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12 Not 11

It is undeniable that Jesus chose Judas and that Judas was in right relationship with the Son of God, was sent out by Jesus to do His ministry work, and was promised an eternal throne in Heaven. Let’s talk about it.

“Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you TWELVE, and one of you is a devil? 71 He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve.” John 6:70-71

“Have not I chosen you TWELVE” – Did Jesus choose a devil and send him to do His ministry OR did Judas choose after he was chosen by Christ to turn against Christ? The answer is obvious.

Judas was 1 of the 12. Judas was chosen by Jesus to the highest office in the church. Though he later turn against and betrayed Jesus, Judas holds the distinction as being one of the twelve original apostles of Christ!

It is undeniably on record that Jesus Christ promised Judas an eternal throne in Heaven.

“And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon TWELVE (not 11) thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” Matthew 19:28

Was Judas one of the twelve original apostles of Jesus Christ? It is irrefutable that the Son of God promised his “twelve,” not eleven, eternal thrones in His heavenly kingdom. Judas, who was one of the “twelve,” was promised an eternal throne, yet “by transgression” fell and went to hell. Judas kissed the very Gate of Heaven, and turned and went to hell, given over to and driven by demons he ended his own life.

Judas was chosen by Christ Himself as one of His very twelve, yet Judas wasn’t hell-proof. Judas wasn’t “once saved always saved.”  Judas was not given a spiritual asbestos suit. It is undeniably on record that Jesus Christ promised Judas an eternal throne in Heaven and so, the OSAS-er and calvinist are dead wrong to believe Judas was never a true child of God. Jesus chose him to the highest office in the church and told him he’d be in Heaven (Matthew 19:28). God’s promises are conditional. Judas chose to rebel and the promise was revoked as it was for Israel and many others throughout biblical history, beginning with Lucifer.

Judas is now in hell and yet was once a disciple of Christ – promised by the Son of God an ETERNAL throne in Heaven (Matt. 19:28). Judas was once in grace but not always in grace.

In Matthew 19:28 Jesus was at that moment speaking to Judas, not his replacement, and the Son of God clearly promised Judas an eternal throne. Christ promised him an eternal throne and Jesus also required that His original 12 and also all who follow Him, endure to the end or be lost (Matt. 10:22; 24:13). “Then said Jesus unto his disciples … Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon TWELVE thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” (Matt. 19:23, 28)

Judas was one of Jesus’ hand-selected “twelve” and so Judas was included in this promise. So, to say Judas was not saved and promised eternal security – a very throne in Heaven with Jesus – is to say that Jesus lied. It is also to say that God can’t break His promise if someone rebels.

Judas kissed the gate of Heaven Himself then turned and denied and betrayed Him. He made choice as God has given all men choice. That ability to choose does not end after He finds and saves us (Deut. 30:19; Josh. 24:15; Isa. 1:19-20; Rom. 6:16, Gal. 6:6-8; James 1:13-15; Rev. 22:17, etc.).

In Matthew 10 the very Son of God sends Judas and the other eleven forth to preach His Gospel, to heal the sick, open blinded eyes, and to cast out devils and do His ministry work, then He tells them that only those who endure to the end (remain faithful to Him to the end of their lives) will be saved (Matt. 10:1-22). Jesus sent Judas to cast out devils which can only be done by the Holy Spirit of God indwelling a person, further proving Judas Iscariot was right with God till he turned away (Matt. 10:1-8; 12:22-29).

As we see in the life of Judas, there is a qualification to the promise of God, initial and continual faith – “to the end.”

Did Christ pray all night and knowingly bring an evil man (Judas) into His ministry? Or, did Judas become evil by choosing not to love and obey Christ and to rebel and live in sin? The answer is obvious to the honest and noble student of Holy Scripture. As is the obvious case with all human beings, Judas retained the choice to go on serving or not serving God with his whole heart (Deut. 30:19-20; Joshua 24:15; Isa. 1:18-20).

Jesus sent Judas to preach His Word and to cast out devils and Judas was a heathen? (Matthew 10:1-8) Lame excuse. Nothing could be clearer than the historically documented fact that Judas had free will, was chosen by the Son of God, set apart and sent to do ministry for Jesus and then fell away by his own sin which he had free will to commit (Acts 1:25; James 1:13-15).

“Ye Are Clean, But Not All”

In John 13, we are given insight into the differences between Peter and Judas. Such is a fascinating study and lesson. The differentiation between what both of these men chose to do holds eternal consequences. We must not miss this eternal distinction! Though both were equally divinely chosen as part of the original twelve, Peter chose to be humble, teachable and obedient while Judas chose to be prideful, unteachable and disobedient. Peter wisely elected to answer the call of Christ to be initially and perpetually washed of his sins which sustained His relationship with Jesus – “Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.” Peter possessed genuine saving faith which manifested in obedience to Christ. Unlike Judas, the one Christ refers to here when He asserts “but not all (are washed),” Peter answered the LORD’s call to be washed initially and continually. Could this not be said to be the difference between Peter and Judas? Is this not the reason that only one of these two men is in Heaven and the other is in eternal damnation?

“Not all (are washed)” – as it was among the original twelve, so it is today in the church. Some have been initially washed and remain washed to this hour, yet some who were initially washed are not submitting to the Lordship of Jesus and are not receiving His ongoing washings from their sins. Do you wash your clothes only one time? No, you buy that article of clothing and then you wash it. You then wash it repeatedly after wearing it – to keep it clean and ready for use. Right?

“…Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself 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

Why did Jesus give His very life for His Bride? “That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot (stains of sin)…but that it should be holy and without blemish.”

God wants His children “without blemish” and such is only possible by humbly submitting our lives to the LORD to be cleansed.

Through the preponderance of data available to us in Holy Writ, it must be concluded that this villainous character named Judas, was chosen and chose to be initially elected and initially washed by Christ, yet did not (like Peter) choose to be perpetually washed and cleansed by Jesus.

“He (Christ) riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. After that he poureth water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash (clean) my feet? Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.” John 13:4-10

“If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.” – Did you hear the definitive nature of Jesus’ words here? Christ speaks of initial and perpetual washings. Peter is no different than each and every child of God – we need to be initially and continually cleansed of our sins. This cleansing must be willingly submitted to and is not an automatic process as we see here with the reference to Judas – “ye are clean, but not all.” Eleven of the twelve original apostles of Christ elected to be initially and perpetually washed by the Master sin cleanser. One didn’t.

By nature a bride prepares herself for her bridegroom. As we behold in this very important passage in John 13, Jesus Christ is the initial and perpetual cleanser of our hearts, hands and feet. In Scripture, clean hands and feet speak of asking and receiving washings from the sins we commit with the members of our bodies (transgressions). See Psalms 24 and Romans 6. First and foremost, we must be apprehended by Him, receiving “the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost.” (Titus 3:4-7) As Peter learned and we are taught here, in John 13, every child who is initially washed, must then submit to the Lordship of the Washer in order to “abide” in relationship with Him (Jn. 15). As Peter learned, so the Bride of Christ must learn to rejoice in and be perpetually washed by Christ’s precious and holy blood and “the washing of water by the word.” (Eph. 5:26)

According to 1 John 1:7, we can know when we are walking in His light as we are being honest towards Him who sees all, and humbly acknowledging (not hiding in darkness) our sins and experiencing the ongoing cleansing of His precious blood. By this unspeakable gift we have clear conscience and are enabled by His grace to serve Him with no consciousness of sin! See Hebrews 9:14 and rejoice! What a gift the divine blood has procured for all New Covenant saints! Dare we not appropriate such blessed benefits? – “forget not all his benefits.” (Ps. 103:2)

“Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now (do not yet understand); but thou shalt know hereafter.” (Jn. 13:7) “Hereafter” or here forward and after you have walked in (been obedient to) what I am showing you here, you will understand. Those who choose to live in obedience to Christ are the ones He chooses to give understanding. In the divine economy, we must first obey in order to be granted understanding. “Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine…” (Jn. 7:16-17)

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MESSAGE RECEIVED:

“Was Judas saved or not in your opinion? I don’t know of anyone who has ever claimed that he was saved. So did Jesus lie? Did He fail? Was His claim to not lose any of His sheep false? Or is it possible that Judas failed, not Jesus? What Jesus promises always remain, just as eternal life is always eternal – but those who had it at one time lost it? The life He gives never becomes anything less than eternal. But some do lose it, as Judas did.”

MESSAGE RECEIVED:

Read the rest of this passage. He is clearly speaking of believers. And 12 is the number of completion. It’s a symbolic number. This doesn’t mean 12 literal thrones. Also, Jesus is obviously not going to make such a promise and not deliver.

And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.

Matthew 19:28-29 KJV”

REPLY:

What you fail to realize is free will – before and after God saves someone. Read Ezek 33:12-13; Heb 10:26-39.

Matt 19:28

In your “interpretation” of this passage, your colors are showing even more, your utter bias. Pitiful attempt ot continue to promulgate Satan’s OSAS lie…… Totally dishonest explanation.

WHO WAS JESUS SPEAKING TO?

Mat 19:23  Then said Jesus unto his DISCIPLES (how many were there? 12) …

Mat 19:25  When HIS DISCIPLES (the 12) heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?

Mat 19:26  But Jesus beheld THEM, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

Mat 19:27  Then answered Peter (as usual, spokesman for the 12) and said unto him, Behold, WE (the 12) have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall WE (the 12) have therefore?

Mat 19:28  And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That YE WHICH HAVE FOLLOWED ME (the 12), in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, YE (the 12) also shall sit upon TWELVE thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Clearly the 12 thrones Jesus promises here refers specifically to whom Jesus is speaking, His 12 disciples.

Many OSAS counterfeits simply will not let go of this demonic lie. They despise the thought of any personal responsibility and so cannot afford to allow themselves to truly repent and bring forth the fruit of a holy life! This will be to their own eternal demise (Hebrews 12:14; 1 Peter 1:15-16; 2 Cor 7:1; Eph 5:25-27, etc.).

MESSAGE RECEIVED:

“Do you think Jesus did not know Judas was going to betray Him, when Judas was selected? Was the Apostle Paul chosen to take the place of Judas, therefore keeping the number at 12?”

REPLY:

Did or did not Jesus choose Judas? Yes (Luke 6:12-16). In Matthew 19:28, did Jesus promise JUDAS an eternal throne? Was the Son of God speaking to Judas or Paul at that moment? – “And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto YOU (the 12 original apostles), That YE (included Judas) which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” (Matthew 19:28)

In Matthew 10 the very Son of God sends Judas and the other eleven forth to preach His Gospel, to heal the sick, open blinded eyes, and to cast out devils and do His ministry work, then He tells them that only those who endure to the end (remain faithful to Him to the end of their lives) will be saved (Matt. 10:1-22). Jesus sent Judas to cast out devils which can only be done by the Holy Spirit of God indwelling a person, further proving Judas Iscariot was right with God till he turned away (Matt. 10:1-8; 12:22-29).

As we see in the life of Judas, there is a qualification to the promise of God, initial and continual faith – “to the end.” The fact that Jesus, GOD, foreknew who would betray Him in no way negates His love and His choosing of that person. Foreknowledge in no way means God desires anyone to betray Him. Such is a foolish and erroneous conclusion. Jude speaks of many who were once right with God and then betrayed Him – because God gave men free will and never retracts such. He is love and love never forces but rather leaves the choice to the individual both initially and ongoing (Deuteronomy 30:19; Joshua 24:15). The following passage proves you are indicting the Almighty, blaming He who is “Holy, holy, holy” for the sin of Judas (Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8)

Yes Jesus knew who would betray Him. It’s what Scripture calls divine “foreknowledge.” Yet how does that make OSAS/eternal security a Bible teaching other than it’s Satan’s first teaching? Foreknowing who would betray Him after being His, only proves Judas was of Christ and then departed from the Savior – due to his own willful choice to disobey the LORD.

“Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, NEITHER TEMPTETH HE ANY MAN (to sin): 14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” James 1:13-15

MESSAGE RECEIVED:

“Christ is not capable of lying. Christ knew that Judas was going to betray Him before the foundation of the world. Do you deny this fact?”

REPLY:

That only tells us that God knows all – past, present, and future. The fact that the LORD knows who will betray Him in no way tells us that God desired or ordained Judas to betray Him nor that Judas was forced to betray Him. Man has free will before and after salvation (Joshua 24:15). The LORD never tempted Him to sin (James 1:13-15). Knowing that Judas is in hell, to “prove” your “eternal security” heresy, you have to force this issue. You have to make sure you “prove” that Judas was never Christ’s. Yet you haven’t proven that and can’t. Jesus chose Judas as 1 of His 12, promised him an eternal throne, and sent him to do His ministry work. You refuse to believe anyone could “fall away” after being saved but Jesus invented that term so it must be possible, and it sure is (Luke 8:13). You going to call the Son of God a liar?

MESSAGE RECEIVED:

“You have flawed logic if you think God promised Judas something He knew he’d never have.”

REPLY:

“You are not a man of truth. You fail to believe what Scripture teaches concerning conditional, not un-conditional salvation and that some who get saved will choose not to “abide” (remain, continue) in Christ and will “fall away” and go to hell (Luke 8:13; John 15:6). God so loved the whole WORLD and gave His Son on the cross for everyone. Jesus said that He was going to “draw ALL men unto me” when He went to the cross (John 12:32). So here we realize that Jesus desires to save ALL men, otherwise he would not have said He was going to draw “ALL men.” He said He was going to “draw ALL men” which clearly means He desires to save “ALL men” which included Judas. This clearly reveals that He desires to save “ALL men.” (1 Timothy 2:4; 1 John 2:2; 2 Peter 3:9) This doesn’t change the fact that God gives all men free will (Joshua 24:15). You are contradicting the Word of God to say that just because God foreknew that Judas would turn against Christ that he was never of God and that God ordained, desired him to be damned. You indict God as having the characteristic of satan himself – to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). “

“Who will have ALL men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” 1 Timothy 2:4

“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9

“And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of THE WHOLE WORLD.” 1 John 2:2

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Abiding

“The things which are not Seen are Eternal” [podcast]


“While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:18

All good things must come to an end…. except for those who are going to share in the eternal glory of Jesus Christ!!!

“But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9

No More Tears, Ever – Only for God’s People!

“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” Revelation 21:4

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Abiding

The Curse of a Divided Heart and Blessing of a Whole Heart! [podcast]


Israel’s heart was divided. The solution.

Their heart is divided; now shall they be found faulty: he shall break down their altars, he shall spoil their images … 12  Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.” Hosea 10:2, 12 

King Asa: Tragic end of an otherwise obedient, fruitful, God-glorifying life….

Are you blessed or cursed?

“Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.” Jeremiah 17:5

King Asa trusted the physicians and not the LORD and he paid dearly.

“And Asa in the thirty and ninth year of his reign was diseased in his feet, until his disease was exceeding great: yet in his disease he sought not to the LORD, but to the physicians.” 2 Chronicles 16:12

Feet speak of foundation. Without feet, physically we cannot stand. Without a sound foundation of truth, of God’s Word in our lives, we shall not stand. Read Matthew 7:19-29.

One writes notes the following about the meaning of feet in God’s Word:

“Why Are Feet Important in the Bible? Just as men and women stand upon their feet as the foundation of upright posture, Bible verses also use feet as a euphemism to represent a strong foundation in various circumstances. Feet are not referenced as we see them today, but they are used as symbols to represent greater metaphorical concepts, such as guidance or direction.

The feet represented something that was common to all people but used differently. For example, one of the most noted scripture texts involving feet is Psalm 119:105, ‘Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.’ This emphasizes how the feet are used to travel and traverse. Yet, without the word, the traveler is left walking in the dark without a known path.

Essentially, the feet are referenced as a critical part of life as walking was commonplace. We naturally travel where our feet lead us and the Bible verses use feet to represent a means of traveling through life itself. If we walk down a dark path, we are likely to stumble. If we walk down a holy path, we are sure to please God. All of this is facilitated symbolically by the feet.”

The foundation truth we learn in God’s Word and obedience to it determines the direction of our lives.

“As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: 7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.” Colossians 2:6-7

Becoming Rooted and Grounded in Christ

Like Asa, many today trust the counsel of mere men, such as doctors and not God. This doesn’t mean going to a doctor is a sin and yet, the true disciple will primarily trust and obey and be led of the LORD, not men.

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

Read Hebrews 3-4 prayerfully for the eternal danger of having “an evil heart of unbelief” AFTER being saved. Repentance required.

“They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.” Psalms 12:2 

Got depression? Are you seeking the LORD in true repentance whereby He will grant you great joy? (Psalms 51; 2 Timothy 1:7) Or, are you seeking out and trusting the mere human, the finite pundits of this fleeting world?

“But ye are forgers of lies, ye are all physicians of no value.” Job 13:4

Those who trust human physicians and not the Great Physician, are cursed, not blessed. Their faith in mere men reveals their utter rebellion.

“See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.” Jeremiah 1:10 

2 Chronicles 15:17 – Upon becoming king in Judah, Asa, having inherited an idolatrous, lukewarm people, system… he began to command that…

  • The people do that which is right in God’s eyes (2 Chronicles 14:2)
  • That all idolatrous altars we torn down (2 Chronicles 14:3)
  • That God’s people seek His face (2 Chronicles 14:4)
  • That idol altars in the cities of Judah be removed – “and the kingdom was quiet before him” (2 Chronicles 14:5)  ….. Proverbs 1:33
  • Fenced cities be built …. so the land could be at rest, at peace, and not fear the enemy (2 Chronicles 14:6)
  • The people be involved in building fenced, walled, protected cities – “Therefore he said unto Judah, Let us build these cities, and make about them walls, and towers, gates, and bars, while the land is yet before us; because we have sought the LORD our God, we have sought him, and he hath given us rest on every side. So they built and prospered.” (2 Chronicles 14:7)  ……  1 Chron 16:11
  • Great military be built (2 Chronicles 14:8)

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

“But the high places were not taken away out of Israel: nevertheless the heart of Asa was perfect all his days.” 2 Chronicles 15:17

“Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: 21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. 22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.” Hebrews 11:20-22 

“The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.” Psalms 9:17 

“Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver.” Psalms 50:22 

“Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.” 2 Chronicles 20:20 

God blesses those who trust Him and curses, removes His blessings from those who once trusted Him and yet now have forgotten Him. When we willingly offer ourselves as living sacrifices to the LORD our God, He avenges us of all our enemies (Judges 5:2) …. “But IF thou shalt indeed obey his voice, and do all that I speak; then I will be an enemy unto thine enemies, and an adversary unto thine adversaries.” (Exodus 23:22) 

“WHEN” does God avenge us of our enemies? “WHEN” does God judge our enemies?

“Praise ye the LORD for the avenging of Israel, WHEN the people willingly offered themselves.” Judges 5:2

When we offer our lives a living sacrifice unto the LORD – that is, we simply surrender this life to Him – the subduing of our enemies begins.

“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

Asa reigned as king in Judah for 39 years (2 Chronicles 14-16).

In his final days, after obeying God and bringing much needed reform to the people of God, Asa forgot the LORD, and had grown cold in his faith and was therefore cursed with a divided heart.

All those who trust mere men, just because they have a white coat on and are called “doctor”, are going to die as did king Asa who trusted in earthly physicians, instead of the Great Physician! Repent now sinner.

“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. 7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.” Proverbs 3:5-7

Are you a pessimistic pansy or an optimistic overcomer? Are you like the 10 spies or the 2 who entered the promised land while the 10 sad sack whiners were shut out? “The righteous are bold as a lion.” (Proverbs 28:1) Jesus asks “WHERE is your faith?” (Luke 8:25) Repenting for real and putting all your trust in the LORD is essential – and no one will be in the promise land of Heaven without sound, solid faith in God. “Without faith it is impossible to please him.” (Hebrews 11:6). “Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.” (Jeremiah 17:5) 

Read Revelation 2-3.

Remember the woman Jesus, the Great Divine Physician made whole of her issue who had previously spent all she had on human physicians?

“And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, 26 And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse, 27 When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment. 28 For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole. 29 And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague. 30 And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him (accessed by faith in Him), turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes? 31 And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? 32 And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing. 33 But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth. 34 And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith (in God not men) hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.” Mark 5:25-34 

You claim to be trusting God but you take a mood drug? I don’t think so. MOOD DRUGS ARE FOR THE WICKED UNBELIEVERS. PERIOD. REPENT.

When a person resorts to using a drug to uplift their mood, they are loving and believing the world more than God, forfeiting the blessing of God for a cheap substitute, and manifesting their contempt for the LORD, their unbelief. A born again, presently abiding disciple of Jesus has all the fruit of the Holy Spirit which include, “Love, joy, peace…” (Galatians 5:22-23) God gives His people “power… love, and a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7) God’s Word has the answer to “ALL things that pertain unto life and godliness” and that specifically includes a “sound mind.” (2 Peter 1:3-4) Holy Scripture specifically uses the terms “sound mind” and “sound heart” which come only from learning and adhering to “sound doctrine.”

We live in a fallen world and were born in sin. Via the things that have happened to us and that we ourselves have perpetrated on others, fragmentation of our hearts has occurred. Only One can make us whole.

“And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, 18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, 19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.” Luke 4:17-19

“And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.” 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

“He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.” Psalms 147:3

Counting it all Joy

“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. 5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. 8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.” James 1:2-8

Through the trials we face in this life, we must learn to “count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations”, trust God not men, ask for and rely on His wisdom and not waver, but rather finished our course trusting and walking with Christ to the end of our lives.

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:” 2 Timothy 4:7

“For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. 11 And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: 12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” Hebrews 6:10-12

The Whole Heart

“And all Judah rejoiced at the oath: for they had sworn with all their heart, and sought him with their whole desire; and he was found of them: and the LORD gave them rest round about.” 2 Chronicles 15:15

The result of seeking the LORD with a whole heart is that He gives us “rest round about.”

“But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.” Proverbs 1:33

9 Times in the book of Psalms the words “Whole Heart” appear. Here’s the first 3 of that collection:

“I will praise thee, O LORD, with my WHOLE HEART; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.” Psalms 9:1

“Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my WHOLE HEART, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.” Psalms 111:1

“Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the WHOLE HEART.” Psalms 119:2

PRAYER: Dear heavenly Father, I have sinned against You by not wholly trusting You nor sought You with my whole heart. Here and now I confess this for the evil sin of unbelief and rebellion that it is and ask You to please forgive me now in the name of Jesus. Please wash me afresh from all my sins with the precious blood of Jesus Christ. Also please make my heart whole and increase and fill me with Your faith Father, and cause me to trust You will all of my heart, no matter what. I love You my dear LORD. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Fresh Start with God

MESSAGE RECEIVED:
 
“Hi Todd. I just want to make sure that when I’m talking about salvation but I am being biblically correct. I don’t believe in once saved always saved. While I believe God is always willing to forgive and restore the backslider. I do believe that a person can choose to turn away from God and go back to living a life of sin they’re for forfeiting their eternal life. Any correction would be greatly appreciated. In Christ. Andrea”
 
REPLY:
 
Yes amen sister Andrea
Nice to hear from you
Very important doctrinal topic here
All it takes to go to hell after being saved is to be “lukewarm” right? Yes. Revelation 3:15-16
These 2 categories are loaded: Check it out. LOTS of Scripture to shape pure doctrine in your heart and life and ministering.
In Jesus, todd
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Abiding

“NEVER take a Vacation from God” [podcast]


God’s Word teaches us to be diligent in knowing and following Christ – even when the word diligent is not used.

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

Make the deliberate decision to “set…

“Now set your heart and your soul to seek the Lord your God; arise therefore, and build ye the sanctuary of the Lord God, to bring the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and the holy vessels of God, into the house that is to be built to the name of the Lord.”  1 Chronicles 22:19

“Don’t you EVER take a vacation from God!” said my first pastor.

This beloved  brother knew exactly what happens when the disciple relaxes in his seeking of the LORD. Think foolish virgins. The result can be deadly, irrevocably.

He was dead on in this warning. Give the flesh an inch and it will take a mile, right?

Have you ever slipped backward? If so, you know it started with just not reading God’s Word one day. That one day turned into two, three…. Right?

Never must this happen. The war is won in the now. You must “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8).

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7

God requires that we “give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall” (2 Peter 1:10).

It’s only those who remain built up in Christ like the wise virgins of Jesus’ parable, who “keep” themselves “in the love of God” who are not going to fall away.

“But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, 21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. … Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, 25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.” Jude 20-25

Jesus warns:

“Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:41

How did this kind of wisdom get lost from us beloved of God?

The disciple must get out ahead of the flesh. He must be one step ahead – knowing by testimony of the Word and by personal experience that there is “NO good thing” in us other than Jesus (Romans 7:18). This is exactly why Paul also said things like:

“I die daily.” 1 Corinthians 15:31

“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

Exhorting the sheep of Christ, one pastor said:

“Have fun this summer.  Enjoy the outdoors. Travel to see friends and family. Explore the world.  Just don’t take a vacation from God.  He loves you more than you can imagine and wants to keep refilling your sack with his awesome gifts so that you can keep sharing them with others in your life!”

“The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but it is abomination to fools to depart from evil.” Proverbs 13:19

Various Quotes on the Importance of Diligence

“Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts.”Calvin Coolidge

“But I never could have done what I have done, without the habits of punctuality, order, and diligence…”―Charles Dickens

“Prefer diligence before idleness, unless you esteem rust above brightness.”―Plato

“Diligence is the mother of good fortune.”Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra

“Amateurs look for inspiration; the rest of us just get up and go to work.”―Chuck Close

“If he [Thomas Edison] had a needle to find in a haystack, he would not stop to reason where it was most likely to be, but would proceed at once with the feverish diligence of a bee, to examine straw after straw until he found the object of his search.”―Nikola Tesla

“Laziness looks at excuses as something to treasure while diligence always focuses on excuses as an inconvenience to be overcome.”Dr. Lucas D.  Shallua

“The three great essentials to achieve anything worthwhile are, first, hard work; second, stick-to-itiveness; third, common sense.”―Thomas Alva Edison

“That which ordinary men are fit for, I am qualified in, and the best of me is diligence.”William Shakespeare

“Active valour may often be the present of nature; but such patient diligence can be the fruit only of habit and discipline.”―Edward Gibbon

“Diligence overcomes difficulties; sloth makes them.”―Benjamin Franklin

“The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.” Proverbs 26:13

In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.” Proverbs 14:23

“Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;” 1 Peter 1:13

“Wherefore – Having such encouragement. Gird up the loins of your mind – As persons in the eastern countries were wont, in travelling or running, to gird up their long garments, so gather ye up all your thoughts and affections, and keep your mind always disencumbered and prepared to run the race which is set before you. Be watchful – As servants that wait for their Lord. And hope to the end – Maintain a full expectation of all the grace – The blessings flowing from the free favour of God. Which shall be brought to you at the final revelation of Jesus Christ – And which are now brought to you by the revelation of Christ in you.“―John Wesley

“Slothfulness (laziness, lack of diligence) casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.” Proverbs 19:15

Power Words Power our Lives!

Remember those power words your parents instilled in your growing up? Remember things like “readers are leaders”? How about “The early bird gets the worm”?

What are some of the good words your beloved parents instilled in you as a child that live on in your mind and heart daily?

My beloved father taught us five to “always be consistent.” Oh and these weren’t just words. Oh no. My brother and I are only 13 months apart and so when we started playing football at about 6 years old, my parents set us down and looked us in the eyes and said “If you start this football season, you WILL finish. We require it of you, so count the cost.”

Nothing replaces consistency. Say it out loud with me right now beloved of God – CONSISTENCY.

While we’re on this topic, I hope you won’t mind me saying that it is befuddling to see how people start doing something that works and then quit – from a work out program to a lifestyle change in eating and most devastatingly, serving God then quitting.

Wait a minute, you were doing _______ and it was working, was blessing you, and then you quit?

Hebrews 10:32-39

“But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions;
33  Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used.
34  For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.
35  Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.
36  For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.
37  For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.
38  Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
39  But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.”

Hebrews 6:9-12

“But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak. 10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. 11 And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: 12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”

62 times the words “diligent,” “diligence,” and “diligently” appear in Holy Scripture.

Each time we read these words, they pertain specifically to serving God “diligently” with “diligence.”

“Diligent”

“He becometh poor (spiritually) that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich (spiritually).” Proverbs 10:4


“Diligence”

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


“Diligently”

appears 37 times in God’s Word

“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

“Looking DILIGENTLY lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;” Hebrews 12:15

“Keep your dukes up!”

Growing up boxing, from home training to being on a golden gloves team in high school, the command of the coaches was always and repeatedly “Keep your dukes up!”

Those who drop their dukes, their hands from covering their face, get hit, get knocked out.

Another sign on the wall of that boxing facility was: “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” unknown

We are going to go through what Jesus foretold:

“For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.” Matthew 24:21-22 

YOUR PRAYER: Holy Father, in the name of Jesus I come to You now. Please forgive my sins of self-idolatry, slothfulness, and spiritual adultery.


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