPPORT THE ETERNAL WORK OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST (Matthew 9:35-38). Supporting political or any other cause will bring no eternal reward (Matthew 6:19-21; Luke 2:49; 1 Corinthians 3:6-9; John 4:36, etc.).
You’re going to spend your life and energy doing something. Should it not be that which holds eternal value? Isn’t everything else waste? Why waste your time, energy, and seed in this brief life on temporal trinkets and pursuits? Riches
If all our resources go to the world, what does that reveal? That reveals that we love this fleeting fallen world and not the LORD. Time to re-turn to the LORD before it’s too late.
“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” 1 John 2:15
Speaking of using what God has ALREADY given us for His glory, Charles Pray writes:
“Some have not received the Blessings of God just because they haven’t given out the blessings of God to all those around them daily!” Charles Pray
MESSAGE RECEIVED:
“I have had more practical needs met by people who don’t attend local churches than the people that are members of the same churches that I have been a member of. And some friends at church are audacious enough to cast judgment upon these same people that have more love in their pinky than most Christians have in their whole body. Sad, but true. What we do unto the least among us we do as unto Jesus. Not many people were/are willing to wash Jesus’ feet. Church can be more of a country club at times. Favoritism often dictates where the money goes instead of the church acting as a community like it is portrayed in Acts. Many real needs are ignored and overlooked while more money is allocated to further pad the pockets of people living in abundance.” Naomi Elliott
REPLY:
Yeah church-ers, church-goers many times say “We gave at the church.” In saying this they reveal that their life is all about a church, an organization of mere men which has deceived them to the point that they have no spontaneity of Christ’s life or conviction to give where there’s real needs. Instead they waste what the LORD gives them on funding a fraud in most cases. WHERE to Give
MESSAGE RECEIVED:
“I’ve had people tell me that, even attending and supporting a church for over a year, that the church they were attending would not help them in a time of crisis because they were not members of that church.” Mark C.
REPLY:
YES, have seen this same respect of persons many times brother! Sad!!! Matt 25 We shall all give full account to the One who said:
“And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. … 45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.” Matthew 25:40, 45
The cross and our finances: Will we choose to part with a bit of our earthly treasure that God’s work might be supplied? What did Jesus say in Matthew 6:19-24?
SO what does it reveal about you if you spend all of your money on yourself? Are serving the god of self or the Savior? Are you serving God or mammon? Read what Jesus taught here closely in Matthew 6:19-24.
Simple question: If God’s people were putting HIM first in their stewardship, do we really believe those He’s called out to labor for Him, to feed His sheep, would be lacking in supply to do HIS work, running on fumes? – “WE are labourers TOGETHER with God.” (1 Corinthians 3:9) God be praised for those who are participating. Are you doing your part in Christ’s work?
You are proving exactly what value you place on God and therefore His work when you give into His work He sent us to accomplish (Matthew 28:18-20, etc.). Our bank statement reveals who we love most (Matthew 6:21).
God gives more to those who first use what He has already given them (Matthew 25:14-30).
Men and families that have answered the call of God to work full time in His work, are doing you a favor. They are the ox who are treading out the corn, doing the grunt work, and you are the one benefiting just as much as they are because every believer who participates gets the same amazing, eternal reward (Matthew 6:19-21; 2 Corinthians 9:6-11). 1 Samuel 30:24 says: “as his part is that goeth down to the battle, so shall his part be that tarrieth by the stuff: they shall part alike.” In other words, it simply doesn’t matter which part you play in the matter of His work – you will be fully rewarded – as much as those actually doing the sweat equity! You may wish to consider making sure they are well fueled. Starving the that treads the corn works against Christ and His people. Read 1 Corinthians 9:1-14. You do yourself a favor by doing so.
MGWGA = Make God’s Work Great Again …. it’s the only eternal work. See Matthew 9:35-38 and Romans 10:14-15.
SO you “don’t have money” to support the work of the God you claim is LORD of your life and yet you still waste money on junk, poisonous foods and drinks, etc?
The way we are treating the money He’s allowing us to bring in is a direct reflection of the priorities of our hearts (Deuteronomy 8:18).
“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Matthew 6:21
THE WAY A PERSON SPENDS THEIR MONEY IS A DIRECTION REFLECTION OF THE PRIORITIES OF THEIR HEART (Matt 6:21). The reason people don’t support the LORD’s work reveals their disdain for Him who gave them life.
We cannot rightly say we are setting our house in order, readying to meet Christ, if we are not repenting and deciding to participate in His work, in the Great Commission He gave us (Deuteronomy 8:18; Proverbs 3:9-10; Matthew 6:19-24; 2 Corinthians 9:6-11; Ephesians 4:28, etc.). To say we are Christ’s and yet do nothing to help HIS work, is be completely deceived (1 Chronicles 29:14).
Is it not a betrayal of God to not support His work? …out of that which comes from Him, from His hand? (1 Chronicles 29:14)
GOD has always and will always provide for His people! Ps 37:25
Are you taking care of your own business and not “the Father’s business”? (Luke 2:49) If so, unlike Christ, you are all about yourself, your own self-serving business and not “the Father’s business.” The LORD created and saved you to be about His business first and foremost. How do we think that’s going to work out for you if you don’t repent and begin putting the LORD first in your life and finances? Diminishing returns. | Holes in Your Money Bags
Are we wasting our lives on this earth, spending the monies God has and is giving us, on temporal trinkets, instead of investing in eternal treasure? (Matthew 6:19-21) Do we sit and watch the work of God being done and not support it? What shall we answer the LORD when He brings us into accountability for this?
Ministry is a team effort where we all, each member of Christ’s body, gets to participate. Are you personally participating? Or is your time and are your resources simply feeding your own agenda in this fleeting world? Is God truly first or are you first? Is Jesus genuinely your “first love”? (Revelation 2:4-5) Matthew 25 God is watching.
Jesus says “A man’s life consisteth NOT in the abundance of things which he possesseth.” (Luke 12:15) In other words your worth has nothing to do with how many toys or trinkets you have or don’t have. Memorize this truth now.
Maureen writes: “Supporting a ministry, that you know is sharing the true Gospel, will bring joy to your heart. When I was still part of a NAR church, it always felt like I had to give money. Now I can’t wait to give monthly so that others can hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
It’s a good and godly thing to support the work of God – the preaching of the cross and the original Gospel, all of it 2 Tim 3:16-17.
Are you personally, in an absolute scheduled fashion supporting the work of Christ – the feeding of His sheep by divinely called-out servant elders? (1 Corinthians 9:1-14; 1 Timothy 5:17-19, etc.).
Why should those who do the infinitely most important and only eternal work in the earth live in poverty? Are you participating in inducing poverty upon the elders who feed you? If so, do you not understand that the Almighty sees the deceit of your heart and how you’ve barricaded yourself behind lies? (Proverbs 3:27-28; 24:10-12; Matthew 25:45)
Luke 12 and 16, and James 1:26-28 give warning to all concerning the connection between the state of our hearts and how we steward what God has given us.
Do we really believe that Gospel ministries would be running on empty, barely existing, about to go under, if God’s people were rightly stewarding the money He is giving them and for which they shall give full account to Him?
Personally I support the Gospel and not pet or political causes, etc. That’s what Jesus meant when He spoke of laying up treasure in Heaven (Matt 6:19-21). Supporting political or pet causes doesn’t qualify.
The world is upside down. Proof: People will give their money to any and every thing under the sun, except the only eternal work going on in the earth and the only giving that lays up treasure in Heaven – the Gospel (Matthew 6:19-21; Luke 16:15).
THERE IS NOTHING, no-thing, not one thing happening on planet earth that is even remotely as important as the work of the Gospel. Talk is cheap and if we truly love Jesus we get behind HIS work which is the only eternal work transpiring on His earth. Politics, political causes, and politicians are temporal. The “Father’s business” Jesus came to do was winning lost souls and edifying, equipping, growing up those He saves (Matthew 28:18-20; Luke 2:49; 19:10; Ephesians 4:11-12; 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18, etc.).
As was the case with the rich religionists of Christ’s day, so today, some give lots of money but it’s a small percentage of what they have, what they temporarily possess. God sees it all. Remember the once “rich man” who is now in hell? (Luke 16:19-31) The LORD looks at 2 things concerning our lives, our giving:
1. The heart (2 Corinthians 9:7), and
2. the percentage (Mark 12:35, 41-44)
I’ll think about supporting a political or pet cause when every unborn baby is safe and when every person has heard the Gospel message and Christ’s sheep are being equipped, fed, and their souls watched for – when every true laborer of Christ is rightly supplied, supported in doing this eternal work of Christ (1 Timothy 5:17-18; Matthew 9:35-38; 1 Corinthians 9:1-14, etc.). In other words, personally, I exclusively supply and support the only eternal work transpiring on this planet – the communication and administration of the Word of God (Matthew 28:18-20).
WHY WOULD GOD’S PEOPLE SUPPORT THOSE INDIVIDUALS OR ORGANIZATIONS WHICH ARE NOT PREACHING THE WORD, THE GOSPEL? Isn’t that why we are here? Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-20; 2 Timothy 4:2
WHAT are you giving to? Do they PREACH the Gospel? If not there’s no eternal value or reward. Beware of where you give. Most charity organization, the vast majority, are not preaching the Gospel and true disciples how not give to them. Let the world support them as they are part of the world system. It’s time to defund the wolves and fund those literally preaching and teaching God’s Word as Jesus commanded (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-20).
When we give, we must give as unto the LORD and not as unto men.Gospel laborers are the most important workers in the earth – and the least reward (for now) and most despised. They do the only eternal work – Feeding His sheep and carrying the message of Christ’s Gospel to the lost. Jesus instructed us to ask the Father to send forth His laborers into His harvest, right? Yes (Matthew 9:35-38). Are you praying for Gospel laborers and supporting them in HIS work for the feeding of His beloved sheep and winning the eternal souls of men to Him?
Lots of causes and organizations vying for your support: WHERE will you invest – in temporal or the eternal Gospel? (Matthew 6:19-21)
NEVER pity the despised, shunned, and shorted Gospel labourers … no, rather fear those who watch and do nothing to contribute. Pity them, the fruitless (Matthew 9:35-38).
ARE YOU supporting the work of Christ? Who’s feeding you? (Gal 6:6; 1 Tim 5:17-18)
Saints, are we supporting our LORD’s work? 2 Cor 9:6-11
AS long as people are fed for free, most do not take responsibility to support the LORD’s work and yet they freely spend money on the frivolities of this fleeting life 1 Corinthians 9:1-14; Galatians 6:6). This is most concerning when it comes to God’s people who should be of the highest integrity before God and man. We are commanded to give and when we do, Jesus says He will make sure we are taken care of well – this is a promise and He gives the condition (Proverbs 3:9-10; Matthew 6:19-21; 2 Corinthians 9:6-11, etc.). Someone has noted that “We are never more like God than when we are giving.” He gave all for us and those who need to be reached by us, right? (John 3:16)When we support the workers of the LORD we are supporting the work of Christ. 1 Cor 9:1-14
So many pay a type of country club dues to their local church that is not preaching the cardinal doctrines of the original Gospel and has replaced it with entertainment and social programs. So, those who pay these dues, if you will, are bidding Godspeed to, supporting and condoning the very enemies of Christ and will be judged with them (2 John 10-11). Scripture teaches that we are to fund where we are fed the Word of God, not where we are entertained and receive social enrichment. “Let him that is taught in the word communicate (share with) unto him that teacheth in all good things.” Galatians 6:6
The LORD has always been, is presently, and will always be your sole Provider. – “ I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.” (Psalms 37:25)
“Always remember it’s not so much how much you give but your heart’s motive in your giving. Do you give from your abundance or do you give from your need? Mark 12:38-44 in the King James Bible we read about the Widow’s Mite! See also in the King James Bible the following Scriptures on giving to the Lord and His work. 2 Corinthians 9:6 & 9:7, Acts 20:35, Luke 6:38, Luke 12:33-34, Matthew 6:19-21, Galatians 6:6-10. Amen!” Brother Charles PrayJesus assured us that NO good giving will go unrewarded! Not only will it be reward – that reward will be forever!!!
IF we supported men/ministries in the past, whom we now realize were false, should we not much more now support the preaching of the truth? Riches
MILLIONS of dollars flow freely to false ministries weekly! God is going to judge those fund the frauds – these false prophets they support. He promised. Supporting them in any way is bidding God speed to them! Time to repent. 2 John 10-11 | Where to Give
WHEN you are brought into contact with a ministry that endeavors to preach the whole counsel of God’s will, fearing no man, you can know that it is under-supported and holds great opportunity for you to be partaker (1 Corinthians 3:9; 9:1-14; 2 Corinthians 9:6-11, etc.). For the most part, only the ear-tickling ministries are well supported, over-supported in most cases, while the LORD’s few true under-shepherds who’ve remained true to Him are shunned.
THE SUM TOTAL OF THE RICHES WE HAVE IN CHRIST IS THE EXACT, THE INFINITE MEASURE OF HOW TRULY RICH WE ARE (EPHESIANS 1-2; COLOSSIANS 1-2).
MAY God bless His people to support HIS work. Jesus is coming.
Christ taught that our hearts – heart affections – follow our giving Matthew 6:21
Praise God for the few good preachers by which we hear God’s Word Rom 10:14. Please support them saints!
Satan’s children and churches will never support the LORD’s work. God’s people will.
WHEN you literally give, you get behind Christ’s Gospel. Matthew 6:21
“But my giving is between God and I!” Sure is and HE’s watching you! He’s watching the opportunities HE gives you! HE’s going to judge you for how you give or refuse to give out of what He’s put in your hands temporarily (Matthew 25:40-46; Mark 12:42-44). Where did the once “rich man” go when he died and where is he now and forever will be? WHAT is the stated reason for where he went and is? (Luke 16:19-31)
IF we choose to obey the LORD and put HIS work first, will He not bless that? Matthew 6:33, etc.
GOD be praised for the support of the Gospel proclamation by Jesus’ people.
“Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:7) Giving is our privilege. It’s YOUR opportunity to show your gratefulness to the LORD for what HE has given into your hands.
THE WORLD HAS ENOUGH PANSIES IN THE PULPITS! IF YOU don’t like “in your face” (direct, no patty cake) preaching of divine truth and warning – MOVE ON. The apostolic model is PWT – Preach, WARN, Teach (Colossians 1:28). GOD is preparing a people and all those not hearing, repenting, and obeying will be excluded (Matthew 7:19-23; Luke 21:34-36; Ephesians 5:25-27; James 1:22; 1 John 2:4; 3:18-20, etc.). This page needs to be filled with REAL, authentic disciples of Jesus. Wolves entertain goats, true under-shepherds feed sheep! WHO Else is Tired of Wimpy Preachers?
God is able….. we didn’t set up His kingdom, He did in His infinite divine wisdom. And, when we simply do things His way everything just seems to flow and flourish, amen? Have you noticed? Have you engaged the LORD by putting Him first – literally? What did He say is going to happen when we do? Matthew 6:33
IF you are supporting anything but the whole counsel preaching of God’s Word, you are funding the enemies of Christ! Pure waste! Repent. 2 John 10-11
In this fallen world, everyone who works gets paid except those doing the most important and only eternal work of Christ’s Gospel. Saints, remember that money doesn’t grow on trees for Jesus’ called out ministers and neither will Satan’s children support God’s work. So, if you don’t support the LORD’s work with what resources He’s giving you in this fleeting world, it won’t get supported. God is watching (Mark 12:41-44).
IF YOU HAVE JESUS – YOU ARE RICH BEYOND DESCRIPTION! YOU HAVE EVERYTHING! (Hebrews 13:5) Life is not about you getting even more stuff than you already have. No, God gave you this life to serve Him and others, not yourself (Matt 22:37-39; Phil 2:3-5). hell is full of self-idolaters. “And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.” 1 Tim 6:8
No, saving money is not a sin in and of itself. Yet, if we choose to keep back money that a brother or sister in Christ is in need of, what does that tell us about who and what is most important to us?
“Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.” Proverbs 3:28
The Bible verses referenced make it clear that loving God means we love our neighbor as ourselves.
1Jn 3:17 But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
1Jn 3:18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
There are minuscule few who attend to the LORD’s called out “labourers”, taking responsibility to make sure they are supplied to do His work (Matthew 9:35-38; 1 Corinthians 9:1-14, etc.).
MAY God’s people in this late hour have “all things common” as far as the temporal supply of this fleeting world (Acts 2:44-45; 4:32-35).
It’s a RARE blessing to find those who are obeying God by giving where He leads. Regrettably, so few who claim to love and know Jesus give nothing and many that give are supporting Christ’s enemies.
HEARING from people whom God is blessing due to their rightful giving to HIS work. Isn’t that exactly what He promised He’d do? Prov 3:9-10; Lk 6:38; 2 Corinthians 9:6-11; Mal 3:8-12. Am I missing something?
WHEN we put God “first” in our spending, only then is our conscience is clean to enjoy the remainder (Proverbs 3:9-10; Matthew 6:33).
How are we treating the LORD? How are we treating His work, His workers? THAT’s exactly were we are at, our true spiritual state is —seen in this (Matthew 25:40-46).
AS we take care of GOD’s business, will He not take care of us? Matt 6:33 Do it and watch!
WHEN you encounter that rare ministry outreach that fears no man and endeavors to preach the whole counsel of God’s Word boldly, get behind it. You will thereby make the wise choice to be one of the few truth-seekers to support it.
Are you trading eternity with Jesus for the pitiful trinkets of this life? Mark chapter 10:23-25
Saints, let’s support and pray for the preaching of the original Gospel.
WHEN your life is truly given to the LORD, all you temporarily have in possession belongs to HIM. 1 Chron 29:14; Luke 6:38
The work of the Gospel is work and is the only eternal work transpiring in the earth.
ARE you taking the personal responsibility before the LORD to support His work with what HE is allowing you to earn?
The only one you are doing a favor to when you give is yourself. Jesus taught us that rich men who refuse to be charitable reveal their wicked hearts and are going to hell irrevocably (Luke 16:19-31). Seems to me that Jesus taught that IF you die with money in the bank that could have helped other believers, you are in big trouble (Luke 12, 16, etc.).
Saints, it’s our privilege to thank God for what He’s giving us by supporting needy saints and the work of Christ.
Gospel workers are dependent on individuals around them to be supported in the infinitely most important and only eternal work in the earth. “WE are labourers TOGETHER with God” saints (1 Corinthians 3:9) Taking the opportunity to support the work of Christ in this late hour is our privilege and duty saints.
Believers don’t give an order the get and yet that doesn’t change the divine promises of God’s blessings specifically to those who give (Proverbs 3:9-10; Malachi 3:8-12; Matthew 6:19-21; 2 Corinthians 9:6-11, etc.).
- PREACH
- WARNNNNN (for the protection of God’s people-Christ’s blood bought sheep)
- TEACH
If each believer in Christ was rightly stewarding the money He’s giving them, would there be any of the few true New Testament ministries that were impoverished?
YES, the LORD cares for you – and He wants you to obey Him. (1 John 2:3-6)
God’s Word instructs us to fund where we’re being fed (Galatians 6:6).
On your watch, are the LORD’s “labourers” that Jesus instructed us to pray would be sent forth being supplied? What will God think of our actions or inactions toward the workers HE has sent forth? (Matthew 9:35-38)
Should those elders GOD calls out to do His work full time have to trust in miracles or go without the basic things in this life? No.
Believers are commanded to compensate the elders who perform the most important and only eternal work in the earth by feeding and equipping them and helping them grow in the grace of Christ. 1 Corinthians 9:1-14
God only holds us accountable to give out of what we have and not what we don’t have. Check out 2 Corinthians 8:12:
“Thank you for continuing to patronize and support my wolves!”~SATAN
Anna Lisa writes: “Misguided ‘Christians’ who AREN’T SEEKING GOD are putting their tithes and offerings into the FAKE, COUNTERFEIT churches (buildings, religion) instead of giving to the REAL TEMPLE, the REAL BODY of Christ where it is needed.”
YOU’RE not vested in the Gospel till you give to it. Matt 6:19-21
WHAT follows what? Read Jesus’ words here …“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21) When we obey the LORD by laying up treasure in Heaven and not on earth, He makes us to flourish. Our hearts flourish in Christ! Giving
WHY did Jesus say the once “rich man” was sent to hell, irrevocably? Luke 16:19-31
ARE we feeding or muzzling the mouth of the LORD’s called-out oxen who plow the harvest fields of men’s hearts by feeding Christ’s sheep and preaching to lost souls? How does God view how we are treating those He’s called out to help us grow in grace? (1 Corinthians 9:1-14; Ephesians 4:11-12; 1 Peter 5:1-6)
SO you earn $1,000 and don’t have enough of GOD in you to apportion $20 month to HIS work?
IF you aren’t intently reading God’s Word and obeying Him, you will not be with Him. You simply do not love Jesus. “Going to church” has nothing to do with your walk with LORD. True fellowship as defined by Scripture, yes but not what we call “church” today. We’ve been mislead and it’s time to return humbly in authentic repentance to Christ, yes Christ! Remember Him? You know, the ONE the modern frauds we call “pastors” won’t spend any time preaching about? No, they’re too busy tickling your ears, coddling you in your sins, withholding the truth, etc., so they can take your money to build their own kingdom. You won’t hear the essential doctrines of the original Gospel such as repentance, holiness, the cross-crucified life, judgment, hell, or the return of Jesus for His spotless Bride!
He’s been prompting you and is waiting for you to respond in true repentance and obedience.
“Judgment to come”, “eternal judgment” is coming (Acts 24:25; Hebrews 6:2). Ready or not.
“Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” 2 Corinthians 5:9-10 | Jesus Sat Over Against The Treasury [podcast]
THOSE running from the biblical reality of stewardship are evading the repentance that would otherwise bring refreshing! Acts 3:19
The apostate churches ARE NEVER going to support the preaching of the original Gospel! Only the LORD’s remnant can do that!
JESUS plainly taught that the way you are treating others in your stewardship reveals exactly how you are treating Jesus and exactly where you will spend eternity (Matthew 25:40-41, 46). Judgment Day! Are you going to run from His truth and thereby sprint into eternal damnation? Or, are you going to stop your life, get before God in true repentance, crying out for Him to break you before it’s too late? “Seek ye the LORD while he may be found…” (Isaiah 55:6) Riches
The way we steward the resources temporarily in our possession identifies where our hearts truly are – as opposed to where we may think they are. Matt 6:19-21
We should all wonder why it’s “okay” that any called out Gospel ministry is under-funded. It’s not okay with God (1 Cor 9:1-14; 1 Tim 5:17-18). We should all ask ourselves if we ourselves are doing our part and consider using the opportunity to be part of the solution as God has instructed and out of a “cheerful” heart (2 Cor 9:6-11).
“I marvel to think of all the things we do in vain, for no purpose or gain for Christ and His Kingdom!” Charles Pray
ARE YOU taking personal responsibility to take care of God’s business? WHEN we take care of God’s business, will He not take care of ours? Giving God’s Way
Ministering is a body, a team effort: “WE are labourers TOGETHER with God.” 1 Corinthians 3:9
IDOLATERS HATE stewardship preaching from Scripture (Ephesians 5:3-6).
Do YOU spend all your money on your god – self? If you aren’t a giver, that seems to be the case.
If you aren’t cheerfully giving, it’s because your heart is not right with God who gave His all for you and the world (2 Corinthians 9:6-11).
DOES God or the god of self come first when you get paid? Regular, scheduled giving keeps the soul-damning sin of greed at bay (Prov 3:9-10).
THOSE who are someday going to “get around to” reading the Bible never do. THOSE who are going to “get around to” putting God first in their finances never do (Matthew 6:33; Proverbs 3:9-10).
I know, I know, I’m the “bad guy.” (Gal 6:14) I pray this truth preaching will lead to at least 1 person truly repenting which will always lead to a laid down life and a giving heart and had. 1 Chron 29:14
ARE YOU supporting a church busine$$ or the preaching of the kingdom Gospel?
IF you support apostate wolves it’s only because you are apostate and will be damned with them (2 John 10-11).
MANY have their wallet ready to pull out for any temporal trinket that comes along. Yet, they grip it tightly when GOD shows them opportunity to lay up treasure in Heaven – which Jesus commanded His people to do (Matthew 6:19-21).
Speaking of using what God has ALREADY given us for His glory, Charles Pray writes:
“Some have not received the Blessings of God just because they haven’t given out the blessings of God to all those around them daily!” Charles Pray
The way one spends, stewards the money allotted him in this life is the real litmus test of the true spiritual state and priorities of his life (Matthew 6:19-21). God told us He’s watching (Mark 12:41-44).
PREACHING the raw, whole counsel of Holy Scriptures brings conviction of sin and scatters the many counterfeits who feign to be saved. THAT convicting preaching is the very reason there is no conviction in the vatican apostate modern so-called “churches.” They want your money and approval, yet you must reject Christ to “bid Godspeed” to these very wolves Christ and His holy apostles so often warned us to beware of. The LORD is not a liar. He promised that in the final days “iniquity shall abound, (and) the love of many shall wax cold.” (Matthew 24:12) And “men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous …. lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; … evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.” (2 Timothy 3:2, 4, 13)
IF you can’t give up, give out a small portion of the money GOD GOD GOD gave you, money is your god and it cannot save (Matthew 6:19-24).
When we give – We are doing no one a favor except ourselves and those our love offering help – lost souls and fed saints! Matt 6:19-21
God ordained ministries should never have to do fund raisers. No, if those claiming to know Jesus are correctly, obediently stewarding the money HE gives them, the LORD’s ministers will have what is needed to do His Work (Acts 4:32-35).
EVERYTHING else is scheduled in to your expenditures, WHY isn’t God? Like clock work, bills get paid for temporal possessions, but what about putting God first as He instructed? – “Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: 10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.” (Proverbs 3:9-10)
Most who claim faith in Christ will commit monthly to anything, except the Gospel.
IS the LORD a 1st or 2nd class citizen in your life? Look at where your money goes for the real answer to this question (Matthew 6:19-24).
Some are praying and hoping that God straightens out their finances and yet they aren’t putting HIM first (Proverbs 3:9-10).
YOU can get them to throw money at anything under the sun – except the Gospel. Giving
SAINTS, when we give, it’s our privilege to simply take the first portion of what God gives into our hands and worship HIM with it (Proverbs 3:9-10).
Some don’t support God’s work because the LORD isn’t important to them. Simple.
DID God not repeatedly promise blessings to those who give? Proverbs 3:9-10; Matthew 6:19-21; 2 Corinthians 9:6-11, etc.
A sister in Christ said: “When I became a widow, my church would not allow me to use their food pantry…it broke my heart!”
WHY do you still “give at the church” or really give to a circus operated by overpaid frauds? Making Merchandise of You
WHEN a man is prepared by the LORD and answers the call of God to obediently endeavors to preach His full counsel, that man will be financially ruined. Why? People claiming to know and love Jesus will gladly spend all their money on the trinkets of this fleeting world that they love, and give little or nothing to Christ’s work.
The most important and only eternal work in the earth is the least rewarded or not rewarded at all. Why? Are you supporting the preaching of the kingdom Gospel, which begins with the divine, essential command to repent?
WE can know we are backslidden when we whip out our wallets for some new gadget or service yet hold it tight when the opportunity to help the Gospel sits at our feet.
Tares run from those who preach the divine truth that causes them conviction of their sin. Yep, they run back to their damnation by migrating back to the “many” prophesied ear-tickling wolves (Matthew 7:15; 24:11; 2 Timothy 4:2-4). Stewardship
Those who preach the Word to you, warning you of judgment to come, perform the infinitely most important and only eternal work in your life. They get paid little to nothing in this life due to the very sin they are warning of – covetousness, greed, idolatry, and the love of this passing world. If they were in it for the money instead of Christ, they’d have quit long ago – there is no money in it due to the “few” who obey God in this life. A preacher must lie to people, tickle their ears, coddle them in their sin in order to get paid in this life (2 Timothy 4:2-4).
IF those claiming to know Jesus were obeying HIS stewardship instructions, would true ministries be destitute?
Most people claiming to be saved spend more money on candy and trash drinks monthly than they do on the work of the Gospel.
Are you ready to change your ways so God can do a new, greater work in you? Nothing happens till we repent and obey (Isaiah 1:18-19). NOT enduring sound doctrine – running from the conviction instead of returning to the LORD and confessing – is apostasy (2 Timothy 4:2-4).
HAS GOD EVER ONCE failed you?
Is this difficult? Why? Could it be plainer? WHAT are you vested in?
“Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: 10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.” Proverbs 3:9-10 | Stewardship
EVER wonder what would happen if you actually gave God the first portion of what HE alone allows you to earn? You willing to trying it?
NEVER feel sorry for the LORD’s labourers, no, instead you may want to pray for and pity those who are fed and do nothing to contribute to the furtherance of the Gospel of the One they claim to be saved by.
Yesterday I saw a guy who does political videos and he currently he has a growing list of nearly 500 people who monthly support his work. Yet, true New Testament ministries today go unfunded. This is apostasy.
This is a truth we should read, study, memorize and meditate on today. This helps us see this temporal world the the eyes of the LORD, His kingdom. Perspective! “Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life (value, substance) consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.” Luke 12:15
God addresses rich Christians, instructing them to be generous, and yet He makes it clear that no disciple of Christ should desire to be rich or pursue the riches of this fleeting world. He warns that great peril and the danger of eternal damnation lie in such a trap. Read 1 Timothy 6:3-17. | Riches
TODAY: Thank you for praying for the 2 David’s and Chris who have recently received ministry! Follow up under way! Part of this includes giving them the Born Again and What Next! books! Jesus is moving in the hearts of men in this late hour and – “WE are labourers TOGETHER with God” in this matter! (1 Corinthians 3:6-9; Matthew 9:35-38) Because You Care
Simply put: IF God’s people don’t support HIS work, it doesn’t get supported. 1 Cor 3:9
THE type ministry you support clearly reveals exactly who you are (2 Timothy 4:2-4). Are you supporting the preaching of the whole counsel of God’s Word or “another (“accursed”) gospel”? (Galatians 1:6-9)
IF the stewarding of what GOD is giving you isn’t in order, it proves your life isn’t in order. “It is MORE blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35)
ARE YOU doing your part? “WE are labourers TOGETHER with God.” 1 Cor 3:9
ARE you support the preaching of the original Gospel or a fraud? Discernment: Where to Give
It’s our privilege to support our LORD’s work and on top of that He promises to reward us for doing so (Proverbs 3:9-10; Matthew 6:19-21; 2 Corinthians 9:6-11).
Those who love the LORD’s truth should support the preaching of it.
God’s work is furthered by disciples who make the quality, obedience decision to put God first with what He allows them to bring in (Proverbs 3:9-10).
When you see a ministry endeavoring to preach the whole counsel of the Word of God, know that that ministry is under-supported. Also, such is the occasion and your opportunity and privilege to jump in and be a part of the Word of the kingdom of Christ being communicated into the hearts of men – both saints and sinners. No work on the earth is as important! 1 Cor 3:9
If earthly riches are an indication of godliness, Jesus Christ and His apostles certainly were ungodly. Read 1 Timothy 6:3-5. Any person equating earthly wealth with heavenly faith or godliness, is a complete devil. Run! Filthy Rich [podcast]
THIS fallen world will reward ANY and EVERY work under the sun – except God’s work – which is the only eternal work transpiring today in the earth. Are you supporting the Gospel work of the One you say saved your soul? (Matt 6:19-21) Real Success
God’s Word says that “If riches increase, set not your heart upon them.” (Psalms 62:10) When more money comes in, a raise or a settlement or inheritance, the LORD instructs us to increase our standing of giving and not our standard of living. We are simply passing through. This is not our home.
Jesus came and died for the eternal souls of men! Many waste their lives on the pursuit of temporal treasures. Hell awaits. Matthew 6:19-24; Luke 12, 16
People can do nearly anything in this world and be paid for doing so – except the infinitely and most important and only eternal work of the Gospel. No, not getting a job at a “church” and misleading people. Rather, doing to true work of endeavoring the preach the whole counsel of God’s Word. Such will lead to utter poverty in this world. Such is a shame – a shame on those who are fed and refuse to support the work of the One they claim to love and claim to be serving. Riches
Supporting Christ’s work is the privilege and mandate of every one of His true disciples.
Saints, according to Scripture, may we today be exhorted to 1. take care of those in need among God’s people (1 Corinthians 16:1-2), and 2. support His work (1 Corinthians 9:1-14). Empty barns will be filled! Presses shall burst forth with new wine! (Proverbs 3:9-10)
Holy Scripture repeatedly promises that those who give as unto the LORD shall never lack. Prov 3:9-10; Lk 6:38; 2 Cor 9:6-11
ARE you supporting a Sunday morning circus act OR the work of the Gospel? Because You Care
IF you truly trust God, why not obey Him by giving the first of what He gives you Prov 3:9-10
Don’t bother giving if you can’t do it out of a cheerful (thankful, hilarious) heart – because. “God loveth a cheerful giver.” (2 Cor 9:7) What God’s Word says about Giving
Being called out by God to minister full-time puts a man in a precarious place because giving is voluntary and few participate.
Worried about your finances? Why not try putting God first?
When needs arise among the people of God and when there are ministries before us preaching the Gospel truth … this is our opportunity from God, our privilege to support (Acts 2:44-45; 4:32-35).
The lost will never support God’s work Jesus sent US to do 1 Cor 3:9
No one has ever been hurt when obeying God by supporting His work Matt 6:19-21
Supporting the work of Christ is laying up treasure in Heaven as Jesus instructed Matt 6:19-21 Because You Care
You going to worship God for real with what HE has given you? 1 Chron 29:14
May God raise up those who will pray for His “labourers” to go forth and also support HIS work (Matthew 9:35-38).
The devil’s children will certainly never support the work of Christ. Will you?
Talk is cheap. Do! James 1:22; 1 John 3:18
A parable is an earthy story with a heavenly meaning. Jesus’ parable of the talents is a teaching and severe warning of stewardship and the eternal consequences of obeying or disobeying God in the matter of our handling of His resources in this fleeting life.
WHEN you choose to take care of God’s business, do you not think HE will take care of yours? Matt 6:33
Are you laying up treasure in Heaven, or wasting God’s resources? Matt 6:19-21
WHEN we literally put God first in our expenditures, are we not blessed to have the priceless gift of a clear conscience?
There’s a time when some whom God has called out to ministry, must do it full time (Acts 6:4; 2 Tim 2:4). He is then at the mercy of those who support, or not. God is able saints. If we take care of His business, He takes care of ours – and He’s told us that throughout His Word (Deuteronomy 8:18; Proverbs 3:9-10; Malachi 3:8-10; Luke 6:37; 2 Corinthians 9:6-10, etc.).
IF God’s people don’t support HIS work, it simply does not get supported.
You know if God is truly first in your life when you get paid – and what you do with that money HE allowed you to bring in. “Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the FIRSTfruits of all thine increase: 10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.” Proverbs 3:9-10
Does He not promise to replenish and fill up those who give out of what He gives? Proverbs 3:9-10 Riches
ARE you wasting your life and resources helping someone build a church busine$$ OR are you building the kingdom of Christ in the hearts of men by supporting the preaching of the whole counsel of God’s Word?
If God could get those who claim to love him to give up their lives in this world, they’d cheerfully put Him first in their finances and the Gospel workers He told us He sends forth would not be hindered by lack of supply to do His work. … Saints. God will resurrect our finances if we by faith literally obey His stewardship instructions (Proverbs 3:9-10; Luke 6:38; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2; 2 Corinthians 9:6-11). Riches
Certainly we don’t expect religious organizations to support the true Gospel. No, they never will. Supporting the preaching of the original Gospel is solely reserved as a privilege for the remnant of Christ’s elect.
Truth preaching ministries are only supported by those who agree and are fed by them. Satan’s children, including the many tare religionists are not going to support the truth saints. Counterfeits support their ear-tickling wolves (2 Timothy 4:2-4).
God only requires you to give out of what you have – and that’s everything to him! Remember the woman who gave the 2 mites? Jesus was fully pleased and said she gave all out of her own poverty! Mk 12:41-44 Because You Care
DO WE really think that the few “labourers” Christ has sent out would be scraping up pennies if God’s people who are being fed were biblically stewarding the resources He is giving them? (Matthew 9:35-38)
YOU can only give what you can give – out of what you have – and yet, that’s all God requires. 2 Cor 8:12 says: “For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.”
The widow with the 2 mites (equals less than a penny) gave all and will be forever rewarded for such (Mark 12:41-44). Jesus celebrated her giving and condemned the wealthy who gave large amounts monetarily yet kept back much for themselves. In the divine economy it’s percentage and God looks for a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7).
IF you’ve been given much you are that much accountable. When God increases you financially, it’s not to expand your own portfolio but rather your giving. Read Christ’s severe warning on this in Luke 12. “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required.” (Luke 12:48)
Phil Butler writes: “Don’t let your lack of faith rob you of the amazing blessings God wants for you. Sure the bills being paid is nice. But what’s even better is when God blesses you with Himself . For the word of God is quick (alive) and powerful ,and sharper than any twoedged sword,piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit,and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intent of the heart. Heb. 4:12.”
EVER notice how self-serving cross-less counterfeits use this following verse to greedily run after the fleeting riches of this fallen world….. ignoring the many Bible teachings that warn against doing so? – Proverbs 13:22 “A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.”
“If anyone thinks God has Blessed them to be selfishness is totally deceived.” Tina H.
From time to time the topic of dirty money comes up…… see what you think and feel free to comment beloved saints….. Perhaps this is God’s answer….
Should ill-gotten gain be given to the work of the LORD? Apparently not. “Thou shalt not bring the hire of a whore, or the price of a dog, into the house of the LORD thy God for any vow: for even both these are abomination unto the LORD thy God.” Deuteronomy 23:18
WHEN we spend all our money on ourselves, we simply feed the god of self. Repentance necessary.
The way we are stewarding God’s resources reveals who we really are – regardless of what we merely claim with our lips (Matthew 6:19-21).
PRAYER: Holy Father, in the name of Jesus, I come to You now in repentance for having squandered Your resources, for being hardened in heart, for not truly trusting You to replenish what You gave as I give it out. Please forgive my sins. Right now, if never before, I lay my life into Your holy hands, I release my spirit unto You now LORD and all that is in my temporal possession in this brief life. In Jesus’ name.
The LORD replenishes… those who sow the seed they presently have 2 Cor 9:6-11
Provision for Christ’s work happens when His people obey Him by giving out of what He’s given them (1 Chron 29:14; Prov 3:9-10; Luke 6:38; 2 Cor 9:6-11; etc.).
Saints, let us worship God in gratitude by giving out of what He gives (1 Chronicles 29:14).
God’s people, those who love the whole truth, should support His work. Satan’s counterfeits certainly won’t!
WHEN we give of what He gives us, we express our allegiance and worship to the LORD.
“Do not be anxious about the future. Use your life and all its resources for God, and he will care for you. No tongue can exaggerate the goodness and mercy which God lays up for them that trust in Him before the sons of men.” FB Meyer
Instead of boasting that everything we have comes from the LORD, we’d better be spreading it around like He commanded. He’s watching! What happened to the once “rich man” who didn’t spread around what he’d been given? He’s been irrevocably in hell for at least 2,000 years, right? Right! (Luke 16:19-31)
If you love the truth, put your money where your mouth is and support the truth (Matthew 6:19-21).
ARE WE willing to do for the truth what counterfeits do for lies?
MONEY HAS WINGS – AND LOTS OF PEOPLE CLAIMING TO BE CHRISTIANS ARE COVETING IT: “Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. 5 Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.” (Proverbs 23:4-5) Wisdom in stewardship
“Those who do the least complain the most.” unknown
GOD does not hold the world accountable for supporting His Great Commission He gave us but rather His own people – and He even set up an eternal investment fund for them to reap eternal rewards for doing so (Matthew 6:19-21; 2 Corinthians 9:6-11, etc.).
ARE YOU giving to the LORD out of that which HE alone allows you to bring in OR are you spending all on the god of self? Do you know and obey the Word of God given us in Proverbs 3:9-10? …. Are you freeloading? It’s quite amazing how people can and do spend money on everything under the sun except the furthering of the kingdom of Christ.
Saints, let’s please pray for more people to take the personal responsibility to make sure the LORD’s work/workers are fully supplied. The hour is late.
INSTEAD of prayerfully, obediently looking where to support Christ’s Gospel work, the counterfeit looks to further embellish his flesh, his own reputation, and entrench himself in this fleeting world – Read Luke 12:15-21.
People could care less that the work of the God they claim to know is being done! Most who claim to be saved care only for their own little trinkets in this fleeting world. Their earthly treasures will perish with them (Luke 12, 16, etc.).
WE must become so deeply dead and buried with Christ that we are truly “hid with Christ in God” from the snare, the lure of lusting after this world’s treasures and trinkets (Colossians 3:1-4). It’s for our souls! Read Luke 12 and 16.
If you have money tied up in the bank, in any account or possession that could be used to help God’s people and work, He’s going to hold your eternal soul accountable for it and hell awaits! (Luke 12, 16; Acts 2:44-45; 4:32-35)
“But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? 18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.” 1 John 3:17-18
SB writes: “Sad but very true as the majority that are deceived are constantly giving pearls ($) to the swine, instead of investing in those who are actually preaching the true word!”
IF you lend to your brother, do not charge interest: “Thou shalt not lend upon usury to thy brother; usury of money, usury of victuals, usury of any thing that is lent upon usury: 20 Unto a stranger thou mayest lend upon usury; but unto thy brother thou shalt not lend upon usury: that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all that thou settest thine hand to in the land whither thou goest to possess it.” Deuteronomy 23:19-20
WOULD any true Gospel work be lacking if those who claim to serve Christ put Him first in their hearts and therefore finances?
“ALL things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee.” 1 Chronicles 29:14
YOU cannot out give God. Try it. 2 Corinthians 9:6-11
When’s your next pay day? What ministry/ies are you supplying so Christ’s true Gospel work can be done in this late hour as we look for His soon return? 1 Cor 3:9
WHEN God is “FIRST” He’s first in everything and not an afterthought (Matthew 6:33).
Giving to the poor or even going so far as to give your body to be burned, will save no one from sin and hell. God’s love in us can only come from intimate relationship with Christ. Do you truly know Him?
“And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned
, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.” 1 Corinthians 13:3
Would to God more men would take their place in supporting Christ’s work.
“WHERE” did Jesus tell us our hearts are? – “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Matthew 6:21)
YOU CLAIM to worship Jesus but contribute nothing to Jesus’ work?
Did Jesus instruct us to lay up treasure? If so, where?
“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:” Matthew 6:19-20
WE prove what we think about God’s work by how we support it. 1 Cor 3:9
WHEN in doubt, just “GIVE”! Luke 6:38; Acts 20:35
NEVER pity those who are called out of Christ into His full-time ministry. Instead, pity those who sit there and contribute zilch to the work of the One who bled to save them, the very Once they claim to love, serve, and be saved by.
IN the richest country in human history, we have a very few God-fearing preachers and they are broke due to lack of support! Unreal saints, unreal apostasy. Now do we see what Jesus meant when He told us only a “few” will enter glory? (Matt 7:13-14)
REMEMBER that when you give, you are doing no one a favor except yourself (2 Cor 9:6-11).
There is no virtue in being poor financially. The simple observation is that if a man is called out of God and that man does not compromise but rather endeavors to preach the whole counsel of the Word, he will most likely be supported by the “few” and broke. He will also be “poor, yet making many rich.” (1 Tim 6:10) Even people who claim to love God will do nothing to support Christ’s work (2 Tim 4:2-4). Many will waste their money on any and everything under the sun and not give $20 month out of the thousands they earn monthly. Matthew 6:21 says it all. The only ministers who get paid are those who feed the flesh, tickle the ears of the unrepentant hearts who refuse the cross and to “endure sound doctrine.” (2 Timothy 4:2-4). Stewardship
Seems like the Bible teaches that if we put God first in our giving then our conscience will be clear in spending the rest and He will fill our barns with plenty. Proverbs chapter 3 verses 9 and 10
So you have money in the bank or other investments while believers go without? How are you going to explain that to Jesus who gave all … and gave into your possession those things He is holding you personally responsible for rightly stewarding?
When you look at/view an occasion to give, see it as YOUR opportunity. It’s your privilege to jump in and help others.
“Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: 10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.” Proverbs 3:9-10
Concerning stewardship, Phil Butler writes: “’Oh, but I can’t afford to!’ Uh-uh—you can’t afford not to. Lesson learned! And I have peace and confidence about my future even though bills went unpaid. I haven’t lost anything. Nothing has been shut off. He always miraculously comes through. He disciplined me hard two weeks ago when I thought, ‘I better hold on to this just in case.’ Well praise God that ‘just in case’ formed into the chastising hand of God, and this young one got a huge smack on the butt by my Father. It was then that I truly knew the loving hand of my Father…in the form of a good ol’ spanking. I’m living right now in the peaceable fruit it produced. I’ve never felt this sure that God truly is my Father. I’m excited to see what direction He’s going to move me next. Wow! Hallelujah Jesus! So yes, honor God. The peace and confidence in a renewed relationship with Him outweighs any ‘just in case’ I might be considering.”
The poor in our midst (especially God’s people) and those who oversee, equip, and feed us the Word, are God’s gift to us – our opportunity to participate in His worship-filled giving plan. NEW Testament giving is our privilege: to the poor and the LORD’s true ministers – 1 Cor 9:1-14; 16:1-2; Gal 6:6; 1 Tim 5:17-18.
WHAT needy saint and Gospel ministry are you giving to this week? You got paid right?
Regrettably, Jesus is the last Person in mind when some get paid. Wow! Proverbs 3:9-10
ARE you giving? IF SO, what is your giving supporting? God is watching. The idea that God is pleased no matter where you give is false.
JUST WHAT does it tell us that the same people who give when a basket is passed have no conviction to support Christ’s work? Giving when a basket is passed is usually the occasion to give to a temporal building instead of the building up of Christ’s body (Matthew 16:18)
LET us never abandon a biblical truth because some have abused or misused it.
God’s servants are to be supplied, not millionaire wolves. Are you participating? (1 Corinthians 9:1-14; Galatians 6:6; 1 Timothy 5:17-18)
Often, we hear people brag, proudly proclaim that everything they have came from the LORD. It’s almost like they are saying “Look at how special I am! God gave me these things and so that proves I am special!” Not so. Yes, everything we have comes from the hand of God AND He is holding us personally accountable for our stewardship of it. Material and financial gain does not equal godliness (1 Timothy 6:3-5 KJB). If that were the case, the largest cults in the world would have to be considered to be godly.
IF something is in God’s Word, why would we evade it or be uncomfortable/convicted about it?
SO you are getting FED but you’re not FUNDING? Galatians 6:6; 1 Timothy 5:17-18
The only reason we’d be uncomfortable about a Bible topic is that we’re not obeying (1 John 5:3).
Regrettably, the vast majority of those who say they’ve given their lives over to Christ, do little in obedience to Him.
IGNORANT OBJECTION: “BUT brother, you are in the ministry, why don’t you just give everything away?” REPLY: “Sure thing. Will be glad to: Now I need YOU to just give that support to the ministry so we will be ABLE TO GIVE EVERYTHING AWAY!” …. unreal blindness. We cannot possibly give what we have not received – That’s YOUR part! …. Please pray for the support of this outreach beloved saints. Thank you kindly, in Jesus’ name. “WE are labourers TOGETHER with God.” (1 Corinthians 3:9)
MYTH BUSTED: IF a true servant of Christ, called out of God, were in it for the money, WHY would he even be in the ministry? Such a notion is laughable – BECAUSE those who are true to Christ preach the whole counsel of His Word and are therefore shunned and shorted by the many who have departed from the faith, do not “endure sound doctrine,” and simply flock to those who tickle their ears (2 Timothy 4:2-4). They are broken much less getting rich. Such a notion is pure lunacy.
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Articles
Mission Mexico Part 49
“Love these updates. You guys have taken your marching orders of preaching the gospel and now Mexico is being rocked with the good news of Jesus Christ who can save their soul from hell. We are blessed to be a small part of this ministry.” Karen Cochran
I will picking up the new supply of 20,000 JESUS tracts in Spanish tomorrow. Print completion was later than expected. Daily via a growing number of Christ’s disciples, the Word of out God is being declared to the receptive Mexican people and they are all given a JESUS tract in Spanish. 61,000 JESUS Tracts in Spanish now in Print. Appr. 38,000 Distributed to Date.
Here is brother Juan during fellowship this morning.
A mere taste of what brother Juan said this morning. The man is absolutely 100% on target biblically. Enjoy.
“Let us not grow weary of serving God; we know He provides all the means, and we always trust in His word—it always fulfills His purpose and never returns void. We are truly blessed by this ministry of reconciliation; to Him be all glory and honor.
Greetings, brother. I was just here at Mesones 49, near the center, about 750 meters away. It’s my first time here, and I find it a very pleasant place. May God continue to bless you greatly for this offering, because His word says that God blesses more the one who gives than the one who receives. So you are blessed, you are happy if you have God’s support in your life. Blessings, brother.
When I was deprived of my freedom, the first thing God gave me was peace. When I accepted and received Jesus into my heart, His blessed word says in John 16:33, “And all these things He has spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but take heart, I have overcome the world.” My trust is in God, and I learned to say yes to Him, and He has taken care of everything else, brother.
“Beloved God, this morning I thank You for the gift of my brother’s life; thank You that he can witness Your mercy and Your faithfulness, which are renewed every morning. Continue to bless him greatly in the ministry You have entrusted to him, Lord, that he may expand Your kingdom. He has chosen the better part—believing in our Lord Jesus Christ—and he shall not be put to shame. You are a God of refuge from generation to generation, and a thousand generations shall be blessed; so, Lord, remain with him and guide him in Your purpose, for You have plans for good and not for evil. You have an excellent future in store for my brother’s life, and I pray that You be with him throughout this time; may everything be according to Your will. In the name that is above every name—in the powerful name of Jesus—Amen.” Brother Juan
Your prayers for the many lost souls being reached daily here in Mexico with our LORD Jesus’ bless-ed Gospel, are welcome and God is hearing and answering them. God’s love and Word is being communicated by way of a growing number of His witnesses in Mexico.
“Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen.” Isaiah 43:10
“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10
Mission Mexico – See more here. | Give support here. Many options
Download. Read. Print out your supply of the JESUS tract – English and Spanish.
Apostasy
Beware of the Hebrew Roots Judaizing Snakes! [podcast]
BEWARE of the Judaizing snakes of the Hebrew Roots (HR) movement.
Are YOU a law-keeper/Torah-keeper OR a Christ-keeper? (Colossians 2:14-19)
Some speak of sabbath, shalom, law-keeping, Torah, obedience to Moses’ law, etc above Christ. RUN!
God’s people are “justified by faith” in Jesus, not law keeping (Romans 5:1, etc.). The problem is not with the types and shadows given us in Scripture of the Messiah who was to come. No, the issue here is with those who would bring you back under the law.
LOTS of Judaizers in our midst saints…. vainly believing that Jesus was not enough to save and redeem but rather that we have to help God out by keeping the Old law….. which would mean they are not saved by grace (lost souls) but vainly believe keeping torah (books of Moses) is going to save them and by doing so they have blasphemously denied Christ, the only Savior (John 1:17). Judaizers Exposed
THOSE WHO SPEAK ABOUT LAW-KEEPING INSTEAD OF THE ONLY ONE WHO PERFECTLY KEPT THE LAW, then nailed it to the cross, taking it out of our way, ARE ANTICHRISTS FROM HELL! (Colossians 2:14-19)
Anyone who gets saved and then doesn’t drill down into the doctrinal letters and epistles and get grounded in grace through faith justification and living, will be susceptible to being deceived by the antichrist judaizers in our midst. It will cost many of them their eternal souls. There will be not 1 law-keeping judaizing snake in Heaven. If you don’t know that, you are biblically illiterate. Romans. Galatians. Ephesians. Philippians. Colossians. Hebrews.
Men are “justified by faith” and kept “by faith.”
“Justified by faith”
“Therefore we conclude that a man is JUSTIFIED BY FAITH without the deeds of the law.” Romans 3:28
“Kept by faith”
“Who are KEPT by the power of God THROUGH FAITH unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” 1 Peter 1:5
Justified by faith but sanctified by law keeping????
NOT. “The just (those justified by God) shall live by faith.”
Born again New Testament disciples are saved by grace through faith. They are saved, justified, and sanctified by faith. They live by faith and not by law or law keeping. See Hebrews 11:6.
“For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith (not law to law): as it is written, The just shall live by faith (not law keeping).” Romans 1:17
“But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live BY FAITH.” Galatians 3:11
“Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back (go back to law keeping), my soul shall have no pleasure in him.” Hebrews 10:38
The False Teachings of the Hebrew Roots Movement
The Hebrew Roots (HR) movement is false, it’s a cloaked judaizing system designed by Satan to bring NEW Testament saints saved by grace back under the law… Galatians.
“The HRM (Hebrew Roots Movement) draws people away from the grace of God to a religion of works and legalism. Most of them I know are a bunch of Pharisees.” Jim Borge
Christ’s NEW Testament saints are saved by Him to love and keep Him upheld as the only Savior, LORD, and “Head” of His church (Colossians 2:14-19).
If you can read the following verse and still think you are going to be right with God by law-keeping or that you even can keep it perfectly, you are completely deranged, deceived, delusional, and hell bound.
“Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.” Galatians 2:16
Are You Keeping All the Law Perfectly All the Time? Yes or No?
“For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.” James 2:10
ONLY JESUS kept the whole law perfectly! Get over your sinful, pride-filled self… vainly thinking you can keep the whole law! (See James 2:10.) You’ve transgressed the law of God in many ways and all it takes is just one offense and you’re guilty of breaking all of the law! Repent and fall upon the mercy of God at the foot of the cross where Jesus bled to save your wicked soul. The law condemns you as a vile, depraved sinner! Only Jesus can save your wicked soul.
Those who put the law ahead of Christ are antichrists! (See Colossians 2:14-19.)
Without fail, one will find that each and every group that emphasizes the Jewish feasts, etc. are going to seek to suck believers back under the law. Book of Galatians! I stay far from these agents of Satan these days.
“Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” Galatians 5:1
YES the whole 66 book canon of the Bible is for us and yet, IT reveals that a NEW covenant superseded the Old one. The book of Hebrews reveals to us that a “BETTER covenant” with “BETTER promises” made the old covenant obsolete “for righteousness” (Hebrews 7:22; 8:6; Romans 10:4). The faith of the NEWWWW Testament saint, saved by grace, is not set upon trying to keep the law (“keeping Torah”) but rather set upon the only ONE to ever keep the law perfectly – then He – Christ, nailed it to the cross and “took it out of the way” (Colossians 2:14-19). It’s over so repent and get over it, now! The infinitely inferior old was a mere shadow of the infinitely superior NEW Testament that was to come and HAS come with Christ (Hebrews 10:1). Beware of the demonic Judaizing devils in our midst. They are snakes!
Those who pretend to “keep torah” openly reject Christ’s one perfect “It is finished” (paid in full) sacrifice and declaration (John 19:30).
What is a Judaizer? Simply put, a Judaizer is one who seeks to bring NEW Testament, saved by grace through faith saints back under the old law (Galatians 2:4-5).
Nothing has changed: As was the case in Galatia, these Judaizers are among us, actively seeking to bring saved-by-the-blood-and-grace of Christ, NEW Testament saints back under the law. These are the same demon-possessed wolves Paul dealt with repeatedly, most poignantly in Galatia. They come to spy out the liberty of the true, blood bought, saved by grace NEW Testament believers.
Christ told us that Satan has come “to steal, and to kill, and to destroy” (John 10:10). These ministers of Satan have no less of the same 3-tiered mission. They are “false brethren.”
“And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily (secretly) to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: 5 To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.” Galatians 2:4-5
Paul was a “shut down” preacher! He shut down Satan’s ministers who posed as representatives of Christ (2 Corinthians 11:12-15). The apostle shut the heretics down – hard and fast! (See Titus 3:10; Matthew 7:6.) How much time did Paul give Satan’s Judaizing agents who corrupted the Galatians? – “To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour” (Galatians 2:4-5).
Paul gave these vile Judaizers not even one hour. He cut them off swiftly in order to protect the sheep of Christ who shed His blood to purchase His people. Paul declared:
“I would they were even CUT OFF which trouble you.” Galatians 5:12
Here’s the Greek rendering for the term “cut off”:
“apokoptō
ap-ok-op’-to
From G575 and G2875; to amputate; reflexively (by irony) to mutilate (the privy parts): – cut off. Compare G2699.“
Make no mistake: “Cut off” is violent language. “Cut off” means to amputate, to mutilate ones private parts. Some believe Paul was saying that he would wish these agents of Satan who sought to lead astray Christ’s sheep to be castrated or killed. Such a stance doesn’t bode well with the more cowards we call pastors today who could care less if one of Christ’s sheep is led astray.
Those who tout “keep the Torah” mean to say “you have to keep the law to be righteous” and are antichrists….. They openly deny the full sufficiency of the one perfect sacrifice of the Son of God who as He bled on Calvary’s cruel cross cried “It is finished” which means that the price for mankind’s sin is “Paid in full” (John 19:30).
Those who get upset when Christ’s enemies who pose as His servants are exposed, are out of New Testament order. These blinded souls have no kingdom clue. They have been schooled by wolves who hide this self-evident Bible revelation. They read right over the mountains of Scripture dedicated to exposing false leaders and false teachings. Would to God we had more fearless men of truth such as was Paul and Christ’s other apostles!
PAUL, CHRIST’S apostle was no pansy when it came to false teachers!
Judaizers are to be rejected as heretics according to Matthew 7:6 and Titus 3:10-11. They are to be given no space – no platform.
“Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.” Matthew 7:6
“A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; 11 Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.” Titus 3:10-11
This Hebrew Roots delusion is no small matter. Eternal souls are in the balance. The Holy Ghost, through Paul reveals to us that Judaizers are operating in witchcraft, putting spells on people through demons and false teachings :
“O foolish Galatians, who hath BEWITCHED you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? 2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?” Galatians 3:1-3
The diabolical goal of Judaizers is to lead saved-by-grace Christians to fall from grace which means they become apostate – lost. – “Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; YE ARE FALLEN FROM GRACE” (Galatians 5:4).
The true Jews?
“For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: 29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.” Romans 2:28-29
DIVINE FILTER: All false movements and false teachers serve a divine purpose. They are allowed to snare all who don’t truly love Christ and therefore His Truth! Study 1 Corinthians 11:19; 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12 closely.
Keep Torah? No. Keep Jesus!
Paul says that there was “NO good thing” in him, that is, in his flesh and besides Christ (Romans 7:18). Being that we are all faulty, sinful, it’s pretty laughable that someone would trust their own ability to keep the law (which we’ve all broken) instead of trusting the only ONE – JESUS – who kept that law then nailed it to the cross and took it away (Colossians 2:14-17). It really is “finished” (John 19:30). For seeking to obtain righteousness, the law is over. It’s “the end” – “For Christ is THE END of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth” (Romans 10:4).
The book of Romans is the ABC’s of the Christian faith. Read it thoroughly to be grounded.
Who and What is the Law for?
“Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm. 8 But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; 9 Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, 10 For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; 11 According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.” 1 Timothy 1:7-11
The above text reveals how the Law applies to saints and to sinners.
Born again saints are temples of the Holy Ghost who enables them to fulfill all righteousness. They need no law other than the “the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus.”
“For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Romans 8:2-4
Read the book of Galatians several times through. Pray before you begin and pray through reading these divinely inspired words and defense of the Gospel of the grace of God, asking Him to reveal His mind to you on this matter of justification.
MESSAGE RECEIVED:
“We keep the law because we love Christ and His will is our joy.”
REPLY:
We keep Jesus, not the law. You are putting the law above CHRIST. You are in big trouble if you think that keeping the WHOLE law makes you righteous. Here’s the law true NEW Testament saints keep:
“For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” Romans 8:2-4.
What you are doing is denying Christ openly, antichrist, by putting the law above Christ who alone kept the law perfectly – then nailed it to the cross, taking it out of the way! (See Colossians 2:14-19.)
The law is over for righteousness – done! “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth” (Romans 10:4).
MESSAGE RECEIVED:
“You misunderstand many things concerning the importance of the Jewish feasts.”
REPLY:
Sounds like you have a pseudo-superiority complex consistent with Hebrew Roots folk. You are camping on that which was a mere “shadow” that pointed to Christ who has ALREADY come! Hebrews 8-10. The NEW Covenant is infinitely superior to the infinitely inferior covenant it replaced….. True disciples of Jesus view the Old Covenant through the revealed knowledge (eyes) of the NEW Covenant which was ratified in the blood of the Messiah and not vice versa. You err and misunderstand many things. Jesus has come and is the all in all for His true disciples.
COMMON OBJECTION:
“He has not come to abolish the law, but to fulfill it!”
REPLY:
“Fulfill” in Matthew 5:17 means to expire! When He died on the cross, fulfilling the law perfectly, Jesus nailed it to the cross and took it away! See Colossians 2:14-17. “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth” (Romans 10:4).
That “fulfill” thing in Matthew 5:17 is something I’d like us to explore. It would seem fitting that Jesus, as He says this BEFORE the cross, seems to possibly be saying that He is going to fulfill all the righteousness of the law (that the righteous law demanded) and then nail it to the cross in His death, and take it away. Couple this with Colossians 2:14-17.
“Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. 16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: 17 Which are a shadow (illustration, forth telling) of things to come; but the body is of Christ. 18 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, 19 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 2:14-19
Before He went to the cross, Jesus said:
“Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil (satisfy the claims of, expire). 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.” (Matthew 5:17-18)
“fulfil” – Greek, definition … think of this in respect to Christ’s utter uniqueness in all of history – being the only One to ever keep/fulfill the Law perfectly.
“G4137
πληρόω
plēroō
play-ro’-o
From G4134; to make replete, that is, (literally) to cram (a net), level up (a hollow), or (figuratively) to furnish (or imbue, diffuse, influence), satisfy, execute (an office), finish (a period or task), verify (or coincide with a prediction), etc.: – accomplish, X after, (be) complete, end, expire, fill (up), fulfil, (be, make) full (come), fully preach, perfect, supply.”
The Picture or the Person?
Are you embracing the mere shadow or the Savior? The picture or the Person?
Picture a Marine returning home from a long war deployment. After being gone from his wife for several long years, when he arrives home, his wife says “Hi baby! I love you! Welcome home! Listen, I’ve gotten accustomed to your picture (a mere shadow of who her husband is) and so I’ve prepared you your own bedroom upstairs so that you can sleep there while I sleep in the master bedroom with your picture!”
What would you think if you heard a story like that? This is an accurate illustration of the absurdity of those who put more emphasis on the mere shadows of Jesus in the Old Testament than in Jesus Himself! These are they are are “NOT (up)holding (magnifying) the Head” who is Jesus and who has COME and fulfilled what those mere shadows depicted before He came (Colossians 2:18-19).
Please prayerfully pour over the words of Hebrews 8-10 which contrasts the mere shadows of the Old Covenant with the reality of the infinitely superior New Covenant which was ratified in the very blood of the only begotten Son of God. Read these chapters several times.
One writer notes:
“When the believer has died with Christ he is then dead to the law. Rom 7. The unbeliever who is not positionally dead with Christ is still under the law.
Being dead to the law means the believer has been removed out from under the curse of, tyranny under and slavery to the law and its administrators, the principalities and powers.
The believer is out from under the accusation, condemnation, judgment, wrath and execution of the law. 2 Cor 3; Rom 8:1-4
The law is ‘taken out of the way’ (Col 2:14) of those who have died with Christ.
It is still a barrier between Christ and the unbelieving person.
The law killed Jesus and destroyed itself in so doing. John 19:7.
There are two ways in the Bible. The way of Law and the way of the cross. Law kills. Grace dies and is raised up free from the law. Law is for those ‘taken out of their way.’
The Law was a shadow or caricature of God/Christ. Agape love is the reality, body or substance of God/Christ. Jesus filled the caricature/shadow with His reality.
Would they rather have a caricature or the real person?
Would you rather have a picture of a home or a real home??
The Law still applies to unbelievers. 1 Tim 1. Love is the fulfilling of the law. Rom 13:10. Agape love has come to us through the pouring out of the Holy Spirit into our hearts. Rom 5:5. Agape (unconditional love) does not exist in the old Covenant (Old Testament). So love fulfills the law in that we are motivated to keep the law rules without a human effort focus on rules. Obedience to the rules is a spontaneous byproduct rather than a focus, obligation or result of fear of violating.
Example illustration: One driver slows down in school zone because he is afraid of the penalty. He is under the law. The other driver slows down (fulfills the law) because he loves children. He is keeping the law without being under the law. Agape is controlling him. Love ‘constrains’ him. 2 Cor 5:14″
Working for salvation by attempting to keep “the whole law” will bring great misery and end up in eternal damnation (James 2:10). Better just to admit you are not worthy, a vile, depraved sinner in need of the one Savior who paid the full price for your sins on that cross!
“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
Andrew Murray
Can and Will God Use You? [podcast]
Does God Use You Because You Are Special in and of Yourself, Have Never Sinned Since Being Saved, Or Have a Seminary Degree?
Can God still use you? If so, why? How?
“The religious people always get upset when God uses the people they thought were unqualified.” unknown
First off, if you are reading these words, you are “desperately wicked” and not wonderful. Jesus is the “Wonderful” One! (Isaiah 9:6-7)
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” Jeremiah 17:9
Memorize Romans 7:18 today!
“If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?” Psalms 130:3
In a certain sense, the LORD uses us in spite of, not because of us!!!! “ALL of our righteousness are as filthy rags,” right? (Isaiah 64:6)
God first found and saved us in spite of us while we were yet sinners, right? (Romans 5:6-8; 1 John 4:9-10, 19) And, if you truly trust and obey Him, He will use you IN SPITE OF you NOT BECAUSE OF you! (Titus 3:3-7)
“For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?” 1 Corinthians 4:7
If the beloved king David, who sinned greatly for a season, can repent and find full restoration with the LORD, so can we!!! Read Psalm 51 today.
David’s gross sin against God didn’t negate what he did, what God used him to do before and after that season of sin. God offers His mercy and forgiveness for the repentant – and if not, NOT ONE of us could be saved. Let that sink in beloved of God. See David’s psalm of repentance, Psalm 51. Anyone else super elated about this divine truth, about the mercy of this Great God of our salvation – JESUS CHRIST?
MOSES murdered a man with his bare hands before God used him to lead millions of His people out of bondage/sin. David committed adultery and murdered and God later used him… both these men repented and confessed their sins – and this is the kingdom key (Psalms 51; Proverbs 28:13). Peter denied Christ openly after walking with the Son of God in the flesh for over 3 years…. this these men of God did BEFORE the LORD then used them mightily in His ministry work. Is your sin greater than Christ’s blood? No! Repent of this evil idolatry and unbelief (Hebrews 3-4). GOD be praised that our past does not equal our future or matter if we are presently “IN CHRIST” whereby ALL our sins ARE washed away – “as far as the east is from the west (definition of infinity)“ (Psalms 103:10-12) …. BAMMMM Yes, we all will reap what we sow and yet that’s different in the mercy and kingdom economy of God. If any one of us does not have the blood of Christ presently applied to our lives, we are doomed (1 John 1:6-2:2). Accuser of the brethren be gone in JESUS’ name! If a saved person had to have a sinlessly perfect past AFTER begin saved, name just 1 person who could be used of God….. NONE! NOT ONE! Let’s live according to kingdom truth/perspective saints! God looks on your present state and not your past. All self-righteous religionists are more sure for hell than even the prostitutes and all other vile sinners (Matthew 21:31)….. Can and Will God Use You?
Psalm 51 record the repentance of the beloved David after he’d sinned!
Just because you sinned, done some things wrong, that doesn’t exclude you from answering the call God has placed on your life. Repent, pray, obey, and trust the LORD.
Let us cry out to the LORD as did beloved David in his psalm of repentance! Beloved David sinned grossly during a season of his life and yet, David could be convicted, drawn in, and repentant. Can you? Do you have a heart after God like the beloved David? May it be so, in the name of Jesus. Because God is good and David responded to His drawing him back to Himself, the Bible later records that the beloved “sweet psalmist of Israel” was “a man after” the heart of the LORD.
“I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.” Acts 13:22
Like Paul, David finished strong and so can we! (2 Timothy 4:7-8)
Anyone else super glad that in the divine economy it’s more about how we finish than how we started? Whew! Jesus!
It is utterly priceless that David, Israel’s greatest human king, was called by our LORD “the sweet psalmist of Israel.”
“Now these be the last words of David. David the son of Jesse said, and the man who was raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel, said.” 2 Samuel 23:1
Jesus is coming to reward His beloved people. May He bless each of us to live with the goal of hearing these words from His mouth … “Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” (Matthew 25:23)
“It’s doubtful whether God can bless a man greatly until He has hurt him deeply.” A.W. Tozer
What was once your weakness, your sin, can be turned into the strength of God – as He becomes strong in your weakness, your realization of nothing you are and how all-mighty, how all-merciful and loving He is (Genesis 32:10; John 15:5; Romans 7:18; 2 Corinthians 12:9-10). This breaking must of necessity happen in the life of each of His disciples – just as we see in Jacob, in David, in Job, in Paul, in Peter, etc. Death. Burial. Resurrection!
” … for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9
LIKE MANY OF YOU, this pauper is LEARNING AND KNOW MORE AND MORE DAILY WITH PAUL THAT THERE IS “NO GOOD THING” IN ME EXCEPT JESUS AND HE CANNOT AND WILL NOT REIGN IN MY LIFE UNLESS I CHOOSE TO DIE!!! LEARN THESE VERSES AND THE DIVINE TRUTH OF THEM (PSALMS 39:4-5; ROMANS 7:18, 24). WRITE THEM ON INDEX CARDS AND MARK THEM IN YOUR BIBLE.
Is God Unable to Use You Because You’ve Sinned?
GROWTH IS NOT ALL AT ONCE: One brother in Christ testifies: “I see the change in me. From last year to today. I’m so far from where I want to be in Christ. But I’m so far from where I used to be when I was deceived.” Spiritual Growth
“By little and little (little by little) I will drive them out from before thee, until thou be increased, and inherit the land.” Exodus 23:20
The answer to the above question is YES when you confess and draw close to Him in an abiding relationship (Psalms 51; Lamentations 3:19-26; Hebrews 4:14-16; James 4:6-11; 1 John 1:7-9; 2:1-2, etc.).
So you sinned? Join the club! One thing’s for certain and that is that it was my fault when I chose to sin and not God’s who “cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man.” (James 1:13-15) Yet, when I acknowledged and confessed that sin in drawing back nigh to Him in intimate fellowship, my sins were washed away “as far as the east is from the west.” (Psalms 103:12)
“As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.” Psalms 103:12
So, is your past sin greater than Christ’s cleansing blood applied when the transgressor repents/confesses?
If we think that our past sin is greater than the cleansing blood of Jesus Christ, should we not repent of this idolatry of lifting sin above Jesus and at once get the precious blood of Jesus up highest? Confess it, turn from it, and march on saint! Learn these truths well – Philippians 3:13-14; Hebrews 4:14-16; 1 John 1:3-2:2; Isaiah 44:22; Micah 7:18-19, etc.
Friends, if this doesn’t encourage you, I don’t know what will!
“JACOB WAS A CHEATER, PETER HAD A TEMPER, DAVID HAD AN AFFAIR, NOAH GOT DRUNK, JONAH RAN FROM GOD, PAUL WAS A MURDERER, GIDEON WAS INSECURE, MIRIAM WAS A GOSSIPER, MARTHA WAS A WORRIER, THOMAS WAS A DOUBTER, SARA WAS IMPATIENT, ELIJAH WAS MOODY, MOSES STUTTERED, ZACCHEUS WAS SHORT, ABRAHAM WAS OLD,… AND LAZARUS WAS DEAD…. NOW, WHAT’S YOUR EXCUSE? CAN GOD USE YOU OR NOT? GOD DOESN’T CALL THE QUALIFIED, HE QUALIFIES THE CALLED.”
All have sinned and we all must reap what we have sown (Romans 3:23; Galatians 6:7-8). Yet, when we repent, returning to our LORD on HIS terms, submitting our lives to Him afresh, He will do a work in us (James 4:6-10).
Divine grace empowers!!!!!
Paul wrote “But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.” (1 Corinthians 15:10)
God’s grace is “manifold” according to 1 Peter 4:10-11. Scripture defines divine grace as the LORD’s divine influence on our hearts and His operational power, His divine ability in us to do His will and be used of Him!!! This is exactly why Paul could say here in 1 Corinthians 15:10 that he “laboured more abundantly than they all.” He said that it was “yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.” Yes, the apostle was extremely diligent and yet, when all is said and done, it’s God’s ability in us who are surrendered in true repentance to Him that brings Him praise and produces the fruit that is to His eternal glory! (Ephesians 3:7; 4:7; 1 Peter 4:10-11)
Coming Boldly
Christ’s perfect sacrifice alone made every divine blessing available to us!
“Seeing then that we have a great high priest (Jesus Christ), 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 (with full confidence) unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:14-16
We can come boldly because of the blood of Jesus Christ. You must be deepened in this understanding! | The Blood of Jesus Christ
His grace and mercy sure are amazing aren’t they? Yes, because He is amazing and freely offers His forgiveness and restoration to those who fear Him (Psalms 103:11).
It’s when we are weak in self, broken, contrite in heart, and fully fallen upon His sheer mercy, that the LORD can raise us up in His grace and power.
“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
BEING USED OF THE LORD IS NOT ABOUT LEARNING SERMONS OR GOING TO SEMINARY OR BIBLE COLLEGE. THOSE METHODS CAN BE FULL OF WASTE. THEY CAN BE THE FLESHLY WAY TO BE PREPARED AND CAN ACTUALLY LEAD US AWAY FROM BEING USED OF THE LORD. IT SEEMS FROM OUR READING OF SCRIPTURE THAT WHEN WE LOOK AT THOSE GOD USED THROUGHOUT HISTORY, THEY WERE PREPARED IN HUMILITY, BROKENNESS, REPENTANCE, AND GIVING HIS BLESSED WORD FIRST PLACE IN THEIR DAILY LIVES.
Most of those I know who have seminary degrees have no clue of the Scriptural truth revealed on this page. They have traded knowing Christ by His Word alone for the cheap substitute, accolades and approval of mere sinful men.
Oswald Chambers well captures this poverty of spirit the LORD is looking for:
“HE TOOK THE TWELVE ASIDE . . . —LUKE 18:31
OH, THE BRAVERY OF GOD IN TRUSTING US! DO YOU SAY, “BUT HE HAS BEEN UNWISE TO CHOOSE ME, BECAUSE THERE IS NOTHING GOOD IN ME AND I HAVE NO VALUE”? THAT IS EXACTLY WHY HE CHOSE YOU. AS LONG AS YOU THINK THAT YOU ARE OF VALUE TO HIM HE CANNOT CHOOSE YOU, BECAUSE YOU HAVE PURPOSES OF YOUR OWN TO SERVE. BUT IF YOU WILL ALLOW HIM TO TAKE YOU TO THE END OF YOUR OWN SELF-SUFFICIENCY, THEN HE CAN CHOOSE YOU TO GO WITH HIM “TO JERUSALEM” (LUKE 18:31). AND THAT WILL MEAN THE FULFILLMENT OF PURPOSES WHICH HE DOES NOT DISCUSS WITH YOU. WE TEND TO SAY THAT BECAUSE A PERSON HAS NATURAL ABILITY, HE WILL MAKE A GOOD CHRISTIAN. IT IS NOT A MATTER OF OUR EQUIPMENT, BUT A MATTER OF OUR POVERTY; NOT OF WHAT WE BRING WITH US, BUT OF WHAT GOD PUTS INTO US; NOT A MATTER OF NATURAL VIRTUES, OF STRENGTH OF CHARACTER, OF KNOWLEDGE, OR OF EXPERIENCE— ALL OF THAT IS OF NO AVAIL IN THIS CONCERN. THE ONLY THING OF VALUE IS BEING TAKEN INTO THE COMPELLING PURPOSE OF GOD AND BEING MADE HIS FRIENDS (SEE 1 CORINTHIANS 1:26-31). GOD’S FRIENDSHIP IS WITH PEOPLE WHO KNOW THEIR POVERTY. HE CAN ACCOMPLISH NOTHING WITH THE PERSON WHO THINKS THAT HE IS OF USE TO GOD. AS CHRISTIANS WE ARE NOT HERE FOR OUR OWN PURPOSE AT ALL— WE ARE HERE FOR THE PURPOSE OF GOD, AND THE TWO ARE NOT THE SAME. WE DO NOT KNOW WHAT GOD’S COMPELLING PURPOSE IS, BUT WHATEVER HAPPENS, WE MUST MAINTAIN OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM. WE MUST NEVER ALLOW ANYTHING TO DAMAGE OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD, BUT IF SOMETHING DOES DAMAGE IT, WE MUST TAKE THE TIME TO MAKE IT RIGHT AGAIN. THE MOST IMPORTANT ASPECT OF CHRISTIANITY IS NOT THE WORK WE DO, BUT THE RELATIONSHIP WE MAINTAIN AND THE SURROUNDING INFLUENCE AND QUALITIES PRODUCED BY THAT RELATIONSHIP. THAT IS ALL GOD ASKS US TO GIVE OUR ATTENTION TO, AND IT IS THE ONE THING THAT IS CONTINUALLY UNDER ATTACK.” OSWALD CHAMBERS, MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST, AUGUST 4
Andrew Murray wrote:
“The great secret of abiding in Christ is the deep conviction that we are nothing, and He is everything.” Andrew Murray, Abide In Christ, p. 160
“Jesus never taught His disciples how to preach, only how to pray. To know how to speak to God is more than knowing how to speak to people. Power with God is the first thing, not power with people. Christ loves to teach us how to pray.” Andrew Murray, With Christ in the School of Prayer, p. xxiii-xxiv
Jesus’ disciples never ask the LORD “Teach us to preach” but rather “Teach us to pray.” Right? (Luke 11:1) Did they realize something so many today have no clue about?
Jesus sure did send His original twelve and us forth to “Go … preach.” (Mark 16:15) Yet, He never taught them how to preach such as we have today in seminaries (homiletics). If we are in His Word daily, walking in the Spirit and not the flesh, we will be “instant in season and out of season” to “preach the word.” (2 Timothy 4:2)
Your usefulness to the LORD has to do with your poverty or poorness of spirit, utter humility, obedience, and also your knowledge and application of His Word in daily living (2 Timothy 2:20-21).
***I am memorizing a series of verses now. Wrote them on index cards. … Ezra 9:13-14; Ps. 103:10-11 …. Go see why!
Some wonder: “But why am I not growing faster? Why does the spiritual maturity seem so slow or gradual?”
NOT WHERE YOU WANT TO BE SPIRITUALLY?
The LORD has a reason for delivering His people “little and little” which means little by little. Exodus 23:29-31 says: “I will not drive them out from before thee in one year; lest the land become desolate, and the beast of the field multiply against thee. 30 By little and little I will drive them out from before thee, until thou be increased, and inherit the land. 31 And I will set thy bounds from the Red sea even unto the sea of the Philistines, and from the desert unto the river: for I will deliver the inhabitants of the land into your hand; and thou shalt drive them out before thee.”
THIS TRUTH IS RESERVED ONLY FOR THOSE WHO TRULY FEAR THE LORD. AND, ALL WHO TRULY FEAR THE LORD ARE DAILY SEEKING HIS HOLY FACE AND OBEYING HIM. ANY PERSON WHO BELIEVES THEY ARE SAVED AND ISN’T SEEKING THE FACE OF THE LORD DAILY AND DILIGENTLY, HAS ALREADY FALLEN AWAY AND IS LUKEWARM AND APOSTATE.
“And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with ALL your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13
“Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his face continually.” 1 Chronicles 16:11
“God is Greater than Our Hearts”
To those who still feel ashamed …
“And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. 20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. 21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.” 1 John 3:19-21
- “God is greater than our heart, and …” – Think on this: Is your own heart and the thoughts of it greater than God? No.
- “God … knoweth all things” – He’s not surprised by anything.
- The LORD desires to grant His children a clear conscience and that will occur as we choose to go about things His way – “Now the end (divine goal) of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned.” (1 Timothy 1:5)
Remember how Peter openly denied Christ three times? Is it not a denial of Christ that we commit if we choose to sin – That is, when we deny Him the place of reign in our lives? Did Jesus forgive Peter?
When Jesus foreknew that Peter was going to sin, what did He tell Peter? Did Jesus say “Peter, I know you are going to sin and when you do, I’m going to be done with you”? No.
“And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: 32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted (restored), strengthen thy brethren.” Luke 22:31-32
JESUS just as easily could have said that He was going to condemn Peter after he sinned. Yet did He? No. No, instead He restored Peter, His son.
KNOWING PETER WAS GETTING READY TO SIN YET AGAIN BY DENYING HIM THREE TIMES, COULDN’T CHRIST HAVE SAID: “PETER, NOW I AM DONE WITH YOU! I ALLOWED YOU TO WALK ON WATER AND YOU TOOK YOUR EYES OFF OF ME AND DENIED ME WHILE WE WALKED ON THAT WATER AND SEVERAL TIMES AFTER THAT. YOU ARE GOING TO CUT OFF THE EAR OF MALCHUS AND I’M GOING TO HAVE TO PUT THAT EAR BACK ON HIM TO HEAL THE HURT YOU BROUGHT TO HIM! THEN, YOU ARE GOING TO GO SO FAR AS TO TRY TO STOP ME FROM GOING TO THE CROSS, THE VERY REASON I CAME TO THIS EARTH. AND NOW, YOU JUST CURSED AND OPENLY DENIED ME BEFORE OTHERS, VIOLENTLY REJECTING ME! I’M DONE WITH YOU! NO MORE MERCY! YOU ARE SHUT OUT OF MY KINGDOM FOR GOOD NOW!”?
Yes He certainly could have but did Christ say any of these things? Nope!
Has Jesus changed? – “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.”(Hebrews 13:8)
So if Jesus didn’t condemn Peter when he deserved it fully and Christ hasn’t changed, just what makes you think He is done with you?
AFTER SINNING AND BEING RESTORED, PETER WAS SHORTLY AFTERWARD USED OF THE LORD TO WIN 8,000 PRECIOUS SOULS TO THE KINGDOM OF GOD! (ACTS 2-3) GOD USED PETER AFTER HE SINNED AND THEN REPENTED. GOD USED MOSES TO LEAD MILLIONS OF HIS PEOPLE AFTER MOSES MURDERED A MAN. GOD USED DAVID AFTER HE COMMITTED ADULTERY, DECEIVED, LIED, AND MURDERED. THE LIST GOES ON … CAN GOD STILL USE YOU?
If the LORD can use a donkey, or worse yet, even me, just WHO among us can He not use? (Ephesians 1:6)
Who among us is sinless perfection or would even dare tout such a lie?
“If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me: if I say, I am perfect, it shall also prove me perverse.” Job 9:20
“Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?” Proverbs 20:9
I got rebuked by a guy this week who is part of the Mike Desario cult. As usual, he was totally self-righteous, acting as if and teaching that we can decide to never sin again and accomplish such by our own will, without Jesus. Total devils.
“God be merciful to me a sinner” is what I must declare (Luke 18:9-14).
“For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.” Ecclesiastes 7:20
Personally, it seems that the more open I am about this as was Paul Romans 7, the more victory takes place in my life. Jesus is able – through the daily cross life (2 Corinthians 4:10-12).
Check out and get to know these: Ecclesiastes 7:20; Job 9:20; Proverbs 20:9
May God have mercy on us in Jesus’ name, and make us holy as He is holy (1 Peter 1:15-16).
What About When Others Condemn Me For What I’ve Done?
First off, one way to look at the condemnation of other mere men, is that when someone is condemning you, they’re giving someone else a break! Think on this.
What about the judgment of others? God’s Word assures us that “the wrath (condemnation) of man worketh not the righteousness of God” and that those who are heavy handed at condemning others (in attitude and/or word) are full of sin themselves – which they seek to hide from men but God sees it (James 1:20).
“Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. 2 But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. 3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?” Romans 2:1-3
Ever Felt Forsaken?
Have you ever felt like you just sinned your last sin and that God was surely done with you?
How often are the LORD’s mercies renewed?
Lamentations 3:17-26
“And thou hast removed my soul far off from peace (“I feel forsaken”): I forgat prosperity.
18 And I said, My strength and my hope is perished from the LORD (“I feel deflated”):
19 Remembering mine affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall.
20 My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is humbled in me.
21 This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.
22 It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
24 The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.
25 The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.
26 It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.”
The Bottom Line – The Real Score
When we do things our own way instead of God’s, there will be consequences that are going to cost us much (Galatians 6:7-8). We certainly will reap what we sow. Yes the LORD says “Be ye holy for I am holy” and yet, God’s not interested in anyone seeking to be holy unless they are approaching Him in the clear realization of their own sinful depravity and hopelessness and on the basis of His sheer mercy and to be in an abiding, saving relationship (John 15:1-6; 1 Peter 1:15-16).
“For in my wrath I smote thee, but in my favour have I had mercy on thee.” Isaiah 60:1
“O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself; but in me is thine help. ” Hosea 13:9
We have destroyed our own lives by sin. You and I are no different at all than Israel whom the LORD was specifically addressing above. Yet, in Him is our help, our hope, our salvation!
We have made ruin and a huge mess out of the lives He gave us and yet in Him is our hope and help! – Only in Him!
IN HIS HEART THE HELL BOUND SELF-RIGHTEOUS DEVIL BELIEVES HE IS INHERENTLY RIGHTEOUS AND THEREFORE BETTER THAN OTHERS. SO, HE BELIEVES IT’S OKAY TO HAVE A CONDEMNING ATTITUDE TOWARD OTHERS WHO ARE OF COURSE, LOWER THAN HE IS. SUCH A PERSON HAS NO CLUE AS TO THE DEPRAVITY OF MANKIND (INCLUDING HIMSELF) AND THE SHEER DIVINE MERCY THAT WAS DISPLAYED IN THE CROSS OF CHRIST (TITUS 3:5-7).
The humble servant, who realizes his own depravity and utter need for divine mercy, hangs his head in shame and says in his heart: “God be merciful to me a sinner.” (Luke 18:13) The God-less, hell bound self-righteous religionist goes before God touting the sham of his own righteousness. He says in the attitude of his heart: “God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. 12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.” (Luke 18:11)
IT’S CERTAIN THAT SIN IS A CHOICE WE HAVE MADE THAT WE DIDN’T HAVE TO MAKE AND THAT SIN IS NOT GOOD AND THAT IT WILL SEPARATE US FROM GOD WHO IS “HOLY, HOLY, HOLY.” (ISAIAH 6:3; REVELATION 4:8) YET, THAT’S NOT THE END OF THE STORY! IT’S ALSO JUST AS TRUE THAT THE LORD DESIRES TO RESTORE AND NOT TO CONDEMN US – YET HE WILL IF WE DON’T COME TO HIM IN HOLY FEAR TO BE RESTORED (ROMANS 11:20-22; 2 PETER 2:20-21; HEBREWS 10:26-39, ETC.).
The Door Is Open Not Closed!
To His own people who were at the time backslidden and in imperative need of repenting, Jesus says:
“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man (backslidden) hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” Revelation 3:20
Will we answer the door? Will I answer His call to come to Him with an honest heart?
Does God wish for you or any one of His children to perish? Is God trying to condemn you? Is it His ultimate will to shut you out of His kingdom?
“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward (toward His own people), not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9
Are you ready? Is it time to take a few moments alone with the LORD? Pray this to the LORD with everything that’s in you….
PRAYER: Father, in Jesus precious name, I come confidently before Your blessed and holy throne of grace in order to receive Your mercy for my sins. And to be empowered by Your blessed, enabling grace! I here and now openly acknowledge, admit, confess that I am utterly impoverished outside of Your saving grace granted exclusively through the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ! I am hopeless without Your help. Please forgive me for _______________ …… LORD, please restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation and fill me with Your Holy Spirit afresh, strengthening my inner man by Your Spirit. I love You LORD Jesus. Thank You for coming to this earth, born of a virgin, for living a sinless life, for dying on that cross for me, and that You were raised from the dead for my justification! In Jesus’ name! Amen.
Victory in Jesus (life-changing audio message)
Learn to live this Word from God by obtaining I Die Daily and Raised Up.
“LESS THAN THE LEAST OF ALL SAINTS”???? Me argue with the apostle Paul? Yes, you bet! And I can tell you right now that I am right and he is wrong!!! (Okay, read on before you conclude that I am a heretic.) PLEASE HIT SHARE – Bone to Pick with Paul?
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