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“Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and IF HE REPENT, forgive him. 4 And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.” Luke 17:3-4

Though we should forgive from our hearts those who harm us, forgiving seems to be spoken of here as concerning bringing them back into fellowship. It’s one thing to forgive someone in your heart and another thing to continue to spend time and energy on a relationship with them.

Of this passage, John Wesley wrote:

“If he sin against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day return, saying, I repent – That is, if he give sufficient proof that he does really repent, after having sinned ever so often, receive him just as if he had never sinned against thee. But this forgiveness is due only to real penitents. In a lower sense we are to forgive all, penitent or impenitent; (so as to bear them the sincerest good will, and to do them all the good we can;) and that not seven times only, but seventy times seven.”

Wondering about reconciling with someone? You will know when someone should be back in your life when they truly repent and openly confess their sins before the LORD and their offence against you. And, until they do this, you can know they have not repented before the LORD. WHEN they truly repent before the LORD, He will send them back to you to sincerely admit they were wrong. Fruit. 

God requires that we forgive and yet, He also instructed us not to give our pearls to the swine – don’t put yourself in harms way unnecessarily by remaining in fellowship with those who have not truly repented and therefore are under the influence, the control of and operate according to the agenda of their father, the devil – to steal, to kill, and to destroy (Mark 11:25-26; Matthew 7:6; John 10:10).

“Neither give place to the devil.” Ephesians 4:27

God’s Word commands us to forgive and yet, this is qualified. That’s not all it says.

QUESTION RECEIVED:

“Are we to still forgive them even if they never repent to God or apologize to us? What is true forgiveness? The world has their ways but I want to know what it really looks like.”

REPLY:

Yes we must forgive and yet, receiving them back into our lives seems to be another issue.

We must of necessity view all things from the full counsel of God’s Word. Remember: It was the LOVE and MERCY manifested to the unrepentant fornicator which was the goodness of God which led him to repentance, lest he perish irrevocably in hell.

In Luke 17, Jesus seems to teach that we are not to let some offending brother back until they repent. He is not to be shown the LORD’s acceptance until he truly repents and that will always bring forth making amends with those he’s offended (fruit). Offending one of God’s children is punishable by eternal damnation:

“Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come! 2 It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.” Luke 17:1-2

This teaching from our LORD seems to coincide with His teaching about not giving that which is holy to dogs (Matthew 7:6). Church Discipline

Forgive unconditionally from the heart yes and yet there’s the Luke 17:1-4 teaching.

PERHAPS we should today consider that God is attempting to protect His children. Following His wisdom, His Word, will do just that (Proverbs 30:5). Those who allow a swine, a heretic, to remain in close range, will again be stabbed in the back by that swine (Matthew 7:6; Titus 3:10). Swine – unrepentant evil doers are to be rejected (Titus 3:10). In this life, there are people you will have to forgive and also, to get out of your life, to keep them at a distance. Beware of the Swine

“Years ago I was hurt by a certain person, and when I found myself in a prayer meeting with that one lady I felt I should ask her for forgiveness if I had offended her someway and the Lord spoke clearly and immediately, saying, ‘Do not cast your pearls before swine’ and stopped me seconds before I asked.” Anita A.

Perhaps we can say that if we forgive too early, we may hurt someone – prevent them getting right with God due to the divine working of repentance not being able to take its full course.

“Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. 10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.” 2 Corinthians 7:9-10

Repentance is a yielding to the conviction of the Spirit upon our conscience. Repentance is a work of God and yet GOD requires that we hearken to it. Repentance is an absolute work of God and yes He made it an essential (Luke 13:3, 5, etc.). Repentance is the very first word of the Gospel (Matthew 3:2; 4:17; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 17:30-31, etc.).

“True repentance is actually speaking of firstly an internal change more than outward expression or external change of behavior.”

The inward change by the working of the Spirit of God will always bring the fruit of that change on the outward (Matthew 3:7-10). In this case that would bring forth the fruit of an apology, readily confessing ones sin, wrongdoing – a leaving of ones gift before the altar until things are cleared up (Matthew 5:23-24; James 5:16).

“Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. 10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.” 2 Corinthians 7:9-10 

Repentance is a gift and yet that gift must be received and CAN be rejected:

“And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, 25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will GIVE (it’s a gift) them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.” 2 Timothy 2:24-26 

Remember, when someone sins against God by deliberately harming a one of God’s people, it’s only because their own heart is not right with God.

The consequences for harming one of Christ’s people is severe and will be eternally irrevocably if that sinning soul isn’t brought to repentance. Jesus issues this severe warning:

“But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.” Matthew 18:6 

When a professing believer wrongs you, this is no excuse to retain hatred in your heart toward them even though there’s a separation and before there’s a reconciliation or restoring of fellowship. God will not forgive us lest we forgive others from our hearts (Matthew 6:14-16; 18:21-35; Mark 11:25-25).

God is not going to bless our lives unless we are willing to sincerely admit our sins, repent and confess them, and make amends (restitution) with anyone we’ve harmed (Proverbs 28:13). In the divine economy, there’s no such thing as being right with God when you’ve done another person wrong, haven’t repented, and haven’t made amends for what you’ve done. Such a person will be outside of the will and blessings of God until he makes things right with God and man (Matthew 5:23-24; 7:12; 22:37-39).

God will not answer the prayer of any person who does not honor and obey His Word and if a person has an outstanding offense He wants them to clear up these matters (Proverbs 28:9, 13).

The LORD requires that His people “examine” and “judge” themselves.

“Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?   2 Corinthians 13:5

Examine and honest judge yourself and amend your ways or God will judge you.

“For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.” 1 Corinthians 11:31-32

Divine wisdom and mercy would have the offending, backslidden believer to be restored and He has chosen His people to be His “ministers of reconciliation” in such matters due to desiring that none should perish (2 Corinthians 5:18; 2 Peter 3:9).

When the believer forgives and restores an unrepentant sinning saint, giving that approval, they short circuit the repentance needed in the offending party and without which God will not forgive them. So, they stand in danger of hell fire.

Also, when we restore a departed saint who has not truly repented before God and rendered the fruit of true repentance by sincerely admitting and apologizing to us, we bring a “swine” back into our lives who will certainly stab us in the back again (Matthew 7:6). Jesus instructed us not to do this.

When you allow an offending person back into your life without them having truly repent and show that by their fruits, you have brought a swine in to wreak more havoc.

If you seek to reconcile with someone who has clearly attacked you without their real, sincere repentance before God and confession to you of their wrong doing, it’s just going to be a patch job that will again end tragically. They are still a “swine” until after they hearken to the LORD’s conviction and repent.

Jesus instructed us:

“Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.” Matthew 7:6

“Wait, the Bible says we must forgive no matter what.”

Good point. Can we seek to sort this out as we seek out the whole counsel of Scripture? Jesus says:

“So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.” Matthew 18:35 

This is in context with a man who was wronged and humbling asking for forgiveness. Read Matthew 18:21-35 for the context.

Are we to forgive no matter what or are we to forgive freely, unlimited those who truly repent? Perhaps “forgive” in this context below is dealing with restoring that person back to fellowship.

“IF he repent”

“Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and IF HE REPENT, forgive him. 4 And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.” Luke 17:3-4

The words of Jesus immediately preceding the above passage are very important….

“Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come! 2 It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.” Luke 17:1-2 

The LORD is a God of Restoration!God’s Desire to have Unity Among the Brethren

Subverted Hereticks [podcast]

WHY Christians Sin and the Only Solution

The Miracle Working Power of God Manifesting in Your Daily Life [podcast]

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Abiding

Are You Bless-able? English and Spanish [podcast]


Who is Going to be “Blessed”?

“A FAITHFUL MAN shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.” Proverbs 28:20

Like it or not, God has conditions to appropriate His blessings. Rebels hate this reality because they despise personal accountability, personal responsibility. Their rebellion changes nothing. Either repent, be saved, and walk humbly with Christ, or lose your soul for eternity in hell (Mark 8:34-38).

True followers of Jesus are doing the work of the Gospel, are diligent, are “not slothful,” and “inherit” “the promises” of God “through faith and patience.”

“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

In the New Testament, we don’t ever see disciples of Christ spending all kinds of time singing praise songs, numbing themselves out, etc. No, when the Holy Spirit truly fills a believer, it’s to be a witness of Christ and that person is sent out.

Jesus dwells large only in those who practically obey Him and not those just trying to get an emotional fix by soaking in a building in a “revival.”

“And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, 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

Are We Bless-able?

“It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35

Have you given God your life?

“So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:33

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Articles

Mexico Mission Momentum Part 41

The first shipment of Spanish Bibles has arrived!!!


A staggering miracle has befallen Maria’s precious life and she still can’t believe it!

ALL because YOU have said “YES JESUS, I am going to lift this beloved sister in Christ, this laborer for our LORD in prayer…. and you are giving to help her!

You my friend are guilty of delivering glory to God and a death blow to the enemy of all souls!

We are now finding out that Maria works and 3 different locations each day. This is how she is able to distribute hundreds of JESUS tracts daily.

When Jesus says “I will build my church” He was not speaking about collecting money to build physical buildings. That came in with the pagan catholic church hundreds of years later. No, Jesus was speaking of building His kingdom in the hearts of men, beginning with the revelation that He is the Messiah (Matthew 16:18).

If the money you give isn’t going directly into the Great Commission Jesus gave us, you are wasting your giving (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-20).

Building up Gospel laboring fruit-filled diligent disciples such as Juan and Maria, is building Christ’s church! Oil the wheels that roll!

“The blessed word says that freely we receive, freely we give. For from His fullness we all receive grace upon grace, blessing upon blessing, brother. So Paul said, ‘Woe to me if I do not do it!’ Then we must do the Great Commission that God gave us for His honor and glory.” Juan

Juan and Maria are being continually tended to, supported with prayer etc.

Brother Mark went to spend some time with sister Maria for the first time and found out she needs a new cell phone. So, we bought her one……..

Maria is a widow and works 3 different “jobs” that are tips only. Her rental is $100 per month. She only told us this information because we asked her. Maybe someone would be prompted to begin paying sister Maria’s rent? God is able amen.

“That we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.”

We’ve been meeting with brother Juan and sister Maria regularly, sometimes daily.

“We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.” 3 John 8

Spiritually and supply wise, refreshing and re-stocking these disciples (and others) is our part, our opportunity and privilege. And you have been a big part of this saints. Your prayer and support have been and are vital.

Recently restocked brother Juan and brought Maria about 2k tracts last night

She was elated.

Your prayers and support are making this possible.

“I will never cease to be amazed by how hungry these people are for God! From all the pictures it looks like they begin to read the Jesus tract as soon as they receive it! In America, it’s very hard to find people who truly want Jesus because they are rich and in need of nothing and have no idea how wretched, miserable, poor, and blind they are. Rev 3:17. Including those so-called Christians! Who just try to put Jesus over their filthy rags! Nothing but dead religion. Yet they believe they are good and will be in heaven, when inside they are white-washed tombs. It’s refreshing to see the hunger of the beloved Mexico people! Thank you for sharing all these stories of how the Lord is touching hearts! Blessed to be a small part of this ministry.” Karen Cochran | Mission Mexico

Your prayers and support are going a long way to help Mission Mexico!!

The Bibles God’s people sent just arrived and will be distributed to incarcerated Mexicans soon.

The JESUS tract is being distributed daily by the hundreds with the Word of God spoken in those exchanges.

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

“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.” Hebrews 6:10

Please allow me to remind you … that your prayers and financial fuel are essential to what is going on here and each of Christ’s disciples shall be rewarded equally, fully—no matter what part they play! 1 Samuel 30:24

Recently I became desperate as the need for financial supply dropped like a bless-ed bomb within a short window of time. Instead of trusting I panicked instead of taking it to the LORD and trusting Him. The reception of Juan and Maria has been earth shaking, a type of sign from God that He loves and desires to save the bless-ed and beautiful people of Mexico. America has rejected the LORD saints.

“And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.” Matthew 10:14

Can you even believe that our LORD is using us, you and I and others, to give His glorious Gospel to the nation, the people of Mexico?!

“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 14  How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?” Romans 10:13-14


The Gospel momentum continues to grow:

From brother Juan:  “Brother Cresenciano asked me if I had any Jesus pamphlets he could take with him and hand out, and said he wanted to serve his neighbor with love. Glory to God!”

Over 20,000 JESUS tracts in print here in Mexico. More than 12,000 have been distributed to date. We are now beginning to take in love offerings to print the next 10,000 JESUS tracts.

Okay, from now on, if you see a pic of someone holding a stash or stack of JESUS tracts, it’s because they agreed to do so, they asked for more tracts in order to reach their world here in Mexico with the Gospel of Jesus. Gospel momentum!

Brother Juan and sister Maria and several others in Christ are blazing a Gospel trail (Mark 1:45). Jesus is coming.

Thank you for lifting Mission Mexico, the people of Mexico, in prayer.

Mission Mexico


Thank you for praying for Mission Mexico.



Your prayers and support are fueling the reaching of scores of precious Mexican people, daily!

You have the same reward as the foot soldiers….

1 Samuel 30:24


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Abiding

“Cursed be the Man that Trusteth in Man” [podcast]


A Nuclear Revelation

“Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.” Jeremiah 17:5

“Cursed be the man that trusteth in man” is a powerful verse from the Bible, commonly associated with a specific warning against relying on human strength rather than God.”

So many act like Spurgeon or some other mere man’s writings are on the same level as Holy Scripture. NOT! They prove their idolatry. They are in sin. They glory in mere men and not the LORD! Hell awaits. Jeremiah 17:5; Isaiah 2:22; 1 Corinthians 1:29-31, etc.

God calls us to worship, love, seek, trust, and obey Him as the ultimate authority of our lives in this world.

Another example of this is the idolatry of the demonic fraud CS Lewis!

CS LEWIS EXPOSED

THIS JUST IN:

“Amen! Amen for Prov 10:22. All glory be to Him!

By the grace of God I discovered last night your website, praise Him, in search for exposure on CS Lewis.

By the grace of God I learnt as a baby believer, 20 years ago, that his teachings are dangerous including that witchcraft book and movie, Narnia. Sadly, so called mature Christians in the UK are considering him a saint, a born again believer.

I sent prayerfully ( as I expected backlashes) to my friend last night, a few links exposing CS Lewis including the photo from your website which is brilliant exposure, praise Him but she is still claiming that he ” was truly a born again” ….. sending me his videos! It’s a principle: I don’t watch, read listen to CS Lewis and many others! The Bible is so rich in teachings, why do I need CS Lewis!? !?

My friend is a mature believer, born again believer for over 60-70 years and she cannot see it!

I had to use the VPN and duckduck search engine to get the website exposing CS Lewis, as in the UK, nothing will come up! Mostly of the Christians are bewitched by Narnia and Lord of the Rings! No wonder the country is in such a state of delusion! May the Lord have mercy!

Many blessings in His Name, V.”

CS LEWIS WAS A FRAUD – READ GOD’S WORD! REPENT AND GET IMPRESSED WITH THE LORD, BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE. IDOLATRY DAMNS!

“Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of?” Isaiah 2:22

Those who look to men, who receive un-biblical counsel instead of testing it against the Word of God, are trusting in mere man and have brought a curse upon themselves (Jeremiah 17:5-6; Acts 17:10-11; 2 Timothy 3:16-17, etc.). Those who look anywhere except to the LORD Himself are idolaters, are committing spiritual adultery, and will without exception depart from Him and be lost (v. 5). Their names “shall be written in the earth, because they have forsaken the LORD, the fountain of living waters” (v. 13). The phrase “written in the earth” is in contrast to their names being “written in heaven” (Luke 10:20; Hebrews 12:23). Hell is in the bowels of the earth and that’s where every single person who is not looking wholly to the LORD will spend eternity (Revelation 20:11-15).

“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. 7  Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.” Proverbs 3:5-7
Trusting Man is seen in the lives of many who claim to be saved and yet trust man’s medicine and counsel wholesale.

Let me get this straight, you pretend to be saved and yet run to some foolish sinner to get drugged for lack of peace or ability to sleep or depression. You are completely deceived and God is calling you to repent now. If you knew Him, would you not be trusting Him and not sinful mere men? “Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD (Jeremiah 17:5).

Modern Sorcery Exposed

You’ve tried the CURSE and it never worked…. Are you ready to let CHRIST make you whole?

Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD. 6 For he shall be like the heath in the desert (spiritually dry, desolate), and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited. 7 Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. 8 For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit. 9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? 10 I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings. 11 As the partridge sitteth on eggs, and hatcheth them not; so he that getteth riches, and not by right, shall leave them in the midst of his days, and at his end shall be a fool. 12 A glorious high throne from the beginning is the place of our sanctuary. 13 O LORD, the hope of Israel, all that forsake thee shall be ashamed, and they that depart from me shall be written in the earth, because they have forsaken the LORD, the fountain of living waters. 14 Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise.” Jeremiah 17:5-14

Psychology/psychobabble, therapy from mere men, sinners…. is a scam, and leaves the victim without hope. Jesus Christ is the only hope for man’s core dilemma—which is sin! ANY person pointing you to a “THE-RAPIST” is demon inspired. They speak against the Word of God and are the child of the devil! See Colossians 2:6-10. SINNERS need the Savior—not some sinner with an indoctrination in the fine of art of applying bandages, never getting to the root. Repent now (Jeremiah 17:9). Jesus alone can make a man whole! (Luke 4:18)

Man’s therapy and psychobabble are laughably insufficient and have never once gotten to the root issue of man’s dilemma which is sin. Jesus says that He “came into the world to save sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15).

Drugs and psychobabble are laughable mere band aids to rob unbelievers, gullible dupes of their money.

“Jesus Christ maketh thee whole”

Only One can make you whole—the One who made you and died and rose again for you.

“And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately.” Acts 9:34

“Yep that’s me, the woman with the Alabaster box. And that is all I need—my alabaster box and Jesus! No need for meds or to be psycho-analyzed by some quack. One touch from Jesus is all I need! Just as the woman who touched the hem of His garment and was immediately healed! Luke 8: 43-48. One touch is all she needed.” Karen Cochran

Support | STORE | Podcasts | Jail/Prison MinistryMexico Mission here | All Ministry Updates | 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 Walking with Jesus on His Stated Terms – the Cross | Fasting and PrayerThe Old Man Must be Put Down [podcast]The 5 Sins That Keep God’s People Out of Their Promised Land [podcast]What Did Paul Mean by “I Keep Under My Body”? [podcast]“Jesus the Author and Finisher of our Faith” [podcast]A Living Sacrifice unto God [podcast]Departing from Hell BeneathPrayer

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