Abiding

The Perils of Leaving a Local Church [podcast]

Paula White Exposed [video]

THAT’s My King! Pastor Lockridge [video]

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

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

Have you ever left a local church and been attacked for doing so?

“We were ‘excommunicated’ from a church we had been to for almost 10 years. All because we had the audacity to point out the scriptures to the pastor contrary to what he was preaching.” C.

EVER NOTICE when you leave a church …. It’s observable that like the mafia and satanist covens, when someone goes to leave, to cease being a member of these cults, they are viciously attacked or even murdered? This is how Satan’s Kingdom operates (John 10:10a). Is this not exactly what happens when a Christian goes to leave most local churches these days? Are they not character assassinated, scorned, mocked, and persecuted? This is because the satanic operators hate it when they can no longer control or manipulate or exploit their prey or victims. Such a scenario, the attack of the wicked, only confirms that you were to leave that antichrist cult that is pretending to be a gathering of Christ’s saints. Not. Yes it’s a cult. Any group that attacks those who dare to depart, proves to be a cult and not a true Christian fellowship.

“By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” John 13:35

By definition, the members of any cult are indoctrinated by wolves to believe that they alone are God’s and no other. Yet it is clear by their fruit, that they are of their father, the devil (Matthew 7:15-16, 20; John 8:44).

If you have departed from any group that persecuted you for leaving, please know that you were hearing from God to leave that congregation of counterfeits.

“Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.” 1 John 5:1

Those who become divisive, who slander and participate in strife when someone in the group chooses to leave, demonstrate by their hatred, bad fruit, that they do not care about your place in God’s kingdom, in Christ. No, instead, they have their own best interest in mind and are in need of true repentance.

Christ’s Remnant Body is Living Organic

“Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.” 1 Corinthians 7:23

THE ORGANIC (no additives) remnant body of Christ walks in God’s truth and love daily – no matter where they are on HIS planet (John 13:35; Ephesians 4:15, etc.). Their lives are sanctified always – not just on Sunday mornings. They belong to one church – the body of Christ which is bought by His precious blood (1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 7:23). They love ALL the brethren of Christ – not just the folk that show up in an “official” so-called “church building” (1 John 4:7-8; 5:1).

A close friend of mine once said, the definition of a hypocrite is “someone who is just not quite themselves on Sunday mornings.”

2 Times the Bible uses the words “false brethren.” The reality of such is made clear by the biblical presence of these words.

“In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;” 2 Corinthians 11:26

“And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily (insidiously, secretly) to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:” Galatians 2:4

Those who attack, who slander, or in any way persecute a true saint who chooses to leave a certain fellowship, are “false brethren” in need of true repentance before it’s too late. And for any pretending pastor to allow such proves he is false. In fact, in most cases, he’s the one who fostered such a cultic climate.

YOUR PRAYER: Father in Jesus’ name, please make us Your authentic disciples. Purify our hearts and cleanse our lives of every trace of fakery. Please remove all false brethren from our lives and grant the blessing of fellowship with Your true remnant saints. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Set Free to do Christ’s Great Commission

ANYONE claiming to be Christ’s and yet is not about the “Father’s business” which is the Great Commission Jesus gave, does not have the fruit to prove they are Christ’s (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-20; Luke 2:49, book of Acts, etc). Such a person is serving the god of self and Jesus says “no man can serve two masters” (Matthew 6:24). All who are not serving the Master, Jesus, are serving the god of self and are idolaters, going to the lake of fire (Revelation 21:8).

Is your life more about going to some “church” than it is about seeking, worshipping, loving, and serving Jesus Christ?

“Those apostate churches don’t serve Jesus, they serve self! Puff each other up in their flesh! Want to find the true Jesus of the Bible? Stay home and read your King James Bible! And find other true disciples to fellowship with. Not easy to find in the churches!” Karen Cochran

“And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:” Revelation 2:26

If Jesus is truly our LORD, Savior, “first love,” we are about HIS business and not our own (Revelation 2:4-5).

Sister Karen Cochran writes:

“We absolutely were attacked and stalked on FB (after leaving a certain local church). But now I say ‘thank You’ to the Lord for pulling us out! How can you learn the true doctrines of Christ under a Synagogue of Satan? All praise to Jesus and now we are free to participate in the Great Commission He has called us to. Matt. 28: 16-20. Since leaving the Lord has done exceedingly abundantly above what we could ever think or ask. Ephesians 3:20. False fellowships keep you in bondage with their false doctrines (corralling their prey for their own self-serving agenda). And most of all Jesus is not their first love! They have no love in them except for themselves! Jesus has set us free! When the Son sets you free you are free indeed. John 8:36. Come out from among them and be separate. 2 Corinthians 6:17, Revelation 18:4. All praise to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!”

Speaking of being held back, corralled, used, exploited, wasted….

Regrettably, most local churches want to employ you, free labor, to do their bidding and not Christ’s Great Commission to teach, to preach His Word, His eternal kingdom (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-20; Luke 24:47, etc.). Wolves want to send you out as their salesman to sell other pawns on the idea of joining that church country club.

Are you being exploited? (2 Peter 2:1-3)

If a person or group cannot respect that GOD gave you free will …. they are operating in witchcraft, in undue control and manipulation of God’s creation – you! Run!

This shows that they are reacting based upon losing control over the person leaving. This clearly reveals the witchcraft.

Beware of the Nasty Nico-laitans. Nico means to control and laitans means the laity/people. Jesus says He hates this (Revelation 2:6, 15).

“My sister was asked to leave a church. She and her husband refused to go and in the end it was the pastor that left. My confidence in our churches is so low I’m not sure it would be worth it. But she took that route, and stayed.” Arlean

“When you leave a church, you find out who the real Christians are! They should wish you well in your future endeavors. I went through it over 40 years ago. And there are still scars.” Jerry Lambert

REPLY:

SO true brother. In fact, regrettably, in most cases they lash out viciously which only proves it was GOD calling you out! 2 Corinthians 6:17-18 etc. The wicked are filled with hatred for those they can’t control, exploit, and manipulate. They have the fruit, the characteristics of their father devil – who has come to steal, kill, and destroy, and deceive (John 8:44; 10:10; Revelation 12:7-12).

“Matt. 12: 34 Our outer appearance should match our inner self. Impossible for an evil heart to produce good fruit. Your words should match how you live. The fruits of Christ only come from a pure and honest heart. Otherwise your fruit is rotten because your inside is corrupted in sin and filth. By your fruits you will know them. Matt 7:20.” Karen Cochran

ANY time you are attacked because you chose to leave a certain “fellowship” or so-called “church,” your choice to leave is clearly confirmed to be of God, His doing. And, it’s proven in that Satan’s human agents are persecuting you. You just left a cult, a “synagogue of Satan,” full of divisive people who are in need of repentance (Revelation 2:9; 3:9). They are biting and devouring one another.

“But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.” Galatians 5:15

When people left Jesus, He never once attacked them. Selah.

Example: When Jesus answered the rich young ruler, informing him that in order to inherit Heaven and not go to Hell, that he must give up that which he was trusting. Even though the man walked away from Jesus, Jesus “loved him.” Jesus spoke His truth “in love” (Ephesians 4:15). He leaves the choice up to the individual (Deuteronomy 30:19; Joshua 24:15).

“Then Jesus beholding him LOVED HIM, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.” Mark 10:21

So we see from this exchange and others in Scripture that the LORD doesn’t attack people for leaving Him. When the 5,000 men walked away from Jesus after He fed their stomachs and taught His Word to them, did He attack or scorn them? No. See John 6.

Remember when the LORD’s disciples were young in Christ and how they sought to have Him call down fire from Heaven upon the heads others, of those who did not receive Christ? Read Luke 9:51-56.

What was Christ’s reply, rebuke to them and to all today who wish to bring judgment on those they lose or have no control over?

“But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. 56 For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.” Luke 9:55-56

Testimonies from those who’ve experienced attacks while departing from certain local fellowships

“We left apostate fake Churchianity a few months ago because we could no longer tolerate their false unbiblical doctrines and due to harassment from the pastors when I started sharing the truth on social media. It took quite a toll on me and my husband but the Lord drew us even closer to Him through this experience. We continue to pray for all of them. The Pastor was making snide remarks about ‘those who don’t agree with us’ during services! That was a bridge too far. The Lord spoke to us clearly that we were to leave that place. We were obedient and have been blessed greatly with peace and comfort. These wolves in sheep’s clothing (pastors); show their true selves when you leave their ‘fellowship’ even if you do it in the most positive way that you can do it. Informing them that the Lord has directed you to move on. We were getting attacked in a passive aggressive way in messages and on other church members’ social media posts. We never answered in kind … They were obviously trying to bait us into reacting in an inappropriate manner which we never did. We have certainly found that to be true sadly, that when you leave a fellowship, they viciously attack you. Not to mention being ‘ghosted’ or scorned or even pitied by your ‘brothers and sisters’ in the ‘fellowship’ / cult. It’s very disturbing and disconcerting to say the least. They show their true colors when you depart. But GOD will keep you in his perfect peace and you will feel like a huge burden has been lifted when you are obedient to His call to leave. We both (my husband and I) heard it distinctly. The confirmation was when the pastor started making little rude remarks in his ‘sermons’ about ‘those that don’t agree with us’ type comments. Unbelievable.” Barbara

“Jesus isn’t looking for church goers. Most of these are the ones who would crucify Him all over again for speaking the truth. The truth they hate. Repentance, holiness, the cross, purity, and hell. All hated words. Jesus is looking for real disciples. Where are they…where are there found those willing to lay down their lives, forsake all, live holy and pure lives…those who are willing to lose their lives if necessary for the sake of Christ…because they have lived for Him and not self?” Karen Cochran

“I am so tired of the evangelical industrial complex justifying their greed and sexual abuse and bullying. No wonder the under 30 group are saying goodbye to church. And so have I. Joined a small group that meets once a week. Don’t need the large meetings with rock music and parking headaches and entertainers with impulse control issues claiming it’s the Holy Spirit in them. No it’s not. It’s all a show for people to be conned into thinking you’re being godly. It’s where two or more are gathered not where two or more thousands are gathered.” G.

“January of 2019 was our exodus from the Babylonian system. God has equipped us bountifully ever since.” George

“Left the church world 1 1/2 yrs. ago.. no regrets!” Nelline

Persecution Proves Sonship

“Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” Matthew 5:10-12

Being Persecuted? Are you rejoicing when persecution hits?

Have you ever been called a devil or told you have a devil? Perhaps you are in good company.

Interestingly, John the Baptist and Jesus were both told by the religionists of their day that “He hath a devil.”

“For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine; and ye say, HE HATH A DEVIL.” Luke 7:33

“And many of them said, HE HATH A DEVIL, and is mad; why hear ye him?” John 10:20

WE had better get concerned if we aren’t being persecuted.

“Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.” Luke 6:26

WHO were the main persecutors of Jesus, the prophets, the apostles, and earliest followers of Christ? – the Jews, those who falsely claimed, professed to be serving God.

The Hidden Haters

EVER notice how some people never say a word, they are invisible, you barely remember seeing them … and THEN, boom, you are freely choosing to leave that fellowship where you met them and they come out of the woodworks blazing, to defend their false church and pastor?

Notice how they never once had enough of God in them to edify you and yet now…. when you dare make the decision to leave their local fellowship. This all just appears to be more proof of being a counterfeit cult fellowship.

Just saying the truth. Anyone else observe this phenomenon?

Does belonging to a “church” take the place of your personal daily relationship with the LORD. No. In most cases though, church goers are indoctrinated, sold on the false idea that they need, have necessity of the local church they attend. No such concept taught by Christ or His apostles or the early church. We need JESUS and to be in His perfect will and not to be in some certain “church.”

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

Most “Christians” have basically been deceived, intentionally indoctrinated to believe that going to church, falsely called “fellowship,” is the pinnacle, the most important thing in their life as a Christian. Not. They were sold this notion by the wolves who benefit from those attending their meetings. Those same wolves never teach their prey to get into God’s Word for themselves, to live a cross/crucified life, a life of prayer, and to seek the face of the LORD “continually” (1 Chronicles 16:11). They are not taught the utter importance of continual repentance and confession of all sin.

“Psalm 51 is a model prayer of of repentance. He admits his sin before the Lord as he says v3 ‘I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.’ He says my sin. David accepts full responsibility. He recognizes the cost of his sin. As he asks God to not hide his face from him. He recognizes that he has sinned against the Lord. He then asks God to purge, cleanse him white as snow, and renew a right spirit within him. And also to restore the joy of His salvation. David’s broken and contrite heart was his sacrifice to God. V 17 says ‘the sacrifices of God are broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.’ The Lord will bless and cleanse those who come with honesty and humility before His throne of grace. Which is just what David did in this prayer of repentance.” Karen Cochran

God is calling you, yes YOU, to seek His holy face – daily in His Word and prayer.

“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

Beware of the Manipulating Monsters: Spiritual Identity Theft [podcast]

Instead of fostering a deeper love for CHRIST in their hearers, local churches have diverted that loyalty, the faith of their hearers to themselves (1 Corinthians 29-2:5). This is “the spirit of antichrist” at work (1 John 2:18; 4:1-3). Anti in “antichrist” means “in place of” and the vast majority of local churches seek to replace Christ with themselves – to intercept the heart affections of their audience from loving Jesus Christ supremely – to rob Him of His glory for their own self-serving agenda! Beware! This was Paul’s warning of Colossians 1-2. Christ alone is the Supreme Creator, Sustainer, […]

Is Going to Church Essential? [podcast]

Does Going to a “Church” Building on Sunday Mornings Constitute True “Fellowship”? Recently, someone posted the following meme. Take a look and then see my comments below the meme. I added the things that are in yellow and red. “Man, are we the only ones that understand this. I’ve experienced the condemnation from other believers because I don’t go to church. I’ve literally tried, but I’m afraid it’s just that bad. The condition of the Church is that far gone. I know not all churches are like this. There are some good ones but I don’t live around any of […]

The Importance of Personal, Organic Bible Study [podcast]

To study the Bible organically means simply to study God’s Word without the undue influence, the taintings of mere men! God’s Word is your life (Proverbs 4:20-23). The Word is your “daily bread” and your life depends on knowing and obeying it (Matthew 6:11). Knowing and adhering to Holy Scripture is your protection (Proverbs 30:5-6). “Every word of God is pure: he is a shield (protection) unto them that put their trust in him. 6 Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.” Proverbs 30:5-6 RECENTLY: In a very engaging fellowship […]

Nicolaitan Nightmare [podcast]

The Scourge of Beguilers Conquering and controlling people by deceit has long been the work of deceivers and “There is no new thing under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9). In fact, in this last hour, the Bible tells us that “Evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse” and “Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time” (2 Timothy 3:13; Revelation 12:12). “While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is […]

Witchcraft in Our Midst! Nasty Nicolaitans [podcast]

Nasty Nicolaitans [podcast] Jesus says: “But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. … 15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.” Revelation 2:6, 15 Meaning: Nico-laitans = conquer the laity. And this, as is always the case with Satan and his human agents, is accomplished via lies. “While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.” 2 Peter 2:19 Being overcome by a lie, […]

Executing Christ's Great Commission [podcast]

WHAT A WONDERFUL SAVIOR Jesus walked the streets offering His hope to fallen mankind. He sent us to do the same – and instructed us to pray to the Father for His labourers to be sent forth. Matthew 9 The Harvest Is Plentiful, the Laborers Few “35 And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. 36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep […]

Mexico Mission 7th Update

A market. Please pause and lift a prayer for Angel (pictured below). Angel gratefully received the ministry of the spoken Word of Christ this day. He rejoiced joyfully. Upon departing Angel took 2 Jesus tracts in Spanish to go share with others! Someone has rightly stated that “the Gospel is the only thing you must give away to keep.” I let each of these beloved souls who are being ministered to know that we, members of the body of Christ, are praying for them. They are delighted to hear such. WE are Christ’s body. Each member is blessed with the […]

Is Church Membership Biblical? [podcast]

Churchianity vs Christianity Many use the term “very involved in church” instead of deeply rooted and in love with Jesus Christ. See the difference? Beware. Christ Jesus is your identity. “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” Galatians 6:14 What is your idenity? Why have you chosen such to be that which you identity with? Most pastors make a big deal out of belonging to some organization, church, or group – because this puts them in charge […]

Abiding

The Death before the Death [podcast]

Gethsemane Preceded Calvary

“And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, 42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. 43 And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. 44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” Luke 22:42-44

“He must increase, but I must decrease.” John 3:30

“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

“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

Shall We Freshly Declare the Cross to be Front and Center in our Personal Lives?

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20

5 Aspects of the Mind of Christ [podcast]

5 Components of the Mind of Christ from Philippians 2 Jesus Christ made Himself of no reputation. He took upon Him the form of a servant. He was made in the likeness of men. He humbled Himself. He became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Philippians 2:2-10 “Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but […]

The Cross and the Throne of Grace [podcast]

“Hid with Christ in God” “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.” Colossians 3:1-4 The safest place in the universe is in the cross of Christ: “your life is hid with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3). Our place of protection is […]

Raised Up in Christ [podcast]

3 Resurrections to Celebrate 1. Christ’s resurrection (Matthew 27:64; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, etc.). 2. Your resurrection at the moment of regeneration and daily resurrection (Romans 1:4; 4:25; 6:3-14; 8:11; 2 Corinthians 4:10-12; Ephesians 2:6). 3. Final resurrection into glory or damnation (John 5:28; 29; 1 Corinthians 15). Christ’s resurrection guarantees ours and that we need not fear death. Dancing on hell’s grace. Read 1 Corinthians 15 serveral times. “But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; 25 Who was delivered for our offences, and […]

The Only Way Up is Down [podcast]

Chapter 8 from the book Raised Up (narration) “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.” Proverbs 16:18 The Down and Up Principle of God’s Kingdom “And the remnant that is escaped of the house of Judah shall again take root DOWNWARD, and bear fruit UPWARD.” Isaiah 37:31 The Scriptures follow a pattern of death and resurrection, a downward death and upward life. See if you can observe such a truth in the following verses: “The LORD upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth UP all those that be bowed DOWN.” Psalms 145:14 Do you possess the blessed desire to be raised up by […]

Abiding

“Rend Your Heart, and Not Your Garments” [podcast]

Who Does God Look to? Who Does God Dwell in?

Beware of any man pretending to represent Christ who isn’t praying and preaching for you to be possessed by a humble and contrite heart.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:3

“‘Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven’ (Matthew 5:3). A low condition. ‘Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted’ (Matthew 5:4). To mourn over our sin and our utter wickedness before a holy and righteous God. Those are the ones who will receive the comfort and ‘joy in the Holy Ghost’ (Romans 14:17).” Karen Cochran

Abandoning Our Own Sin, Our Own Way, for God and His Better Way!

To “rend your heart” is a biblical phrase meaning to tear open your heart in radical sincerity, true humility, and genuine repentance.

The phrase comes from Joel 2:13 in the Bible: “Rend your heart and not your garments and return to the Lord your God.”

One source notes the following:

“Context and Deeper Meaning:

Cultural Background: In ancient times, the Jewish people would tear (rend) their clothes as a public, highly visible display of grief or repentance.
The Spiritual Message: God is warning that outward rituals (like ripping clothing) are meaningless if the heart remains unchanged. Rending your heart implies breaking through your pride, letting go of excuses, and being completely vulnerable and authentic before God.
The Reward: The verse goes on to say that God is “gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love.” Tearing open your heart allows you to experience His forgiveness and restore your relationship with Him.”

To see an example of rending one’s physical garment in representation of rending their heart, see Acts 14:11-18.

Where is the LORD Looking?

“But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7

“Therefore also now, saith the Lord, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: 13 and rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. 14Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the Lord your God” Joel 2:12-14

“What a gracious invitation is contained in these words. How tenderly the Lord reasons with his people. And what an encouraging assurance it folds up with. Reader! do not fail to observe that this call of the Lord, the accompanying grace to incline the heart to the observance of it is implied. It is most blessed ever to remember that when the Lord thus comes forth in his endearing invitations, he is secretly inclining the heart to accept them. Grace must first enter the heart, or there will be no inclination to obey.” Robert Hawker

“Jeremiah’s message was never meant to leave the heart in despair. Every warning from God carried an invitation to return. The Lord does not expose empty religion to shame His people, but to heal them. Repentance is not the loss of hope, it is the beginning of hope. Christ still receives every soul that comes with humility, and He gives living faith where there was only habit, peace where there was only fear, and joy where there was only emptiness. The call remains the same today, to draw near to Him with a sincere heart, trusting that His mercy is always greater than our weakness.” Dan Blincoe

A Fresh Start with God Always Begins with Humility and True Repentance

“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.” Acts 3:19

Concerning rending our hearts before the LORD, one source notes:

The classic Bible passage on this concept is Joel 2:13, where God commands: “Rend your heart and not your garments”. In ancient biblical culture, tearing (or “rending”) one’s physical clothing was a customary, visible display of extreme grief, despair, or repentance. Through the prophet Joel, God is essentially telling His people: Stop doing the empty, outward religious ritual of tearing your clothes to show everyone how sorry you are. Instead, let me see true, inward brokenness over your sins.

Examples of Rending Physical Garments

In the Bible, the physical act of tearing clothes was used as a dramatic expression of deep emotion in several well-known narratives:

Joseph’s Brothers (Genesis 37:29, 34): When Reuben realized Joseph was not in the pit, and later when the brothers brought Joseph’s blood-stained coat to Jacob, they tore their clothes in grief and despair.
Job (Job 1:20): After hearing that he had lost all his wealth and his children, Job stood up and tore his robe as an outward sign of his overwhelming sorrow.
King David (2 Samuel 1:11-12): When David received news of the deaths of King Saul and Jonathan, he and his men tore their clothes to mourn.
The High Priest (Matthew 26:65): In a dramatic display of hypocritical outrage, the high priest tore his own garments when Jesus declared He was the Son of God, falsely accusing Him of blasphemy.

The Spiritual Meaning of “Rending the Heart”

The concept of “rending the heart” contrasts an outward show with inward reality.

Genuine Repentance: Tearing your heart means being vulnerable, acknowledging your brokenness, and deeply repenting of sin before God.
Prioritizing Relationships over Rituals: God desires a sincere heart—true sorrow and a desire to change—more than he desires traditional religious pageantry or dramatic, public displays of grief.
The Promise of Forgiveness: In Joel 2:13, the command to rend the heart is immediately followed by the promise of grace: “Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love”.

God sees beyond our external habits and religious actions, requiring instead a humble, contrite heart to fully experience His mercy.”

God’s Mercy

“Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: 13 And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. 14 Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the LORD your God?” Joel 2:12-14

In God’s Word, where we see men who tear open their garments…. This holds the illustration of rending our hearts before the LORD.

Don’t render outward tearing, no, rather, tear open your inner man, your heart—be honest, sincere, exposed, and vulnerable to the LORD whom you trust.

Let’s attempt to get at, to ascertain what God is commanding of His beloved people to do in this “rend your heart” passage.

“Joel 2:13: Rend your heart—Let it not be merely a rending of your garments, but let your hearts be truly contrite. Merely external worship and hypocritical pretensions will only increase the evil, and cause God to meet you with heavier judgments.

For he is gracious—Good and benevolent in his own nature.

Merciful—Pitying and forgiving, as the effect of goodness and benevolence.

Slow to anger —He is not easily provoked to punish, because he is gracious and merciful.

Of great kindness—Exuberant goodness to all them that return to him.

And repenteth him of the evil—Is ever ready to change his purpose to destroy, when he finds the culprit willing to be saved. See the notes on Exo_34:6, Exo_34:7.” Adam Clarke

“Joel 2:12-14: III. DIVINE APPEAL TO JUDAH TO REPENT (2:12-14)
Even now, the LORD calls the people to repentance. It is not too late to return to Him. But it must be more than outward ritual. Their turning was to be with all their heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.” Believer’s Bible Commentary

To rend our hearts is the consistent message, mandate of God to His people of all ages and eras.

“The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.” Psalms 34:18

“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.” Psalms 51:17

In Joel 2 the LORD reminds those who are backslidden that He “is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. 14 Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the LORD your God? …”

They must meet His stated conditions to receive His blessings ….

He promises that He will forgive them as they…..

“Joel 2:12-27: THE AVERTING OF JUDGMENT
To rend the garment is easy, but a broken and contrite heart can be imparted only by the grace of the Holy Spirit. The love of God should bring us to repentance. He takes no pleasure in our miseries and if men repent and turn from their sin they find an immediate and loving welcome to the Father’s heart and home. Joel had called for the trumpet to announce war; he now directs the trumpet blast to summon the people, from the highest to the lowest, to plead for help. Prayer and true repentance and faith bring an immediate answer. As the husband yearns over his erring but repentant wife, and is indignant with those who have maltreated her, so will Jehovah remove from us, when we turn to Him, those who have cruelly oppressed us.
The great things Jehovah did against Egypt and Babylon are an earnest of what He will do again. The earth (and all the creation of God) … have good reason to rejoice in what awaits them. God promises not only to forgive sin, but to make us happy and well provided as if the locust and cankerworm had never settled upon our lives.” FB Meyer

Religious hypocrites, counterfeits, emphasize the outward to cover their inner darkness, rebellion.

“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. 24 Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel. 25 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. Matthew 23:23-25

“He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.” Mark 7:6

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