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A Prepared Vessel

LORD, please make me a vessel unto honor!

“If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.” 2 Timothy 2:21

Many doing ministry today are heavy on the performance and yet light on the preparation.

Jesus was in prep for 30 years to perform a 3.5 year ministry. Today we want to prepare for a brief time for decades of ministry. Not God’s way.

YOUR PRAYER: Father, please make my life count for You! Please use me as a messenger of Your great love and rich mercy toward all men. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

IF our hearts, minds, and mouths are not loaded to overflowing with God’s written Word, that’s the clear sign that we are not yet called to preach for Him. So, preparation! Study, read, learn, memorize, meditate upon Holy Scripture.

“Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge. 18 For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips. 19 That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee. 20 Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge, 21 That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?” Proverbs 22:17-21

The only way to learn to walk and talk Biblically/biblical is to study God’s Word like He told you to (2 Timothy 2:15). Do it now.

If you won’t be faithful to learn God’s Word, He can’t use you to minister it – because you don’t know it (2 Timothy 2:15). And if you go forth trying be minister, you’ll be a false witness.

“Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house.” Proverbs 24:27 

Prepare in private and God will use you in public (Matthew 6:6).

God’s Word cannot be in me unless I am in it – daily in reading, study, meditation, and obedience.

We can only speak the truth into the hearts of men and dispel the opposing arguments if we know the truth so well that the truth is the only thing that flows from our lips (Proverbs 22:17-21; 1 Peter 3:15).

Until a man’s heart and mind are filled to the full with the counsel of God, the written Word, having walked it out through years in Christ, he is not yet qualified to be in an eldership calling in Christ’s body. He is still a “novice” “Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil” (1 Timothy 3:6).

ALL who desire God to use them, for God’s Word to flow through them, are filling up daily with His Word (Proverbs 22:17-21; 2 Timothy 2:15; 1 Peter 4:11). Are you being prepared to be mightily used of God? (Daniel 11:32)  Anyone who says they want to be used of God and yet is not deeply, diligently, daily devouring God’s Word, is a liar.

“For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” Hebrews 5:13-14 

It is more than obvious to the diligent Bible student that a large percentage of those men who lead in the apostate modern church world, are babes, novices.

Until a man is deeply seasoned by the knowledge of and obedience to the Word of God, he is not ready to lead. This takes many years involving seasons of testings, trials, purgings, corrections, humblings, repentances, and chastening. No one who truly walks with Christ escapes (John 15:2; 2 Timothy 2:21; Hebrews 12:5-12; 1 Peter 1:5-7). There are no short cuts.

“Christ’s words must abide or continue in us. We must study His words, fairly devour His words, let them sink deep into our thought and into our heart, keep them in our memory, obey them constantly in our life, let them shape and mold our daily life and our every act.” R.A. Torrey

GOOD NEWS: If God is purging you, that proves that you are truly in Christ and have born good fruit and now He is purging you so that even more good fruit will be produced in your life! Victory!

“Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. 3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.” John 15:2-3

“If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.” 2 Timothy 2:21

For the way God works in and then through men, study the disciples of Christ and the Old Testament men of God and the progression of their spiritual maturity in Christ. This gives us much hope that if God could work in them, He can work in us – if we, like David, choose daily to be men after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22).

True disciples who walk with God, like beloved David, know what it means to fall, to sin, to repent, to re-turn to the LORD, and to be restored by the LORD. They therefore help you, they encourage, they admonish, and warn you to hasten to the throne of grace to obtain mercy and grace!

“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16 

YOU may not be acting it out BUT if it’s an un-crucified iniquity in your heart, God sees it just the same! We better get a kingdom clue saints! See Matthew 5:28; 1 Samuel 16:7; Proverbs 4:13.

Has the Word of God, the very “sword of the Spirit” cut you deep? (Ephesians 6:17) Is it circumcising your heart – cutting away the evil?

“For thus saith the LORD to the men of Judah and Jerusalem, Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns. 4 Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, and take away the foreskins of your heart, ye men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem: lest my fury come forth like fire, and burn that none can quench it, because of the evil of your doings. … 14 O Jerusalem, wash thine heart from wickedness, that thou mayest be saved. How long shall thy vain thoughts lodge within thee?” Jeremiah 4:3-4, 14

True, seasoned disciples are “furnished” not only with the head knowledge of God’s Word but also a performance of the workings of God in their own daily lives. They are “doers of the word, and not hearers only” and therefore “by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (Hebrews 5:14; James 1:22).

“Furnished” – Are you putting the furniture of God’s Word in your heart daily? Are you furnishing the vessel?

“That the man of God may be perfect, throughly FURNISHED unto all good works.” 2 Timothy 3:17

This word “furnished” here means fully equipped. And according to this passage, the only way to be “throughly furnished” is by being full of God’s Word.

ONLY if we are devouring God’s Word daily, will we be able to speak His words (Proverbs 22:17-21; 2 Timothy 2:!5; 4:2; 1 Peter 4:11).

ANY leadership curriculum that isn’t literally the Scriptures – and learning THEM – is a scam! (See Psalm 119; 2 Timothy 2:15; 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21, etc.) How long shall we prop up the wolves and their self-agenda “ministries”? How long shall we be be deceived?

Be aware that clever men, operating as Christian pastors, authors, singers, etc., can make nearly anything look biblical. This is done in part by over emphasizing certain things while ignoring others. We must ask, we must test the spirits by asking whether or not their doctrine is expressly, directly, explicitly stated in Holy Scripture, or not – just exactly as the Berean disciples did (Acts 17:10-11). Again, nearly anything can be extrapolated using select Scriptures and yet, is that what the whole of Scripture communicates? Test. Discern.

“Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.” John 14:23

“Amen brother, this is such a beautiful and powerful verse. Jesus shows here that true love for Him is not merely words or emotions, but a life that treasures and obeys His teachings. Loving Christ and obeying Him are deeply connected. If ye love me, keep my commandments. John 14:15 What amazes me most is the promise that follows obedience and love. Jesus says that the Father and the Son will make their abode with the believer. What an incredible picture of fellowship, communion, and nearness with God. The Christian life is not simply following rules, but walking in relationship with the living God daily. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. James 4:8 I also think this verse reminds us that obedience flows from love, not from fear or empty religion. When our hearts truly love Christ, we desire to follow Him, hear His voice, and walk in His truth. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. John 10:27 Thank you for sharing this brother. It is such a beautiful reminder that God desires not distant religion, but a close abiding relationship with those who love Him sincerely.” Raju sambattula

“Walk worthy”

“I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called.” Ephesians 4:1   

Discipleship

You were made by God and placed on this HIS earth for such a time as this. Will He have to bring deliverance, ministry to those around you through another vessel? Or, will you obey Him? Esther 4:14

STORE | Support | The Return of Christ | Stewardship | Jesus Sat Over Against The Treasury [podcast] | 10 Clues Your Love for God has Waxed Cold [podcast] | Where to Give and Where Not to Give | Fruit Abounding to Your Account! | Parable of the Talents [podcast] | Proving Jesus Matters [podcast] | Money, Material Wealth, and Riches | Rusted Gold and Fire Untold [podcast]

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Articles

Hell’s Menu

What’s being Served Up in the Domain of the Damned?

What’s going on below us, in the bowels of the earth?

The Bible’s Vivid Description of the Domain of the Damned

Violent flames rage like endless waves that roar in a fierce ocean tossed to and fro by hurricane winds. Deafening voices shriek, hopelessly tormented in the turbulent fire that dominates their defenseless souls. One million years have passed and yet there is not a trace of relief from the horrifying torment that has enveloped their helpless souls. Vivid memories of their earthly life, when they had precious opportunity to escape this horrible fate, torment their bitter and remorseful beings. Welcome to the world of departed souls who died after refusing to apply the only cure to their deadly curse of sin. Behind the thin veil of life on earth lies a real world – a forever world. Welcome to a profile of the after life.

Details about hell revealed in God’s Word, the Bible:

  • A place of complete consciousness (all feelings)…..Lk. 16:25
  • Torment with fire and brimstone…………………………Rev. 14:10
  • Weeping and gnashing of teeth……………………….…..Matt. 8:12
  • A place of eternal remorse (devastating regret)…..Luke 16:25
  • A place of torments…………………………………………..…Luke 16:23
  • No rest day or night forever (eternal misery)……….Rev. 14:11
  • A furnace of fire with wailing…………………………..….Matt. 13:42
  • A place of everlasting burnings…………….…………..Isaiah 33:14
  • Hell will be cast into the lake (ocean) of fire ..…Rev. 20:11-15
  • Unquenchable fire (ferocious flames)………..…….……Mark 9:45
  • Outer darkness (blinding loneliness)………………….Matt. 22:13
  • No 2nd chance to escape (utter hopelessness)……Luke 16:26
  • A place of sorrows (seething remorse and despair)….Ps. 18:5
  • A place of everlasting destruction……………………..2 Thess. 1:9

The LORD Jesus told us that this place described above was “prepared for the devil and his angels.” (Matthew 25:41) Ignoring this truth is not going to make this place go away. Dealing with this honestly is in your eternal best interest. If you are not born again, here is why you are going to spend eternity in the place described above. According to God’s Word, you have sinned against Him and He is “Holy, holy, holy.” (Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8) Here’s a few of the ways you have sinned against your Creator:

CURSING, LYING, ADULTERY, LUST, HATRED, DRUNKENNESS, SLANDER, STRIFE, IDOLATRY, DISHONORING YOUR PARENTS, MURDEROUS THOUGHTS TOWARDS OTHERS, STEALING, FORNICATION, UNFORGIVENESS, TAKING GOD’S NAME IN VAIN

GOD misses nothing, no-thing. He sees it all (Psalm 33:13-14; Proverbs 15:3). He’s keeping perfect records on all people, their thoughts, intentions, motives, acts, and deeds. It’s all on record, from every angle. The record, the tapes are going to be played in your Supreme Court of the Universe trial. It’s ALL on record. No one escapes. No one is getting away with anything. It may appear that way for now but be sure that no deed, thought, motive, or action is unseen, unknown by the Almighty whose earth we all now dwell in (Psalms 24:1). God sees all sin.

“be sure your sin will find you out.” Numbers 32:23

Judgment Before the Great White Throne

The books your Maker is keeping, the record, will be opened in the Supreme Court of the Universe for each and every person.

NO surfing in this lake …

“And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20:11-15

NEVER EVER DEFINE HELL AS ANYTHING EXCEPT EXACTLY HOW GOD DEFINES IT IN HIS WORD. PERIOD! THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS “HELL ON EARTH” OR ANY SUCH FABLE. CEASE TAKING THE NAME OF THE LORD IN VAIN BY CEASING TO WALK AFTER, AGREE WITH, OR SPEAK ANYTHING ABOUT ANYTHING (INCLUDING HELL) EXCEPT IT BE IN GOD’S WORDS – IN HIS HOLY, WRITTEN WORD. “WHAT SAITH THE SCRIPTURES?” – “SHUN PROFANE AND VAIN BABBLINGS … STUDY TO SHEW THYSELF APPROVED UNTO GOD A WORKMAN THAT NEEDETH NOT TO BE ASHAMED, RIGHTLY DIVIDING THE WORD OF TRUTH.” (2 TIMOTHY 2:15-16)  ALSO, ANY SUPPOSED “CHRISTIAN” LEADER WHO REFUSES TO PREACH ON HELL REGULARLY, IS A WOLF! PERIOD.

“Come unto me” says Jesus (Matthew 11:28-30) .

If you wish to miss eternity in this horrid place called hell, which will later be cast into the lake of fire, it’s time to make peace with your Maker and Judge. Find out more here at Making Peace with God.

Soul-Damning Sins | Much More about Hell

Support | STORE | Podcasts | Hell | Becoming Rooted and Grounded in ChristBride of Heaven vs Harlot from Hell [podcast]Fresh Start with GodPeace with GodJesus is Coming Just as He Promised [podcast]Having No Part Dark [podcast] | An Angry Man in Hell | Tormented in this Flame | Wolves Exposed

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Apostasy

The FORGOTTEN Sins of Sodom [podcast]


What were the Real and Root Sins of Sodom?

Explosive!
DO YOU KNOW WHAT SINS THE BIBLE CITES OF THE PEOPLE OF SODOM WHICH CAUSED DIVINE JUDGMENT TO FALL ON THEM? THIS LIST OF SINS MIGHT SHOCK YOU.

EXPOSING THE GATEWAY SINS TO SODOM’S DESTRUCTION

Sodom’s sins were pride, gluttony, and laziness, while the poor and needy suffered outside her door.

According to Romans 1 it seems that sexual deviance, namely homosexuality, is the sin, the final manifestation of evil before destruction transpires. The LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah for this sin and others and will or is destroying America for rejecting Him (Matthew 10:26-28). WHAT were the specific sins of Sodom and Gomorrah that preceded the ultimate “abomination” of homosexuality? (Leviticus 18:22) Does the Bible reveal these sins? Yes!

Homosexuality always has been and always will be an “abomination” in the eyes of our Holy God (Leviticus 18:22). Repent now and follow Jesus.

DID GOD LIST SODOM’S SINS? WHAT WERE THEY?
THIS SHOCKING LIST OF SINS AND MESSAGE WILL KEEP YOU OUT OF HELL!

Little known sins that led up to the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. Check this out.

“The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.” Ecclesiastes 1:9

Sodomy/homosexuality is usually the only sin attributed to the sins of Sodom and yet the Bible lists several sins that came before the ultimate turning over to homosexuality and further judgment (hell). See also Romans 1 and Ezekiel 16:49-51.

Jesus used this very example of Sodom to warn all under New Testament:

“Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; 29 But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. 30 Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed. 31 In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back. 32 Remember Lot’s wife. 33 Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.” Luke 17:28-33

Impending Judgment for Sin

In Ezekiel 16 we read of the judgment coming on the LORD’s people for their sins.

The very sins committed by the people of Sodom before God destroyed that city, were being committed by the LORD’s professing people in Ezekiel’s day, and are today being committed by those claiming to know the LORD in our day.

“Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. 50 And they were haughty, and committed abomination before me: therefore I took them away as I saw good. 51 Neither hath Samaria committed half of thy sins; but thou hast multiplied thine abominations more than they, and hast justified thy sisters in all thine abominations which thou hast done.” Ezekiel 16:49-51 

This list of sins in the above passage begins with these 3:

PFA = Pride, Fulness of Bread, and Abundance of idleness.

The Sins of Sodom:

Sins Jerusalem cited for in Ezekiel 16:49-51:

  • Pride (arrogance),
  • Fulness of Bread (gluttony, hoarding),
  • Abundance of Idleness (idle, lazy),
  • did not help those in need due to preoccupation with self-worship (not generous in spreading God’s wealth to His people and work)
  • haughty
  • committed abomination (fornication)

In the bulleted sins listed above from this revealing Ezekiel 16 passage, did you notice the progression?

Though it culminated in sodomy, yet not one sex sin is even specifically mentioned in this list of Sodom’s sins in Ezekiel 16. Does this not align perfectly with the judgment we see in Romans 1, how “when they knew God, they glorified him not as God” and were unthankful, further enriching themselves while they ignored others?

“Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful (they were ungrateful); but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.” Romans 1:21

A fresh reading of Romans 1 reveals the root sins that preceded the sexual sins which immediately go before divine judgment. See Romans 1:18-32.

The sins that darken the hearts of those who once “knew God” and lead to the ultimate abomination of sodomy/homosexuality are pride, gluttony, idleness, and refusing to be generous givers to believers in need, etc.

Let’s Look Again at the Root, the Gateway Sins of the People of Sodom and Gomorrah:

PFA listed in Ezekiel 16:49-51:

  • Pride (arrogance),
  • Fulness of Bread (gluttony),
  • Abundance of Idleness (idle, lazy),
  • Like the fake religionists priest and Levite of Jesus’ Good Samaritan teaching, they did not help those in need due to preoccupation with self-worship (not generous in spreading God’s wealth to His people and work)

“And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged (weighed down) with surfeiting (gluttony), and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. 35 For as a snare (trap) shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.” Luke 21:34-36

“There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.” Proverbs 13:7

Spiritual “Leanness”

“And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul.” Psalms 106:15

“And this is exactly why there is a famine in the land. A famine ‘of hearing the words of the Lord’. Amos 8:11-13. This is the consequence of neglecting the Word of God. This famine is sent by God. To serve judgment because they have disregarded His Word and so their longings remain unsatisfied. It is a spiritual starvation, an emptiness. This is caused by disobedience and complacency. They shall ‘faint for thirst’. This implies an intense suffering. God has withdrawn His Word. As we see in these last days. People literally have contempt for God’s word. When you give them the pure unadulterated words of the Lord it angers them. So God will allow them to suffer an intense hunger because of their refusal of His words. This is why they are so prone to believe false prophets. Because they are weak and not ‘nourished up in the words of faith and good doctrine, whereunto thou has attained’ 1 Timothy 4:6” Karen Cochran

Support | STORE | PodcastsThe Return of ChristStewardshipWhere to Give and Where Not to Give | Fruit Abounding to Your Account! | Consider Your Ways [podcast] | Consider and Build [podcast] | Holes in Your Money Bags? [podcast] | Dollar DialogueJesus Sat Over Against The Treasury [podcast] | Escaping Sodom!Waste | Stewardship | Giving

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Articles

“That Ye all Speak the Same Thing” [podcast]


Yes some abandon the sound doctrine which is the Holy Scriptures (2 Timothy 3:15-17). Let such cease.

“That ye all speak the same thing” right?

“Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” 1 Corinthians 1:10

Satan is introducing doubting, casting doubt upon what God has said, His Word, when he said to the woman in the temptation, “Hath God said?” See Genesis 3:1. And Satan in this exchange, changed, altered what God said, God’s Word. See Genesis 2:17 and 3:4. Game changer! The enemy has not changed and we are not be ignorant of his devices, right? (2 Corinthians 2:11).

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” Colossians 3:16

We stand with both feet and every ounce of our weight on God’s Word with utter impunity to Satan and his kingdom of evil.

“God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.”  Romans 3:4

The final blow of death is coming to him, soon.

“And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.” Romans 16:20

“But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:” Titus 2:1

“If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 4:11

Support | STORE | Podcasts | Jail/Prison MinistryMexico Mission here | All Ministry Updates | Because You Care Page | The Greatest of these is CharityBe Ready in the Morning [podcast]The Sure Mercies of David [podcast]That Repentance and Remission of Sins should be Preached [podcast]At His Feet | Prepared to be Used of God Walking with Jesus on His Stated Terms – the Cross | Fasting and PrayerThe Old Man Must be Put Down [podcast]The 5 Sins That Keep God’s People Out of Their Promised Land [podcast]What Did Paul Mean by “I Keep Under My Body”? [podcast]“Jesus the Author and Finisher of our Faith” [podcast]A Living Sacrifice unto God [podcast]Departing from Hell BeneathPrayer

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