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Lots of People Claiming they are Blessed who aren’t

ARE YOU TRULY BLESSED OR CURSED? IS GOD ANSWERING YOUR PRAYERS? IS THE LORD’S BLESSING TRULY ON YOUR LIFE? Be not deceived …. the promises of God are reserved exclusively for those who serve Christ ON HIS STATED TERMS (John 15:7). And, if you aren’t in His Word daily, you don’t even know those stated terms and conditions (John 14:21-23, etc.). Any person who is not born again and presently abiding obedient in Christ is kidding themselves to think God’s blessing is on their life (Galatians 6:7-8).

You’re not blessed because you said you’re blessed. You’re only blessed if God says you’re blessed. He puts His blessing exclusively who are setting themselves apart unto Him (Psalms 4:3; 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1, etc.).

Seems to me that those that are truly blessed don’t have to run around saying they are blessed.

So many today seem enamored with what they call “the presence of the LORD.” In fact, that has become like a drug to them and so instead of being anointed to carry the water of His Word to the desert of lost humanity, they are looking for the next opportunity to go “soak” in His presence like a good new age pagan. Pure selfishness which is un-Christlike. | Soaking Exposed

Many today whom we see touting that they are “blessed” are full of self….their unfounded claim that they are “blessed” is born out of self-conceit, vainly believing they are special above others. Nonsense.

Attention: If you are going to be bless-able, you must repent afresh and abide holy in Christ! Read the words of Jesus recorded in John 15 like your life depends upon it – because it does! Memorize John 15:7 now.

How about we cease touting that we are “blessed,” shut our stupid mouths… and abide obedient in Christ and let HIM display His blessing upon our lives? John 14-15.

Beware of those peddling promises without the biblical conditions. False prophets. Read Jeremiah 23 and Ezekiel 34. This week, as usual, seeing the promise peddlers who issue forth promises such as “This week everything you touch will prosper and be blessed.” It’s pretty much just an indiscriminate PMA (positive mental attitude) promise. There’s no condition, no cross in it, ever. It’s an alluring lie to get a fleeting pump to their audience and to be rewarded with likes on their account. There’s no foundation being built in the lives of the gullible who continue to listen to these lies. Hint: God is not going to bless anyone who isn’t worshipfully obeying Him – seeking Him with their whole heart (1 Chronicles 16:11; 2 Chronicles 16:9; Jeremiah 29:11-14; Matthew 5:3, 6, 8; 6:33; John 15:7; 1 John 3:22; 5:14-15, etc.). Every honest student of God’s Word knows that the LORD has conditions for His blessings.

“THEY ARE PROPHETS OF THE DECEIT OF THEIR OWN HEART”

“How long shall this be in the heart of the prophets that prophesy lies? yea, they are prophets of the deceit of their own heart;” Jeremiah 23:26

Their messages are very partial with half-truths. There is no cross nor biblical conditions in them. Jesus says in John 15:7 that only those abiding in Him, obeying His Word, are blessed and can expect their prayers to be answered. God is not going to bless any person who is not truly born again and presently abiding in Christ on His stated terms and so, to indiscriminately put out condition-less promises like this is an erroneous undertaking and is misleading people. God will judge the false prophets who “prophesy lies … of the deceit of their own heart.” (Jeremiah 23:26) Beware of the promise peddlers who never include the divinely stated conditions. These are the same people who post Jeremiah 29:11 (usually using a fake “bible” version and not the KJB) and they never mention the text, the context which includes the LORD’s conditions. Read the whole text to get the context – Jeremiah 29:11-15.

LOTS of people misleading others by indiscriminately throwing out promises and never the divinely stated conditions. Beware of the half-truth peddling ear-ticklers (2 Timothy 4:2-4). Everyone who claims to be saved is not blessed and is not promised eternal glory … only the few who truly follow Jesus ON HIS STATED TERMS – THE BIBLE (Matthew 10:22; 24:13). | Like it or not enduring to the end is essential to eternal glory.

Is God answering your prayers?

LOTS of people misleading others by throwing out promises and never the divinely stated conditions. Beware. Everyone who claims to be saved is not blessed… only the few who truly follow Jesus ON HIS STATED TERMS – THE BIBLE.

Many who tout that they are “Blessed” are full of self-deceit, pride, arrogance, and actually cursed.

While many claim to be “blessed” today, we know from His Word that God’s blessing is reserved for those who make His Word the final divine authority of their lives. They pore over it prayerfully, diligently, and daily. They walk it out.

“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” Psalms 1:1-3 

“Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD. 2 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.” Psalms 119:1-2

Doesn’t it seem like the truly blessed people don’t have to say it or wear it on their sleeve, around their neck, etc.? Beware: If you are participating in the damnation of eternal souls via peddling a false gospel, as a false teacher you will be damned with them! Are you sharing the original Gospel or “another gospel”? The Word tells us that you are “accursed” if you are peddling a false gospel (Galatians 1:6-9).

“There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness.” Proverbs 30:12

Many use the hashtag or tout that they are “Blessed” by wearing a tee shirt with that word on it. But does that mean they are truly blessed by the only One who can put His divine blessing on an individual?

No.

In fact, those who claim they are “Blessed” and yet are not born again and presently abiding in Christ – on HIS stated terms – are bearing false witness against and bringing reproach to the Almighty they falsely claim to be serving.

Blessed by WHO? – God or Satan? Satan promises and has limited power to give this world’s goods to those who bow down to worship him. Isn’t that how he tempted our LORD Jesus? (Luke 4) Is he not said to be the one who blinds the minds of men?

“But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” 2 Corinthians 4:3-4

Speaking of blindness …..

Are You Blessed OR are you Cursed?

Regardless of what an individual claims, every individual who is walking in darkness and refusing to repent, is cursed of the LORD, not blessed.

“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

First off, if you are not genuinely born again, you are a sinner in the eyes of a holy God who is the Judge of your eternal soul and you are as sure for eternal hell as if you were already there. Today is your day to Make Peace with God – Before it’s too late.

Becoming absolutely honest is a non-negotiable imperative to being right with God.

“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” Proverbs 28:13

Following Jesus requires doing so on HIS stated terms and no other and this is why He gave us His Word in tangible form, the Bible, which is the communication of the very “thoughts of HIS heart.” (Psalms 33:11)

Are you truly blessed or are you cursed?

 GOD alone determines who is blessed and who is cursed.

“The CURSE of the LORD is in the house of the wicked: but he BLESSETH the habitation of the just.” Proverbs 3:33

“Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye CURSED, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.” Matthew 25:41

Many today tout that they are blessed by saying so or wearing a shirt that says “Blessed.”
FALSE TEACHER ALERT: YOU can only be assured that God is moving on your behalf, if His divine blessing is upon your life, if you are in His stated will – if you are denying self, taking up the cross, and following Jesus. The LORD Jesus says…

“IFFFF ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” John 15:7

“He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.” Proverbs 28:9

Abiding in Christ is abiding in His Word, His terms and conditions.

Hint: God is not going to bless your life until you repent and obey Him.

“And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.” 1 John 3:22 

The LORD is only going to bless, to give His promised blessings, to those who are “willing and OBEDIENT” to Him.

“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 1:19-20 

“The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me” Psalms 18:20

“If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:” Psalms 66:18

Not only is the LORD not going to bless the life of the disobedient, they are going to bust hell wide open, all the while touting that they are “blessed.”

“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 7:21

Flashpoint: You are not going to serve God on any other terms but His ……and be in Heaven. So, it’s best to get honest in repentance now before it’s too late. Those who are truly the LORD’s pore over, read, study, and apply, obey God’s Word daily. Christ is truly first in their hearts and lives. ALL others are building their houses on sand. Read what Jesus said in Matthew 7:19-29.

“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

“He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” 1 John 2:4

Any heathen can put on a necklace with a cross, get a tattoo of a cross, or wear a shirt that says “Blessed.”

Recently, I saw a vile criminal who had just committed a heinous crime wearing a tee shirt with the word “Blessed” on the front of that shirt. SMH

Why? Because the lame modern church is not dropping the original Gospel gauntlet. They are preaching “another gospel” which is a false gospel (Galatians 1:6-9; 2 Corinthians 11:2-5).

“He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be DAMNED.” Mark 16:16

So, the flakes who keep indiscriminately putting out promises and not the divinely stated conditions, are misleading others. Appropriating the blessings of God’s promises requires meeting the conditions. At this truth the truly righteous will delight while counterfeits will whine and balk (1 John 5:3).

Seems like the love of self, pride, the refusal to love God supremely, are at the root of this cross-rejecting generation.

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

In God’s Word, the word “if” denotes condition.

“The LORD is with you, while ye be with him; and IF ye seek him, he will be found of you; but IF ye forsake him, he will forsake you.” 2 Chronicles 15:2 

God only blesses those who obey Him on His stated terms.

“As long as he sought the LORD, God made him to prosper.” 2 Chronicles 26:5

If you wish to keep prospering in Christ, you must continue to seek His holy face.

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

Verse 11 of the following Bible passage is often quoted by itself. Let’s take a closer look at the context which gives conditions:

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. 12 Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. 13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. 14 And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the LORD; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.” Jeremiah 29:11-14

Godless men who are not truly repentance and seeking the face of the LORD gloat in their rebellion while they face the irrevocable sentence of eternal damnation in hell. Jesus warns:

“And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. 5 But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.” Luke 12:4-5

Perhaps today is your day to have a “Come to Jesus” meeting, to burn the tee shirt, to trash the cross necklace, and get right with God, and to let the glorious light of Christ shine through your personal life. That’s how God ordains His witness to beam forth from His true disciples – and not by the wearing of outward garb!

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

A man is either right with God on HIS terms or he is a deceived, hell bound counterfeit.

God is not obligated to bless anyone who isn’t in His non-negotiable perfect will.

Now, is today your day to cease following and peddling that which is false? Is it time you repented and ceased bearing false witness against the LORD Almighty?

PRAYER: Dear heavenly Father, I come to You now in my sins. In the name of Jesus Christ, Father, I ask You here and now to forgive my evil heart and actions and how I’ve complied with and borne false witness against You by participating in, by bidding God speed to a false gospel. Please forgive me dear LORD. Sanctify my life. Here and now I denounce all evil and declare that I am all Yours and You are all mine. Thank You for washing me afresh in the precious blood of my LORD and Savior Jesus Christ. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Abiding

Jesus will Judge Us by Our Works

By Glenn and Dezi Langohr

JESUS — JUDGED BY WORKS

“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father… Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied…? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Matthew 7:21–23

Our works clearly reveal what is in our hearts! Fruit.

“For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.” Matthew 16:27

“…all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.” John 5:28–29

“He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: *the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.” John 12:48

PAUL — CONTINUE IN GOOD WORKS

“Who will render to every man according to his deeds: To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life.” Romans 2:6–7

 “For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.” Romans 2:13

 “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10

“…they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works.” Titus 3:8

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” 2 Corinthians 5:10  

“…for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing…” Galatians 6:7–9

JAMES — FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD

“Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.” James 2:17

“Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.” James 2:24 

“For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” James 2:26 

PETER — BE HOLY, DO GOOD WORKS

“And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear.” 1 Peter 1:17

“Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.” 1 Peter 2:12 

“Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall.” 2 Peter 1:10 

 SUMMARY

Jesus said He will judge every man by their works (Matthew 16:27, John 5:29).

Paul taught that eternal life is for those who continue in well doing (Romans 2:7, Titus 3:8).

James declared faith without works is dead (James 2:17, 24).

Peter warned God will judge every man’s work (1 Peter 1:17) and exhorted us to abound in good works.

God’s people are called to endure to the end with living faith proven by works of obedience, love, and holiness.

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Abiding

Another False Rapture Date [video]

by Glenn  and Dezi Langohr

For months we’ve been warning that the Pretrib Rapture is a hive-mind delusion — just like the lies of “false trips to heaven” and the “false Trump prophets” . These movements feed each other, creating a spiritual frenzy not rooted in God’s Word. Sadly, the false Trump prophets already gave mainstream media plenty of material to mock. Remember Paula White calling for “angels from Africa” to come help Donald Trump win the election? The world laughed — and now the same is happening with failed rapture dates.

Jesus said to endure to the end as part of salvation by following Him and not falling away. He warned about children of the devil who cannot hear His words, and about the increase of false prophets and false anointed in the last days. Paul also warned that many will not endure (2 Timothy 4, 1 Timothy 4), so there is no difference between Paul’s letters and Jesus’s words — despite the claims of OSAS and Pretrib teachers. In fact, OSAS and Pretrib rapture come from people twisting Paul’s writings, exactly as 2 Peter 3 warned.

Now millions expected a rapture on the Feast of Trumpets. What will they do now? Move the goalposts a little further, chase the next “sign” or false prophet, or finally be corrected by God’s Word that leads us to finish the race? God’s Word gives us eyes to see. Jesus warned the lukewarm church was blind and naked, and another church that only a remnant had not defiled their garments. He condemned false apostles, false Jews, Nicolaitan deeds, Balaam’s greed for fame, and Jezebel’s demonic teaching. These are the very obstacles He said must be overcome for salvation — and Pretrib is just one of many deceptions.

And the world is watching. BET mocked the false date with the headline: “10 Things to Do to Prepare for the Rapture on September 23 — besides panic-buying white robes.”

Dallas Weekly wrote: “The prophecy stirred a mix of humor and skepticism across Black social media spaces, where many mocked the ‘Rapture trend’ as another internet fad.”

AP News reported: “A doomsday prediction about the Rapture is spreading on TikTok, with some followers saying they expect a ‘fast-track getaway’ before the world collapses.”

This is exactly what 2 Peter 2:1–2 foretold:

“But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you … And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.”

Because of false rapture dates, adulterous pastors, and bad doctrines, the way of truth is mocked and blasphemed. But the Bible and early Church writings both warn: the last days will bring the greatest persecution ever seen — so of course the devil would love to bewitch millions into thinking they’ll escape. The truth remains: OBEY JESUS’S WORDS TO overcome IN SOUND DOCTRINE TO THE END OF YOUR SALVATION — for only the faithful will receive the crown of life.


A brother asked me: “Why focus on exposing Pre-Trib Rapture?”

  • Because it blinds people .
  • Because it causes shipwrecked faith .
  • Because it rejects dozens of Scriptures .
  • Because it preaches against Jesus Christ .
  • Because it tells people you do not have to endure to the end .
  • Because it preaches another Jesus, another gospel, another spirit (2 Cor 11:4) .
  • And most of all… Because I love God and I love YOU enough to contend for the faith once delivered to the saints (Jude 1:3) .

Idolatry in Jeremiah was defined as worthless things, fetishes, and false worship — and that’s what false rapture dates have become. They fascinate people, make them feel chosen, but actually blind them to God’s plan. Like Israel trusting in idols, today’s church runs after “rapture prophets” instead of preparing to endure tribulation. Jesus told us clearly that Antichrist will make war with the saints (Daniel 7:21), that persecution will come, and that those who endure to the end will be saved (Matthew 24:13). There is no crown for quitting early — the crowns are for those who fight, finish, and overcome.

Paul said to run the race to win the incorruptible crown (1 Corinthians 9:24-25), to fight the good fight of faith and lay hold on eternal life (1 Timothy 6:12). He said works will follow us (Revelation 14:13), that confession is made unto salvation (Romans 10:10), and that by our words we will be justified or condemned (Matthew 12:37). The 5 crowns of Scripture — life, righteousness, glory, rejoicing, and incorruptible — are all given to those who endure, labor, and keep the faith.

Revelation’s “7 Blesseds” show blessing not for escape, but for reading, hearing, keeping, dying in the Lord, watching, keeping garments, entering the first resurrection, and doing His commandments. Jesus warned the churches: repent, overcome, be faithful unto death. He promised the overcomers rulership, white garments, a crown of life, and the right to the tree of life. But He said the lukewarm, the fearful, the unbelieving, the idolaters, and liars will be cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 21:8). That is why pre-trib and OSAS are damnable heresies — they blind people to endurance and holiness, which is the true gospel.

Glenn and Dezi Langohr

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Abiding

The Savior vs Self [podcast]


The Flesh vs the Spirit

“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.” Romans 8:5

This life is a daily test of who we truly love (Matthew 6:24; 22:37-40; John 14:15; 15:14; Romans 6:16).

You are not relegated to the flesh, to live after it, or be defeated by it.

“Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 13 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 8:12-14

How does Christ’s victory work in our lives?

“I die daily (death)But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (resurrection). 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. …  But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.” 1 Corinthians 15:31, 57-58 …10

Those who are crucified with Christ are walking in His victory – the victory He alone grants. And they are laboring by His grace in His work.

There was no other way to redeem fallen mankind but the cross. And there’s no other way to  walk with the Savior who went to that cross for us – except by way of the cross He prescribed that we take up daily (Luke 9:23-24).

The War Within

“This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 
17  For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 
18  But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. 
19  Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 
20  Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 
21  Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 
22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 
23  Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 
24  And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 
25  If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”  Galatians 5:16-25

The Flesh or the Spirit: Which shall ye allow to reign?

“No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” Matthew 6:24

Agreeing with the divine declaration of condemnation on our fallen state is essential to victory, otherwise the temptation to compromise and have mercy on the old man will be present (Romans 1-3).

Adam is the father of the old man the fallen man. Jesus is the King of the new man the new creation. Romans 5

“And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. … 12  And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.” Genesis 6:5, 12

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

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. … 24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” Romans 7:18, 24

We are not good, not one of us (Romans 3:10). If we don’t understand and own what the Bible states concerning the universal fall of all men in Adam, that there’s “no good thing” in us, we will not recognize the need for the daily cross – to be truly crucified with Christ.

The “old man,” the flesh, can not and will not ever be reformed (Romans 6: Colossians 3). It must be daily crucified. There’s no hope of a chance or  possibility that the flesh can be reformed. It’s a lost cause and that’s why Jesus came.

“The truth is that while Christ dwells in the believer’s new nature, He has strong competition from the believer’s old nature. The warfare between the old and the new goes on continually in most believers.” AW Tozer

You can’t negotiate with a terrorist.

Kill or be killed. Kill the flesh or be killed by it.

There is no negotiating with the flesh and there can be no mercy afforded to it.

Allowing the flesh a foot in the door is the inroad to total destruction.

“Either you will crucify sin out of your life or sin will crucify Christ out of your life.” Burt Clendendon

“But I keep under 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 flesh must be sentenced to death.

2 Corinthians 1:9-11

“But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead: 
10  Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us; 
11  Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf.” 

  • v. 9 – Sentence the self life to the death of the self life.
  • v. 10 – Past, present, and future deliverance, victory over sin, can only come by way of the cross.
  • v. 11 – we must pray for each other in this regard – that we would be conformed to the crucified image of Christ our LORD.

Perhaps the best prayer we can pray for each other is that we’d be crucified with Christ…. because this guarantees the resurrection, the raising up of that life!

God is waiting for you to lay it all down – to be truly crucified with the Savior, to own it, to wear it, to embrace that your life is over in this world and now it’s all about Him, about King Jesus.

“And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. 12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:9-12

(v. 9) Being found in Christ and not outside of Him (and lost), not having our own filthy-rag righteousness “through the faith of Christ.” (v. 10) & (John 17:3) Knowing Him is the very reason we are created by Him – “That I may know him.” Experiencing “the power of his resurrection” is preceded by “being made conformable unto his death.” (vv. 10-11) Seems the apostle here is intimating that he is not perfect in taking up the cross, realizing the utter need for such.

The LORD is “Holy, holy, holy” and commands you to “be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” (Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8; 1 Peter 1:15-16)

Recently, had a conversation with a long time friend who is a dear brother in Christ. We mourned together over the sin he’d been walking in. And, we discussed the only solution – the cross. I was able to share with him that the only victory I have ever been able to walk in is via the cross life.

The life of the disciple is a crucified life and this is what our water baptism is supposed to depict and yet the follow up, the messages we hear in local churches, regrettably is anything but the cross (Romans 6; Colossians 2:12). Scarcely if ever can the message of the cross be heard or even mentioned, much less talked of continually by preachers today. This is the fulfillment of end times prophecy (Philippians 3:18-19; 1 Timothy 4:1-2; 2 Timothy 3:1-7; 2 Timothy 4:2-4, etc.).

Read Romans 6 each morning this week. Pray and ask the LORD to teach you His way – the way of the cross. Ask Him sincerely to anoint your life to be dead and buried with Him and raised up by Christ – that you would be conformed to His holy image (Romans 8:29).

God’s way is the cross. No one will be in Heaven who didn’t walk His way – which is the way of the cross, the crucified life (Luke 9:23-24; Galatians 2:20; Colossians 3:3, etc.).

Jesus taught diametrically opposite to Satan’s message of the world to love self.

So many people claiming Christ as LORD continue to peddle lies. Beware of them (Colossians 2:8-10). Their memes and messages say things like: “Love yourself,” “take care of yourself,” “treat yourself,” “forgive yourself,” etc. …. Hmmmm I don’t remember reading any such thing in the Bible. No, in fact, the Bible says we all already, innately love ourselves and THAT’s our biggest problem and where our sin is rooted – pride! – “The pride of life” (Ephesians 5:29; 1 John 2:15-17). We are never instructed to pamper our “desperately wicked” self but rather Jesus commands us to “deny” or die to self – to live the crucified life.

“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

People who are propagating these diabolical lies, encouraging others to love self instead of to crucify self, are clueless, walking in darkness, have no clue of who Christ is or His Gospel message – which begins with the essential command to “repent,” to lay down our lives in this world and obey Him – to follow Him, His example by preferring Him and others above ourselves (Philippians 2:3-5, etc.).

Recently a saint of Christ send this message:

“Never change Todd. Keep lifting JESUS up as you do. Keep dying, so you will not be cast away in the end. Keep increasing in humility and love. At any moment, you could jeopardize your place with Christ, when just a little pride slips in, self glory, lust…  Keep that humble place until You see your Lord face to face. I want Todd to enter Heaven, my dear Todd, a wretched  man, as I, who trusted Christ’s Sacrifice and lived, until the end, for His Name.”

“Jesus needs to Increase and I need to decrease. I am nothing without Jesus Amen.” David Reeves

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

Do you desire and love God above self?

Get low.

Stay low.

“For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” Colossians 3:3

Go down deep into death and burial and let the LORD Himself raise your life upward.

“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

HOW will you finish? It’s really how you finish that matters most! (2 Timothy 4:7-8) Finish strong beloved – lay down your life (death and burial) so that the strength of your life is Christ’s resurrection grace!!!!! Read 2 Corinthians 12:9-10. Go down deep.

“And the remnant that is escaped of the house of Judah shall again take root downward, and bear fruit upward:” Isaiah 37:31

Read the verse above again, looking for the death, the burial, and raising up!

The context of Isaiah 37:31 concerns Assyria seeking to seize Judah and yet out of that evil attempt to conquer God’s people came a “remnant.” Yet it’s those who submitted to the LORD in death, those who took root downward (death and burial) who were reciprocally raised up out of that snare and destruction. Resurrection grace wins every time, with no exception! The cross is the divine prescription for absolute victory in every situation.

The depth you allow God to bury you determines the height of His resurrection, His raising up in you! (2 Corinthians 4:10-12).

As we submit to Him, to His way, God liquidates us, putting away our sin, our past, and weaknesses and raising us upward in His power while granting us a clear conscience.

“God salvages the individual by liquidating him and then raising him again to newness of life.” AW Tozer

The cross is always God’s way – the blood of Christ’s cross, His death, burial, and resurrection, and daily our own (2 Corinthians 4:10-12).

“And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.” Romans 8:10-11

The raising up cannot and will not come before the laying down of one’s life.

God is not going to raise up the rebel but He is going to raise up the humble, the truly poor in spirit saint.

“The LORD upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down.” Psalms 145:14

The soul, the spirit, the life of the true saint must be nourished in this essential cross message. A little dab will not do it – you must be saturated. You must be ever bowing downward in worship to the LORD. As your life is bowed down, the reciprocal divine raising will transpire!

If you are not learning the cross Jesus taught, you are fallen away.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I come to You now as a sinner. I am away from You and I do not want to remain alienated from You. Holy Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, I here and now ask You to take me back, to wash me clean in the blood of the Lamb, and to have Your way in my life. This moment, I lay my life into Your holy hands and rest in You, in Your love, by faith. Thank You for finding and saving me dear LORD. From this moment forward, I will follow You LORD Jesus till the end of my life on this earth. I pray all these things in the name above all names, the name of Jesus Christ! Sobeit dear LORD!

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