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“We love him, because he first loved us.” 1 John 4:19

—- In their own Self-Righteousness, have some gone so far as to make an idol of repentance? Or, perhaps they’ve made an idol of self.

“It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.” Lamentations 3:22

Sometimes those who gain an understanding of the absolute necessity of repentance go off in an imbalance and are unteachable, calling others false teachers who attempt to help them learn a bit more about the LORD.

In this type case, perhaps such a person should consider their own need to repent afresh and to rely upon the LORD who would grant them this gift. Instead of just calling everyone else to repent, perhaps they should consider doing so themselves. We can get to the point where we are calling others to repent and it’s coming out of our own self righteous hearts which are actually in need of repentance (Matthew 7:1-5; Romans 2:1-3).

Many times, sinful human nature is to project our own darkness on others rather than take personal accountability for our own sins (Romans 2:1-3).

Cache in on God’s Mercy The sins that should concern me the most are my own (Job 19:28; Matthew 7:1-5; John 8:7; 1 Corinthians 11:31-32; Ephesians 4:32; James 2:13).

“He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.” John 8:7

This is an important topic to say it lightly …. there are those who seek to impose a self-righteousness upon salvation …. and CHRIST Himself is lost in the mix and so anything in place of HIM is an idol. Read Colossians 1-2.

We must not lose site of CHRIST Himself in all our preaching about what He commanded (Colossians 2:18-19). The whole reason He came is so we could know Him and the Father – a truth seldom ever heard today (John 17:3).

THERE are some even well meaning people who misunderstand the things of God. They subtly place repentance before CHRIST Himself. Please listen closely and judge this against the whole counsel God’s Word: Repentance is utterly necessary to be saved (Luke 13:3, 5) and you know this is preached often here. Yet isn’t true repentance more a turning TO God than it is turning FROM sin?

“Ye Turned to God from Idols”

“For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye TURNED TO GOD from idols (sin) to serve the living and true God.” 1 Thessalonians 1:9

“You can never be sorry enough to be saved.” Lisa Seiler

Of this imbalance, one believer writes:

“Holiness is first and foremost agape love. Unconditional love for all, including enemies of us and enemies of God.  This over emphasis on repentance can make us the initiator and God the responder if we are not careful.  God is always the initiator.”

—- Overcoming sin and living a holy life begins with receiving the very mercy of God which each of us is so very desperately in need of. Many times, especially in some circles, God Himself gets left out of His own salvation plan. The chief purpose for which God sent His only begotten Son was so that we could “know” Him (John 17:3). Paul told us that knowing the LORD was his all-encompassing goal. Everything else (including a holy life) will follow (Philippians 3:7-14). THIS is what he pressed toward. An ever-deepening relationship with the LORD breeds or produces that holiness which is necessary (John 17:3; Hebrews 12:14; 1 Peter 1:15-16).

—- WITHOUT EXCEPTION, any person who repents, changes their whole lifestyle. If a person doesn’t worship and love and obey Christ, they have not repented.

“Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: 9 And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. 10 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.” Matthew 3:8-10

—- TRUE HOLINESS can only come by way of knowing CHRIST. There is a true and therefore a false or counterfeit holiness. “True holiness” – Watch this:

“And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and TRUE HOLINESS.” Ephesians 4:23-24

Remember how Jesus said that the self-righteous religionists had a false form of godliness as they cleaned the outside of the cup and neglected the inside – knowing Him in their hearts and therefore yielding the fruit of “true holiness.” (Matthew 23:23-25; Ephesians 4:24)

—– If we are preaching and not personally ever deepening our fellowship with our LORD, we can easily fall into this trap and imbalance. This is the sin of idolatry and while we may be busy calling everyone else to repent, God may be attempting to get our attention and lead us to repentance. Right? Like Mary, we must make sitting at His beautiful feet to know Him our highest priority around which all our life revolves (Luke 10:38-42).

Remember, Jesus says that without HIM we can do nothing at all to please God and that we are to LOVE the LORD with all our being (John 15:5; Matthew 22:37-39). Does He matter to us? Or, have we forgotten the One we claim to be serving?

“Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver.” Psalms 50:22

One comes before the other. Repentance saves no one – Only Christ can save. Repentance is the divine condition for knowing Him which is what saves us – He does. Yes He without exception requires repenting and when we hearken to His drawing and obey by repenting, HE saves us. We must be very careful about the subtle idolatry of displacing CHRIST Himself even with the preaching of the imperative of repentance (Luke 13:3, 5). Some become so very heavy handed on repentance that they themselves need to repent of their own imbalance due to their own need to actually repent. Repentance is clearly a gift also and only God Himself can draw the sinner to Himself (John 3:29; 6:44; 2 Timothy 2:24-26, etc.).

On judgment day Jesus didn’t say He was going to say to the counterfeits “Depart from me because you didn’t repent” but rather “Depart from me ye workers of iniquity, I never KNEW you.” (Matthew 7:21)

Relationship mean alot to God…. you know, the ONE who invented relationship? Please memorize John 17:3.

Some preach as though God hates sinners. They misunderstand and take out of context things from Psalms. If God hated sinners so much, why did He so love the world, including you and I, that He gave His only begotten Son to come to die for us “WHILE we were yet sinners”? (Romans 5:6-8)

Listen to Jesus:

“For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.” Luke 9:56

“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

Your input welcomed. I am simply attempting to prayerfully be in God’s will in this understanding.

Memorizing Titus 3:5-6 has greatly helped me understand the relationship between God and us, His people. Can anyone relate?

“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;” Titus 3:5-6

Will we give thanks today because WE have repented and obeyed OR because of the GREAT MERCY God showed to send His only begotten Son to die for OUR SINS and “while we were YET sinners”? (Romans 5:6-8) Oh and by the way, no man can possibly partake of the divine gift of repentance unless and until God blesses Him with that gift (John 3:29; 6:44; 2 Timothy 2:24-26, etc.).

“But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us…” Ephesians 2:4

Do you think that the patriarch Jacob could have understood a truth we also need to understand? When he really met with the LORD, here’s what he stated:

“I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which thou hast shewed unto thy servant; for with my staff I passed over this Jordan; and now I am become two bands.” Genesis 32:10

A holy life is the fruit of truly coming to HIM, repenting and putting our faith in Him … obedience doesn’t save, JESUS saves, amen? And when He saves a soul that soul will choose to abide (remain) or not and if he remains/abides in Christ, he will live a holy life. To GOD be that glory! John 15

“We love him, because he first loved us.” 1 John 4:19

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Abiding

The Harvest is Coming for all those Sowing the Seed of the Word [podcast]


The Joy and Expectation of Seed Sowing

What we sow, we can expect to reap (Galatians 6:7-8).

As we continue to sow the good, the incorruptible seed of God’s Word into the hearts of men, good news will continue to flow, will continue to be reaped – because God’s Word prospers in the thing where He sends it! See also 1 Peter 1:23.

“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 following song captures the need, the importance, and the urgency of reaching the lost souls around us:

Voices, by the band Harvest

Words and Music by Jerry Williams

Voices in the city, voices in the street.

Voices in each home across the land.

Voices in the churches, saying “Peace, be still.”

Where are all the voices in My fields?

Chorus:

Millions and millions dying.

Millions and millions crying.

Millions and millions don’t know who I am.

Children on the highways

Children on the run.

Mothers in the alley ways,

They’re killing all their sons.

The world is blinded in darkness.

I’ve given them the way.

Where are all My voices to lead them out today?

(Repeat chorus)

Where are the millions who love Me?

Where are the millions who say they know Me?

Where are the millions who’ll stand and follow Me?

Exactly where you are is part of “all the world.”

“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” Mark 16:15-16

Also, Jesus gives His Gospel as an ultimatum. Is Jesus intending that we bring the hearers of His Gospel to a decision? Seems like it. Read the passage again.

“So today I was driving through our town and saw a guy sitting on his porch reading a Jesus tract! Praise Jesus. I prayed that the words he was reading would be sealed in his heart! They are being left throughout our town. Everyday I put one on top of a newspaper stand. It is always gone next day! Seeds of God’s Word are being planted all over our town and will not return void! Isaiah 55:11. Hallelujah!” Karen Cochran

As Christ’s laborers our duty, getting the seed of our LORD’s Word into the hearts of the people, is of the utmost divine priority.

“The seed is the word of God.” Luke 8:11

Sinners are brought to Jesus, are born again, by way of the incorruptible seed of the Word of God being sown into their hearts.

“Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” 1 Peter 2:23

When His seed is sown, God can bring the increase of conviction, drawing, and salvation (John 12:32; Romans 1:16, etc.).

“I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. 7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. 8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. 9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.” 1 Corinthians 3:6-9

The conversion of the soul to Christ comes by way of the Word of God.

“The law (Word) of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.” Psalm 19:7 

What’s the future look like for those who sow, plant God’s Word in the hearts of men?

“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 (harvest) with him.” Psalms 126:5-6

“Just letting you know I’ve been putting those JESUS tracts in empty gym lockers when I go to the gym and praying that God’s Spirit moves on the hearts of the people that get one! And as you know He can do it! Have a Blessed Day.” Laurie Cox

Read, download the print-ready pdf of the JESUS tract here. 

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:58

“1 Corinthians 15: 58. This verse is for all of us who labor for the Lord. We are to be unshakable. Letting nothing move us from the hope of the gospel. We are servants of Christ ever ‘abounding in the work of the Lord.’ Abounding in the furthering of the gospel. Our labor ‘in the Lord’ will be rewarded. Yesterday the Lord gave me a small reward seeing that man sitting on his porch reading the Jesus tract. And since we are laborers together it is a small reward for all of us! We, each member of Christ’s body, the world over, are team Jesus! And He is our eternal reward! We shall be with Him forever in the New Jerusalem!” Karen Cochran

“For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. 11 And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: 12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” Hebrews 6:10-12 

YOUR PRAYER: Heavenly Father, You sent Your only begotten Son to rescue, to forgive, to save me. If You can find and save me, You can find and save anyone! Please prepare and use me LORD Jesus. Into Thy holy hands I here and now submit my spirit to Thee dear LORD. I love You Jesus. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Support | STORE | Podcasts | Jail/Prison MinistryMexico Mission here | All Ministry Updates | Evangelism | Jesus, Light of the WordCompassion in Light of Christ’s Soon ReturnStriving Together for the Faith of the Gospel [podcast] | Prepared to be Used of God | The Return of ChristChrist’s Compassion Audio | Our Approach to the LostKindness is a Soul Winning Weapon Stop Sinning? Really? How? | Angry Street Preacher Warning

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Articles

“The Supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ” [podcast]


Don’t Miss This Blessing!

EVER Seen This Verse? Just Wow! PRAYERS appropriate the divine fuel from Heaven saints!!!! Check out this verse! Please hit SHARE to bless Christ’s body!

Do we even begin to realize the profound and immeasurable potential that lies in the power link of prayer? Jesus Christ is forever at His Father’s right hand making intercession for all of His beloved people (Heb. 7:24-25; 10:19-22).

Okay are you ready for a truth that is going to change your life forever? Read the following Bible verse slowly and for all it’s worth, drinking it in:

“For I know that this shall turn to my salvation (blessings, deliverance, and provision) through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:19

Whatever you do today, grab this Bible verse which will then be with you all your days!

In speaking to Christian people he was in fellowship with, this disciple of Jesus – no different than you and I – said that it was “through your prayer” that “the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ” was given to him in his life! Did you catch that?!

How does the LORD bless His people when we pray for them? Is it not by giving them a greater portion and measure of “the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ”?

LIFE CHANGING NUGGET FROM GOD’S WORD

How many of us are thrilled that “the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ” comes upon us by way of, as a result of the prayers of His saints? Wow!

Let’s read it again:

“For I know that this shall turn to my salvation (deliverance, safety, blessings) through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,” Philippians 1:19

Did you realize that the person or people you pray for are given a fresh and greater portion of “the Spirit of Jesus Christ”? According to this insightful truth out of the Holy Spirit inspired pen of the apostle Paul, the Father in Heaven blesses those we lift in prayer with the blessed Person and work of the Holy Spirit. “The spirit of Jesus Christ” is dispensed and poured out into the hearts and lives of those we pray for! This is what Paul told us was happening to him as the saints prayed for him.

Prayerlessness is Sin

Make no mistake, prayerlessness is a sin. Prayerlessness is direct disobedience to the command of God. Prayerlessness is a manifestation of faithlessness. Prayerlessness is the epitome of self-trust and self-dependency. Prayerlessness is the rejection of God in your life – the refusal to trust Him (Matthew 26:41).

“Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:41

YOUR PRAYER LIFE IS A CLEAR MEASURE OF HOW MUCH YOU LOVE GOD-OR NOT. love, to seek, to worship, and to trust Him. No need to seek God in prayer when pride and self-sufficiency reign on the throne of one’s heart.

The power of God working in us will be according to that which comes into us as we pray (Matthew 26:41).

PRAYER: Father in Heaven, in the name of Jesus, please forgive me for taking prayer communion, supplications (humble requests), praying for others, and prayer requests for granted. Forgive me also for the sin of prayerlessness and for not lifting others in prayer more. Thank You LORD for the unspeakable, incredible blessing of prayer. Your perfect sacrificial blood on that cross made our access to the Father possible and speaks for Your people in Heaven right now and forevermore! Jesus, please bless Your people to be faithful to request those things You have revealed in Your Word for each other! Thank You Father for pouring out Your Holy Spirit upon Your people afresh this hour and also every time we lift each other to You in prayer! Thank You right now for the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ being poured out on Your beloved people. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

More on Prayer here.Support | STORE | | PodcastsThe Greatest of these is CharityBe Ready in the Morning [podcast]The Sure Mercies of David [podcast]That Repentance and Remission of Sins should be Preached [podcast]At His Feet

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Articles

“I Love You Son” [podcast]


THIS WILL GIVE YOU CHILLS: (author unknown)

“I LOVE YOU SON”

AFTER A FEW OF THE USUAL SUNDAY EVENING HYMNS,

THE CHURCH’S PASTOR SLOWLY STOOD UP,

WALKED OVER TO THE PULPIT AND,

BEFORE HE GAVE HIS SERMON FOR THE EVENING,

HE BRIEFLY INTRODUCED A GUEST MINISTER

WHO WAS IN THE SERVICE THAT EVENING.

IN THE INTRODUCTION, THE PASTOR TOLD THE

CONGREGATION THAT THE GUEST MINISTER WAS

ONE OF HIS DEAREST CHILDHOOD FRIENDS AND

THAT HE WANTED HIM TO HAVE A FEW MOMENTS

TO GREET THE CHURCH AND SHARE WHATEVER

HE FELT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE FOR THE SERVICE.

WITH THAT, AN ELDERLY MAN STEPPED UP TO THE

PULPIT AND BEGAN TO SPEAK.

“A FATHER, HIS SON, AND A FRIEND OF HIS SON WERE

SAILING OFF THE PACIFIC COAST,” HE BEGAN.

“WHEN A FAST APPROACHING STORM BLOCKED ANY

ATTEMPT TO GET BACK TO THE SHORE.

THE WAVES WERE SO HIGH, THAT EVEN THOUGH THE

FATHER WAS AN EXPERIENCED SAILOR, HE COULD NOT

KEEP THE BOAT UPRIGHT AND THE THREE WERE SWEPT

INTO THE OCEAN AS THE BOAT CAPSIZED.”

THE OLD MAN HESITATED FOR A MOMENT,

MAKING EYE CONTACT WITH TWO TEENAGERS WHO WERE,

FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE SERVICE BEGAN,

LOOKING SOMEWHAT INTERESTED IN HIS STORY.

THE AGED MINISTER CONTINUED WITH HIS STORY,

“GRABBING A RESCUE LINE, THE FATHER HAD TO MAKE THE

MOST EXCRUCIATING DECISION OF HIS LIFE: TO WHICH BOY

WOULD HE THROW THE OTHER END OF THE LIFE LINE.

HE ONLY HAD SECONDS TO MAKE THE DECISION.

THE FATHER KNEW THAT HIS SON WAS A CHRISTIAN AND

HE, ALSO, KNEW THAT HIS SON’S FRIEND WAS NOT.

THE AGONY OF HIS DECISION COULD NOT BE MATCHED BY

THE TORRENT OF WAVES.

AS THE FATHER YELLED OUT, ‘I LOVE YOU, SON!’

HE THREW OUT THE LIFE LINE TO HIS SON’S FRIEND.

BY THE TIME THE FATHER HAD PULLED THE FRIEND BACK

TO THE CAPSIZED BOAT, HIS SON HAD DISAPPEARED BENEATH

THE RAGING SWELLS INTO THE BLACK OF NIGHT.

HIS BODY WAS NEVER RECOVERED.

BY THIS TIME, THE TWO TEENAGERS WERE SITTING UP

STRAIGHT IN THE PEW, ANXIOUSLY WAITING FOR THE NEXT

WORDS TO COME OUT OF THE OLD MINISTER’S MOUTH.

“THE FATHER,” HE CONTINUED, “KNEW HIS SON WOULD

STEP INTO ETERNITY WITH JESUS AND HE COULD NOT

BEAR THE THOUGHT OF HIS SON’S FRIEND STEPPING INTO

AN ETERNITY WITHOUT JESUS. THEREFORE, HE SACRIFICED

HIS SON TO SAVE THE SON’S FRIEND.”

HOW GREAT IS THE LOVE OF GOD THAT HE SHOULD DO THE

SAME FOR US. OUR HEAVENLY FATHER SACRIFICED HIS ONLY

BEGOTTEN SON THAT WE COULD BE SAVED. I URGE YOU TO

ACCEPT HIS OFFER TO RESCUE YOU AND TAKE A HOLD OF THE

LIFE LINE HE IS THROWING OUT TO YOU IN THIS SERVICE.”

WITH THAT, THE OLD MAN TURNED AND SAT BACK DOWN IN

HIS CHAIR AS SILENCE FILLED THE ROOM.

THE PASTOR AGAIN WALKED SLOWLY TO THE PULPIT AND

DELIVERED A BRIEF SERMON WITH AN INVITATION AT THE

END. HOWEVER, NO ONE RESPONDED TO THE APPEAL.

WITHIN MINUTES AFTER THE SERVICE ENDED, THE TWO

TEENAGERS WERE AT THE OLD MAN’S SIDE.

“THAT WAS A NICE STORY,” POLITELY STATED ONE OF

THEM, “BUT I DON’T THINK IT WAS VERY REALISTIC FOR A

FATHER TO GIVE UP HIS ONLY SON’S LIFE IN HOPES THAT

THE OTHER BOY WOULD BECOME A CHRISTIAN.”

“WELL, YOU’VE GOT A POINT THERE,” THE OLD MAN REPLIED,

GLANCING DOWN AT HIS WORN BIBLE. A BIG SMILE BROADENED

HIS NARROW FACE. HE ONCE AGAIN LOOKED UP AT THE BOYS

AND SAID, “IT SURE ISN’T VERY REALISTIC, IS IT? BUT,

I’M STANDING HERE TODAY TO TELL YOU THAT STORY GIVES

ME A GLIMPSE OF WHAT IT MUST HAVE BEEN LIKE FOR GOD

TO GIVE UP HIS SON FOR ME.

YOU SEE…

I WAS THAT FATHER AND YOUR PASTOR IS MY SON’S FRIEND.”


Making Peace with God | Fresh Start with God TODAY!

Support | STORE | Podcasts | ParentsFamily | Godly Manhood | WomenChristology | Because You Care Page | The Greatest of these is CharityBe Ready in the Morning [podcast]The Sure Mercies of David [podcast]That Repentance and Remission of Sins should be Preached [podcast]At His Feet | Prepared to be Used of God The Damning Myth of Unconditional Eternal Security [podcast]The Essential of Fearing God | The KING is Coming [podcast] |

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