More of Jesus and Less of Me
“He must increase, but I must decrease.” John 3:30
SEEMS LIKE A LOT of people call themselves by titles and have a ministry these days. Many of them jockey against one another, emulating, violating the very and utter humility Jesus demonstrated and taught His twelve (Matthew 20:20-28; 23:8-12). Some desire to be the star of the show, the man or even the women of the hour, instead of rendering true repentance, dying to self, and letting Jesus reign.
Am I Seeking My Own Glory?
Am I missing something here? Have you observed some of this? Perhaps my statement is a bit too broad. Certainly there are humble servant who seek only the glory of God Himself. Let’s explore and learn of Him…
Why O why so many in our midst who insist upon calling themselves “reverend,” “apostle,” “prophet,” or even “pastor”? Jesus gave these gifts TO MEN – so they could serve men and not themselves (Ephesians 4:11-13).
First off, anyone can start a “ministry.” But what does that mean? For many it simply means that they are setting up an entity to make people think they are doing God’s will. It helps them draw attention to themselves I might add.
So many who have been put in the limelight by men seem to be show boating. In other words, their “ministry” is all about them and their riches and clothes and mansions. These are the very wolves the LORD often reminded us of (Philippians 3:18-21; 2 Peter 2:1-3, etc.).
Think about the so-called music today that we call “Christian.” It’s nearly ALL man or self-centered. Compare it to the substance of the songs of old. No comparison. The worship of Jesus Christ as the “mighty God” has been replaced by a self-serving, feel-good message. Jesus has been ousted! Ichabod! Remember that “antichrist” means “instead of” or “in place of.” The LORD Jesus has been replaced with self worship or the worship of mere sinful man. This is soul-damning idolatry (Revelation 21:8).
“He that speaketh of himself (instead of Christ) seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.” John 7:18
Isn’t it amazing how little we talk about JESUS in our conversations (at times)? When the subject of God is discussed, JESUS should be the central Theme in that we cannot approach the Father without Him. He is the very LOGOS (Word) of God. He is the central Theme of all of Scripture. We will NEVER grow out of the need for JESUS – never. In fact, the more we grow, the more dependent upon Him we become. God’s Word instructs us to “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly (abundantly).” (Col. 3:16)
“For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.” 2 Corinthians 4:5
Am I seeking my own glory – through spiritual avenues? Do I use my place in God’s kingdom, among God’s people, to promote myself, or the Savior? Do I truly exalt the Lamb of God who was slain before the foundation of the world for my depravity? Where is my authentic worship (worth-ship) of His holy name?
Does “the mind of Christ” truly possess my being? Did He come to give or take? Lust gets, love gives. If I truly have the mind of the One I claim to serve, it is obvious in that my life is set forth to love the LORD will all that is within me and to serve His precious saints. The true disciple should at once understand that elevating Him and elevating His saints to Him is where all the law and prophets hang (Matt. 22:37-39).
“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 2:3-5
We are instructed to cease esteeming mere men above that which is written of him.
“Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of ?” Isaiah 2:22
God is going to bring all men low, especially those who have lifted themselves up or allowed themselves to receive undue honor via wearing unwarranted titles and using other means to be lifted up. They are glory robbing from Christ who alone deserves all glory and honor.
“The LORD of hosts hath purposed it, to stain the pride of all glory, and to bring into contempt all the honourable of the earth.” Isaiah 23:9
The Bible tells us that those mere men who are self-elevated among deceived men is a short-lived:
“Man being in honour abideth not: he is like the beasts that perish.” Psalms 49:12
What did God say man is, even in his “best state”?
“Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah.” Psalms 39:5
What did the apostle Paul determine to do?
“For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.” 1 Corinthians 2:2
The apostle Paul purposely refrained from speaking eloquently. He refused to dazzle his audience with oration finesse. WHY?
“That no flesh should glory in his presence. 30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. 1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. 2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. 4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: 5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 2:1-5
The LORD doesn’t want us, mere messengers, branding ourselves or our delivery or personalities, or making an industry out of our ministering His Word. In order that Christ alone was elevated and all heart affection was placed on Christ, Paul made a determination to know nothing among the people except “Jesus Christ, and him crucified.”
God certainly has called out some men to serve HIM. And that’s it – they are called out by Him to serve Him and not themselves using His holy name. To do so is the use His holy name in vain or for one’s own self-serving purpose and to be guilty of attempting to rob Him of the glory due His name alone (Exodus 20:7).
In whom did Paul glory?
“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
Remember, “He that speaketh of himself (rather than the Lord) seeketh his own glory…”
Let’s lift up JESUS, not ourselves. There is soooooo much to say about Him Who is the Infinite Author and Sustainer of ALL life, why not get started talking…
PRAYER: O Father, in Jesus’ holy name, I beg You to deliver my heart from the evil vanity of all sinful and self-serving motives! Quicken my heart today in Thy holy fear and to love You as I choose to exalt Jesus Christ alone in thought, word, and deed, and to spread Your love to all under my influence! Amen Jesus!
Now, go read Matthew 20:20-28; 23:8-12, and 21:44 and pray.
Support | STORE | Podcasts | The Bridegroom is Calling His Bride | Purifying Ourselves as He is Pure [podcast] | 10 Clues Your Love for God is Waxing Cold [podcast] | More on the Sabbath of the New Testament – Jesus!


Articles
4,500 JESUS Tracts have been Hand-Delivered !

These JESUS tracts in Spanish have been handed out person to person with the love of God and the Word of God spoken to the recipients in Spanish!
You have integrally participated in this mission by your prayers and support. We are not finished yet saints.
Saints, you are the ones who make this possible – by your prayers and support. There is no support from any church, ministry, or corporate support. Individual disciples support this work.
FYI: I also help support this work financially in a limited fashion and yet there’s kingdom opportunity for more saints to participate. There are less than 10 saints monthly who support this work financially. God be praised for their participation in our LORD’s Great Commission work (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-20). Jesus is coming and remember, Jesus says “No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:62).
God be praised that nearly 4,500 JESUS tracts in Spanish have been distributed in Mexico thus far – with a personal touch, a speaking of the Word of God in Spanish to the recipients.
This week I am going to be speaking with a local printer to get another 1,500 printed or 2,500, depending on what resources come in.
The following words of our LORD are specifically spoken to and the grand opportunity and responsibility of the saints in the earth now in this last hour before Christ’s return.
“And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” Matthew 24:14
Reprinting the JESUS tract is at hand. New supply needed. A grand kingdom opportunity is before each of us in this mission.
“Glory hallelujah! God is sure blessing you and the ministry for your faithfulness to Him! And we who pray and support rejoice with you for His Word going out among the beautiful people of Mexico! And we know His Word will not return void but will accomplish that which He set it out to do. Isaiah 55:11.” Tom and Karen Cochran
In general the prices are higher where I am now. $300 should take care of 1,500 copies of the JESUS tract.
Feel free to participate clicking on the Support button on here on safeguardyoursoul.com Takes seconds to contribute.
See the Mission Mexico category for many more pics, videos, and testimonies.
Abiding
“Jesus the Author and Finisher of our Faith” [podcast]

Jesus Christ is the Author and Finisher of our faith and He requires our personal participation both initially and ongoing, as we “endure to the end”, abiding in Him (Matthew 10:22; 24:13; John 15, etc.).
“From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. 67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?” John 6:66-67
WHERE O WHERE are we going to go if we depart from Jesus? …. does He, the eternal God and Creator of all things not hold the future of every living soul in His holy hand?
FB Meyer on John 6:60-71
“THE SIFTING OF JESUS’ FOLLOWERS
Christ’s pathetic question-Will ye also go away?-elicited from Peter a reply which proved that the inner meaning of His words had already broken upon their souls. ‘Thy words give us and nourish within us the eternal life.'”
“Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?” John 6:66-67
There are many today, who like the 5,000 who departed from Christ, leave when they hear the cross message – the divine command to be crucified with Christ. Jesus asks us today: “Will you allow He who authored your faith to finish it?”
“Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.” Ezekiel 18:4
“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2
“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
“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? 3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 6 knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. 7 For he that is dead is freed from sin. 8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: 9 knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. 10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. 11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. 12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. 13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. 14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. 15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. 16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness”? Romans 6:1-16
“In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words. 5 For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ. 6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: 7 rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. 8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. 9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:” Colossians 2:3-10
The Gospel, the Resurrection of Christ
1 Corinthians 15
1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:
6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.
7 After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.
8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.
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Abiding
“My Sheep Hear My Voice, and I Know them, and they Follow Me” [podcast]

There are 7 portraits of Jesus in the Gospel of John. One of those seven portraits is Jesus our “the good shepherd.” (John 10)
The first thing the good shepherd of the sheep did was give His life to purchase the sheep with His own blood.
“I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.” John 10:11
Jesus who created us, then came to die to buy up back to the Father and Himself.
The Bible, God’s Word, is full of illustrations of who God is, and who He is to us. He is our shepherd….the shepherd of His true sheep. How do we know who His remnant saints, sheep truly are? How do we know if we individually are truly His?
“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
“John 10:27
My sheep hear my voice – But ye will not hear: – my sheep follow me; but ye will neither follow nor acknowledge me. Any person who reads without prejudice may easily see, that our Lord does not at all insinuate that these persons could not believe, because God had made it impossible to them; but simply because they did not hear and follow Christ, which the whole of our blessed Lord’s discourse proves that they might have done. The sheep of Christ are not those who are included in any eternal decree, to the exclusion of others from the yearnings of the bowels of eternal mercy; but they are those who hear, believe in, follow, and obey the Savior of the world.” Adam Clarke
We know He is our shepherd if we are reading, listening for, and walking out the voice of His Word. That’s why He gave us His Word. The voice of His Word is His voice. This is why God gave us the Bible, His Word, the “voice” of His Word. Jesus says “My sheep hear my voice” and the “voice” of Jesus is with us, is God’s written Word. We have the “voice”, the very words of our LORD on record. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
The primary way God’s voice is heard by His sheep is the Holy Scriptures….. reading God’s Word is hearing the voice of God.
“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Psalms 119:105
“Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. 14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.” John 16:13-14
Our LORD, the good shepherd of our souls, told us that His sheep are those who hear His voice, the voice of His Word. Those not in the Word are not hearing the voice of God.
“He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.” John 8:47
Those who are “of the truth” hear the voice, the words of Jesus Christ.
“To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.” John 18:37
Jesus made it clear who His true sheep are ….
“He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.” John 14:21
Jesus’ sheep hear His voice, He knows them, they follow Him. They don’t listen to nor follow their own feelings, human reasoning, their own wicked heart, nor any mere men … “follow your heart”? No. That’s a lie from hell. “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9) Jesus died to save you so you would be His, and that you would follow Him, His voice and none other.
Jesus, on record in John 10:27-29, is telling us that it’s only those who are hearing His voice, the voice of His Word, and following Him, who are going to be kept in His holy hand. After being saved, only those who abide in Christ to the end will be kept by Him and with Him eternally. Read John 15:1-6 where you will see that any whom Jesus saves and yet then they don’t “abide” (remain, continue) in Him will be cast into the fire of hell (v6).
Take a closer look at John 10:27-29. Anchor the promise in verses 28-29 on verse 27 where Jesus identifies who His sheep are—those who hear and continue to hear His voice and continue to follow Him (present tense). The divine promise here to be kept is a conditional
promise requiring the individual recipient of the gift of God to continue to hear His voice and follow Him (John 10:27-29). If you are born again, a sheep of Christ’ pasture, and you cease hearing His voice and following Him, you are no long His.
Many today detach, separate our LORD’s words in verse 27 from verses 28-29 of John 10. In doing so, they perpetrate their “eternal security” mythology which is Satan’s first lie (Genesis 2:17; 3:4). Beware as this was the first lie Satan told mankind, which led to the fall (Genesis 2:17; 3:4).
The LORD saved you to be His – to hear the voice of His Word and to follow Him, to walk with Him.
“Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” 1 Peter 1:5
To be kept you must live “through faith” – to hear and believe the voice of His Word, and walk with Him accordingly.
“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Hebrews 11:6
“Eternal security”, otherwise known as “once saved always saved”, is a lie from hell. Run from any and all wolves peddling this, Satan’s first lie (Genesis 2:17; 3:4).
To be “kept” by Jesus, the saved sheep must live his life “through faith.”
“And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.” Luke 17:5
The recipient of salvation must “through faith” be “kept.” God never removes man’s free will and requires not only initial but also continued faith. Jesus foretold that some would be saved and then not continue with Him and “fall away” (Luke 8:12-13).
“Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.” 1 Peter 1:9
Prayer: Father, I know You are holy and require my faith to the end of this life. Make sensitive my conscience, quicken my spirit to repentance and to be holy as You are holy. In Jesus’ name.
Jesus Christ our LORD is “that great shepherd of the sheep.”
“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, 21 Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” Hebrews 13:20-21
“For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice,” Psalms 95:7
“Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.” Psalms 100:3
“To hear His voice, we submit to the pruning of the Holy Ghost in our heart. The fruit of righteousness can only be produced in an ABIDING relationship with Jesus and cultivated by the Holy Spirit given to them that OBEY him. (John 15:3-5; 14:15-17)” Jon Crane
Moments with Our Master [book] 365 Day Devotional book available at and amazon. English and Spanish.
See what others are saying about this devotional book.
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