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If we desire, if we want God to use us publicly, we must see Him privately.

If you want God to fill you overflowing where those blessings of His holy presence, His grace, mercy, truth, love, joy, and peace spill, gush over upon those around you ….. you have to anchor your life in daily communion with the LORD – waking each morning to seek the face of the LORD in His Word and prayer communion. Those who are serious about, with the LORD place HIM first each day – as they arise to praise Him, to thank Him, to study His Word and spend quality moments with Him in prayer. Everyone else professing to be saved is or has already backslidden and is in need of repentance.

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

Maintaining, anchoring our lives at His holy feet.

“Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.” Job 13:15 

Job had just lost all of his children and yet held fast his integrity toward the LORD. He would not allow his wife, his friends, or any other circumstance or entity sway his thoughts. This was a man with a real relationship with the living God – one not based on circumstance. First, foremost, and separate from all else, Job loved and worshipped the LORD with his whole heart.

We must come to the place where our LORD alone is our ultimate fulfillment. If there was no healing, housing, financial blessings, or any benefit outside of knowing Him, would we be content with just having God? Let us pray for the Holy Spirit to reveal any idolatry or spiritual adultery (lusts or love of the world) to our own hearts that the very reason for our perpetual existence is to get to know Jesus Christ our Creator and Savior.

“That I may know him…” Philippians 3:10  

The LORD makes His purpose for man abundantly clear in Scripture from his very creation in the Garden – fellowship. We still live in God’s garden and this is for the reason of getting to know the One who created us in His image. All of our learning and teaching should be rooted in this paramount fact: THE CHIEF END OF OUR EXISTENCE IS TO KNOW HIM and all things come from, through and to Jesus Christ, the Almighty God of all that is (Rom. 11:36; 14:9; Col. 1:15-17; Rev. 1:8). It is not enough to know about Him – we must know Him.

Much of the preaching here in America is missing the mark of perfection, because it does not center on this predominant Biblical truth – knowing Him. Often, doctrines of secondary importance are excessively and unduly tended to, such as self-help programs, monetary prosperity, physical healing, etc. None of these can prevent one from going to eternal perdition, but knowing Him can and will.

Is it enough to know the Word of God? Or must we get to know the God of the Word? Many of America’s so-called Christian colleges/institutions major in blackboard theory about God, while almost completely neglecting the intimate knowledge that He created us for.

This defective philosophy is thus doled out to many, at the local level, through those who have been led to believe this error and imbalance in these institutions. The LORD would have us to seek His face daily and that there be an ongoing experience of fellowship. Theorizing about God is what religion does, true disciples are to walk in the Spirit, communing with the God who made us and saved us, for truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.” (1 Jn. 1:3)

God’s stated purpose for creating man is anchored in the words of the Son of God:

“And this is life eternal, THAT THEY MIGHT KNOW THEE the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent.” John 17:3

The Humble Posture God Requires

Mary sought the fellowship of Jesus. She sat at His holy feet. This is the fitting posture for the creation – to sit at the feet of His Maker and Redeemer and drink from the cup of His infinite wisdom, learning of and leaning fully upon Him.

This is the very reason that Jesus came to the earth – so that we could get to know God, starting now, and extending throughout eternity. Recall what Jesus said concerning His assessment of Mary and Martha (Luke 10:38-42). He was well pleased with Mary because she took time to commune with Him and He took time to note this for us. Mary left the things of this fleeting world to come apart with her permanent Savior. She was building a relationship with Him and following His precise design for her existence. We would do well to take a fresh, PRAYERFUL look at this passage.

Contrasting Martha and Mary

“Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. 40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. 41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: 42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:38-42 

Notice, in this recorded scenario, that Jesus paid a visit to Mary and Martha’s home. He found one working for Him and the other simply worshiping Him. 

Marysat at Jesus’ feet, and heard His word. But Martha was cumbered (consumed) about much serving…” Luke 10:39-40

It was not necessarily sinful for Martha to be laboring physically, but Jesus said that sitting at His feet was better – “that good part”. God did not create man to work for Him, but rather to worship Him. Of course we know that physical work is God-ordained and laziness is a sin, yet there is a divine priority system in place. The physical things of this life have their rightful place in our lives, but when we are excessively enmeshed with activities and mere things, while neglecting our intimacy with God, we should be convicted of possessing misdirected and sinful priorities of the heart. Mary found contentment with the Person of Jesus Christ, while Martha insisted on being overly entangled with her earthly activities – she no doubt denied the movement of the Spirit in her heart in leading her to the Savior’s feet. Martha wallowed in the temporal, while Mary relished and clung to the eternal – her relationship with our LORD.

What is the current level of fruitfulness in your life?

“And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.” Mark 4:19

Does your life presently reflect that of Mary or Martha? As Jesus looks upon your life, does He find you endlessly caught up in a whirlwind of frivolity/pettiness, and materialism, OR, settled, at His feet – getting to know Him and learning to love Him supremely? 

“But one thing is needful: and MARY HATH CHOSEN that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:42

In Scripture, Mary is always seen at Jesus’ feet:   

“Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down AT HIS FEET…” John 11:32

“Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and ANOINTED THE FEET OF JESUS, and WIPED HIS FEET with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.” John 12:3

Mary was obedient to the original intent of the Most High in making man. She was blessed with much grace, due to humbling herself at the feet of Jesus. This we see and know because the wisdom of God says “But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.” (James 4:6-8)

It is truly amazing how those seemingly difficult “mountains” of this life become reduced to mere mold hills when and as we spend intimate moments seeking our Lord. As we “submit” ourselves wholly to Him, we are enabled by His mighty power to “resist the devil” and he must “flee.”

“Sitting at the feet of Jesus is where we need to be. Many people like being Martha’s. Martha’s get praise because they are seen as working for the Lord. In any church I was ever in the ones doing the work received the most praise. But Mary’s do not get recognized! Most Christians do not want to surrender all of themselves. Or be humbled to sit at the feet of Jesus. But this is where you find Jesus. Take your alabaster box and sit at His feet! Give Him all your pain, tears, shame, guilt, fears. Pour your heart out to our loving Savior. Surrender all. He has promised to be nigh to the broken hearted. And to save those of a contrite spirit. Psalm 34:18 If you seek Him with your whole heart He promises you will find Him! Jeremiah 29:13.” Karen Cochran

Obviously, the Garden of Eden was a private or secret place reserved/created as a cocoon for Adam, Eve, and God. This was for God’s design – intimacy. This insight may be broadened and supported by Psalms 91:1 and Matthew 6:6.

In prayer if God is not reaching my heart and me His, I am not praying (but playing). Prayer, simply put, is communion with God. Prayer is embarking upon a journey in the spirit to know God in a deeper dimension, accessing the holy throne of His presence through the blood of Jesus. It is not enough for us to conquer our prayer directive or journal/list of requests, we must experience God when we seal yourself off from the world and unto Him. We must seek to hear His voice, to be drawn closer to Him.

The person who elects to sit at the Savior’s feet, in private communion, comes into agreement with Him and His divine purposes. Such a person is conforming to the very purpose for his existence and that for which Christ came to earth. To sit at his feet, is simply to get to know Him through prayer communion. 

What words could possibly begin to hint of the unfathomable and “so great salvation” His precious blood has provided for us! (Heb. 2:3)

“O taste (experience) and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.” Psalms 34:8

The experience of knowing God will relieve one of his taste for this fleeting, soon-to-be-renovated world. The heart of the diligent seeker who hungers for the holy presence of our Lord will be as a hot-air balloon, which when loosed from its shackles, will soar upward where it belongs, seated together with Christ in heavenly places (Eph. 2:6). The one who is consumed with the knowing Christ will sever his ties with that which holds him bound to the earthly and truly commune with Him at the throne of His glorious grace (Heb. 4:14-16)

Christ has made us fit to be accepted in the Father through the shedding of His sinless blood.

“To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.” Ephesians 1:6

It is certain that we can do nothing to merit the love of God by human effort. His love was poured out at Calvary and is the gift bestowed upon us who have believed upon Him unto eternal life. Our communion with Him is simply a desire after the fact/of His love and He promised to fill all those who “hunger and thirst after righteousness.” (Matt. 5:6). Our identity is in Jesus Christ who is our Maker and Redeemer.

“A glorious high throne from the beginning is the place of our sanctuary.” Jeremiah 17:12

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Articles

The Joy of Seed Sowing

“While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.” Genesis 8:22

Always remember, there must be a seed sown before there can be a crop reaped.

BEFORE Jesus saved me, He had several of His people along the way drop His precious Word into my sin-darkened, alienated heart. Read Ephesians 2. Wow.

“Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:” Ephesians 4:18

Some of this Gospel action from God’s people toward me, included the tangible, the printed page. These things all culminated into His saving me into His glorious kingdom (Isaiah 55:11).

“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

How about you? What was the process of our LORD saving you? Who did He use? How did they sow His seed into your life.

Think about how when we plant a seed in the ground. Do we plant that seed and stand back and expect to see the plant begin to rise up out of the ground? No. Jesus spoke of this very thing.

“As I was reading this article I was reminded of a time when I was at my Dad’s retirement home. And I went and spread Jesus tracts all throughout the home. They had a sanctuary which looked to be mostly Catholic. With rosary beads and a Catholic Bible. So I especially targeted this place. The next time I went back, I looked in the sanctuary, and saw, on one of the chairs, a lady’s sweater and a Jesus tract. But what really stuck out was how tattered this Jesus tract was! Apparently, she had been carrying it around with her for some time. All I did was plant not knowing what God would do! It was getting into the heart of this lady and was she then being used to spread more seeds? I was not blessed to meet this women but from the way this tract looked it was something she carried with her and treasured!” Karen Cochran

The Parable of the Seed Growing

Mark 4:26-29

“26  And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; 
27  And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how
28  For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. 
29  But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.” 

We don’t know how a seed turns into a plant and a crop. We just plant them and go to bed knowing they will produce the desired outcome (crop), right? Isn’t that the same faith we should have when we plant God’s Word in the hearts and minds of people?

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

May God bless each of us to prayerfully and faithfully plant that seed of God’s Word beloved. God’s Word is the seed of salvation (Romans 1:16; 1 Peter 1:23). Just like the ground when a seed is planted into it. GOD will do the rest as we simply, lovingly, wisely, plant His precious truth into the hearts of those around us.

Speaking of such…. Yesterday, I gave a copy of the Moments with Our Master book to a dear young couple (they are about 18). This daily devotional comes in a dark or light cover. I asked if they like to read. As most people, they answered in the affirmative. Then I asked if I could gift them with a book. Most people won’t turn down a free gift, right? Right. She was given the lighter cover version and he the darker. As usual I opened the book (anywhere) and told them that “there is a Scripture at the top, a few words and then a prayer. One devotional for each day of the year.” Show and tell. I encouraged them by saying “this is a great way to start your day.” God was working.

Everyone on earth is being influenced by others on earth and it’s our calling from God to influence people toward Him.

“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

Personally, I love stopping by the thrift stores and finding every King James Bible they have. Great investment and it equips  you to be armed and dangerous. Also, I like carrying, always, Scripture-rich resources. God will quicken. By doing these things (equipping) you are showing in earnest to the LORD that you want Him to use you.

“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

Keep in mind that sowing the seed of God’s Word IS 100% a Great Commission operation and anyone participating in any fashion is obeying God and laying up treasure in glory – as He instructed you to do (1 Samuel 30:24; Matthew 6:19-21; John 4:36; 1 Corinthians 3:6-9, etc.). Perhaps you’d consider to not only buy yourself a supply of printed page materials for ministry but also supply another saint  with the same. King James Bible.

“So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” Psalms 90:12

YOUR PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You so much for Your every blessing and for finding me in my sin and saving me into Your family by the blood of Christ my LORD. Please sanctify and use us for Your eternal glory. I love You Jesus. Please now fill me with the Holy Spirit and wisdom and open doors for me to sow the seed of Your Word in this late hour as we eagerly expect Your soon return. In Jesus’ Name.

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Abiding

The Good Shepherd and His True Sheep [podcast]


“Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant …” Hebrews 13:20

“To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.” John 10:3 

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28 and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.” John 10:27-29

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7 ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. 9 But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.

10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, 11 persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.” 2 Timothy 3:1-13

And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. 25 For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?” Luke 9:23-25

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Abiding

“He that Loveth Pureness of Heart” [podcast]


IS YOUR HEART PURE BEFORE THE ALMIGHTY BELOVED?

DO I truly love “pureness of heart”?

“HE THAT LOVETH PURENESS OF HEART, for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend.” Proverbs 22:11

Without a pure heart, obtained from seeking, worshiping, knowing, and obey God …. no one “shall see God.” Not one.

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

If you or I have every word of the Bible memorized and die today with a heart that is defiled with sin, we’d bust hell wide open – and be trapped there irrevocably forever.

TODAY is our day, it’s your day, to throw up those hands and that heart to the LORD who made you, and cry out to Him to grant you a pure heart, one that is innocent, clean, washed, delighting in Him.

“Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” Psalms 37:4

When the LORD is truly working in a man, that man is learning to love “pureness of heart.”

He that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend.” Proverbs 22:11

Coming and continuing to come to the light is essential to final salvation.

“And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.” John 3:19-21

Choosing the Fear of the LORD

WE must surround ourselves with the Word, the people, the praises of our God! FLOOD your ear and eye gates beloved (Proverbs 4:23). Jesus is coming.

“But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.” John 3:21

Coming clean: To be sanctified by Christ, one must repent and believe upon Him. As the LORD works in them, there will be the response of honesty, humble repentance and a coming to the light, continually. If not, judgment will be incurred (Isaiah 1:19-20).

“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” Proverbs 28:13

Those who cover instead of bring their depraved hearts into the light to have them changed and cleansed by the LORD, “shall not prosper.” In other words, they are stifled. Those who remain humble, teachable, correctable, rebukeable, and obedient, will receive divine mercy perpetually.

“God shall hear, and afflict them, even he that abideth of old. Selah. Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God.” Psalms 55:19 

Those who refuse to “choose the fear of the LORD” have no changes in their lives.

“For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:” Proverbs 1:29

Psalms 73

“Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand. 24  Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. 25  Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. 26  My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. 27  For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee. 28  But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.” Psalms 73:23-28 

Drawing Nigh (close) to God Afresh

“But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. 7  Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8  Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. 9  Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. 10  Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” James 4:6-10 

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