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Soaking, Witchcraft, and the Manifest Presence of God

God wants His people to be full of His Holy Spirit, His bless-ed divine presence and yet, how are we going about seeing this manifest in our lives?

YOU can cry out till you’re blue in the face and God will not anoint your filthy heart! A devil might but not the HOLY Spirit of God! Repentance is what God commands of you (Ezekiel 18:30; Hosea 14:1-2; Acts 3:19; 17:30-31, etc.).

WHO does God exclusively fill with His presence and blessings? Jesus told us that only those who humbly and obediently seek His face, according to His Word, “shall be filled.”

“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” Matthew 5:6

The Holy Ghost of God fills and manifests Himself to those who OBEY JESUS and not because we gather in a room and seek to conjure Him up, asking Him to “fall upon us.” Witchcraft. Isn’t that the “strange fire,” the witchcraft we see in the false prophets on Mount Carmel who cried out in vain for fire to fall from Heaven? (See Leviticus 10:1-2; 1 Kings 18.) Jesus told us to lay down our lives, to repent, to deny self, take up the cross and follow Him. The HOLY Spirit of God doesn’t fall upon dirty hearts but rather anoints, and fills obedient servants! (Read John 14:21-23.) Pour prayerfully over the words of Jesus recorded in John chapters 14-15 and let’s cease the frivolity and rebellion and simply do things GOD’s way. Charismatic witchcraft busted and exposed! Repent now and cry out to God to clean your heart to the core, to deeply instill in you the holy fear of the LORD, and to make your conscience ultra sensitive! (Psalms 51; 139:23-24, etc.)

“Overcome in Your presence” and language like this flood the music and messages of the modern church world. And, so, we have a generation of “prophetic” counterfeits who are waiting around for God to do something. He won’t because they ask “amiss” or with the wrong motive, while in disobedience to what He already stated in His Word, the “MORE sure word of prophecy” (2 Peter 1:16-21).

“Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. 3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.” James 4:2-3

Jesus tells us how God works and it’s on record in John 14:21, 23. He and the Father abide with and manifest themselves to those who obey Him… not those who have a mere form of godliness as they seek the LORD to come upon them in a special way while they are not obeying Him. Counterfeits.

ATTN: This post is not from a cessationist dupe! Pentecost is real and an essential part of New Testament Christianity…. yet not the witchcraft of the charismatic, Bethel cult…. We are in deep need of true repentance – the denial of self, dying to self, the cross – the crucified life, brokenness, holiness, and the holy fear of God….. you are never going to hear these things, the essential cross, in the NAR cult.

Satanic wolf Rodney Howard Browne states:

“I’d rather be in a church where the devil and the flesh are manifesting than in a church where nothing is happening because people are too afraid to manifest anything… and if a devil manifests, don’t worry about that either. Rejoice because at least something is happening.”

IF you are not connecting to Jesus on HIS terms, the WORD and obedience to Him, and you think you are flourishing spiritually because you believe you found a “good church,” you are being deceived! 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12 is transpiring in the lives of many who swear they are right with God. Beware.

JESUS told no one to “go find a good church” but rather to repent, to seek His holy face, to obey Him, to take up the cross daily, and to follow HIM!!!! HIM!

MANY who believe they’ve found “a good church” are being poisoned by that “church.” HAVE you walked into a trap that you erroneously believe is a treasure?

It’s a bless-ed desire to want more of the LORD in our lives! Yet, we must ask how God prescribes that this happens.

SO very many of the disobedient cry out for the glory, the presence of the Almighty Holy Ghost to fall on them in their rebellion. Not going to happen. Jesus says: Repent, lay down your life, take up the daily cross, and follow Him (Luke 9:23-24; John 14:21-23; 15:1-7). Only then will He raise you upward to give HIM glory and not you (1 Corinthians 1:29-31). There’s a biblical prescription for walking in the blessing of God’s Holy Ghost and it doesn’t include living a carnal life and then gathering with others and asking God to anoint your evil heart with His HOLY Spirit. That’s not what Scripture teaches.

Authentic Pentecost! Yes, we certainly do need to be initially baptized with the Holy Ghost and refilled daily. For the record: By the grace of Christ alone, He saved and filled with His Holy Ghost this once wretched man. This disciple is a full Gospel believer by Jesus’ grace and yet authentic Pentecost and not the false charismatic or NAR cults which are a demonic mockery and counterfeit.

If you want the presence of God in your life, simply live obediently to Him (John 15). There are no shortcuts.

To hear the voice of God, simply read HIS Word – the Bible (KJB). So many today in the false flake “prophetic” movement talk about “hearing the voice of God” repeatedly and yet the WORD is never mentioned! Delusion! Run! Prophetic or Pathetic?

The point of this message is not to deny that every disciple of Jesus is to be filled with the Holy Ghost but rather to establish the whole truth, expose the counterfeits of Satan.

Seeking His Presence? Beware of the many methods created and cloaked as Christian which are nothing more than an attempt to conjure up God’s presence out of a self-serving agenda. Contemplative prayer and soaking come to mind as Satan’s counterfeits. Soaking: Is It Biblical?

ARE you seeking to experience God OR to KNOW HIM? (John 17:3)

“People want a word from God instead of the Word OF God.” Warren Smith

“SOAKING” IS SIN. Repent sinner! There is no such thing as “soaking” in God’s Word as it’s defined today by the witchcraft NAR (New Apostolic Reformation) cult!

Simply put, contemplative prayer or centering prayer, is a way of praying that is not according to the biblical prescription. Contemplative prayer, spiritual formation, and soakers are simply rebels who refuse to obey Jesus so they want Jesus to just continue to dump His Holy Spirit on their rebellious hearts.

JESUS told you to die, not to run around seeking His presence in contemplative prayer or soaking meetings – with other self-serving flakes, counterfeits. He’ll decide how much of His holy presence He puts in/on individuals – according to their personal obedience. He alone decides how much of His presence He chooses to put in our lives.

Some who defend this occultic “soaking” movement attempt to justify such by the supposed “joy” it brings. But is that the true “joy of the LORD” or a cheap counterfeit of the enemy. Well, here’s how the Bible teaches that God’s people have joy.

“Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.” Jeremiah 15:16 

WHAT and WHY did Jeremiah say was “the joy and rejoicing of mine heart”? -“Thy words were found, and I did eat them.” It’s real simple: Jeremiah devoured the Word of God and was therefore filled with the joy of the LORD.

Beware of counterfeit joy!

Did you realize that the context of Nehemiah 8:10 is the Word? Read the text – Nehemiah 8:1-10. Watch this:

“So they read in the book in the law of God (the Word) distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading … the joy of the LORD is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:8, 10

Psalms 16 is prophetic of Jesus who rendered perfect obedience to His Father: “For thou wilt not leave my (Jesus’) soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. 11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” (Psalms 16:10-11)

The “presence” of the LORD and “fulness of joy” He alone can give, only comes with the genuine disciple who is truly walking with Christ. We see this throughout Scripture.

“In his presence” sure is “fulness of joy,” and He requires our obedience to bring us into His presence (Psalms 16:11).

“For he whom God hath sent (Christ) speaketh the words of God (fully obedient): for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.” John 3:34

As seen in the above verse, where Christ is our example, the LORD’s presence in our lives is contingent upon our abiding in Him, obeying Him (John 14:21-23; 15:1-16, etc.). Seeking His presence without obeying Him, truly worshiping HIM, reveals a self-serving nature. Should we not simply seek His face and not just His joy? Did the LORD not plainly tell us that He will give us His joy and presence if we seek Him with a whole heart? (See Jeremiah 29:11-14.)

“He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him…. 23 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 14:21, 23

IF you truly want more of the presence of the LORD, no need to mindlessly sit soaking or meditating. Get up and obey and then and only then will He graciously grant you greater anointing and reward!

We are to immerse ourself in His Word – Joshua 1:8, not mindless meditation which is new age paganism.

Many today want God to do more for them, they want more of His presence and to “soak” and yet, they’ve not obeyed Him and His simplest instructions. Not going to happen.

YOU can pray till you are blue in the face and God will not hear if you will not repent and literally obey Him: Proverbs 28:9 says: “He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law (Word), even his prayer shall be abomination.”

“IF IF IF ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” John 15:7

Are you truly abiding in Jesus – according to HIS definition of such? Of course we should seek and ask Him to be anointed and full of His Spirit in order to DO His work, and yet, such comes from laying down our lives – which He then raises upward by His presence.

“Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. 11 For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you.” 2 Corinthians 4:10-12

The resurrection presence, life, glory, and power of Jesus fills and raises up the truly obedient – those who resign themselves to the crucified life.

Nancy Cote notes:

“This movement is growing by leaps and bounds because this generation loves signs and wonders and what their itching ears want more than Sola Scripture of solid doctrine. Dying to self and picking up their cross and preaching of The Cross that is foolishness to them.”

Yet, Jesus’ presence does not come to us just because WE want it to. Isn’t a preoccupation with seeking His presence while not obeying Him cloaked pride? There are conditions to be met – obedience and truly worshiping HIM are essential. This is in contrast to seeking His presence for our self-serving purposes. Remember how the disciples wanted to sit at His right and and His left?

“Then came to him the mother of Zebedee’s children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him. 21 And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom. 22 But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able. 23 And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.” Matthew 20:20-23

When you die (lay down your life) He will reciprocate with His resurrection life (2 Corinthians 4:10-12). That’s His promise but you must die to experience this, not try to control things yourself which is further evidence that you are not dying to self. He’s in control, not you.

Fact: Jesus says that to those who OBEY Him – live by faith – will be granted His presence, not those who selfishly seek to soak or conjure up His presence through their own merit or works for their own self–serving purposes.

Isn’t seeking His presence without obedience paramount to seeking signs instead of the Savior Himself? Trusting God by abiding in intimate fellowship and obedience to Him will always bring His holy presence in our lives. Read what Jesus says in John 14:21-23.

What did Jesus say of the sign seekers?

“Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee. 39 But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:” Matthew 12:38-39

Seeking His Presence or Simply Obeying Christ?

“He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. 22 Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? 23 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 14:21-23

Today, so many who vainly believe they are Christ’s, are being misled into self-seeking experiences they are told are of God. Quite a contrast with New Testament disciples of Jesus we read about in the 27 book canon. The honest student of Scripture and follower of Jesus knows that a walk of faith, a denial of self (the cross), and being soundly grounded in the Word, is the walk of a true New Testament believer.

You want God’s Holy Ghost on your life? OBEY HIM:

“And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.” Acts 5:32

It seems that today, many people claiming to know Jesus seek to do anything except soberly and soundly follow Him, denying self, taking up the cross, and abiding in Him.

According to Jesus, in the end, at the Judgment, those who loved and obeyed Him will be received into glory and remain with Him eternally. In contrast, those who revel in the experiential, not being rooted in Christ, will be terminated into the bowels of eternal damnation (Matthew 7:21-23).

PENTECOST, the baptism with the Holy Ghost is a non-negotiable, essential, central component of Christ’s New Testament program-yet not the things added by sinful wolves today. We are whole Gospel believers which would include discerning and rejecting additives – yet never diminishing, letting go of the true Pentecostal Holy Ghost baptism Christ gives to His own. NOT the denomination, but the New Testament reality. When exposing the NAR (New Apostolic Reformation)/Bethel warlocks and their witchcraft, you may at times be called a cessationist by those deceived by the enemy of souls. A cessionist is one who erroneously believes that the bless-ed power of the Holy Ghost was only for the earliest followers of Jesus. False. Yet, the authentic baptism with the Holy Spirit is never manifested in God’s Word as that which is anything except pure, holy, and “in order.” “Let all things be done decently and in order” (1 Corinthians 14:40). Being baptized (immersed, clothed upon) with the Holy Spirit will always lead to more divine power to be holy, set apart unto Christ and not to misuse His gift for things not sanctioned in and by His Word. Keeping it biblical!

The Soaking Scam of the NAR (New Apostolic Reformation) Cult: Beware.

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Articles

Mission Mexico Part 52-Pictures, Videos, Testimonies, etc.

RECENTLY brother Mark gave a JESUS tract to many while he was on an evangelistic walk, including a man named Angel. Angel then called brother Juan asking for help. Juan’s email address and phone number are on the back of the JESUS tracts now.

TODAY: Because you cared and prayed and gave, brother Angel received the love of our God in the form of a box of food and some cash ($27 USD). Oh and he gladly received a stack of JESUS tracts he is excited to pass out.

Juan has been in touch with Angel and here’s what he reported:

“On Saturday, Brother Ángel laid his wife and daughter to rest. They were riding a motorcycle when they were struck by a driver who was under the influence of alcohol. Although he has managed to provide them with a proper burial, he is now left without food. I am wondering if Brother Mark might be able to offer some support—he has shared his contact details with me, and he is currently unemployed. Perhaps some of the other brothers could reach out to help him; I will share this in the group, and I truly hope he can receive some assistance, as he is going through a very difficult situation. He has heard the Word of God—I shared the message of the Good News of Salvation with him—and he needs to see the love of God manifested through us, brothers.” Juan

Angel texted me this after being blessed by the body of Christ:

“Brother, Thanks so much, brother; this money will help me keep saving up for my rent. I really appreciate it—thank you so, so much. And please know that I’m more than happy to help you out with anything you might need. I’m letting Brother Juan know that I’m going to take the $500 (500 pesos = $27 USD) to the landlord, because he told me that if I didn’t give him something today, he would throw my things out and kick me out today. Thanks, brother. Honestly, if you ever need anything—washing your truck, clearing a piece of land, painting some things, whatever—just let me know, because I need to come up with the full amount for my rent.” Angel

Prayer: Feel free to lift up in prayer brother Angel – for his walk with Christ, his work life, and being able to pay the remainder of his rent. Angel is a typical Mexican man – super hard working. He’s obviously needing new clients.

As you can see, this blessing came right on time. God heard our brother’s cry and used you and I to delivered HIS blessing. As you can see, sounds like Angel would have been homeless tomorrow had God not intervened.

As God would have it, just before finding Angel to deliver the blessings, I met and old man who owns a store. Upon hearing the preaching of our LORD Jesus’ Gospel, the man rejoiced. We fellowshipped briefly, and he gladly received a stack of JESUS tracts to distribute.

GTR in Mexico!!!

GTR = Gospel Train Rollin

“So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.” Acts 19:20

Mission Mexico


The weekly fellowship with brother Juan and brother Eduardo has been a blessing. Eduardo is the man who recently began emailing and texting. He said some “America guy” gave him a JESUS tract and it was like a gift from Heaven.

Eduardo is a born again brother in Christ who was much in need of fellowship (Hebrews 3:13; 10:24-25). This morning, brother Juan, who is super caring in God’s love and pastoral and evangelistic, ministered our LORD’s Word and love to brother Eduardo at length. Even though I can’t understand most of what they are saying in Spanish, there’s no doubt our LORD was edifying His son Eduardo.

Both these men are Spanish speaking. Here’s what Juan said at the end of our fellowship today with our brother Eduardo:

“Brother Eduardo says that he has faced discrimination from his family for becoming a Christian and following Jesus Christ. They have distanced themselves from him, as they prefer to practice a more traditional form of Catholicism—attending Mass and going to confession with a priest. But you know very well that it is God who chooses us, and we shall not be put to shame, because we have chosen the better part by believing in Jesus Christ. Amen.

Brother Eduardo says he’s unemployed and asks if you can help him in the group (to find work). He works in agriculture. He needs help with gardening, painting houses, or any other service because he’s unemployed. We need to see if you can support him here in this town.”

After a rich time of fellowship, both men were given coffee and breakfast and a small bit of cash as a way to bless them. Mexicans are very hard workers as you know and yet the economy in Mexico is not what it is in the US.

Thank you for caring for these beloved Mexican people, namely our brothers and sister in Christ.

Mission Mexico


Your prayers for the super receptive people of Mexico are a blessing. God is answering.

Mission Mexico


Lifelong Jewish lady now born again just got water baptized today.


Dear Mr. Augustine readily received the love God via His body (you!), the spoken Word of God, and the original Gospel on the JESUS tract. Your prayers and support make these things possible. Jesus is coming saints – and our hand is on the plow of our LORD Jesus’ bless-ed Gospel, the Great Commission He gave us (Luke 9:62). Everyone’s participation matters, greatly and will be rewarded accordingly (1 Samuel 30:24).


A man named Eduardo was given a JESUS tract today and is emailing me saying that he’s very excited to meet brother Juan, brother Mark, and myself this thursday for breakfast fellowship. God is good.

“If you have any, please let me know—thank you so much! An American man gave this to me on the street; it feels like it fell from the sky! Thank you very much…hugs”

There’s simply no way for us to report on every person who is being touched daily. It’s literally getting out of control. The LORD is marching into the hearts of the Mexican people.

Mission Mexico

“Wow!! Wow!! Wow!! The receptiveness in Mexico is beyond my comprehension! Even to the point of this man saying this gospel feels like it fell from the sky. Well I guess it did. Jesus came from heaven to earth to show us the way and seek and save those who are lost (Luke 19:10). Praise God for the many souls who are being reached daily with the gospel of Christ. God is well pleased!” Karen Cochran



PRAYER REQUESTS:

For Juanita and her sons Jesus and Victor. Beloved Juanita pictured below. She brought me into the gate of her house and said “Mi casa es tu casa” = my house is your house. A completely bless-ed lady who readily received the ministry of the Word, the glorious Gospel of Jesus. She may already be saved, I don’t know but she now knows who to repent and receive Jesus if not.

Also Fatima, a young mother with a little girl who receive ministry today.

They just moved here to this town today from CDMX (Mexico City).

Thank you.

God knows.

What to pray?

Colossians 4:12 boom.

In Jesus’ name.

Mission Mexico



“… The living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;” 1 Timothy 6:17

Some of the things one must suffer by going to “third world” Mexico to preach Christ’s original Gospel. Don’t worry, the cost of living here is much lower cost than the US.

Mission Mexico


Immediately upon handing a man the JESUS tract today, he lit up and hugged me. He was so excited because he’s born again and his father and grandfather are pastors. His name is Israel.

We connected and Israel and brother Juan are now connected and communicating. Juan gladly took some JESUS tracts to distribute. Would you like to pause and lift our brother Israel to the LORD in a prayer? (Philippians 1:19)

How do you find the saints in an area you go into? Just evangelize and watch God work.

*Below is a picture of one of the many men who received a JESUS tract this morning.

Mission Mexico

Jesus is coming saints.



Mission Mexico


Breakfast fellowship with the brethren of our LORD  …

in “third world” Mexico.

Oh boy if people only knew.


It’s a blessing that with your prayers, love, and financial support, you are declaring that “The People of Mexico Matter for Christ—He died to save them!”

“So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.” Acts 19:20

IF YOU WANT TO PLEASE SATAN …..

MAKE SURE you do NOT support authentic evangelistic ministries that are literally, actually getting Christ’s Gospel to the lost souls of this world.

The apostle Paul did “the work of an evangelist” and instructed us to do the same.

“Preach the word … But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.” 2 Timothy 4:2, 5

Our KING is coming saints, King JESUS!

Let’s roll beloved of God!

in Christ

todd

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Articles

What did the First Missionaries Do/Preach?

Concerning false leaders, Jeremiah pens these words: “they commit adultery, and walk in lies: they strengthen also the hands of evildoers, that none doth return from his wickedness: they are all of them unto me as Sodom, and the inhabitants thereof as Gomorrah.” (Jeremiah 23:14)

God counts our sin of spiritual “adultery” as that of “Sodom” and “Gomorrah.” Do we not betray the Most High whom we claim to know and love when we “strengthen also the hands of evildoers?” Aligning with someone or organization that is in error will strengthen their evil cause and the LORD will turn His hand of blessing away from us (2 Chron. 18-19).

Recently I listened to a missionary to Mexico tell about his work down there. Unfortunately, he spoke more than once of Rick Warren (who is in deep deception and was trained under deceiver Robert Schuller) and yet not once did he declare or mention the name of Jesus Christ nor did he speak of the Gospel – the death, burial and resurrection of the Son of God (1 Cor. 15:1-4). So, what is this man doing in Mexico? What are his supporters supporting/furthering? Didn’t Paul say “God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our LORD Jesus Christ”? (Gal. 6:14) And, that he “determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.” (1 Cor. 2:2) There is “none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

This counterfeit has the wherewithal to proclaim known deceivers and yet not Jesus Christ?!

Not one Scripture was quoted or even referred to by this “missionary” during his hour talk about his family’s work in Mexico. What does this tell us about his work among those people? What is this man importing to Mexico if it’s not the true Gospel?

Important Biblical Discernment Truth: Jesus said that “ye shall know (discern) them by their fruits” and “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh” (Matt. 7:16; 12:34). So, by what men say and don’t say, we know (discern) who they really are. Real simple isn’t it?

I hope you know that I am speaking from a place of zeal for the LORD and earnestly contending for the Gospel faith once delivered to His saints (Jude 3-4).

What are we supporting here by sending a man who doesn’t even speak the words of the LORD? Whose cause is he promoting? How could and why would the living God empower a man who doesn’t honor Him and His Word? Where are we putting God’s resources (money)? Will there be any rebuke to this man? Will anyone seek to disciple him? If not, then are we not enabling such dissimulation and promoting “another gospel”? I wonder today how much “missionary” work has to do with the biblical model of making disciples, but is rather establishing the thoughts, philosophies, and curriculums of mere men and teaching people to go through these psycho-babblish programs and learn everything but the pure divine Word (1 Pet. 2:2). When people/victims come out of these programmed classes, one thing is certain – they don’t know the Word of God, so it’s ALL in vain. After all, it seems like the writings of mere men have taken precedence over God’s holy and precious Word in the apostate organized modern church world.

What did the first missionaries do/preach?

“And they, when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.” (Acts 8:25; 13:5; 14:25; 15:36; Mk. 2:2)

Those who know Christ and are prepared for ministry preach His Word. If they preach ANY ANY “ANY other gospel”, they are “accursed” and to be treated as such by God’s people (Gal. 1:6-9). If a man claims in any capacity to represent Christ and yet doesn’t preach Jesus Christ and His original Gospel, “there is NO light in” that beguiler (Is. 8:20). He is a wolf in sheep’s clothing (Matthew 7:15).

According to the law of Genesis 1, we can only produce after what we ARE, not what we say or convince others into believing we are. Genesis 1:11 says “the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seedis in itself.” So, whoever I am here, I am in China or Russia or Mexico.

Beloved, what is important is the quality of the seed and the richness of the soil. The Gospel is the riches of God’s love in Jesus Christ, of which Paul was not ashamed because it is “the power of God unto salvation” unto those who were given it and believed (Rom. 1:16). Where the Gospel is honored fully, the soil is rich. If a person has not been faithful in his own nation in the true Gospel of Jesus, he is not fit to win the lost in another country and should never be sent or supported. If this missionary was not soundly grounded in God’s Word before he left to go to Mexico, then why did God’s people ever send him? Does a person become a missionary when his feet hit foreign soil? Of course not. And, remember, Jesus loves and seeks to save the people on American soil as much as He loves people on Indian, Africa, Mexican, and Chinese soil. In light of this, I don’t think we should entertain the idea that when we give to foreign missions, there is any difference than giving to Gospel workers here in America.

Isaiah was Prepared, Commissioned, and Sent by God. See Isaiah 6.

So, when we fund missionaries who do not possess the Word, or the Word doesn’t possess them, we are funding the spread of a false gospel (2 Cor. 11:1-4; Gal. 1:6-9). “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly (abundantly).” (Col. 3:16)

In the midst of citing the evil of the false shepherds of Israel, Jeremiah the prophet introduces a rhetorical question which is actually an identifier of true and false servants:

“For who hath stood in the counsel of the LORD, and hath perceived and heard his word? who hath marked his word, and heard it?” Jeremiah 23:18

Those who stand in the counsel of the LORD (not men) and perceive and hear His Word, marking it and hearing it again and again, are true. All others are false and will inevitably peddle a false message.

When speaking of leadership in the body of Christ, the Scriptures instruct us to “know them which labour among you.” (1 Thess. 5:21) Concerning the ordaining of men into ministry, the LORD tells us“Lay hands (ordain into ministry) suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure.” (1 Tim. 5:22) When we ordain or set forth and condone any man before we really know his life and doctrine, we will inevitably “be partaker of other men’s sin.” In other words, we will be equally to blame for the sin and error that man promotes and for all the people he misleads. We are mandated to “keep thyself pure” of this wickedness. This is a very serious issue. The support, promotion, condoning, or aligning with any person in ministry that is preaching “another gospel” brings a curse upon ourselves as we enjoin him in sin against God and the spreading of a false gospel (Is. 5:20-24; Gal. 1:6-9; 2 Chron. 19:2). We are commanded to withhold blessing from him lest we become “partaker of his evil deeds.”

“If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.” 2 John 10-11

Bidding “God speed” is pronouncing an approval blessing upon a person or ministry. If such is done to any person who is not communicating the original gospel, it is “another gospel” and it is a deadly sin to condone –“bid him God speed.” Any person who does such “is partaker of his evil deeds.” This means that those who support in any way any person or ministry organization that does not definitively and forthrightly declare the original Gospel, are counted just as guilty as the peddler himself. Anyone who does not bring the biblical doctrine of Jesus Christ who is divine and came in the flesh, is “a deceiver and an antichrist.” (2 Jn. 7) All such counterfeit ministers are false and to be shunned and not blessed or promoted or esteemed among God’s people – “Keep thyself pure.” (1 Tim. 5:22) Anyone among God’s people who helps the person not bringing the true Gospel – bids them God speed – and is “partaker of his evil deeds.” In other words, he will reap the same punishment as the man peddling another gospel other than that which Christ and His apostles gave us in the New Testament record.

We will be held responsible for supporting any person who is spreading lies and weakening the people through falsehoods and promoting false prophets. When we financially or otherwise support a ministry which is not according the New Testament record, we become “partaker of other men’s sins.” (1 Tim. 5:22)

When we set forth any person who is not called, anointed by the Holy Spirit, and prepared in the Word and the crucified life, we launch evil upon everyone that “novice” influences. We also harm the unprepared man greatly and most importantly, we bring disdain to the name of Jesus Christ. God grant us wisdom from His Word and forgive our sins! Concerning the launching of people into ministry, the Holy Spirit directs: “Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.” (1 Tim. 3:6)

Don’t you know that the enemy laughs all the way to the bank when God’s true people cast their revenues into the coffers of those who are not preaching the true Gospel? Do we want to fund wolves in sheep’s clothing? Who shall we fear? See Galatians 1:6-10

CREDENTIALS FOR MINISTRY

“But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, Persecutions, afflictions…” 2 Timothy 3:10-11

God’s Fruit according to 2 Timothy 3:10: Here are 9 earmarks of an authentic servant of Christ who would be prepared to serve in ministry:

  • doctrine
  • manner of life
  • purpose
  • faith
  • longsuffering
  • charity
  • patience
  • persecutions
  • afflictions

The fruit identifies the root (Jn. 15; Rom. 11:16). When a man is relationally and biblically rooted in and abiding in Jesus Christ, his fruit will among other things be that of truth, love, joy, peace, longsuffering (patience), evangelism, charitable deeds, the care of souls, and the love of children. If a man’s life is not pure and he is not seeking the LORD diligently and daily in repentance and brokenness, he simply does not yet have the fruit of one who is to be set forth into ministry. Let’s walk in God’s written wisdom (His Word) and cease to enable any ministry that is not soundly rooted and grounded in God’s Word and love and purposes as revealed clearly in the Holy Scriptures.

“Thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.” Psalms 138:2

Have we magnified His Word above all else? Or something else above His Word? Have we magnified HIS Word above the names of all sinful men and their inferior writings? Or, are we despising the Almighty LORD Jesus Christ by elevating the words of mere men?

“I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.” Psalms 138:2

Do we search out and find His Words and eat/devour them like a hungry man who hasn’t eaten in days?

“Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.” Jeremiah 15:16

Do we rejoice at men’s words or at God’s Word?

“I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil.” Psalms 119:62

Are we daily eating and allowing His Word to be our life?

“It is written, That man shall not live (have God’s life) by bread alone, but by every word of God.” Luke 4:4

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Articles

What about Suicide – Self Murder?

Does Someone Who Commits Suicide (murders self), Go to Heaven or Hell?

IT’S REAL SIMPLE:

1. WHO is the Judge? God! (James 4:12)

2. Has the Judge spoken? Do we have a Bible which is His tangible written Word? Is the Bible God’s very Word? YES! – and so we have His very Word which He has lifted even above His own Holy name! (Psalms 138:2)

Some crassly set aside God’s very Word, as if He is silent on this matter.  That’s ridiculous at best.

Playing dumb seems to be the mode of many, but the LORD is “not the author of confusion.”  (1 Corinthians 14:33)

At the funerals of those who kill/murder themselves, false preachers intimate and blatantly say that the dead person who committed suicide is now “in a better place.” By doing this, these wolves embolden members of the listening audience to kill themselves also, all the while not realizing they are in for the most excruciating pain unknown to man on earth. “Ending it all” is a foolish lie. The worst thing any person in history has ever suffered is a dream of comfort compared to what lies ahead for those who die without a personal, born again relationship with Jesus Christ. Oh, and the lake of fire will never end, nor will consciousness (Mark 9:42-49). See Hell’s Menu here.

Some will say “But God knows the heart, we don’t.”  God sure does know the heart and Jesus told us that all sin – sin separates us from Him and will damn us – comes from the HEART. “And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. 21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, MURDERS, 22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: 23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.” Mark 7:20-23

When the LORD looks on a heart of murder, what will He do? Rev. 21:8; 1 John 3:15

“NO MURDERER hath eternal life abiding (remaining) in him.” 1 John 3:15

How impugning to the LORD it must be when those claiming to be saved ignore, and brazenly disregard Him by denying His Word and what He plainly stated. What did Jesus say about these are ashamed of Him and His Word? See Mark 8:38 and John 8:47.

There’s a deeper root in the lives of those who can’t simply read God’s very words and take Him at His Word. Damnable unbelief is the root (Revelation 21:8). Repentance is necessary.

According to Revelation 21:7-8, one of the things that must be overcome is murder and that doesn’t matter if it’s killing self or someone else.

Not wanting to live is the symptom of separation from God. Those who turn to the LORD are saved and blessed to have in their hearts His blessed victory and “Love, joy, peace …”(Galatians 5:22-23) Suicide is never the answer and will result in the beginning of an eternity in more pain than any of us could ever imagine. Getting saved is the answer, not killing yourself. Keep reading friend. You are not reading this by accident and your answer is at hand!

THE JUDGE HAS SPOKEN AND HERE’S WHAT HE SAID:

“But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and MURDERERS, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” Revelation 21:8 (KJV)

“NO MURDERER HATH ETERNAL LIFE ABIDING (REMAINING) IN HIM.”  1 John 3:14-15

What could possibly be plainer?

The truth is self-evident. The Bible is self-interpreting. The problem is with the corruption of calvinism in the minds of many who make their evil traditions more important the God Himself (Mark 7:6-9).

It should deeply anger us to see ourselves or others who deny the LORD by denying His very Word. Instead, they philosophy, reason, and justify. This is what God calls “an EVIL heart of unbelief.” (Hebrews 3:12)

“Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, MURDERS, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” Galatians 5:22-23

The world acts like depression justifies murdering self. Not. Depression can be a reality for good and bad reasons and yet murdering God’s creation is never the answer and is always a soul damning sin (Galatians 5:19-21; 1 John 3:15; Revelation 21:8; 22:15). Suicide is sin. Suicide will damn the soul irrevocably in hell.

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MURDER is a soul damning sin and it doesn’t matter if you are murdering someone else or yourself – because GOD made you. You didn’t make yourself. HE is to decide when you are to leave this His earth. Hell awaits all who commit suicide.

What about capitol punishment – the death penalty?

“Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.” Genesis 9:6

“The institution of capital punishment presupposes the establishment of governmental authority. It would be chaos if anyone and everyone avenged a murder. Only duly appointed governments may do so. The NT perpetuates capital punishment when it says concerning the government, “. . . he does not bear the sword in vain” (Rom_13:4).” Believer’s Bible Commentary

Intriguing Suicide Dialogue/Feedback:

“I was gonna commit suicide almost 3 yrs ago. However, GOD stopped me from doing it. I knew that I was going to spend forever in eternal darkness. It was the Holy Spirit who stopped me.” Harry S.

Email Rec’d:

Hi Todd,
I have a question for you in regard to what the Word say about suicide. What about the person who is trusting in Jesus as their Savior, but continues to struggle and be tormented by demons who play on their deep depression … resulting in suicide?  I had a friend who committed suicide. It was her 2nd attempt that did her in. She was digging deep into God’s word and really growing in the word, yet she struggled with a debilitating depression that only her husband and family knew the depth of. I witnessed her desire to push through and LIVE…but in small moment of weakness she succumbed to other voices and shot herself through the head.  It was a difficult thing to grasp, as she was an incredible grandmother and friend to the down and out. She had the gift of easing others burdens by being a joyous giver. She was purposely dragging herself out of her bed and attending bible studies, Sundays and Wed. to get God’s word into her. She considered God’s word her medicine.  I watched her make a valiant effort over the years to live and to honor God…so naturally I wonder about this. Isn’t it possible that for whatever reasons that demons can just overcome a mind in a moment of weakness and push them over that line? The thing I wonder about is God’s mercy and grace in such a case.  I can just imagine her crying out to Jesus before she pulled the trigger. She was mentally ill and her Godly family did everything possible to help her.  I see what God’s word says and I wholly agree that suicide is wrong and so much easier for the unsaved to get to that point. But what about this sister in Christ?  I see some gray areas in this scenario.

Naturally I hope she’s with the Lord….but I really do not know

Janet

Response:

Hi Janet.

One of my good friends, once a vibrant and fruitful believer, also committed the sin of murdering himself (suicide). Think about and mediate upon this:

“Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: 14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” James 1:13-15

I believe that if a person is that deeply depressed and defeated it seems that that’s evidence that they were not trusting Christ who is the life and holds all victory in His hands and grants it to all who truly are trusting and walking with Him (1 John 5:4-5; 1 Cor. 15:57). From Scripture we see many examples of small moments of weaknesses resulting in eternal ruin because that small moment of weakness was the culmination of a life that was seemingly seeking the LORD but full of the mixture of rebellion. Judas had obviously been departing from Christ long before he made that final, fatal decision to betray the very Son of God.  – “Judas by transgression (act of sin) fell, that he might go to his own place (eternal hell).” (Acts 1:25) Judas was a “familiar friend” of Jesus, clearly a child of God – chosen to occupy an eternal place with Christ (Ps. 41:8; Matthew 19:28).

I know this sounds very harsh and yet, I must answer according to the Word of God best I see it to date. Christ grants total victory and as we are seeking His holy face and abiding in Him. As we do, we are delivered from sin and devils (John 15:1-6; James 4:7; 1 John 3:5-6, 8; Rev. 12:11). Christ is synonymous with victory. Yes, we have all failed and sinned in our weaknesses and yet there are absolutes in God’s economy and one of them is “no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.” (1 John 3:15)

“For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?” 1 John 5:4-5

Now, if a person is in the process of committing suicide and it’s not a sudden death and they are able to call upon the LORD in repentance on their way out of here, then I fully believe Jesus will save them as He did the thief on the cross who called upon Him.

God’s blessings be with your family sister.

Todd

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