Abiding

An Heart of Flesh [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]

NEVER enthrone your own study or supposed knowledge of God. Subjective. Pride. You know nothing outside of Christ! Becoming and remaining humble, teachable, pliable, and correctible are proof you are known of God (Matthew 18:3-4; Ecclesiastes 4:13).

May God tenderize the hearts of His men today (Ezekiel 36:24-26).

Can the LORD still touch our hearts? Is there a tear when He touches?

“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” Proverbs 4:23

No person who names Jesus as LORD should even begin to be satisfied till their heart is that “heart of flesh,” soft and sensitive to the LORD and others. This happens at regeneration and God ordains us to walk in it (Ezekiel 36:24-26).

YOUR PRAYER: Holy Father, do it in me, do Your deep work. Break me Jesus, please. I love You my LORD. Take away the hardened places in my heart and replace them with “an heart of flesh” that is humble, convicted, pliable, innocent, and teachable. In Jesus’ name, I ask You dear Father. I love You Jesus.

“Yes! We need to let God break us to see there is nothing good in us. That leads to humility and the fear of God!“ Karen

“We pray earnestly, O God, that we may not be found among those with hardened hearts, no longer able to hear Thy voice.” AW Tozer

We can simply, and should ask our heavenly Father to grant us to have a heart of flesh and to remove all the stones, the stony places. Let it be dear Father in the name of Jesus!

THERE’S only one reason God’s Word would not be rocking your whole world today – a hard heart! But GOD has a cure for that! He has the only solution – and that is to replace it with “an heart of flesh” (Ezekiel 36:24-26)! Cry out to JESUS! IF you will REACH, He will RESCUE! There’s not one person reading this that doesn’t need a softer, more pliable heart – which God alone can provide when we cry out to Him with sincere heart! Now!

“Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, and take away the foreskins of your heart, ye men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem: lest my fury come forth like fire, and burn that none can quench it, because of the evil of your doings.” Jeremiah 4:4

“O Jerusalem, wash thine heart from wickedness, that thou mayest be saved. How long shall thy vain thoughts lodge within thee?” Jeremiah 4:14

It’s so very important to stop our life, to repent truly before and to our Maker, receiving Jesus as the Savior and Lord of our life before it’s too late. Those who push God away instead of getting right with Him suffer hardness of heart which may be the point of no return. The Bible calls it being seared in conscience (1 Timothy 4:2; Hebrews 3:12-15). | Fresh Start with God

All hardened hearts are going to Hell – because a heart can only be hard by way of sin. When God forgives and restores, that includes taking away the stony places and granting that humble, repentant soul an heart of flesh! God is so good!

What takes the heart away from God? Sin!

“Whoredom and wine and new wine take away the heart.” Hosea 4:11

Anyone not fighting the good fight of faith, choosing to seek the face of the LORD for His overcoming and a pure heart, is hardened in heart, becoming seared in conscience as with a hot iron, and backslidden (1 Timothy 4:1-3; 6:12). Such a person is in desperate need of a touch from God to which he must respond in true repentance and as he does, the “times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the LORD” (Acts 3:19). Heavenly Father, please let the restoration begin. May the LORD touch each of those who name the name of Jesus as their LORD and Savior, causing us to turn from our wicked ways and to “depart from iniquity” (2 Timothy 2:19). May Jesus begin His work afresh this hour – the work of taking away the stony places of our hearts and granting us hearts of flesh as He promised to those who are born again and seek Him (Ezekiel 36:24-26).

Every heart made by the LORD repentant and pliable, an heart of flesh, will be with Him now and forever!

“For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land (picture of salvation). 25 Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. 26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.” Ezekiel 36:24-26

This is a picture of salvation in Christ where He cleanses us from “filthiness” and all idolatry, gives us His Holy Spirit, and takes away the stony heart and replaces it with “an heart of flesh.”

Paramount to knowing and walking with Jesus, is being possessed by “an heart of flesh” which God greatly aggrandizes. The opposite of “an heart of flesh” is a hardened, stony heart which God will not work in without our true repentance.

Is the soil of your heart parched? Is it dry and hardened?

“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, 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.” Jeremiah 17:5-10

Fallen Man is Deceitful in Heart

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” Jeremiah 17:9

Scripture tells us that our own heart is wicked and also that the LORD reveals “the thoughts of his heart” to us in and through His written Word (Jeremiah 17:9; Psalms 33:11).

“The counsel (written Word) of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.” Psalms 33:11

In the above statement the LORD equates His “counsel” to “the thoughts of his heart.” Wow!

So which shall we follow?

“He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool.” Proverbs 28:26

“For thus saith the LORD to the men of Judah and Jerusalem, Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns. 4 Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, and take away the foreskins of your heart, ye men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem: lest my fury come forth like fire, and burn that none can quench it, because of the evil of your doings.” Jeremiah 4:3-4

Jesus speaks of the only heart soil that will be in glory and He uses the term “an HONEST and GOOD heart.”

“But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience” (Luke 8:15). Honesty goes a long way with God!

God is able saints…..Jacob was a deceiver and Peter had much falsity in him just as all of us …. God is able. I love to cry out to the LORD and ask Him to make me absolutely authentic to the core and to remove every trace of iniquity from my being, in Jesus’ name! (Psalms 51; 139:23-24)

“Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.” Hosea 10:12

God specializes in restoration. He loves to build those places in our hearts and lives that are/were “ruined,” “desolate.”

“Then the heathen that are left round about you shall know that I the LORD build the ruined places, and plant that that was desolate: I the LORD have spoken it, and I will do it.” Ezekiel 36:36

HOW do Our Hearts become Hardened?

It is a sin to serve self daily and not the Savior. Idolatry.

If you are not living in fervent fellowship with Jesus today, you are backslidden. You are living in sin. It doesn’t matter if you think you are saved or not. The fact is, that if you aren’t seeking the face of the LORD daily, diligently, you are reverting back to type – the sinful nature of the flesh.

God’s Word informs us that our hearts become hardened “through the deceitfulness of sin.” ….

“Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. 13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; 15 While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.” Hebrews 3:12-15

The condition of men’s hearts are of extreme importance in the eyes of God.

IF I am not truly seeking the face of the LORD, engaging daily in the life-giving abiding relationship He desires, I am simply going through religious motions, have a hardened heart, and a mere “form of godliness” (1 Chronicles 16:11; Psalms 27:4, 8; Philippians 3:10; 2 Timothy 3:5). Seeking God

“God renovates us from the inside out, he isn’t an exterior decorator..that would be like putting pearls on swine. God looks on the heart: therefore that is where the sinner must start to cry out from for mercy and salvation from their own wickedness. Praise and worship come after that he creates in us a pure heart. (Matt. 7:6; Ps. 51:1-10; Ezek. 36:26)” Jon Crane

“The LORD looketh on the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7

“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

The LORD spoke this to Samuel His servant, who like most of us, are prone to view things from a physical perspective instead of a divine perspective. Jesse had some very handsome, strong sons and yet they were passed over. When it was time to anoint a new king among God’s people, David, still young and raw, yet obediently serving the LORD out of a pure heart, was chosen. David was the youngest son of Jesse. See 1 Samuel 17.

God told His servant Samuel to not look on the outer man but rather observe how He judges, qualifies men – by their hearts. We should never judge things by the flawed whims of sinful men but rather through the lens of God’s Word which informs us that the LORD looks on the hearts of men, not the outward appearance of things. To see things as God sees them, we must have purified, cleansed, pure hearts.

Memory Verse:

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

Sinful religious men appraise themselves and others by the outward, by what things look like on the outside. Such a man is deceived into thinking that the vain show of church attendance, charitable works, giving, etc., make him pleasing to God. No. Through the hand of the beloved Paul, the Holy Spirit puts His divine finger on such that we see being played out today among many who profess to know Christ who have but a mere “form of godliness, but denying the power (authority) thereof: from such turn away” (2 Timothy 3:5). This passage seems to indicate that many professing believers deny Christ the power of authority over their lives. This would mean they are not submitted to the lordship of Christ in the daily cross but rather have a mere outward religion, making a fair show among mere men.

“For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.” John 12:43

“And rend (open) your heart, and not your garments (outer form of godliness), 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.” Joel 2:13

“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

Our Daily Walk with Jesus is Vital to a Pure, Pliable Heart!

Sister Debbie shares:

“‘Seek’ the Lord came through as a recurring theme while reading the Word as the Lord led to various Scriptures. This particular theme had come to my attention a few days ago – and was highlighted again today. Have determined to set myself to seek Him and look up the related Scriptures and write them down. I think I’ve known for awhile that this would be a season dedicated to seeking the Lord – seeking His face, when it all started with 1 Chronicles 16:11 ‘Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his face continually.'”

The recipe for a hardened, calloused heart is simply neglecting to seek the face of the LORD continually.

Only God can purify our hearts and He does this as we seek His face.

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

So, you aren’t perfect? Join the club! And, yet we serve the only One who is divine perfection and who is working in us “both to will and to do of his good pleasure” – as we work out our “own salvation with fear and trembling.”

“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: … Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” Philippians 1:6; 2:12-13

Being corrected is “the way of life” and not just here and there, not just once in a while. Have you noticed this?

Are you in God’s Word daily? If so His Word will light His way for your life and you will continue to learn of Jesus through His blessed reproofs, corrections, chastisements.

“For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:” Proverbs 6:23

We ALL have the same iniquities which are evil and if not daily crucified with Christ, if we are not full of the Holy Ghost daily, the fruit of the Holy Spirit will not be present (1 Corinthians 9:27). And the works of the flesh will be in full operation (Galatians 5:19-23). This is why rising up early to spend quality moments with Jesus are so very foundational, so essential and such a blessing! God is working in the lives of all who truly put Him first in their lives (Philippians 1:6; 2:12-13).

PRAYER: Holy Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, please melt and grant this heart You gave to be truly a heart of flesh, pliable, teachable, and full of Your love. Please remove the stony places that came by way of my sin and pour into my heart the oil of Your Holy Ghost dear LORD. In the name of Jesus, Father, please do this now!

Fresh Start with God

MESSAGE RECEIVED:

“Can God make it so a believer doesn’t feel Him in them any more as a test to seek after Him? I think that might be the case for me :)”

REPLY:

I have been exactly where you are. Exactly.

I simply moved toward and not away from the LORD

And He made it so I had no feelings of His love at first

But then…..He broke through…. sin had put my heart into a place of hardness so that I couldn’t sense Him.

Act 17:27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:

Act 17:28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.

“For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” Psalms 30:5

The Meditation of My Heart [podcast]

“Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults. 13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. 14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.” Psalms 19:12-14 Support | STORE | Podcasts | The Return of Christ | Stewardship | Where to Give and Where Not to Give | Fruit Abounding to Your Account! | Victory in Jesus | Discipleship | The […]

"He that is of a Merry Heart hath a Continual Feast" [podcast]

Message recorded at a Bible fellowship. Biblical saturation! If we are low spiritually, it could only be for 1 reason – we didn’t stay filled. Get filled! Stay filled! Overflow! Perpetually Flood your system with God’s Word! It’s only the LORD Himself who can bless the human heart to be “merry” and have a “continual feast.” In fact, that’s His will for each of us. But how does that happen? The LORD our Maker alone can truly satisfy, all the way to the marrow of the bone, to the depth of the human heart! “For I have satiated (fully satisfied) […]

Fresh Start with God

You can Have a … Jesus is the Great Shepherd of His Sheep (Heb. 13:20; Lk. 15) A FRESH START WITH GOD (First, if you are not certain that you are genuinely born again, please go here first) Let’s get something straight…. the disciple, the mere man writing this message is more in need of JESUS than anyone who ever lived! No one needs Jesus more than I do and yet, we must do things HIS way, not our own (Ephesians 3:8). “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Proverbs […]

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

“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 […]

"Feed My Sheep" [podcast]

The Paramount Divine Importance of Nourishing the Saints of Christ “Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.” 1 Timothy 4:16 Nourishing Christ’s Sheep “Feed the Flock of God.” 1 Peter 5:2 First, it’s God’s flock, paid for with the very blood of Jesus Christ (Acts 20:28). Jesus Christ is “that great shepherd of the sheep” (Hebrews 13:20). He instructed us to follow Him and, in doing so, to “FEED my sheep” (John 21:15-17). Tending to the sheep of Christ’s pasture involves nourishing […]

Favorite Eternal Security "Proof" Text? [podcast]

Excerpt from the book Lie of the Ages Does John 10:27-29 Prove “Eternal Security”? WHO are Jesus’ Sheep? Defined by, in God’s Word. John 10:27-29 “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 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 Verse 27 is the condition necessary to appropriate the promises of verses 28-29. Those […]

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

Fresh Start with God

Loving and Coming to the Light [podcast]

Recorded at a home fellowship. The first part of the audio reverberates then clears up. Father we come to You in the name of Jesus. Expose the darkness in our hearts and lives and deliver us in Jesus’ name. In Jesus’ name, Amen. May God vanquish all darkness in our own hearts, filling, flooding us with His holy light. “Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!” John 1:47 “HAVING NO PART DARK” “If thy whole body therefore be full of light, HAVING NO PART DARK, the whole […]

MAKING PEACE WITH GOD [podcast]

MAKING PEACE WITH GOD Are you ready to Pass from Death to Life? God desires to pardon you – before it’s too late. Jesus beckons you to “Come unto me” — while you can (Matthew 11:28-30). “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 GOD sees all sin and will either forgive or […]

"To Wait for His Son from Heaven" [podcast]

Waiting for His Son from Heaven “For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; 10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.” 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10 “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9 I wonder […]

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 […]