Abiding

Beware of the “Heresies Among You” [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]

Chapter 7 from the book Raised Up (narration)

“For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.” 1 Corinthians 11:19

We see in this verse of a truth that “heresies” have a place in God’s overall economy of things as pertains to His justice in dealing with men. Every person is given a choice (Deut. 30:19; Josh. 24:15; Prov. 1:29; Isa. 1:18-20; Rom. 6:16; Rev. 22:17). Those who do not choose to fear Him and therefore love His truth, are sent by Him a “strong delusion.”

And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. ~ 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12

First deception, then delusion, and ultimately unending “damnation” is the final result to be reaped by all who do not choose to foster in their lives a love for their Creator’s truth.

Eternal life, divine revelation, understanding, and insight are granted to all who are in Christ. The insight (understanding) of Heaven is given to those who humble themselves and follow Christ, who is the Truth—just as He prescribed in His Word (Matt. 11:25; 1 Cor. 2:9-16).

This relationship begins when the individual hears the voice of God calling him to repentance and responds obediently (Jn. 6:44; Acts 3:19). The called person must choose to follow Jesus by denying himself and taking up his cross—dethroning himself and putting God first in his life (Matt. 16:24-25).

The Reason Heresies and Deceivers Prosper

Below are listed two of the reasons fad books become bestsellers, heresies thrive, beguilers flourish, and deception prospers exponentially among millions who claim to be Christians. For these same reasons, millions who claim to be saved will not be ready and admitted into Christ’s kingdom when the Bridegroom returns:

Reason 1:

So many want some man to tell them what their “purpose” is, because they claim to know Jesus and are still running around life in a confused state. Why? Because they have thus far refused to seek His holy face for themselves, pouring over His words and seeking Him in prayer communion. They are therefore empty and still void of any revelation and understanding as to foundational truths revealed in Holy Scripture—like who Jesus really is, why God created man, what went wrong between God and mankind, why Jesus came to the earth, etc.

You see, it is only in going to GOD Himself—the One who created us and died for our sins—that one will ever understand his divinely-given purpose. What is that purpose? It is to glorify our Maker by following Christ in His Gospel—dying, being buried deep with Him in death to self, and seeing His holy hand of power resurrect us to glorify Him!

Reason 2:

Regrettably and astoundingly, one can observe that the vast majority of people in leadership in this late hour refuse to point people to the Source; they would rather BE the source! They refuse to lay down their own lives and thereby be instruments of Jesus to build His true Church as they point people to Him alone—to His Word and their need to know it themselves and to seek God in prayer fervently and perpetually. These are hirelings and “IDOL shepherds,” and by them there has been induced on the earth “famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD” (Zech. 11:17; Amos 8:11). As He warned us all, many of God’s people have already waxed cold in their hearts, leaving their “first love,” and are forfeiting their relationship and eternity with Him due to being “destroyed for lack of knowledge” (Hos. 4:6; Matt. 24:10-13; Rev. 2:4-5).

Any man in leadership who is not teaching people that they don’t need him, but they need JESUS, and is not teaching them to “seek ye out of the book of the Lord (for themselves) and read,” is a self-serving, vile and venomous wolf! (Read Isa. 34:16; Col. 2:18-19; 2 Tim. 2:15.) Due to personal rebellion and the epidemic of wolves, many are void of the understanding of their own need to draw nigh to the LORD in repentance and seek the face of the LORD for themselves, putting Jesus first in all things as they lay down their lives that He might reign in and through them (Lk. 9:23-24; 13:3, 5; 14:33).

The Glorious 66!

While driving my car recently I was listening to a radio program that airs every morning for three hours. The host reads from another man’s book. He narrates man’s words to his large listening audience, which listens and apparently does not object. I suspect that those who are blessed to be brought into the light by the truth, cannot bear or do not have ears for such. As usual, what he was reading from a mere man’s book was God-less conjecture, human philosophy, foolish psychology, and reasoning, etc. Whatever happened to God’s Word? Where did the Holy Scriptures disappear to? Where are those who are zealous for the LORD and therefore His holy words?! What about God’s glorious 66 books?! This man and so many others today, have displaced God’s words for those inferior and temporal reasonings, philosophies, theories, and rationalisms of mere sinful men.

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. ~ Colossians 2:8

Those who migrate to the words and philosophies of mere men, esteeming them higher than the words of God, demonstrate that they are idolaters and “savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men” (Matt. 16:23; Ezek. 14:3; Jn. 5:39-44). Jesus draws a conclusion concerning those who “savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.” He infers that they are of “Satan” (Matt. 16:23).

The Son of God says of religionists that they will not come to Him, even though they are zealous of their religion and its beliefs (Mk. 7:6-10; Jn. 5:39-44).

Always remember that true disciples have an ear for God’s words, and like Paul the apostle, all obedient and faithful messengers of the LORD are mere conduits of His Holy Spirit and truth, so that men’s affections and faith of their audience “should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God” (1 Cor. 2:1-5; 2 Cor. 4:7).

And he said unto me, Son of man, go, get thee unto the house of Israel, and speak with MY WORDS unto them. ~ Ezekiel 3:4

We see clearly in this passage, that when God sends a man to speak to His people, He sends that man to speak GOD’s words and not his own or anyone else’s words or message!

If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. ~ 1 Peter 4:11

The Bible tells us that Jesus will reward those who love and serve Him (instead of self) faithfully. They will be blessed now and forever with His joy.

His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. ~ Matthew 25:23

What Kind of Messenger are You?

As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters. ~ Proverbs 25:13

Even when it’s snowing and cold, “a faithful messenger” is faithful to serve his master and get the job done. No matter what the inconvenience, no matter what temptations come to move us off of God’s Word, we must remain diligently faithful to our LORD and give forth His pure Word “in season and out of season” (2 Tim. 4:2-4).

The Master, Jesus, is well pleased at all the “faithful messenger(s)” who obey Him by letting Him speak for Himself, as they simply communicate the “preserve(d)” and “purified” words of holy truth (Ps. 12:6-7; Prov. 30:5).

Jesus says of the Father’s Word, “Thy word is truth,” and so we know God’s words and truth are synonymous—they are one (Jn. 17:17). There is no need to search the Universe for the truth—God has already given it to man in Jesus Christ and in the Holy Scriptures. God’s Word is divine wisdom, truth, and His perfect will. Those who know Him embrace Him who is “the way, the truth, and the life” and communicate those things which He has spoken to us and are recorded in His written Word (Jn. 14:6; 17:17).

He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit. ~ Proverbs 12:17

Did you catch that truth? Read the verse above again please. Those who speak God’s Word show it forth or display it, while those who speak any other message are false witnesses—they are full of deceit that the LORD desires to circumcise or cut away out of their hearts.

And is it not obvious that, just as it is a crime to disturb the peace when truth reigns, it is also a crime to remain at peace when the truth is being destroyed? … Weaklings are those who know the truth but maintain it only (when) in their interest to do so, and (otherwise) forsake it. ~ Blaise Pascal

The crucified disciple migrates toward and acquiesces to divine truth, while shunning and despising that which is contrary (Ps. 119:104, 128; Isa. 8:20). His heart has been and is being circumcised to hear God’s words, as he has and continues to “buy the truth and sell it not” (Prov. 23:23). His heart says with Paul, “Let God be true and every man a liar” (Rom. 3:4). He embraces what Jesus stated concerning His words— “The scripture cannot be broken” (Jn. 10:35). Like Jeremiah, members of the “little flock” of the Father seek out and devour the words of their LORD (Lk. 12:32):

Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts. ~ Jeremiah 15:16

Christ’s saints value His truth. It is more important than their “necessary food” (Job 23:12).

Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food. ~ Job 23:12

The LORD is pleased to grant “ears to hear” to those who participate with Him in the process of circumcision of their hearts (Php. 3:3; 2 Tim. 4:2-4; Rev. 2-3).

Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. ~ Acts 7:51

The religious person, who is hardened by sinful pride and is therefore “stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears,” has no appetite for the Word. Those who are genuinely “born again” by the “incorruptible seed” of “the word of God,” “have tasted (experienced)” and seen “that the Lord is gracious.” These invariably delight in and “desire the sincere (pure) milk of the word.”

Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever … As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. ~ 1 Peter 1:23; 2:2-3

“Affections”

According to the divine economy, in order to locate where we stand with Christ, we need not look any further than our appetites, affections, and what we have ears to hear. “And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts” (Gal. 5:24).

“They that are Christ’s” have the “affections” of their hearts set upon Jesus and the things and work that pertain to His kingdom, and not the things of this sinful world system (Jn. 4:27; James 4:4; 1 Jn. 2:14-17). They migrate to and delight in meditating upon and talking about Christ by communing in His wonderful Word (Josh. 1:8; Ps. 1:1-2; Col. 3:16). Those who are not born again, or are not presently abiding in relationship with Jesus, find no pleasure in His words or in talking about Him. Concerning those who do not remain in Christ (remain saved after being saved), Jesus told us that they will be “cast forth as a branch, and … withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned” (Jn. 15:6). They are carnal and cannot please God.

For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. ~ Romans 8:5-8

Note: “For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.” This is how we can test whether we are of God or against Christ (Matt. 6:24; 12:30). One’s mere verbal profession doesn’t guarantee he is truly saved, especially if there is not clear fruit to prove that there is a soul-saving relationship with Christ (Matt. 3:7-10; Tit. 1:16; James 2).

The person who is not hungering for more of Christ, is not devouring His Word, does not have a life of prayer, and does not financially support the LORD’s work, is clearly not bearing fruit consistent with a true disciple. The fruit of his life plainly reveals that he is what the LORD terms “carnally minded” and is therefore abiding in spiritual “death”—separation from God.

When a person belongs to Christ, the fruit of his life testifies of that fact clearly with what he does and where his focus is—on heavenly things, rather than on earthly (Matt. 6:19-21; Php. 3:18-21; Col. 3:1-4).

They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. ~ Titus 1:16

Without exception, the person who is given over to the LORD is given over to His cause. What concerns God concerns him. His finances, actions, and heart are behind Christ’s Gospel (Matt. 6:19-21). He is about his Father’s business and not his own (Lk. 2:49). What business the LORD declared and demonstrated to be important, is important to the truly saved person.

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

There’s a simple fruit-checker to see if we are walking in the Spirit or in the flesh—if we mind His things, we are of Him, and if we don’t, we aren’t. The mind which sets its affections upon the LORD is a mind filled with divine grace. The true disciple is busy with the work that is important to Christ. The man with such a mind is kept in “perfect peace,” because he is presenting himself a living sacrifice to the LORD, and his mind is set upon things above and not on the things of the earth (Rom. 12:1-2; Col. 3:1-4).

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. ~ Isaiah 26:3

In contrast, those who have their minds set upon the things of this world prove they are serving themselves and not the LORD.

(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ. Whose end is destruction [hell], whose God is their belly [carnal, self-serving appetites], and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) ~ Philippians 3:18-19

Those who have been and are being circumcised in heart, as they are daily and perpetually “crucified with Christ” turn away from and expose lies, and they have “ears” for and a love for divine truth given to us in the written Word. The affections of their hearts are set upon Christ and His coming and everlasting kingdom, and not on the things of this sin-cursed temporal world. They are therefore busy dying, that His power and grace might reign in them to the cutting away of anything in their lives that does not bring God glory.

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and coveteousness, which is idolatry. ~ Colossians 3:1-5

Only the work of the Holy Spirit, through the inner working of the cross, can bring about the sanctified life which includes upward affections and a circumcised, broken, contrite, humble heart of flesh that responds perfectly and delightfully to the voice and words of the Savior (Ps. 4:3; 40:8; 1 Jn. 5:3).

For thus saith the LORD to the men of Judah and Jerusalem, Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns. 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 … ¹⁴ O Jerusalem, wash thine heart from wickedness, that thou mayest be saved. How long shall thy vain thoughts lodge within thee? ~ Jeremiah 4:3-4, 14

Circumcision involves the cutting away and removal of that which is excess. It was the sign of the covenant of the LORD with His people Israel and is also the sign or fruit of His work in all of His people today.

For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God. ~ Romans 2:28-29

What was physical under the Old Covenant, is spiritual under the New.

All whom He saves are positionally crucified with Christ and yet must buy into and participate in the Gospel by dying, being buried, and trusting and allowing God to raise them up. We who have been born again have been crucified with Christ and circumcised inwardly and are to follow suit “daily” in this crucified life (Lk. 9:23-24; Rom. 6:3-7; Gal. 2:20; 5:24).

According to the above passage from the prophet Jeremiah, “vain thoughts” must be taken away or circumcised from the hearts of God’s people. If a person does not hear God’s Word, it is clear that they are not His—they are not set apart by Him in salvation and for His use.

“He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.” (John 8:47). Here Christ makes it crystal clear that those “of God heareth God’s words” and those “not of God” refuse to hear, embrace, and do them. Those who steer away from God’s Word, do not get into it for themselves, and have no hunger for it are simply “not of God” according to the Almighty Himself. Jesus told us that those who are ashamed of Him or of His words are not of Him and will not be going to Heaven (Matt. 7:21; Mk. 8:38).

Jesus told us that “God is a Spirit,” and if a person does not worship Him “in spirit and in truth” it is because that person does not know Him and is not known of Him. Christ said that this was a “must” essential.

But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him MUST worship him in spirit and in truth. ~ John 4:23-24

The only way that an individual can be saved and serve God “in spirit and in truth” is to be “born again” (Jn. 3:1-8; Tit. 3:5-6; 1 Pet. 1:23). When he is born again and continues abiding in Jesus, he will worship God in the Spirit and have no confidence in the flesh or the fleshly things of mere men.

For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. ~ Philippians 3:3

It is only when the cross of Christ has had its way in circumcising a man’s heart that he can delight in God. “I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law (Word) is within my heart” (Ps. 40:8).

The cross and its mortifying of the sinful nature separates the heart from carnality, hardness, deceit, filthiness, and self-will, allowing it to hear clearly and respond obediently (Jer. 4:3-4, 14; Ezek. 36:26; Hos. 10:12; Acts 15:9; Rom. 8:13-14; 1 Cor. 1:18; 2 Cor. 7:1; Heb. 3:12-15; 13:9).

Those whose hearts are full of self instead of the Savior, “heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears … And … turn away their ears from the truth” (2 Tim. 4:3). These who have a mere “form of godliness” and are “lovers of their own selves,” help fulfill the prophecies of the exponential multiplicity of deceivers in this last hour— “Evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse” (2 Tim. 3:13).

Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. ~ 2 Timothy 4:2-4

All leaders who do not communicate His pure Word are false teachers and are only supported by those whose hearts are not given over to Christ (2 Tim. 4:3-4; Heb. 13:9). His “faithful messenger(s)” are joyfully overflowing with the “treasures” He has deposited in their “earthen vessels,” and their cups run/spill over onto those they serve with the Gospel (Ps. 23:5; 2 Cor. 4:7).

The Psalmist prayed thus concerning evil communicators who spawn and propagate heresies that lead people away from Jesus: “Let not an evil speaker be established in the earth” (Psalms 140:11).

It’s only as men are not circumcised in heart and ear that they allow, endorse, enable, condone, support, and cause false prophets to prosper as they “bid Godspeed” to them (2 Jn. 7-11).

Only dead men, men who are truly “crucified with Christ,” men who are in their personal lives preferring the LORD above themselves, can and will be filled with the life of Christ and speak His holy words faithfully and with His anointing. Many today who hold positions of leadership and influence simply do not want to die.

The flesh, smiling and confident, preaches and sings about the cross; before that cross it bows and toward that cross it points with carefully staged histrionics – but upon that cross it will not die, and the reproach of that cross it stubbornly refuses to bear. ~ A.W. Tozer, The Divine Conquest

It’s only misled men who mislead men. Misled men are men who deny the daily cross Christ commanded us to take up (Lk. 9:23-24). Un-crucified men will deny Christ by delivering a message different from the one He delivered.

A third defect in our message is our tendency to keep the terms of discipleship hidden until a decision has been made for Jesus. Our LORD never did this. The message He preached included the cross as well as the crown … We popularize the message and promise fun. The result of all this is that we have people believing without knowing what they believe (with) no doctrinal basis for their decision. They do not know the implications of commitment to Christ. They have never experienced the mysterious, miraculous work of the Holy Spirit in regeneration. ~ William MacDonald, “ Evangelical Dilemma” Milk & Honey, 4/07, p. 4

It’s only as we cry out for Him to “increase” and as we ourselves “decrease,” that Christ’s power, life, and message can reign in our mortal bodies (Jn. 3:30; 2 Co. 4:10-12). Only those whose lives are laid down can possibly be raised up by Him to be used of Him, and they by His divine “ability” make Jesus known— “that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ” (1 Pet. 4:11).

Do we have ears to hear “what the Spirit saith unto the churches” in this late hour? (Read Rev. 2-3.) It’s only as we are flattened, prostrate, and bowed down before His Majesty that He will elevate us in His power, wisdom, and grace (divine ability) to know Him and to be used of Him. We are not worthy to be saved into His family or used of Him, and without Christ, we “can do nothing” (Jn. 15:5; Tit. 3:5-6).

Are You Truly “Crucified with Christ”?

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

Be it known that only crucified men can glorify God and only crucified men do not mislead others, nor do they follow false prophets who are the enemies of Christ and the cross of Christ. They have ears to hear and a heart to faithfully embrace the words of the One they love supremely—Jesus Christ.

PRAYER: Father, please break me. Crush me that I might be abased in Thy holy presence and thereby preserved of You. Grant a teachable and contrite heart, Holy Father. Give me a heart after You and ears to hear what You would say to Your people in this late hour. I love You, Jesus, and thank You for dying to mediate between God and men. I am crucified with Christ and nevertheless I live, yet not I, but Christ lives 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. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Capture Points

Discuss in detail what divine truth is being conveyed to us in 1 Corinthians 11:19. As usual, remember to bring in other passages (Isa. 28:9-10; 1 2:13; 2 Cor. 13:1).
Carefully and prayerfully write out Colossians 2:8 on an index card.
Prayerfully and biblically talk about 2 Timothy 4:2-5.

The Laid Down Life [podcast]

Isaiah’s Call and Commission [podcast]

“He that Loveth Pureness of Heart” [podcast]

Abiding

“A Land Flowing with Milk and Honey” [podcast]

DADDY’S IN THE HOUSE!

There will not be even one rebel in glory …. The LORD loves and calls you to Himself today….. to settle down humbly in true repentance …. asking God to forgive your sinful stubbornness, rebellion, and self-idolatry, self-adultery. Ask Him to give you a heart of flesh and to take away every trace of a stony heart in you (Ezekiel 36:24-26).

If you had a real dad growing up, you know HE was large and in charge in his house…. and so is God!

He’s Large and in Charge!

He’s Daddy, “Abba Father”! (Romans 8:15).

He’s Your Father – yet only if you endure His chastening! (Hebrews 12:5-12)

“A land flowing with milk and honey” (Exodus 3:8) is a biblical phrase that describes a place of great abundance and prosperity, symbolizing the fulfillment of God’s promises and the richness of the Promised Land. It emphasizes a land that is fertile, nourishing, and provides an abundance of sustenance, with milk and honey serving as symbolic representations of this richness.”

“For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba (Daddy), Father. 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.” Romans 8:15-17

Growing up in daddy’s house, you did things his way, right? Not your way but his way…. he was the man of the house, not you. You abode under his provision and his care and love for you, as your daddy, right? Well, that’s how it is with God. He loves you beyond measure and yet you must simply humble yourself and do things His way. When you do, the blessings will flow, will overwhelm you, will consume you, will flood your life! BAM. Memorize Matthew 6:33 today.

Let’s get something straight …

NO DOUBT: There’s no doubt that God wants to bless your life! Yet, you must do it His way beloved. He wants to bless you and yet, you must ask yourself if you really want Him. Are you truly hungering and thirsting for more of Jesus, more of His righteousness?

“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” Matthew 5:6

The Old Testament summed up: In dealing with His people, His transactions, our LORD’s business concerned their salvation and restoration – promised land blessings! Read Numbers 13-14; 1 Corinthians 10:1-13. And, we are now “the Israel of God” (Galatians 6:16). All these things were written and are on record for us – for our learning, comfort, peace, and blessings (Romans 15:4; 1 Corinthians 10:11).

As was the case with Old Testament Israel, God brought you out of a life of sin in this fallen world (Egypt) in order to bring you IN – into His land of abundant blessings, walking victoriously in a cross-abiding relationship with Christ (John 15).

“And he brought us OUT from thence, that he might bring us IN, to give us the land which he sware unto our fathers.” Deuteronomy 6:23

There’s a promised land of blessedness, of abundant fruit, the likes of which we have not even begun to taste. Yet, appropriating, walking into this treasure house, this field, this gold mine of blessedness, requires that we closely, diligently trust and obey the Giver of “every good gift … every perfect gift” (James 1:17).

HE BROUGHT YOU OUT OF SOMETHING FOR GOOD REASON – TO BRING YOU INTO SOMETHING MUCH GREATER – WHICH HE PURCHASED WITH HIS OWN BLOOD ON THAT CROSS!

Many who read these words are seeking to get and to live out what God alone can provide – as you abide in a real relationship with Him, loving Him with all you are, wholeheartedly.

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

Delighting in the LORD assures that we will be possessed with His desires and they will be granted!

Truly Trusting and OBEYING God

Are you forgetting any of His “benefits” – the ones Jesus died to give? Are you neglecting to appropriate them by a real walk with Him? “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits” (Psalms 103:2).

Jesus was the perfect example of delighting in God. In the days of His flesh, Jesus toiling as He faced going to that cross for us, cried “not my will, but thine, be done” (Luke 22:42). Have we cried out to the LORD today with a “Not my will but thine be done”?

“First” means First, not Second. Putting God where He Belongs in Your Life – “First”

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33

If you are out of Bible order, you are out of Bible blessings!

If your life is not in Bible order where Jesus is literally FIRST, you will not walk in the blessings of God – the blessings Jesus died to give you!

“IF”

“If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: 20 But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.” Isaiah 19-20

GOD DESIRES TO BLESS YOU – to bring you into “A Land Flowing with Milk and Honey.”

The phrase “milk and honey” appears 20 times in God’s Word and in every case, refers to God’s desire and declaration to bring His people into His land of rich blessings, flowing with the bounty of His goodness!

“And I am come down to deliver them (salvation) out of the hand of the Egyptians (the world), and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites” (Exodus 3:8).

In other words, “I’m going to bring you into a land flowing with milk and honey right in the middle of your enemies!”

The LORD brings us OUT of sin, “OUT of darkness INTO his marvellous light”!

“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar (special) people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you OUT of darkness INTO his marvellous light:” 1 Peter 2:9

“Unto a land flowing with milk and honey: for I will not go up in the midst of thee; for thou art a stiffnecked people: lest I consume thee in the way.” Exodus 33:3

The LORD brings, saves us out of the world and into His kingdom family and blessings!

“And I have said, I will bring you up OUT of the affliction of Egypt (sin; the lost world) unto the land of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, unto a land flowing with milk and honey (salvation).” Exodus 3:17

The “Milk and Honey” of Christ’s Salvation!

God brought His beloved people OUT of Egypt (represents the world) to bring them INTO the promised land He ordained for them! In the same way, God has brought you and me out of sin, out of the kingdom of the world, in order to bring us IN to His promised land of blessing in Christ! Read Ephesians 1 afresh beloved of God.

“Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet (fit) to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13 Who hath delivered us FROM (out of) the power of darkness, and hath translated us INTO the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:” Colossians 1:12-14

God never brings you OUT of something not to bring you INTO something much better! safeguardyoursoul.com

He made us to bless us and yet – will only do so as we walk with Him on His stated terms.

“That I may perform the oath which I have sworn unto your fathers, to give them a land flowing with milk and honey, as it is this day. Then answered I, and said, So be it, O LORD.” Jeremiah 11:5

“And that ye may prolong your days in the land, which the LORD sware unto your fathers to give unto them and to their seed, a land that floweth with milk and honey.” Deuteronomy 11:9

God Sent His Son to Bless Us – His People

“Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.” Acts 3:26

Repentance Always Leads to Refreshing from Heaven!

“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; 20 And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: 21 Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.” Acts 3:19-21

God Requires Repentance and Faith in All Who will be His and Receive His Ultimate Blessings

¨I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: 20 That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.¨ Deuteronomy 30:19-20

¨Numbers 14:8 says if He delights in us, then He will give us a land flowing with milk and honey. This means in order to receive a land flowing with milk and honey He must delight in us. This notes a condition of obedience and faith. We have to embrace and conform with His ways (the cross) to receive the spiritual blessings and to receive eternal life.¨ Karen Cochran

¨And now, I beseech thee, let the power of my Lord be great, according as thou hast spoken, saying, 18 The LORD is longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation. 19 Pardon, I beseech thee, the iniquity of this people according unto the greatness of thy mercy, and as thou hast forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now.¨ Numbers 14:17-19

PRAYER: Heavenly Father thank You for being so unimaginably loving and benevolent to Your creation, to all those You made in Your very image. I love You LORD Jesus and here and now give You praise and thanksgiving for coming to die for my sins and then buried and raised again for my justification. Now dear LORD, please make me whole, from the inside out. Please pour out Your Holy Ghost on my life now and use this vessel to bring eternal glory to You. Bless Your people to abide in You Jesus, to have vital union with You and thereby the abundance of fruit, more fruit, and much fruit. In Jesus´ name. Amen.

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 […]

Conditions and Consequences: Beware of False Prophets

God is not getting ready to bless any person who has not repented and put their lives in the hands of the nail-scarred risen Savior Jesus Christ. Beware of the promise peddlers who indiscriminately dish out promises and never mention the necessity of meeting the conditions. We’d better begin noticing the “IF“‘s in God’s Word – the conditions, the things God requires. Here you go, let me assist…. “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be […]

"Fruitful in the Land of My Affliction" [podcast]

FORGETTING AND BEING FRUITFUL ! God’s Word speaks about forgetting the things that are behind us (Philippians 3:13-14) and also speak volumes about abiding in Christ and being fruitful (John 15). Forgetting leads to fruitfulness. Let go and let God. “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14 G1950 ἐπιλανθάνομαι epilanthanomai ep-ee-lan-than’-om-ahee Middle voice from G1909 and G2990; […]

Abiding

Following the Faith of Abraham [podcast]

“There failed not ought of any good thing which the LORD had spoken unto the house of Israel; ALL came to pass.” Joshua 21:45

The LORD Keeps His Promises to His People

God could trust Abraham:

“For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.” Genesis 18:19

Of Abraham who lived by faith, the LORD says “For I know him” and if we love God, like Abraham, we are known of the LORD also.

“But if any man love God, the same is known of him.” 1 Corinthians 8:3

Does the unchanging God ever tell His people to leave where they are and go to another place? Yes.

“Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: 2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: 3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. 4 So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him…” Genesis 12:1-4

Abraham met the condition and God fulfilled His promise. Could the LORD have blessed Abraham had Abraham not trusted and obeyed Him?

“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

“The key is to say ‘Here I am.’ Abraham responded 3 times to God in Gen 22, when God called His name. It was an immediate response of obedience. Did he know exactly why God was calling him? No! It was the posture of his heart. Because of his faithful obedience the Lord knew Abraham was a God fearing man, who only cared about doing God’s will.” Karen Cochran

“And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness.” Genesis 15:6

“And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.” James 2:23

“I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. 7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. 8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. 9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.” 1 Corinthians 3:6-9

“By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.” Hebrews 11:8

“And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.” Luke 17:5

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please forgive my unbelief, which is a sin. Please wash this heart afresh in Your precious blood dear LORD Jesus. Fill my heart with faith, with love, joy, and peace. Please order my every step and be glorified in this life You gave. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

"Though He Slay Me, Yet will I Trust in Him" [podcast]

DO WE have the “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him” spirit and disposition of the beloved Job? “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.” Job 13:15 Going though a season of testing and trials and yet not worshipping God through it all, is a waste. Personally I had to learn this the hard way. God has been so wonderfully gracious! “But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, […]

Are You a "A FAITHFUL MESSENGER" of the LORD? [podcast]

The faithfulness of God is where we begin …. every word in the Bible. His Word oozes with His faithfulness. He was faithful to us “while we yet sinners” (Romans 5:6-8), to forgive us our sins (1 John 1:9). ruling over cities – see Luke 19 See examples of faithfulness to God in Hebrews 11: “he pleased God” “By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.” Hebrews 11:5 “But whoso looketh into the perfect […]

Abiding

The Flesh will Never be Reformed it Must be Crucified [podcast]

The Divine Prescription is Clear and there are No Shortcuts

“And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.” Galatians 5:24

The law brings repentance, salvation while thereafter the crucified life, the cross keeps us from that sin which once separated us from the LORD, who now has saved us (Psalms 19:7; Romans 6).

There are lots of people peddling the lie of “self care” which is ultimately nothing more than absolute selfishness. Pure evil. We need SAVIOR care! Such “self-care” only perpetuates the prey, the victim, in their misery. The only way to deal with the wicked iniquitous nature, is to crucify it, not pamper it (Luke 9:23-24). It’s your time to get into God’s Word and follow Jesus (KJB). Repent, deny yourself, lay down your life and serve God and others, not yourself. Loving your wicked self IS your problem and so all “self care” is accomplishing is to make your problem bigger, to fortify the evil within (Galatians 5:16-24). Crucifying that evil by the power of the Holy Spirit who is then raising your upward in His grace, glory, and power, is the divine prescription (Romans 8:13; Colossians 3:3, etc.). Read Philippians 2:3-5 each morning this week. Jesus commands you to love God. Worship God. Obey God (Matthew 22:37-39).

All whom Jesus has saved make a decision every day, including this day. All who were initially saved and yet aren’t searching out and taking up the cross daily, prove they do not love Him, even though they may claim such. Each of us prove who we really love by who reigns in our lives, and by who dies. See Matthew 6:24.

“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 6:16

WHO we yield ourselves to today, proves who we truly love – either the Savior or self.

“But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:” 2 Corinthians 1:9

We must declare and establish “the sentence of death in ourselves” so that our trust is in God who raised Christ from the dead and raises up all of His saints as they are crucified with Christ.

“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

Tired of sinful self and wanting it out of your way? Here’s the divine prescription: “But I keep under (subdue) my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway” (1 Corinthians 9:27).

The fact that Jesus is coming back for a church, a people who are holy, let us peer into what the Bible tells us concerning overcoming the flesh, sin (Romans 6-8).

Jesus never said to try or try harder. no, Jesus says you must die to follow Him (Luke 9:23-24; John 12:23-25, etc.).

Jesus is sanctifying and cleansing by His Word a people, a church “a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish” (Ephesians 5:25-27).

Times of fasting and prayer are doing yourself a favor and not God. Yes. You are crucifying self, getting self out of God’s way so that Christ is reigning in your life in place of sinful self! This should be viewed with absolute delight! (See Psalms 37:4; Hosea 6:6; Matthew 9:13, etc..) You are crying, you are driving a stake in the ground and declaring: “LORD, You must increase but I must decrease!” (See John 3:30.) That’s the “daily” operation of the cross God has ordained to be transpiring in our lives (Luke 9:23-24; 2 Corinthians 4:10-12; Galatians 2:20, etc.).

What’s your plan for a special time of fasting and prayer this week? There’s no mystery – you will not overcome the flesh, sin, without being crucified with Christ and there’s no better way than fasting and prayer. It’s the most direct route to being dead, buried, and raised up in the victory Christ alone can grant. Lay it all down, now. Memorize Colossians 3:3 and walk it out.

We simply can’t know just how deep we are buried in pride until we begin to obey God in fasting and prayer. Isaiah 58

Overcoming the flesh, walking in victory requires continually delighting in the LORD, worshipping Him “in spirit and in truth” (John 4:23-24).

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

HOW many of us know that the flesh is never going to behave itself, never going to be tamed …. until it’s slain by the cross, crucified?

The flesh IS going to rage, be bent toward and do evil. That’s a given (Romans 7). This is why the cross, the crucifying of the “old man” and putting on “the new man” are essential to God bringing the victory in our lives! (Romans 6-8; Ephesians 4:23-25; Colossians 3:5-10, etc.)

Doesn’t the fact that our flesh does not like the cross, only confirm the need for it? What are the “works of the flesh” that will separate a once saved Christian from God? (Galatians 5:16-21) Though it’s never heard in the apostate modern church world, Jesus commanded the cross in the life of each and every person who would follow Him (Luke 9:23-24). The fact that our flesh hates the cross in no way changes God and what He said concerning the severity in which we are to deal with the flesh, with sin – and the eternal damnation that awaits all who don’t crucify the deeds of the body (Mark 9:42-49; Romans 6; 2 Corinthians 7:1; 1 Peter 1:15-16; Revelation 21:8, 27, etc.). When’s the last time you read the words of Jesus recorded in Mark 9:42-49 and took Jesus at His Word? IF you truly love Him, you will obey Him (John 14:15).

God fully expects for His people to induce, to participate in the crucifixion of our flesh, putting the self-life to death (Isaiah 58; Matthew 6:16; 1 Corinthians 9:27; Galatians 2:20, etc.).

Holiness is not the way to Christ but rather Christ is the way to holiness. Abiding in Christ IS abiding holy – in the divine definition of holy. The key is that holiness is NOT the way to God but rather Christ is the way to holiness, His way, His definition – which is the daily cross (Luke 9:23-24). Abiding fellowship with Christ, on HIS terms, is holiness – being set apart to the LORD, in the LORD (Psalms 4:3; John 15).

Sin is man’s master until Christ is man’s Master (Matthew 6:24).

No one overcomes by accident. Those who love the LORD, truly, not just in mere profession, will seek Him diligently and obey Him and therefore are brought into His victory by Him (Matthew 7:21; 22:37-39; Titus 1:16; 1 John 2:3-6; Revelation 2-3, etc.). The disciple must truly repent and cease all excuses for the sin that displeases God and walk as “MORE than conquerors through him that loved us” (Romans 8:1, 5-6, 13-14; 37, etc.).

Jesus came from Heaven to earth and successfully confronted evil, sin, death, and the devil by going to the cross and defeating them! Read Colossians 2:14-15; Hebrews 2:14-15 and 1 John 3:8. In Christ, with Christ, we defeat death by dying, laying down our lives (Hebrews 2:14-15). And Jesus, who conquered death, hell, sin, Satan, and the grave, sends us to the cross – co-death with Him to defeat all of our sin and Satan also (Luke 9:23-24; Romans 6; 8:29, 37; 2 Corinthians 4:10-12, etc.). His precious blood alone atoned for our sins positionally, and yet to enforce that victory in defeating sin and Satan in our daily lives, Jesus prescribed to us the cross life (the practical).

The only thing we can do about this reality – about the iniquitous fleshly nature – is to crucify it (Galatians 5:16-24). There can be no negotiation.

“Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:11

The one way to master sin is bow to Heaven’s Master and let Him master sin! The cross.

BECAUSE JESUS CHRIST ROSE AGAIN, ALL WHO ARE BORN AGAIN IN HIM ARE RAISED UP SPIRITUALLY IN THIS LIFE TO OVERCOME ALL SIN, SATAN, AND THE WORLD, AND WILL SOON be RAISED UP INTO ETERNAL GLORY WITH HEAVEN’S KING.

Rhetorical Question: What’s your fasting and prayer plan beloved? Your answer to this important, prompting question is before you and your LORD….

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:1-2

You are not serious about overcoming sin if you’re not yet setting apart regular times of fasting and prayer. The fact that you don’t want to fast is the clear proof that you need to fast. Currently, your flesh is in control! Once you are broken, you will delight in, you will look forward to those times of regular fasting! Read Isaiah 58. | The Amazing Benefits of Fasting and Prayer

Times of Fasting and prayer get YOU out of the way so Jesus can reign supreme! Isaiah 58

“For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” Romans 8:13-14

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

FASTING IS STARVING THE FLESH AND FEEDING THE SPIRIT IN ORDER TO BE BROUGHT BY THE LORD INTO FULL ONENESS WITH HIM AND THE FATHER, AND INTO THE COMPLETE VICTORY AND FRUITFULNESS HE’S ORDAINED YOU TO WALK IN (ISAIAH 58).

Read Romans 6-8.

I am not a good person. Neither are you. “There is none righteous, no, not one” (Romans 3:10). Admit it. The Bible and our own failing experience in this life clearly reveal such to be the case. The sooner we become HONEST with that which is more than obvious, announcing freely and transparently that there is “no good thing” in us except CHRIST, the sooner God will begin a fresh, deeper work in us! See Romans 7:18, 24—the cross!

“For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.” Romans 7:18

“Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;” Colossians 3:9

The SINNER, the vile wretch I must first and foremost confront, is myself! See Job 19:28; Rom 7:18, 24; Ps 39:4-5 and Eccl 7:20. It’s essential to begin to understand the flesh, the fallen man, the iniquitous old man, in order to realize what we’ve been saved from and what must be crucified daily. The cross is God’s solution, His prescription to “put off the old man with his deeds.”

“That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;” Ephesians 4:22

The cross subdues the flesh, it separates us from being held captive to the dictates of the old man, the carnal fallen nature.

The Root of the Matter is in Me! | The Daily Cross

Either Crucify the Flesh or it will Crucify Christ out of Your Life [podcast]

Fight the temptation or die the death? Where’s the victory come from? The Cross – something counterfeits intentionally evade (Philippians 3:18-19). The cross is how we know who is real and who is fake. Refusing to take up the cross means one has denied Christ. This would account for the vast majority of men in ministry today. They are cross-less. The only people who are truly following Christ are those who are doing it HIS way – and His stated way is the cross, the crucified life (Luke 9:23-24). There is no other way to follow Jesus. If we don’t […]

To the Flesh we must declare “Shut up and die!” [podcast]

There can be no mercy on the flesh. As opposed to making excuse for the fallen nature in us, we must declare war on it – by the cross (Romans 6:1-23; 8:12-13, etc.). Jesus never said to try. Jesus says you must die to follow Him (Luke 9:23-24; John 12:23-25, etc.). The flesh cannot be cast out, like a devil. It must be daily crucified, put to death (Luke 9:23-24; Romans 6, etc.). The Holy Spirit alone can crucify the deeds of the body and this only happens as we are dead and buried with Christ. Read Romans 6 […]

Sin: Man’s Core Problem [podcast]

People don’t have a “mental health” problem, they have a SIN problem and sin is what gives way, gives full access to Satan! “When people hear voices telling them to harm themselves or others, that’s not a chemical imbalance, it’s demon possession.” Rachel Gould “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” Jeremiah 17:9 Jesus taught us that man’s sin comes out of his “desperately wicked” heart (Jer17:9; Mark 7:20-23). The devil and his agents have created a million ways to divert us from stopping our lives, getting honest, taking personal responsibility, humbling ourselves, […]