God has used many of His people to rebuke this fool (me)….yes as members of Christ’s body we have each other to help us be accountable to HIM and to grow in the grace of Christ – Psalms 141:5; 2 Peter 3:18. David prayed:
“Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head: for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities.” Psalms 141:5
One of the ways God corrects, changes us is through bless-ed rebukes.
“The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil: so do stripes the inward parts of the belly.” Proverbs 20:30
Sometimes we need wounding unto life. It produces needed healing, wholeness (Proverbs 27:5-6).
At some point, every man needs to be confronted by his Nathan (2 Samuel 11-12; Psalms 141:5). When God has to send a Nathan, it’s because He loves us (Revelation 3:19).
May the LORD bless abundantly all the Nathans! They care! (Proverbs 27:5-6) Nathans are true men of God as opposed to the many cowards who pose as such these days but don’t possess the corresponding fruit!
“For the commandment (written Word) is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:” Proverbs 6:23
WHAT’s the Savior’s goal if one of His children go astray, fall? What’s God’s will for using you in that process?
“Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual (mature in Christ), restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. 2Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:1-2
Jesus teaches that if we presently have any sin at all in our own lives, we are 100% disqualified from pointing out or condemning anyone else for any sin they have in their own life.
“He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.” John 8:7
Jesus teaches us that The sin that should concern us the most is our own.
Any questions?
“Judge not, that ye be not judged. 2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. 3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? 4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? 5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.” Matthew 7:1-5
If one’s aim, goal isn’t restoration, such a person is not qualified to approach another concerning sin.
There is no excuse for sin and yet, Jesus didn’t deal harshly with those who fell, as long as they were honest and weren’t pretenders – pharisees (See Matt. 23). He never dealt more harshly than when He spoke to the religious actors (pharisees). Remember to always consider just who the LORD is talking to in His Word when you are studying. ….Jesus knows the hearts of all men and knows who is sincerely repentant and who isn’t (2 Cor. 7:9-10). He cannot be mocked (Gal. 6:7). Consider how the Son of God spoke to the women at the well whom He said had previously had 5 husbands and now was living with another man (John 4). What did Jesus teach concerning the two men who went to pray? (Lk. 18:9-17) The one who prayed only 7 words of sincere, honest, repentance was heard while the one who proudly touted his own self-righteousness and prayed 34 words, was rejected. Sin must be dealt with among God’s people and yet, it must be dealt with according the Jesus’ and His apostles clear instructions and never out of self-righteous pride (Rom. 16:17-18; 1 Cor. 5:11-12; Gal. 6:1-3; James 5:19-20). The novice must never undertake such but rather continue to get the logs from his own eyes so God can later use him to bring restoration – that’s the goal (Matt. 7:1-5; Gal. 6:1-2). “Ye which are spiritual” or seasoned in Christ’s grace, mature, are to “restore” the fallen to their relationship with Jesus (Gal. 6:1-2). Also, Jesus instructed us to not go public but rather to go straight to the one we believe is in sin – first (Matt. 18:15-18). To say we are led to correct while simultaneously contradicting/violating the very instructions of Scripture, reveals our own delusionment (1 Cor. 14:33). This bring offences contrary to God’s will as expressed in His Word (see Rom. 16:17-18).
Tip: If we are too eager to correct others, this identifies us as novices (1 Tim. 3:6). The LORD wants to do a work in our own hearts and lives and will use us to help restore others to Him later (1 Cor. 11:31-32; 2 Cor. 13:5).
If we are not truly meek, we are not yet “spiritual” or spiritually mature and not fit yet to bring correction. The mature disciple is not looking for someone to correct or nit-picking like a pharisee (Matt. 23:23-25). He does not evilly surmise or guess about others’ motives and actions (1 Tim. 6:5). He does not read into situations but rather believes to the best (1 Cor. 13:5-7; 1 Pet. 4:8). When we become ready to help others, we will be moved upon by the Spirit of God to do so and won’t need to be looking to correct others. That would identify a pride-filled, self-righteous heart.
Biblical Example of a Transgressor being Saved from Death – Restored
1 Corinthians 5 – sin
2 Corinthians 2 – repentance and restoration
So after the fornicator in the Corinthian church was turned over to Satan by the body of Christ, he repented and was restored to fellowship with Christ and His people (1 Corinthians 5; 2 Corinthians 2). And here was Paul’s follow-up instructions:
“Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many. 7 So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow. 8 Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him.” 2 Corinthians 2:6-8
Saints, when someone returns to Christ, we must rejoice as does God and love them, pour Heaven’s healing oil on them, celebrate the return of the prodigals!!!! (Luke 15)
Matthew 18:15-17 ….This passage is often misapplied. DOES Matthew 18:15-17 apply to wolves? No. Notice how He begins – “Moreover if thy brother (not a lost soul or wolf) shall trespass against thee…” What Jesus was teaching us in Matthew 18:15-17 is for the members of His body exclusively. Wolves are Satan’s plants to deceive His body and not members His body but rather ministers of Satan (2 Corinthians 11:12-15).
“Moreover if thy brother(not a lost soul or wolf) shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. 16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. 17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.” Matthew 18:15-17
The Blessing of Being Born of God, Born Again [podcast]
QUESTION:
“What does it mean to be ‘born again’?”
REPLY:
Great question. I am praying for you now. Born again is the same as regeneration we see in Titus 3:5-7. When the sinner (ALL of us) comes to God humbly, in repentance, turning his life to the LORD, and putting all of his faith now in Jesus Christ alone, God does a miracle in the person’s life – a change on the inside that is unmistakable and transforms that persons nature and life forever. From that moment onward, Christ reigns in that person’s life, filling him with love, joy, peace, etc. (Galatians 5:22-23). The LORD works from the inside out. First He saves, washes our sins away, and then dwells in that newly saved, born again temple (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
To be born again you have to go to God directly…. admitting you have sinned against Him, and receive Jesus into your life. It has to be personal. Religions are designed to keep you from God while claiming to be the way to God. Beware.
“Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3
“Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again(2nd birth).” John 3:7
“The birth for which Christ contends is from above – by the agency of the Holy Spirit. Every man must have two births, one from heaven, the other from earth – one of his body, the other of his soul: without the first he cannot see nor enjoy this world, without the last he can not see nor enjoy the kingdom of God. As there is an absolute necessity that a child should be born into the world, that he may see its light, contemplate its glories, and enjoy its good, so there is an absolute necessity that the soul should be brought out of its state of darkness and sin, through the light and power of the grace of Christ, that it may be able to see, or, to discern, the glories and excellencies of the kingdom of Christ here, and be prepared for the enjoyment of the kingdom of glory hereafter. The Jews had some general notion of the new birth; but, like many among Christians, they put the acts of proselytism, baptism, etc., in the place of the Holy Spirit and his influence: they acknowledged that a man must be born again; but they made that new birth to consist in profession, confession, and external washing.
The new birth which is here spoken of comprehends, not only what is termed justification or pardon, but also sanctification or holiness. Sin must be pardoned, and the impurity of the heart washed away, before any soul can possibly enter into the kingdom of God. As this new birth implies the renewing of the whole soul in righteousness and true holiness, it is not a matter that may be dispensed with: heaven is a place of holiness, and nothing but what is like itself can ever enter into it.” Adam Clarke
YOUR PRAYER TO GOD TO BE SAVED, TO BE FORGIVEN Are You Ready to be Saved? Okay here’s a prayer to be God’s child. You have to admit the obvious, that you have sinned against God and turn to Him fully, turn your life over to Him who made you. And confess Jesus Christ as the new LORD and Savior of your life. Pray this …
Your Prayer to God … You must honestly admit your sins and receive Christ… Apply His holy blood to your life so that you may be saved, forgiven, and live eternally with Him. You must completely turn your life over to Him in repentance and faith. Now, pray the following prayer to God with all that is within you, from your heart and out loud:….
Dear heavenly Father, right now, if never before, I come to You as a broken and sinful person. Thank You for sending Your only begotten Son to die in my place for my sins. Thank You Jesus for coming to this earth to die and rise again to rescue me from sin and eternal hell and to save me for Your eternal glory. Right this moment, if never before, I receive You LORD Jesus. Come in and take over my whole life. I am all Yours and You are all mine. I love You Jesus and I will follow You from this moment forward till I am with You in Heaven forever! Please use me to help others know You dear LORD. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
How do we know someone is “born of God”?
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; … Now then we are ambassadors for Christ…” 2 Corinthians 5:17-18, 20
First off, if you are born again, you are changed from the inside out … you desire to do God’s will now…. and are learning the need for the cross, the daily crucified life (Luke 9:23-25).
Let us remember that the biblical words “born again” (John 3:3, 7), “born of God” (1 John 4:7), “regeneration,” and being a “new creature” in Christ go hand in hand or we can say, are synonymous.
“Born of God” appears 6 times in God’s Word and are all found in the book of 1 John:
1 John 3:9 Whosoever is BORN OF GOD doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is BORN OF GOD.
Those who are “born of God” do not live in sin. They repent or return (turn back) to the LORD, confessing all sin. If not they will “fall away” and be outside of Christ (Luke 8:13). See Can a Born Again Man be Un-Born Again? [podcast]
1 John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is BORN OF GOD, and knoweth God.
Those who are “born of God” walk in His love toward others.
1 John 5:1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is BORN OF GOD: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.
Those who repent and believe upon Christ are “born of God” and they love all other of Christ’s saints.
1 John 5:4 For whatsoever is BORN OF GOD overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
Those who are “born of God” overcome this fallen world. By present and perpetual faith, they “overcometh the world.”
1 John 5:18 We know that whosoever is BORN OF GOD sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.
Those “born of God” do not live in sin. Rather, they “keepeth” themselves from sin and therefore Satan. This is accomplished by what we read in 1 John 1 and 2 – which spells out the walk of the true disciple of Jesus.
MAY GOD bless each disciple of Jesus today to abide in Christ by walking crucified and raised up by Him today (2 Corinthians 4:10-12). May “the fruit of the Spirit”, the “Love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance” be abundantly produced in the life of every saint of Jesus! May it be 100 fold LORD! (John 15) If you have been drawn in by Christ (John 6:44; 12:32), have repented (Luke 13:3), have received Christ (John 1:12), and are born again (John 3:3), you are bought by the precious blood of the LORD Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:17-18).
YOUR PRAYER: Heavenly Father, You found and saved me into Your eternal kingdom by way of the precious blood of Your only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. I stop this life here and now, and I give You praise. I love You LORD Jesus. I am no longer my own but Yours. I am crucified with Christ. Please work in me both to will and to do of Your good pleasure. I am all Yours LORD and I know You are all mine! Please fill this vessel with Your Holy Ghost afresh, and please use me. In Jesus’ name, amen Master Jesus!
The “More Blessed” Life “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35 The “more blessed” life is the cross life our LORD calls us to. “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.” Luke 9:23-24 These are the words of the Messiah – who gave His life to purchase His church. And dare we say […]
Born Again: What Does That Mean?
Understanding and Communicating the Born Again Experience No man merits, works, or earns his way into the salvation, the family of God, the body of Christ. The only entrance is to be born into Christ’s kingdom, to be “born again,” to be “born of God,” a work done by God Himself as the sinner is drawn in by Him and bows in repentance and faith (John 3:3, 7; Acts 20:21; Titus 3:5-6; 1 John 5:4, etc.). ATTN: Religion and being good enough are a farce. If you are not born again, you are not in God’s family. But you can […]
Born Again Podcast
Send us a text Order the BORN AGAIN book here or on amazon: https://safeguardyoursoul.com/store/ Support | STORE | Podcasts | H.O.T. Bible Study [podcast] | Divine Blessings | Exhort One Another Daily | The Return of Christ | The Joy of Fulfilling the Great Commission | The Love of Many Shall Wax Cold | Lie of the Ages (book) | Soul Damning Sins (small book) | Why We Need not Fear Death | Revelation Bombshell! HOMEPAGE: https://safeguardyoursoul.com/ MAKE PEACE WITH GOD NOW: https://safeguardyoursoul.com/peace-with-god/ SUPPORT: https://safeguardyoursoul.com/support/ STORE: https://safeguardyoursoul.com/store/ ABOUT: https://safeguardyoursoul.com/about/ email Todd: info@safeguardyoursoul.com Background Music by: Thad Fiscella https://www.thadfiscella.com/ […]
Water Baptism: Understanding It [study guide]
“Repent and be baptized.” Acts 2:38 Water Baptism (PDF) (Duplication encouraged. An open King James Bible should accompany your study of this topic. Carefully, prayerfully study each verse given in order to answer each question correctly. Print this document out and pencil in the answers in the blanks provided. It may be best to cut and paste it to your word processing software and then print it out. Your life in Christ will be enriched forever as you embrace and put into practice His Word.) Water baptism is important. Every believer should understand and be water baptized. Yet water baptism […]
"Buried with Him by Baptism into Death" [podcast]
“For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” Colossians 3:3 Every person “hid with Christ in God” is saved and under divine grace, saved by Christ. Everyone not “hid with Christ in God” is going away in judgment (Colossians 3:3; Romans 8:13; Galatians 5:19-21, 24). When we are “hid with Christ in God,” we are safe, secure, and under the blessings of His divine grace instead of His condemnation. “Of the doctrine of baptisms” Hebrews 6:2 Baptized into Jesus Christ and Baptized into His Death “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were […]
Ministry Today at the Local Market in Mexico [podcast]
From brother Juan:
“Glory to God, brother! We know that the Word of God is not imprisoned. Jeremiah was in the prison courtyard, and God said, ‘Call to me, and I will answer you and tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.’ And we know that the word of God never returns empty; it always fulfills its purpose, brother. So we fully trust that God will do the work to expand His kingdom for His honor and glory. To Him be all the honor, brother. Blessings.” Juan
More Good News! Mission Mexico Part 42
IF YOU SAINTS WEREN’T SO FAITHFUL TO JESUS, NONE OF THIS WOULD BE HAPPENING….. So while going to bring a good supply of food and household essentials to Clara and her boys, by divine ordination I tracked and spoke God’s Word to a Holy Spirit filled sister in Christ. Her name is Maria La Luz. She eagerly took about 100 or more JESUS tracts with her to distribute! That’s how Mexican people are. If they have something good to give, they give it! Boom. Oh, and Maria LaLuz and I are in touch by phone so she will be letting […]
“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10
Jesus Calling Devotional Exposed: 10 Things You Might Not Know
“I know so many who are so deceived by this book!! The author is a woman and she makes Jesus sound like your boyfriend who is so in love with you he can’t bare a minute without you! It is sickening! Plus she says the Bible was not enough for her. She needed more. This author died and if she did repent of her blasphemy against a holy God she is burning in hell as we speak. There are not two Jesus’s! This book presents a weak, tolerant of all your sin, pathetic, spineless ‘Jesus.’ This false ‘Jesus’ just sits in heaven google-eyed over you and how much He can’t live one minute without you in His presence! This is opposite of the fierce Christ who calls out sin and hypocrisy, who took a whip to the money changers and flipped over tables in righteous anger! Mathew 23 shows us some of the most severe rebukes in all the New Testament. This is the Jesus true disciples chose to follow! May this new documentary open the eyes of many so-called Christians to how demonic and evil this book is.” Karen Cochran
BEWARE of the Jesus Calling devotional book which is written by a full blown heretic, Sarah Young. This book continually assures things to lost souls (catholics, etc.) reserved only for the true Christian. It promises salvation, assurance, grace, mercy, the glory of God, etc to lost hell bound idolatrous sinners. Like antichrist Rick Warren’s Purpose Driven Life book, Jesus Calling never calls sinners to repent which is a Gospel essential and without which God will never save any soul from sin and hell (Luke 13:3, 5). You will never hear Jesus’ born again commanded or command to repent in this heretical devotional book title Jesus Calling. This monstrosity simply confirms sinners in their sin, sealing their doom in the lake of fire (Jeremiah 23:17; Lamentations 2:14, etc.).
Sarah Young is just another self-willed false prophet who does “ministry” her way, not God’s, in order to sell books and to mislead eternal souls into eternal damnation.
The blessings of God in Christ’s salvation are reserved only for those born again “in Christ,” and never for hell bound religious idolaters (John 15:7; 2 Corinthians 1:20; 2 Peter 1:1-4, etc.).
Stacy Strother writes:
“Her subtly, deceptive, doctrinally corrupt fairy tale version of what she calls bible studies for all the different ages of people, including children’s bible studies, teen and other, are found in the book stores—shelves filled full.
She is deceived, a false witness, False bible teacher, and has not heard from our Jesus—the Christ, Son of the living God, of which, is the very Word of God.
She hears from demons. Period! She needs to REPENT, and be born again! Please Lord Jesus, help her see her own demise!”
About That Jesus Calling – 10 Things You Might Not Know
ARE you seeking to experience God OR to KNOW HIM? (John 17:3)
“People want a word from God instead of the Word OF God.” Warren Smith
by Lighthouse Trails Editors
1. Did you know that Sarah Young says she had been inspired by the “Jesus” of a book called God Calling?
2. Did you know that Christian publisher Harvest House’s book TheEncyclopedia of New Age Beliefs says that God Calling is an example of a channeled New Age book “replete with denials of biblical teaching”?1
3. Did you know that the “Jesus” of God Calling teaches that God is “in” everyone?
4. Did you know that the “Jesus” of Jesus Calling contradicts the Jesus of the Bible?
5. Did you know that the “Jesus” of Jesus Calling rejects the Jesus of the Bible’s warnings about the future and tells us to “laugh” at the future?
6. Did you know that the “Jesus” of Jesus Calling frequently flatters his followers, which contrasts the way Jesus Christ spoke to people?
7. Did you know that Sarah Young’s “Jesus” revises the night that Jesus Christ was born and calls it a “dark night” in a “filthy stable” in “appalling conditions” even though the Bible says the shepherds rejoiced in all that they had seen that night? 2
8. Did you know that the “Jesus” of Jesus Calling revises the accounts of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph of the Bible?
9. Did you know that the “Jesus” of Jesus Calling encourages his followers to practice contemplative “listening” prayer and to have a “buffer zone of silence” with no warning about seducing spirits?3
10. Did you know that the “Jesus” of Jesus Calling emphasizes New Age terms and concepts throughout the book?
The 10 points above have been taken from Warren B. Smith’s new book, “Another Jesus” Calling. This book provides valuable information that can help you warn your family and friends how the “Jesus” of Jesus Calling contradicts the biblical Jesus.
Notes:
1. John Ankerberg & John Weldon, Encyclopedia of New Age Beliefs (Eugene, OR: Harvest House Publishers, 1996), p. 103.
2. Sarah Young, Jesus Calling, p. 376.
3. Jesus Calling, June 15th entry
FEEDBACK:
“Solid Biblical refutation of the “New Age ” nonsense passing itself off as the latest thing God is doing. In our area a number of Churches have embraced this and other similar material with no discernment to the un-biblical nature of this drivel. Thank God for Warren B. Smith and others who provide an inestimable service to the Body of Christ as “watchmen on the wall.” Pastor Tom, West Harrison NY”
“And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:” Romans 1:4 Chapter 1-16 Chapter 1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, 2 (which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,) 3 concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; 4 and declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: 5 by whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience […]
How We Know the Bible is the only Holy Book on Planet Earth [podcast]
Only God knows the future. Law of probability and the fulfillment of Bible prophecies: Odds of the 332 prophecies of the prophets concerning the coming Messiah, given hundreds of years prior to His arrival coming true are: 8,749,002,899,132,046,697,490,008,908,470,485,461,412,622,723,572,849,745,… 703,082,425,425,639,811,996,797,503,692,894,052,708,092,215,296 to 1 Fact: Only the Almighty could know the future and forthtell it in specific detail, long before it ever happened. THIS is how we know that the Bible is truly the Word of the one true God and that all other so-called “holy books” are frauds. “Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.” Mark […]
Jesus vs The Pope, Muhammad, Joseph Smith, and Ellen White [podcast]
*CORRECTION: Ellen White was the false prophet of the SDA (Seventh Day Adventists) and not the JW (Jehovah’s Witness) cult. Both the Seventh-day Adventists and the Jehovah’s Witnesses grew out of the Adventist movement of the 19th century, the Seventh-day Adventists specifically through the Millerites. Both still cults. Jesus Christ founded the Christian faith. The kingdom of Christ is revealed in the Bible which is the only divinely inspired holy Book on the planet and we know that because only God could know “the end from the beginning” which is something He declares and demonstrates in His Word (Isaiah 46:9-10). […]
by Lighthouse Trails Editors
The 10 points above have been taken from Warren B. Smith’s new book, “Another Jesus” Calling. This book provides valuable information that can help you warn your family and friends how the “Jesus” of Jesus Calling contradicts the biblical Jesus.
