Should Christians Celebrate Christmas? [radio]

Paula White Exposed [video]

THAT’s My King! Pastor Lockridge [video]

Powerful Prayers from Children-This Will Shake You [video]

The Fear of the LORD is to Hate Evil: Pride, and Arrogancy #shorts [video]

LOTS OF PAGANISM AND LIES SURROUNDING CHRISTMAS AND YET LOTS OF GRAND OPPORTUNITY TOO, RIGHT?

Are you more busy bashing the paganism surrounding Christmas than you are intently building up the body of Christ and evangelizing the lost?

Many specialize in cursing the darkness and yet Jesus chose to come straight into the darkness and die for our sins, for all of us previous pagans.

WHAT could happen if you spent that same energy in prayer, Bible prep, and evangelism?

“Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” 1 Timothy 1:15

WHEN is the last time you personally led someone to Jesus?

“He that winneth souls is wise.” Proverbs 11:30

SANTA CLAUS IS A LIE BUT NOT THE COMING OF JESUS, THE MESSIAH.

“Thank you for posting this. Excellent biblical explanation. Last year was the first I had heard it was a sin to celebrate Christmas because according to them Jesus wasn’t born on Dec. 25th. And there was so much shaming going on! Just as they did telling people they were in sin because they voted. And I believe the same ones who say in God’s economy you are never to divorce. Somehow they have put themselves above everyone else! Hypocrites.” Karen Cochran | The sin of self-righteousness will damn the soul (Matthew 21:31).

The angels and wise men celebrated the coming of Christ. Since when would it be inappropriate to celebrate Heaven’s KING? Is is okay with you if God’s people celebrate JESUS – every aspect of Him, His life – every days except December 25th? WHERE does the Bible say that if one of God’s people celebrate Christ on December 25th, they are going to hell?

Why shouldn’t God’s people insert His truth into everything, at all times? – EVERY day of the year, including December 25! Isn’t that what Jesus meant when He said we are His light and salt in the earth? (Matthew 5:13-16) God is good and God is able! Ask Him to use you during this period of the year!

“Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. 14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:13-16

Most of the Christ-mass “celebration” is poisoned with paganism. Yet, what should God’s people be doing during this season? Should they spend their time and energies protesting or should they obey the LORD by preaching His saving Gospel? May God open doors for us to preach His Gospel during this season – Shining His holy light into the sin-darkened hearts of men so they can see the glory of Christ Jesus our LORD and Savior.

From David Taylor:

“Mighty ancient angels, Wise wealthy Pagan magicians, Hebrew Shepherds poor, animals, parents and relatives, were all drawn to this Divinely orchestrated event – the birth of the Messiah into flesh. And even today His truth still sounds, ‘If I shall be lifted up I shall draw all men unto me’. Rejoice!! Our Savior and King is alive forevermore!! Serve Him. Are you and yours ready for His imminent return and judgment? May God continue to bless as you serve the Lord Jesus. In Christ’s love,” David

KINGDOM PERSPECTIVE: True disciples celebrate Jesus 24/7/365. So, why not be wise and use this season, the gatherings of friends and family for whom Jesus died, as a place to shine Christ’s light, instead of cursing the darkness. Perspective: The whole world is pagan 24/7/365. So if you’re going to protest paganism, perhaps it should be year round. Jesus came and died and rose again to save the world which was already under divine condemnation (Luke 9:56; John 3:17). He called the sinners, pagans, to repentance, to follow Him. Our LORD spent little time exposing the details of the sin of the world. When judging, Christ’s central targets were the rich and the religious.

Are lost souls going to hell because they celebrate Christmas OR because they have not yet been saved?

Perhaps we should be more careful not to jump off on someone elses anx, to join their pagan-bashing crusade. Is that what Jesus and His apostles came to do? We do well to memorize and be transformed by the words of our LORD when He stated:

“For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” John 3:17

Later in this same discourse, Jesus says:

“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth (remains) on him.” John 3:36

Notice in John 3:36 (above) that divine condemnation is already upon all of the lost, the pagans. It’s ONLY when they believe on Christ that they are saved by His grace – and God sent us to communicate His glorious Gospel, Good News to them.

Didn’t Christ come to save the sinners? Were the world, the pagans, not already in darkness when Jesus came? Wasn’t that why He came? – to bring men out of darkness into His glorious light? (Acts 26:18; 1 Timothy 1:15)

WHY Did Jesus Come to the Earth?

“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21

QUESTION ASKED:

“Should Christians celebrate Christmas?”

REPLY:

There is no question that Christmas is and has been paganized from the beginning. And one thing is for certain: Christians are not to lie to their children by making “santa claus” a part of this season no more than a Christian would make rabbits and eggs a part of Christ’s resurrection (pagan easter). Show chapters and verses where it’s a sin to celebrate any part of the life of Christ please ….. Those who quietly celebrate Jesus during this season don’t need others infringing on their God-given right / liberty to do such – Read Rom. 14. Rom. 14 says that infringing on another believer’s God given liberty is a sin…. This is a non-essential issue and that is exactly what Paul is addressing in Romans 14. BTW: This disciple, by Christ’s grace participates in no paganism involving this season.

Rich Brown writes: “Sadly, while everybody says that Jesus is reason for this season, I observed that santa claus is more popular than Jesus. Some parents lied and fooled their children by teaching them a fictional character who doesn’t exist. If you are a true born again believer and know your Bible, you will not teach your children such foolishness!”

YOU GOING TO WALK AROUND ALL MAD ABOUT CHRISTMAS OR ARE YOU GOING TO PREACH THE GOSPEL DURING THIS SEASON?

A common objection from novices is “Christmas is pagan!” True, yet is the birth of the eternal WORD pagan?

Should we cease cursing the darkness and instead begin to obey Jesus by shining His glorious light right in the middle of that darkness? After all, darkness abounds upon the whole earth, every day for 6,000 years. Think about that. Cursing the darkness benefits no one except satan. Perhaps we should prayerfully consider letting the light of Christ in us to begin to shine brighter and brighter into the darkened hearts of fallen men.

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

Is getting mad going to help anyone get saved? If so, why not be mad 365 days a year since this whole fallen world is inundated with paganism. Is that how Jesus and His apostles lived? OR, did they simply preach the light of truth into this dark world? The whole fallen world we live in is pagan 365. Glad Jesus didn’t curse the darkness and say “heck no, let them all perish.” We must beware of self-righteousness. Jesus says the harlots will go to Heaven before the religious self-righteous (Matthew 21:31).

THE POINT IS THAT IF WE ARE GOING TO SPEND ALL OUR TIME PROTESTING THE OBVIOUS PAGANISM IN CHRISTMAS AND EASTER, THEN LET’S BE CONSISTENT AND JUST LIVE TO PROTEST EVERYTHING, YEAR ROUND, BECAUSE THIS FALLEN WORLD IS PACKED FULL OF PAGANISM EVERYWHERE WE LOOK AND GO, DAILY. IS THAT WHAT JESUS DID? IS THAT WHAT HIS APOSTLES DID? IS THAT WHAT THEY TOLD US TO DO? NO. NO. NO.

Another common objection: “But we aren’t to partake in the evil of this world!” Yet Jesus said and did a whole lot more about being the salt and light of the world than preaching against paganism, didn’t He? Are we so busy protesting the obvious paganism that we aren’t preaching/communicating the light of Christ?

The true body of Christ worships Jesus Christ 24/7/365! Amen LORD.

Jim Gilles writes:

“I love bashing anti Christmas Nazis who violate Romans 14 with their admitted arguments from silence. The anti Christmas Nazis need to learn that where there is no law there is no sin. That is why your personal opinions and convictions have no weight nor bearing upon anyone else.”

What Jim is getting at in the quote above is the way some get so enraged against the paganism of this season that they don’t afford liberty in the non essential of celebrating Jesus in this time of year.

“The world is dying and going to hell while ‘deep thinkers’ (street preachers) are sending them to hell over celebrating the birth of their Savior. Imagine that.” Dean Roy

What does God’s Word tell us about NON-essentials? Liberty in NON-Essentials.

Where is celebrating ANY part of Christ a sin? Chapters and verses please … also did God rebuke those who celebrated the birth – the prophesied first coming of Christ? Where does Scripture say celebrating any part of Christ is a sin? …. As a non-essential, it’s up to the individual believer and we are in sin to contest such and thereby destroy the work of Christ for a non-essential. We know it’s non-essential because He never named it as a sin. “Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.” (Romans 14:4) Birthday? nahhhh we are talking about celebrating Christ’s first coming – His prophesied, essential, all-important birth by way of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14). Are Matthew 1 and Luke 1-2 in the Bible?

If you are going to protest the paganism in Christmas well you should change the names you call months and days…. right? They are all of pagan origin! Why not use this season to love people into His blessed kingdom?

Some people act as if Satan invented December 25 and that he owns it. So, they play right into his evil hands by not celebrating Jesus during this season. Instead of spreading His holy light in the darkness they are over emphasizing and acting as if Satan and paganism are greater than the light of Christ. So, they spend their time policing other Christians on this non-essential instead of praying and preaching the light of truth. No one gets saved by Christians protesting but rather by anointed born again disciples PREACHING – “For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.” (1 Corinthians 1:21) So some say the Bible never says we are to celebrate Christ’s birth and yet the Bible also never shows us where Jesus, His apostles, or other Christians rebuked others for celebrating the birth of Jesus which is prophesied by Jesus long before He came – through the prophets (Isaiah 7:14; 9:6-7, etc.). Christ and His apostles spent little time going on and on about obvious paganism ….. go read how Paul those pagans on marrs hill in Acts 17. He spend little time or energy detailing their error. He simply moved their faith from idols to Christ! Preaching is a million times more the answer than protesting. Preaching the light of truth exposes the darkness better than any picketing. When the LORD saved this wretched soul, I never once returned to the pagan catholic church, not once. I am forever grateful for the Christians who simply preached the holy light of Christ to me. They never once mentioned the paganism and idolatry that is roman catholicism ……

Question: Is your tirade against the obvious paganism of christmas winning anyone to Jesus? 　 … the whole fallen world we live in is jammed packed full of paganism …. so should we protest all that paganism 365 day per year or just start preaching the light of truth/Christ into it all the darkness? Learning this lesson myself, continually.

The prophet Isaiah foretold Jesus the Messiah’s birth! There could be no bigger news except “It is finished.” (John 19:30) Christ could never have died for us, accomplishing redemption, had He not come to the earth. In fact, over 300 prophecies of Christ were given in the Old Testament and several dealt with His first coming, exactly where He would be born (Micah 5:2), that He’d be born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14), that He’d be divine – “God with us” (Matthew 1:23; Isaiah 9:6-7), etc. Did Christ not split time in half when He was born? Oh and what about the joy in Elizabeth, John the Baptist and a whole host of others in the early chapters of Matthew and Luke concerning the birth of the Messiah?

While Christmas is filled with paganism, it is not a sin to celebrate the fulfilled Bible prophecy of Jesus coming to the earth. The angels and shepherds, etc. celebrated and welcomed the coming of the prophesied Messiah without which He could not have been made flesh, dwelt among us, or died to redeem us! God is so good! John the Baptist leaped in his mother’s womb at the announcement of the birth, the coming of Jesus! (Luke 1:41-45)

QUESTION ASKED:
“But does the Bible tell us to celebrate Jesus’ birth?”

REPLY:
Well we can celebrate any and all parts of the life of our LORD Jesus. If He had not be born into the earth (of a virgin) He could never have died, been buried, and raised again for our justification, right? The wise men celebrated His birth and so did the angels, and many others.

Louise Scarborough notes: “The Wise men celebrated HIS BIRTH and brought HIM Gifts. HIS birth is a wondrous event and should be celebrated. Who would not Celebrate the birth of Our Lord and Savior when we celebrate our own! That has nothing to do with the secular world celebration the concept of Santa Claus. That is what needs to be separated and the honor and given to Christ.”

The LORD will lead each of His children in what they do during this season. Some people would have you believe that paganism and Satan are so powerful that the so called Christmas season isn’t even God’s it’s Satan’s. These people act as if Satan is more powerful than the Almighty.

Regrettably, it seems that some people seem to be identified only by what they are against.

Is someone who partakes in Christmas going to hell? Yes or no please? Doesn’t this come under the non-essentials that are addressed in places like Romans 14?

“Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.” Romans 14:4

In case you are wondering, no this disciple does not participate in Christmas other than celebrating and sharing Jesus. If we just stick to Scripture …. perhaps reading the beginning of the Gospels of Matthew and Luke ….. and celebrating the first coming of Christ as we look forward to His blessed second coming.

One man insisted that it is a sin to celebrate the birth of the very Son of God after He was born. To this I replied:

“Give one Scripture that tells us it’s a sin to celebrate the eternal, divine Word becoming flesh and for that matter, any part of the life of Christ. You sound very self-righteous friend ….. and need to humble yourself and remain teachable. There is no sin in celebrating the Son of God in any aspect of His life…. pre-incarnate, birth, life on earth, mission, death burial and resurrection, ascension, return, etc. Paul spoke of His birth Galatians 4:4… Yes He came for the ultimate purpose of dying to accomplish perfect salvation ….. yet He had to come to do such …. in the fullness of time (Gal. 4:4) … the point is that people seem to be making stuff up … there is no Scripture that forbids appreciating any part of the Son of God’s existence.

If we would receive a greater portion of God’s grace – His divine influence on our hearts – we would cease making an issue out of these type things and simply use this season and the occasions afforded to minister His Love and truth. As a born again New Testament believer we are “ambassadors for Christ” and celebrate the coming of Christ into the world – and also died on the cross, was buried, and rose again from the dead! (1 Corinthians 15:1-4; 2 Corinthians 5:17-20) … Matthew 1-2, Luke 1-2, etc. 1 Timothy 1:15….. Why not use this season as an opportunity to share the first coming of Christ and preach the second coming. Share the 10 Commandments to convict the sinner and then the saving Gospel (Good News) of Christ! It’s good to be aware of the pagan aspects of this season and avoid them and just use it as an opportunity to spread God’s love and truth by communicating His Word as we are brought together with friends and family. Preach! Use this as a springboard saints – YES, Jesus was born and YES He came to die to give us life! (John 3:16) Preach! Pray for open doors – open hearts to receive His Word! Ask the LORD and He will surely open up many opportunities for you to communicate His Word. Just watch. “Here I am LORD, send me!” (Isaiah 6) WHY DID JESUS COME? Let Holy Scripture answer this all important question! PREPARE: Memorize specific Bible verses and own them – until they just roll off your lips effortlessly! (Proverbs 22:17-21)

No, I do not personally partake of paganism 24/7/365 and will absolutely and prayerfully ask God to open hearts and use me to speak into the hearts of men in this dark world. I want to spend more time celebrating and communicating Jesus than cursing paganism ….. paganism is everywhere Christianity is not and the only solution is to shine Christ’s light into those dark places. Matt 5:13-16

“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:” 1 Peter 3:15

Here’s the crux: So Satan has perverted the reason for which Christ was born into the earth in fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy (Isaiah 7:14; 9:6-7). If in fact you are so insightful about the paganism in Christmas, why not use that for an occasion to preach the real divine reason that God sent for us His only begotten Son? (John 3:16) Why not use this occasion to show people the real reason Jesus came – to reconcile fallen mankind to our Maker?

Have you ever seen anyone get saved because some Christians protested Christmas? Heck, the Jehovah Witness cult protests Christmas and we know for sure they are hell bound.

Look, in this fallen world we are surrounded with pagan idolatry every single day of the year and yet, did God call us to make that the main issue or did He call us to communicate His holy Law to convict and Blessed Gospel to save? Is God going to judge us for how intricately we knew the work of the enemy or by how we obeyed Him to communicate His truth in love? Great Commission.

“This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.” 1 Timothy 1:15

If we are so up tight about how pagan Christmas is and not on fire, praying to be able to communicate Jesus, perhaps this just shows how self-righteous and immature we are. Being up tight about Christmas comes from spending too much studying something other than God’s Word.

Jesus calls us to speak His light into the darkness in this fallen world and not to sit in the seat of the scornful by cursing the darkness (Psalms 1). If we are so spiritual that we see how sin and Satan have ravaged people, why not help them by giving them Jesus who is the solution?

“In Season”

Consider this…..BEWARE OF THE CHRISTMAS BASHERS, HEROES IN THEIR OWN MINDS … WHO COME OUT OF THE WOODWORKS EVERY DECEMBER. Many of these same lame novice legalists say nothing of the other obvious, blaring corruptions and yet self-congratulate themselves with their bashing of Christmas… which is pretty much a non-essential (Romans 14). CLUE: There is paganism all around us 24/7/365 – and Jesus came into this same darkness to be the SOLUTION! John 3:17 …. Instead of simply preaching JESUS in and out of season (all the time) they resort to bashing Christmas. Mark this: You won’t find one of these Christmas bashers whose led someone to Jesus in the last year! Fake Watchmen …. Discern ….. They create and sustain their identity by what they are against instead of what they are for … Paul did 2/3rds preaching and teaching and 1/3 warning. See Colossians 1:28 and beware of those who do not lovingly teaching God’s Word but rather just bash everything and everyone! There ARE things and people to be exposed … yet if that’s a person’s whole and only M.O. (mode of operation), beware.

Christians should celebrate Christ every single day they are alive on His earth.

Is this a “season”? Yes. Christmas “season” right? Then what are we instructed to do at all times – in all seasons?

“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” 2 Timothy 4:2

I wonder what God could do and who He would save if we did less condemning Christmas and more communicating Christ. Jesus commanded us to go preach everywhere and not to go protest everything.

“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” Mark 16:15

When we are still spiritually immature, we want to make an issue out of error instead of looking past it when speaking with sinners, making sure we don’t cast a stumbling block in their path. Jesus would have us to simply communicate the Law and Good News so they can be saved before it’s too late (Isaiah 55:6-7). God wants the cross in our lives saints (Colossians 3:3; 2 Corinthians 4:10-12). Many times when we are so adamant about protesting paganism, we are being self-righteous and putting self first instead of the sinners Jesus came and died to save. He has put them in front of us in order to hear the Gospel.

Jesus taught that it is wrong to over emphasize a minor (lesser priority) and under emphasize a major.

“Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.” Matthew 23:24

STOP PROTESTING AND START PREACHING! … Some who pretend to be spiritually mature seem to develop their identity around what they are against instead of taking EVERY opportunity to obey God by “preach(ing) the word” in and out of season! for which we shall all give account (2 Timothy 4:1-4). Please share.

Is God not greater than paganism? Those who spend all their energy coming against Christmas seem to have more faith in paganism than in God Himself – who in your case and that of many others, can and does move anytime, anywhere HE so chooses!!! His Word is always His Word … For example, all that paganism that has crept in has not and never will erode from all the great songs that are Bible songs concerning the birth of the very Son of God and we hear them on even secular radio stations…. many of these songs have no paganism in them … so can God use His Word in those songs that are played during this time? Yes, whether these prudes like it or not. He never asked them either way…. Again, some see only the evil in everything … they seem to vainly imagine that THEY control God instead of vice versa ….. why not just go be the light in this dark world which is dark from Jan-Dec every year. I would ask them when is the last time they actually led someone to Jesus ….. No one gets led to Jesus by our protesting … This is a maturity issue and God is calling His people to ask Him to bless them to “grow in grace” and to let their hearts be established with His grace (2 Pet. 3:18; Heb. 13:9).

Stop Your Protesting and Start Preaching! | God-Less Grinches Busted!

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Paganism is infinitely inferior to the power of Christ’s blessed Gospel.

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” Romans 1:16

Jesus’ Gospel, when applied, brings forth salvation in those who repent and receive Him. Whether Jew or Gentile (includes all men), God saves those who believe upon Christ (John 1:12; Acts 16:31; 20:21, etc.).…. May God bless each of His children with open doors and a quickened spirit to minister His Word in this late hour. Did Jesus and His apostles spend much of their time campaigning against paganism? No, but they simply offered the Solution. The Law convicts and Christ saves. It seems to me that if we reflect upon and read over what Christ and His apostles spoke to lost sinners, there was little time wasted on exposing paganism. Acts 17 records Paul preaching to pagans and he seems to spend little time arguing with them over their practices and beliefs but rather merely points them to the true and living God through Christ. He called them to repent (v30-31).Any ex-catholics out there? I you are like myself, you got saved because you heard the original Gospel of the grace of God and were saved. No one had to tell me how pagan Catholicism is. Such was never mentioned. What would you think if you were in hospital waiting room and someone with a broken leg was carted in on a stretcher and as soon as the doctors and nurses saw him coming in they ran over and began yelling at him, proving to him he had a broken leg and about how he got the broken leg? Well, such a thought and scene are laughable at best and you will never see that happen in a hospital because the medical community is trained simply to fix people – to smile at them and go directly to solving their problems. It’s only AFTER they are all fixed up with the solution that the doctors and nurses suggest that they be careful so this doesn’t happen again, right? Do you think that we’d see more people saved if we’d simply preach the Gospel and learn biblicly how to evangelize more effectively?

“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.” Proverbs 11:30

Perhaps we should ask ourselves if we are actually winning lost souls to Christ or are we simply beating up on those in darkness, further sealing their darkness – all so we can feel better about ourselves? Have you ever argued a catholic into being saved? After telling a catholic the 25 greatest evils of the catholic church, did they get saved. No, correct?

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Articles

The Daily Cross in Prayer [podcast]

Prayer is inseparably connected with knowing God (John 17:3).

(Excerpt from the book I Die Daily)

“My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.” Psalms 5:3

Let’s isolate and dismantle these words of God a bit. Under the direct inspiration of the Holy Spirit, David says to the LORD:

That He (God) would hear his (David’s) “voice”
That “in the morning” the Psalmist would arise and seek God in prayer
Deliberately “in the morning,” he would “direct” his prayer and praying to the LORD – “in the morning … I will look up”

From this passage, we see that David planned or scheduled, in an intentional and calculated fashion, to meet with the LORD every morning. The phrase “in the morning” appears twice in this inspired transmission of the Holy Ghost. The man whose heart panted after the LORD – to behold His precious beauty – declared that he would “direct” (point) his prayer upward to the LORD “in the morning.” (Ps. 5:3; 27:4; Acts 13:22) Communing with the LORD was priority to David, and therefore occupied first place in his daily life. He sought the LORD firstly as he arose from sleep, and before he went forth into his day.

Jesus commanded that if any person will come after Him – truly follow Him – he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Him (Luke. 9:23-24). There is no place that the cross applies more than in daily prayer. The moment one arises, he will choose either to seek God or dwell upon self-sentiments and such. He will seek Christ, or he will seek his own salvation or rescue from his troubles. We all make a “daily” choice:

“… choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24:15

No different from those covenant saints the LORD spoke to in this important passage, those whom we dwell among are serving self – the flesh – and yet we are called upon by the LORD to “choose” to daily serve Him rather than self. We are called to “be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Holding forth the word of life.” (Phil. 2:15-16)

The LORD is calling us to purposefully declare Him as the LORD and Master of our lives, and this we do by making the premeditated decision to seek Him daily in prayer communion. Like Joshua, the way we “choose” to “serve” God must be premeditated, deliberate, daily, and in practicality. Daily, early morning, first fruit prayer is all three of these. It is the fruit of the crucified life – the life that is dead to self and in whom Christ dwells and reigns. – “Ye are dead and your life is hid with Christ in God.” (Col. 3:3)

To those who seek God and not their own devices, there are many benefits (Ps. 68:19).

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

The precious peace of the “Prince of Peace” rules and reigns and makes sound the hearts of those who deny self’s ability to overcome and solve issues and problems, and instead earnestly and diligently rely upon God’s power to do such for them (Isa. 9:6; 26:3).

“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength.” Isaiah 26:3-4

As we fix our whole being upon Jesus Christ, our thoughts will be upward to His “glorious high throne,” which is “the place of our sanctuary.” (Jer. 17:12)

God is calling each of His saints to give his whole being to Christ, and to those things that “are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Php. 4:8).

So, according to Philippians 4:6-8, saints are to rely upon the LORD and not self by submitting all their requests in prayer to Him who is their Source, and to think upon those things of Christ which are “true … honest … just … pure … lovely … of good report … if there be any virtue … if there be any praise.” It is upon “these things” that we are instructed to “think on.” (Phil. 4:8)

God’s thoughts are infinitely higher than ours, and yet it is not until we become truly “crucified with Christ” that we are going to be ruled by His thoughts and peace (Isa. 55:8-9; Gal. 2:20; Phil. 4:6-7).

Changing the way one thinks is being done by millions of people who are not regenerated (not born again). New age and religious teachers hold this thought transformation teaching closely. Anyone can change the way they think for self-serving reasons – to stop smoking, to visualize and earn more money, to have more self-esteem, etc. However, hell still awaits all who are not born again, and that takes facing the living God and Judge in repentance for sin and placing all faith in Jesus Christ, the only Savior (Acts 4:12; 1 Tim. 2:5). The only renewing of the mind and thoughts that brings glory to Jesus Christ, is that which begins with one casting his whole being upon the LORD afresh – presenting himself a “living sacrifice … unto God.” Let’s look at Romans 12:

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:1-2

Those who are presenting their bodies to the LORD as “living sacrifice(s)” are infused and enabled by His grace to keep their minds or thoughts stayed (fixed) upon the LORD and not self, as they look for Jesus’ soon return (Col. 3:1-4). They trust Christ and not their own strength, reasoning, whims, philosophies, or wisdom. As they give themselves over to Christ and His infinite divine power, and become weak in self and self’s abilities, Jesus’ power raises them up to trust Him and rely upon Him alone – to rest the weight of their whole beings in Him who is able. They first declare that they are not able, and that only “God is able.” (Eph. 3:20; 2 Cor. 9:8) These are they who have and are finding out in a personal way that there really is nothing impossible with the LORD!

“And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.” Mark 10:27

Abraham trusted God. He is our human example of a man who walked with God – by faith believing that God would raise up that to which he died. Concerning the promise of a son being born to him and his aged wife, the Bible records these words from the LORD to His servant Abraham:

“Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.” Genesis 18:14

If God can and will split the Red Sea for His people, and cause a 100-year-old man and his 90-year-old wife to have a child, what in your life can’t He do? (Gen. 17:17)

Here’s yet another question posed to our hearts from the LORD:

“Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?” Jeremiah 32:27

God requires that we die to self-will, self-help, and self-esteem, and lay our lives in His holy, perfect, and more-than-sufficient hands. He can then work in us and in our lives – raising up His holy standard and power to glorify Himself in and through His children. Nothing will be impossible for the LORD to perform in the lives of those who deny themselves and, like Abraham, trust God to raise up His solutions, answers, and blessings to bring Himself glory.

“(As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth (makes alive) the dead, and (God) calleth those things which be not as though they were.” Romans 4:17

God called forth Isaac out of Abraham’s loins when it was an otherwise impossibility in the natural. In your life, beloved, “Is there anything too hard for the LORD?” (Gen. 18:14)

Our connection with God is all about relationship, and the quality of that relationship is exemplified in our prayer lives – or lack thereof. If a person is pursuing the LORD, he has a prayer life. He lays down his own desires and life and seeks God’s life. This is perhaps in no other scrutiny seen more clearly than in the value he assigns to his prayer life, and the heart affections and time he is willing to invest in it.

In Psalms 63, the Psalmist captures the life of the person who truly has a heart after God.

“O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary. Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name. My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips: When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches. Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice. My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.” Psalms 63:1-8

The following is an excerpt from My Utmost for His Highest, by Oswald Chambers:

“’At that day ye shall ask in My name.’ John 16:26. We are too much given to thinking of the Cross as something we have to get through; we get through it only in order to get into it. The Cross stands for one thing only for us – a complete and entire and absolute identification with the Lord Jesus Christ, and there is nothing in which this identification is realized more than in prayer.

‘Your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask Him.’ Then why ask? The idea of prayer is not in order to get answers from God; prayer is perfect and complete oneness with God. If we pray because we want answers, we will get huffed with God. The answers come every time, but not always in the way we expect, and our spiritual huff shows a refusal to identify ourselves with Our Lord in prayer. We are not here to prove God answers prayer; we are here to be living monuments of God’s grace.

‘I say not that I will pray the Father for you: for the Father Himself loveth you.’ Have you reached such an intimacy with God that the Lord Jesus Christ’s life of prayer is the only explanation of your life of prayer? Has Our Lord’s vicarious life become your vital life? ‘At that day’ you will be so identified with Jesus that there will be no distinction.

When prayer seems to be unanswered, beware of trying to fix the blame on someone else. That is always a snare of Satan. You will find there is a reason which is a deep instruction to you, not to anyone else.”

PRAYER: Father, please bless this life to honor You and Your will first and foremost in this life You have granted, by my being authentically crucified with Christ. Please unite my heart to fear Your holy name and to number with wisdom this short time on this earth as a gift from You. I love You, Jesus, and thank You for dying for my sins and for the resurrection power of the Holy Ghost You placed in us upon salvation, and the infilling of the Holy Spirit. You must increase but I must decrease. This moment, if never before, I declare and deliberately decide to place You first daily in my life – I am crucified with Christ. Early will I seek Thee. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Capture Points

Discuss Psalms 5:3 along with Mark 1:35 and the importance of daily and first fruits prayer in the life of every disciple of Jesus.
Transcribe onto an index card and discuss Romans 12:1-2 (KJB recommended).
Write out on an index card Mark 10:27: “And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.” (KJB)

Prayer | Support | STORE |

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