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YOU will never understand a Bible truth more than when you memorize it!

“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

Memorizing God’s Word takes deliberate intentional effort, diligence, and brings the greatest reward (Psalm 119; Proverbs 2-4; Jeremiah 15:16, etc.). Memorizing Holy Scripture comes by repetition and association.

Where are you weak? Find one or more Bible verses that address your weakness. Write them on an index card. Memorize them.

THE MORE SCRIPTURE YOU MEMORIZE, THE MORE POWERFUL A VESSEL, A WEAPON YOU BECOME IN THE HANDS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (Proverbs 4:4; 24:5; 2 Timothy 2:21, etc.).

When stating this, at times the excuse-making, lazy people become upset. Instead of repenting and applying their God-given faculties and time to Him, they attack the mere messenger for stating biblical and self-evident truth.

I’ve heard people misquote verses like the following verse and seem to attempt to use this as an excuse for not memorizing the words of God…..

“This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;” Hebrews 10:16

If this were the case, if the LORD was doing it all for us and we have no need to get those words of His into us, why then did the LORD command us to “read,” “study,” “retain,” and “meditate” upon His Word? (See Revelation 1:3; Nehemiah 8:8; 2 Timothy 2:15; Proverbs 4:4; Joshua 1:8.)

Knowing King James Bible truth is what equips you with divine substance to share (1 Peter 3:15).

Concerning His words, the LORD commands His people to “write them upon ….”

“And thou shalt WRITE them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.” Deuteronomy 6:9

“And thou shalt WRITE them upon the door posts of thine house, and upon thy gates:” Deuteronomy 11:20

“Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; WRITE them upon the table of thine heart:” Proverbs 3:3

“Bind them upon thy fingers, WRITE them upon the table of thine heart.” Proverbs 7:3

The “write” is to engrave, to inscribe (Hebrew kathab). When we obey the LORD by posting His Word where we can view, read, see, and meditate upon His words, they will become more and more inscribed, engraved upon the table of our hearts as an essential component to conduct our lives forward in God’s will. How else could His words be “a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” if we don’t even know those words very well? (Psalms 119:105)

Someone might say: “But brother under the New Covenant we have the Holy Spirit now.” True and He enlightens and bring to our remembrance His Word and yet, He can only bring to remembrance to us that of His Word that we’ve put in us, right? Notice closely what Jesus taught:

“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” John 14:26

Notice that the Holy Spirit is our “Comforter” and Teacher and yet He brings back to our “remembrance” specifically those things He has “said unto” us. And, the primary way God speaks is through an open Bible, not a closed one. In other words, the LORD speaks to those who are His true disciples, students. And His students study His words (2 Timothy 2:15).

On that note, brother Chris Sitter writes:

“Our job is to put the Word in us, and it’s the Holy Spirit – who will bring it out.”

You cannot possibly fully, properly meditate upon a bible truth you don’t first memorize or at least become very familiar with.

IF you want to most effectively preach the Word, you must memorize it! (See Proverbs 4:4; 22:17-21.)

“Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.” Proverbs 30:5

Is the LORD you claim to love important enough to you to memorize His Word?

It’s not till you memorize a Bible verse that you really begin to see what He’s saying in it. Try it.

ANYTHING you say out loud enough times WILL be memorized! Proverbs 4:4

Don’t just read it – MEMORIZE IT!

WHEN we have a weakness, the best thing to do is pray and find Scripture dealing with that thing. Write it down on index cards and begin memorizing, quoting, and meditating upon it (2 Peter 1:3-4; Psalms 119:11, etc.).

When taking college courses, I reduced the most important test information down and put it on index cards. Worked amazing.

“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

Those who don’t love God enough to devour His Word daily – simply don’t love God – they are full of self!

“IF (IF, IF) ye CONTINUE in my word, THEN are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:31-32

IF you aren’t continuing in the Word it’s because you aren’t continuing, abiding in Christ (John 15:1-6).

Something special definitely happens when those divine words flow through your eye gates into your mind and through your hand – onto an index card!

WHEN you memorize the Word, it then owns you, and you own that treasure! (Proverbs 4:4)

I know sometimes while I am writing out God’s Words on index cards, my hand wants to shake with emotion…I love him so much…I tend to get so excited and want to show the world what I have just read!!” Mary B.

In Israel, the LORD instructed those in places of authority to hand-record His Word.

“And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law (Word) in a book out of that which is before the priests the Levites: 19 And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life: that he may learn to fear the Lord his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them:” Deuteronomy 17:18-19

It was Satan himself who cast doubt on God’s Word and added just one word to what God had said to the man and woman (Genesis 3:1-6). Apparently Adam and Even didn’t listen to and intimately know the words of God – “EVERY word of God.” This led to the fall of mankind and is today leading to the downfall of many – because they don’t give detailed attention and absolute daily diligence to knowing “every word of God” (Proverbs 30:5; Matthew 4:4).  It is my opinion that when someone despises or so much as casts doubt upon God’s Word and/or the need for believers to intimately know God’s Word, such a person is under the influence of Satan who “cometh immediately and taketh away the word.” Is this not the work of the enemy? Jesus says: “Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts” (Mark 4:15).

“It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:4

“EVERY word” God has given us in His written Word is important! Listen to what the LORD tells us in Joshua 1:8:

“This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.” Joshua 1:8

“Success” and prosperity, as defined by the Almighty, comes from knowing, meditating upon, and observing to do God’s Word.

GOT Bible verses memorized? Now that we have a verse memorized, meditating on it, mulling it over is vital for it’s application. Amen for sure. Many times, when tempted to burst forth with words that may not be edifying or appropriate, Colossians 4:6 comes to me. Have had this one committed to memory for a while. Upon reciting it, mulling it over prayerfully, the LORD comes shining through – every time!

If the Word of God is not to depart out of our mouths, according to Joshua 1:8, how could anyone object to and resist the need to memorize Scripture? Jesus had God’s Word memorized from His childhood and quoted it to the Devil verbatim while being tempted (Matthew 4). What higher precedence and example could there be for memorizing and knowing Scripture?

We cannot possibly properly meditate on a divine truth we haven’t memorized (Proverbs 4:4).

“Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live.” Proverbs 4:4

“I’ve found that reading a verse that catches my eye over and over during my daily reading helps me retain.” Jon Crane

God’s Word cannot get into us unless we get into it.

“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

God is able saints. Memorizing verses like these has helped this disciple mightily: Psalms 57:7; 63:8; 1 Chronicles 16:11; 22:19

The following is a divine command:

“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

At times, some bring up the verses which speak of God writing His Word upon the hearts of His people. Yet, in context, this seems to be speaking of Israel, when they are ultimately restored to the LORD (Hebrews 8). It certainly doesn’t negate the need to know God’s Word intimately.

Did the LORD not tell His people to know His Word? Yes and He instructed them to surround themselves with His Word. Here’s an example of such divine instruction:

“And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: 7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. 8 And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. 9 And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.” Deuteronomy 6:6-9 

Also, by experience we all know that we’ve been in situations, discussions, etc., where we lacked the distinct words of of the LORD that would have spoken perfectly to the topic being discussed.

Some seem to wish to shirk the responsibility to diligently study, know, meditate upon, and memorize God’s Word by saying things like “the LORD wrote His words on my heart” or “I am led by the Holy Spirit and so don’t need to know God’s Word that well.” This is seriously concerning and pure error.

“Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err (go into error), not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.” Matthew 22:29

When are God’s people “destroyed”?

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.” Hosea 4:6

God’s people are “destroyed” when they lack the knowledge of God’s Word.

When do God’s people increase in strength?

“A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength.” Proverbs 24:5

As we personally study and know God’s Word, His strength in us will be increased accordingly. God’s people increase in His strength when they are personally filled with the knowledge of His Word.

The LORD instructs us to write, record, retain His words upon the table of our hearts and by doing so we will obtain His favor:

“Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; WRITE THEM UPON THE TABLE OF THINE HEART: 4 So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.” Proverbs 3:3-4

Charles Pray writes: “You cannot retain any truths from the Word unless you first digest them. In other words God can only bring  to your remembrance only that which you stored in your memory. Amen!”
 
Amen. Yes, this is what Jesus taught us (John 14:26).

“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” John 14:26

Resistance to knowing God’s Word is sourced in the enemy of souls. It’s the Word of God that defeats him as we see our Savior doing when He was tempted in the wilderness by Satan (Matthew 4).

Whoso despiseth (disrespects, despises) the word (the need for it) shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.” Proverbs 13:13

Study Psalms 119.

MEDITATING ON GOD’S WORD

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Adultery

“Flee Fornication” [podcast]


One of the greatest fears any parent in our day should have, would be for their child to grow up and NOT have a genuinely God fearing mate. Pray saints. Pray parents. Sanctify yourselves. “Come out of her” (Revelation 18:4).

“Do not prostitute thy daughter, to cause her to be a whore; lest the land fall to whoredom, and the land become full of wickedness.” Leviticus 19:29

Example of prostitution: Whoring out one’s daughter would be to send them to college to learn the ways of the world, of Satan who is “the god of this world,” where they are taught how to fulfill the role of the man—and not a woman (1 Timothy 5:14). No godly parent does such.

Having seen you buy his lies, Satan is laughing you all the way into hell, the bank of unrepentant sinners.

Whoredom has and does today destroy nations. We are seeing a once strong America brought to its knees for the whoredom, namely of those who vainly claim Christ as Savior.

“For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have COMMITTED FORNICATION with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.” Revelation 18:3

“And the kings of the earth, who have COMMITTED FORNICATION and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning.” Revelation 18:9

“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 12:39

1 Corinthians 6:12-20

Flee Fornication

“All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
13  Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body.
14  And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power.
15  Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid.
16  What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh.
17  But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.
18  Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.
19  What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
20  For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”

“The Pure in Heart”

“Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” Matthew 5:8

Only those who are born again and die with a pure heart will be with the LORD.

Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”  Proverbs 4:23

“Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.” 1 Timothy 6:12

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:” 2 Timothy 4:7

“Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:” 1 Timothy 1:19

Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his face continually.” 1 Chronicles 16:11

“And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.” Matthew 11:12

On the topic of fornication brother Allen Campbell writes:

“Someone asked me if it’s okay to have relations with a person you love. No, having relations with your boyfriend or girlfriend is called fornication and is a serious sin, because it’s a sin against your own body. Your body is a temple for the Holy Ghost that is in you. Since your body belongs to God, for it has been bought with a price, we must glorify God with our bodies. If you’re committing fornication or adultery and do not repent, then you will not inherit the kingdom of God.

1 Corinthians 6:18-20 KJV – Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

1 Corinthians 6:9-10 KJV – Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

Revelation 21:7-8 KJV – He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. 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.

Let’s LEARN Scripture, BELIEVE and OBEY our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ of Nazareth.”

Fornication of Many Forms—all life-destroying and condemned by God

The word “immoral” appears exactly ZERO times in God’s Word, the King James Bible.

“Fornication” appears 36 times.
“Adultery” appears 40 times.
“Lust(s) appears 43 times.
“sodomite(s)” appears 5 times.

Let’s never use the words “sexually immoral” again. Let’s use God’s words for such sin. After all, the use of the phrase “sexually immoral” is subject to sinful man’s definition while the Bible words listed above are clear and convicting.

It’s not “promiscuous”—a word found no where in God’s Word (KJB). The Bible calls all sin outside of the marriage between one man and one woman “fornication.”

“For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should ABSTAIN FROM FORNICATION:” 1 Thessalonians 4:3

Say it with me out loud:  “call it what it IS!”

WE often hear of counterfeits, pretending to be Christians, say things like “Well, I don’t care what you do behind closed doors.” To one such lost soul, the following reply was given:

GOD cares about the souls of men for whom He sent His only begotten Son to die (John 3:16). He cares about all “sexuality,” that is, as it pertains to “fornication” which is any and all sex outside of the marriage bed between one man and one woman. ALL, every fornicator is going to burn in the lake of fire (Revelation 21:8, 27; 22:14, etc.).

Sex is Only Safe in Marriage – between one man and one woman.

“Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.” Hebrews 13:4

All fornication is sin.

“He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.” John 8:47

ALL sex outside of that which is between one man and one woman in marriage, is sin. “Fornication” includes every form of sexual perversion.

All forms of fornication is sin. Fornication is any sexual activity with self or anyone outside of ones opposite sex marriage partner.

MESSAGE RECEIVED:

“What about people who are in a relationship and live together and supposedly are not having sex?”

REPLY:

Good morning sister. I didn’t quite understand the first part of your question but as far as living together, cohabiting, such should be for married people only. “FLEE fornication” right? It seems that our LORD’s Word hems us in…. either marry or flee. Seems we have to determine if we truly desire to marry that person and if so, move into doing so, or flee.

“Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.” 1 Corinthians 6:18

As we see exemplified by the beloved Joseph, when tempted by Potipher’s wife, he dashed! Why? Fornication cannot be overcome otherwise or by staying in the fire and expecting not to be burned (Genesis 39).

“Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.” 1 Corinthians 7:1-2

1 Thessalonians 4:3-8

“3  For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:
4  That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;
5  Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:
6  That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.
7  For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.
8  He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.”

God has a beautiful plan. – If we will simply do things HIS way and no other. HE is able. HE is greater than anything you face today. Memorize Ephesians 3:20 and Mark 10:27, now.

1 Thessalonians 4:1-8
A Life Pleasing to God
1  Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.
2  For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus.
3  For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:
4  That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;
5  Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:
6  That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.
7  For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.
8  He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.”

God has a beautiful plan. Perhaps, at least in part, God’s “Thou shalt” nots mean Don’t hurt yourself”!

Marriage Not Fornication

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Articles

The Victory of the Cross [podcast]


“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

 

Many feel hopeless, like they can never overcome the flesh.

Yet, we know that God is able to bring the victory He

ordained in our lives through the crucified life He

commanded that we walk in. “For ye are dead, and your life

is hid with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3).

 

Powerful ministry that bears fruit for the glory of God only

comes out of the cross life with Christ whereby you are dead

and buried and Christ is raising you up by His grace, and His

power is filling, propelling and flowing through your life to

minister His truth and love to others (2 Corinthians 4:10-12).

 

As we consent to our own death and burial, Jesus raises us

upward in HIS divine strength. Divine empowerment in the

life of the disciple of Jesus comes from His resurrection grace

working in our lives as we consent to our own dying—death

and burial. Death and burial precede God raising us up. God

cannot raise us up if we aren’t dead and buried. This cross

concept is at the center of our walk with Jesus, whose death,

burial and resurrection are enacted in our own lives daily

(Romans 6).

“The cross is the answer to loving Jesus more. Your flesh is enmity (hatred) against God. It is the enemy of God and lives in rebellion against Him. It will not submit (Romans 8:7-8). Unless the carnal mind is crucified this rebellion and hatred towards God lives inside you and will be in a constant war with your flesh and the Spirit of God. They are polar opposites! One is light and the other is darkness. The darkness (flesh) must go to the cross to be dead and buried so Jesus can breath into you His newness of life (Romans 6). Then we can begin to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, and mind. And with the love of the Lord we can love our neighbor as ourselves (Matthew 22:37-40).” Karen Cochran

Prayer: Father, in Jesus’ name, I am here and now crucified

with Christ. I am dead and my life is hidden with Christ in God.

Living the Crucified Life

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Abiding

Supplying Saints and Sinners with Heavenly Sustenance

HIS TRUTH IS MARCHING ON – THROUGH HIS PEOPLE

“The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it.” Psalms 68:11

THERE is no time to waste – Jesus is coming. We must get the Word of God into the hearts of people, in every way, via any and all communication mediums available to us today. And this is the fulfillment of Matthew 24:14 – “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” Let’s roll saints!

“We are labourers TOGETHER with God.” 1 Corinthians 3:9

The graphic below is for the order I just placed with the publisher for a fresh supply of the ministry books.

This ministry outreach, ministering God’s Word to thousands daily, is a vehicle for our LORD’s Word. What’s needed is more disciples who will monthly support it, who will put fuel in the tank in order to propel it forward to reach more and more people with the Gospel of our LORD Jesus. Will you answer that call?

“But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: 9 (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. 10 Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) 11 Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.” 2 Corinthians 9:6-11

donate button roundDoes it make sense to put a percentage of our earnings into a 401K (or other earthly investment) and not force feed a portion off the top, with a cheerful heart to Christ’s eternal kingdom work? (Read Proverbs 3:9-10; 2 Corinthians 9:6-11)

“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Matthew 6:19-21

It has been wisely concluded from what Jesus taught, that:

“The way we spend our money is a direct reflection of the priorities of our hearts.”

Is God truly first in your life? (Proverbs 3:9-10; Matthew 6:33, etc.).

There are no rich men, there is no religious or otherwise organization supporting this Gospel ministry outreach. Just regular people who know and love Jesus and the whole counsel of His truth and are growing in His grace daily with the other members of His remnant body (2 Peter 1:2; 3:18). There are monthly bills that only get paid by having the actual, the literal money in the account. In turn God turns that giving of earthly money to HIS work into heavenly treasure for all who give (Luke 16:9-11; Acts 20:35). These expenses are incurred by pushing the Word of God to the hearts and minds of the people and available to be paid and that’s God’s opportunity placed in YOUR lap to supply. In response, what is the LORD going to do? (Matthew 6:19-21; 2 Corinthians 9:6-11; Philippians 4:17, etc.)

“And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations. 10 He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. 11 If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?” Luke 16:9-11

When Jesus says  here to “Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness …,” what does He mean? This writer would like to encourage the reader to delve into this passage, to pray that the LORD will open the eyes of your understanding concerning what He seeks to communicate to your heart.

Of this passage, the Believer’s Bible Commentary notes:

“16:9 We should make friends for ourselves by means of unrighteous mammon. That is, we should use money and other material things in such a way as to win souls for Christ and thus form friendships that will endure throughout eternity. Pierson stated it clearly:

‘Money can be used to buy Bibles, books, tracts and thus, indirectly, the souls of men. Thus what was material and temporal becomes immortal, becomes non-material, spiritual and eternal. Here is a man who has 100. He may spend it all on a banquet or an evening party, in which case the next day there is nothing to show for it. On the other hand, he invests in Bibles … It buys … copies of the Word of God. These he judiciously sows as seed of the kingdom, and that seed springs up into a harvest, not of Bibles but of souls. Out of the unrighteous, he has made immortal friends, who when he fails, receive him into everlasting habitations.’

This then is the teaching of our Lord. By the wise investment of material possessions, we can have part in the eternal blessing of men and women. We can make sure that when we arrive at the gates of heaven, there will be a welcoming committee of those who were saved through our sacrificial giving and prayers. These people will thank us saying, ‘It was you who invited me here.’”

“They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. 6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed (God’s Word), shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves (eternal harvest, reward) with him.” Psalms 126:5-6

Christ’s Kingdom and His Gift to us to Participate, is Practical

Will you choose to part with temporal money to reap eternal, unending, irrevocable benefits?

An order has been placed for 20 more of the ministry books from the publisher ($125). The plan is to order this supply monthly for the next 3 months – and hand them out, person-to-person. Face-to-face, person-to-person gifting people on a daily basis, usually after they’ve received ministry, is a super-charged transfer of heavenly blessing (Philippians 1:19). As you know if you’ve read any of the ministry’s books, they are Christ-centered, Scripture-rich original Gospel volumes. Holy Scripture is on each page and put in bold print. In the rear of each book is the way to make peace with God. It leads them right to Jesus via and beginning with the biblical truth that we have “all sinned” against our God (Romans 3).

If you wish, feel free to help fund this part of the ministry exploits currently transpiring to get God’s Word in the hearts of more and more people.

“So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11

The glorious Gospel of our LORD Jesus is communicated, disseminated, and received via His Word.

“But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his GRACE, 16 To reveal his Son in me, that I might PREACH him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:” Galatians 1:15-16

As we can all witness, there are so many hungry souls wandering about in this fallen world who desire to receive the Word of God. The personal touch, contact is powerful – as it was when our LORD directed beloved Philip to minister to the Ethiopian eunuch whom our LORD consequently saves (Acts 8:26-40).  And some, many and actually most of the people being reached are our beloved brethren who are looking for sustenance. I meet them each and every week. They are hungering and thirsting after His righteousness. Let’s be there for them saints.

Perhaps this can spread to where we are able to drop ship a supply books to some of the ministries this outreach supplies and has for years. If each of us does our simple part, great blessings will result.

Lately I’ve been handing out lots of the Moments with Our Master devotional books. People love them……. This week I had a lengthy breakfast meeting with a rich young ruler type young man. He articulated that all of his earthly success has left him empty in this world. It was a Scripture-rich time. Garrett gladly received a copy of the Moments devotional book and said “Let’s do this again.” His heart was filled with joy during and after that fellowship. He told me that in the past, as he walked with the LORD daily, his life was so much better. With a large smile he said “Man, I’d just walk down the street like I was floating 2 feet off the ground, filled with the joy and love of Jesus, sharing it with others.” Garrett texted me back the next morning with this:

“Appreciate you giving me that book. It’s convenient to use in the mornings.” Garrett

So, as we can witness, this Scripture-rich devotional book is the launching place for this man to seek and walk with the LORD. As usual, all of the ministry’s materials constantly exhort the readers/listeners to get into God’s Word daily for themselves (2 Timothy 2:15).

I know you’ll agree that the Garrett’s of our world matter to our LORD and we are the very “ambassadors” Christ has sent to bless them (2 Corinthians 5:20)! We are the delivery personnel of Heaven – handing out to people the treasure of Christ!

Just a few days ago, I gave 1 copy each to a young couple who I’ve become friends with at the gym (18 years old each). They were happy to receive this gift. First, as I like to do, I asked them if they like to read. One of them said they were currently “searching for something to read.” As usual when giving them the books, I opened one copy of the books and showed them that “there’s one devotional for each day of the year, all on one page. It begins with a Scripture, a few words, and a prayer at the end.” This way they see just how simple it is – and gives them a track to run on, a foundation to build their day upon. EVERY searching person is looking for this very thing. Their lives are meaningless, empty, and lacking the presence of the LORD. This is where we come in saints. As usual, I like to share with them that “This is a great way to begin the day.”

After qualifying the situation by asking people “Do you like to read?” I then ask them if I can give them a book and the answer is always a “Yes.” I then go fetch a book and gift them with it.

The season must now end where the Great Commission work of our LORD is shorted. Let’s fuel up and fill the Gospel war chest saints. It’s right under out noses – as God has placed it there! Let us each do our part (John 4:36; 1 Samuel 30:24).

Anyone who wishes to jump in and begin underwriting the kingdom opportunity cost for this is welcome.

Earthly expenses to do ministry, the most important and only eternal work in the earth, is the kingdom opportunity lying right in front of each of us (Matthew 6:19-21).

“May God empower us through the Holy Ghost to bring not a few guests to the wedding banquet; as we walk in the Spirit with the love of Christ flowing in and through our daily lives, and as we sow in tears; knowing that we shall reap with joy: because He that promised is faithful. To God be the glory in Jesus Name, Amen.” Jon Crane

Let’s review:

“They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. 6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” Psalms 125:5-6

YOU cannot do it. I certainly can’t do anything without Christ.

“I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” John 15:5

Surrender, right? Yes.

Jesus Christ is LORD. He’s our coming King.

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