Coming to the Light [podcast]

Paula White Exposed [video]

THAT’s My King! Pastor Lockridge [video]

Powerful Prayers from Children-This Will Shake You [video]

The Fear of the LORD is to Hate Evil: Pride, and Arrogancy #shorts [video]

THERE are many in darkness who swear they are in the light. Pray saints-in Jesus’ name.

May God vanquish all darkness in our own hearts, filling, flooding us with His holy light.

When there is true repentance and the cleansing of the LORD in a person’s life, there will be “no guile” and “no part dark.”

“Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!” John 1:47

“HAVING NO PART DARK”

“If thy whole body therefore be full of light, HAVING NO PART DARK, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light.” Luke 11:36

As when one walks into a dark room and flips on the light switch and all darkness is gone, in the same way, when we are full of Christ’s light, there will be “no part dark.”

Are You A Moral Coward?

“But the fearful (cowardly; timid), and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” Revelation 21:8

Notice here that the very first class of sinners named as those to spend eternity in the lake of fire is “the fearful.” This word “fearful” comes from the Greek word DEILOS which means cowardly; timid. So we see that spiritual cowards will not enter into the kingdom of God. Is this not consistent with other places in Scripture? Here’s one that comes to mind:

“For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition (destruction); but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.” Hebrews 10:36-39

To become known in this world as a preacher, you MUST lie, twist, feed the greed of the unrepentant, and tell half-truths – to tickle the ears of the counterfeits (2 Timothy 4:2-4).

“God shall hear, and afflict them, even he that abideth of old. Selah. Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God.” Psalms 55:19

Those who refuse to “choose the fear of the LORD” have no changes in their lives.

“For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:” Proverbs 1:29

The “gospel” for spiritual cowards who refuse to press into the kingdom of God by daily crucifying the deeds of the sinful nature, is a false “gospel” which perverts the original Gospel once delivered to the saints (Jude 3-4). These who deny Christ instead of their sin, are those who consequently migrate to the unconditional eternal security teaching. A “gospel” which does not include the cross (crucifying all the sinful deeds of the body and mind), is “another gospel.” (2 Cor. 11:4) Unlike Christ Himself, the OSAS (once saved always saved) “gospel” never demands that one deny self, take up his cross daily and truly follow the Master (Luke 9:23). It is the “gospel” that allows one to have a “form of godliness”, yet “denying the power (authority; rule; lordship) thereof.” (2 Tim. 3:5) (False prophets purposely dodge certain Biblical texts in the Bible. If they do review them, a spin is placed on the plainness/exactness of these words of God.) This is the feel-good “gospel” of ease (Amos 6:1). This is the “gospel” for those who want their sin and Jesus too. Jesus made it clear though that there are conditions for being His disciple and receiving His kingdom, all others will be eternally damned:

“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. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away? For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father’s, and of the holy angels.” Luke 9:23-26

Let’s face it, as Christians we all have sins we daily struggle with, that’s not the issue (1 John 1:8,10). There is no argument about the Biblical truth that “the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other.” (Galatians 5:17) The issue is, that some of us choose to face those iniquities, while others deliberately decide to justify their sins with so-called “christian” doctrines which are not Biblical whatsoever.

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

The problem starts when one stops fighting the good fight and laying hold on eternal life (1 Timothy 6:12). (“Fighting” and to “lay hold” are commands concerning “eternal life”.)

Many who start out fighting the good fight of faith, eventually allow their love for God to wax cold and start justifying their sins instead of seeking the Almighty with Biblical repentance for the rooting out of that which defiles (Luke 8:13; John 6:66).

Again, we must be aware that many today are finding a cloak for their sinfulness through false teachings prevalent within the Church world. Instead of pleasing God by living a life of repentance and crucifying the flesh, many justify their sins by hiding behind a false “gospel” which purposely excludes much of what Scripture states. This inoculated message is soothing and insidious and lulls its victim into a spiritual sleep which will prove to be fatal in the end if one is not recovered out of it.

The Fire Lies Behind

“Give glory to the LORD your God, before he cause darkness, and before your feet stumble upon the dark mountains, and, while ye look for light, he turn it into the shadow of death, and make it gross darkness.” Jeremiah 13:16

According to the Bible verse above and below and many others, those whom Jesus saves and yet do not continue to walk toward Christ, the Light of the world, will, without fail, revert back to their sinful type and fall away.

“Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.” John 12:35

To keep the fire of darkness, sin, and hell in the rear view mirror, we must abide in Christ, to “walk in the light, as he is in the light.” (1 John 1:7)

Did the LORD not promise us that those who do not receive the love of His truth will be sent by Him “strong delusion”? (2 Thessalonians 2:10-12)

Those not fighting are falling away – “FIGHT the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.” (1 Timothy 6:12)

Those who are not fighting the good fight of faith today will not finish the course with Christ or keep the faith of Christ essential to be with Him eternally – “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:” (2 Timothy 4:7)

COMING TO THE LIGHT

Jesus made it clear that coming to the light the first time, for initial salvation, was the beginning, but not all that is required for final salvation:

“And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light (initially and continually), that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.” John 3:19-21

Those who come to the light, who seek the LORD with a whole and sincere heart, do so in order to come clean on it all – to be transparent, honest, and repentant for all darkness.

The true and Heaven bound disciple not only comes to the light initially but also he continues to come clean before the LORD – in repentance and denouncing and crucifying out of his life anything that defiles him in the eyes of a holy God.

“For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.” Proverbs 24:16

Those who are God’s, wicked as we all are, will be manifested by ever coming to His light, to admit and restitute for every dark thought and deed. No stone unturned.

Jesus’ bride is choosing to have “no part dark” (Luke 11:36).

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

One who has been saved must continue to come to the light, that is, live in obedience to God (Matthew 7:21; James 1:22). It is not enough to have come to the light once, one must continue to come to the light till the end of his life or his initial salvation is null and void (forfeited). See Ezekiel 33:12-13; Matthew 10:22; Heb. 2:1-3; 3:6,14, 10:26-39; Col. 1:23; Rev. 2:10-11, etc.

“But IF we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7

One who comes to the light – gets saved – must continue to come to the light or he closes the door of forgiveness and the blood of Christ no longer cleanses him. Read 1 John 1:7 again (above). Perpetual cleansing is contingent upon the obedience of the individual recipient of the grace of God. Notice in 1 John 1:7 that “fellowship” and “the blood of Jesus Christ” cleansing “us from all sin” is conditioned upon “if we walk in the light.”

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

CONCERNING SINS, Proverbs 28:13 REVEALS THAT:

“He that covereth (does not be honest about and repent of) his sins shall not prosper…”

God continues to extend to us His forgiveness based upon our confessing and forsaking our sins. The person who chooses to cover his sins will not prosper. His spiritual growth is in reverse and his eternity at stake. He must repent and establish righteous paths as detailed in Scripture or God will not hear his prayer (Psalms 18:20; 66:18).

Many of us are aware of the Calvinistic falsehoods in the Church world which exclude repentance from the gospel and avoid the conditions holy Scripture details.

Biblical salvation requires that one repent and believe on the LORD Jesus Christ to be saved and continue to repent of his sins, abiding, remaining to the end with Christ (John 15:1-6). If one does not, he will cease to be cleansed by the blood of Christ (1 John 1:7; Luke 13:3,5).

The unconditional eternal security proponents/leaders are livid at the hearing of any doctrine (even from Scripture) that requires personal responsibility. They blow “grace” up into something the Bible never even implies, much less, teach. Regardless of how big an audience these leaders have or how popular their name is, they teaching false doctrine and “turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness (a license for sin).” (Jude 3-4) These lies must be contended against – souls are in the balance. Unconditional eternal security is the very first thing Satan preached in the Garden of Eden (Gen. 2:17, 3:4). Friend, it is our divinely appointed mandate to defend the original Gospel once delivered to the Body of Christ. (Phil. 1:17; 2 Tim. 4:2-4; Jude 3-4)

“Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness (a license for sin), and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.” Jude 3-4

Those who follow the coward “gospel” are those who deny Christ instead of their sin, and will be denied by Him in that final day (Matthew 10:32-33; 2 Timothy 2:12; Matt. 7:21). There are many who vainly suppose that they will not be judged for their doctrinal deceit and sins, but God says they will be:

“All the sinners of my people shall die by the sword (judgment), which say (in their doctrine), The evil shall not overtake nor prevent (stop) us (from going to Heaven).” Amos 9:10

Some “say, The evil shall not overtake nor prevent us.” That is, they imagine that they will not be judged nor prevented from entering the eternal kingdom of God for their sins because God sees them through the blood of Christ due to their initial born-again experience. Does God indiscriminately cleans the sins of those who have been saved in the past? 1 John 1:7 states that only those who walk in God’s holy light are kept (remain) in fellowship with Him and are continually cleansed by the blood of Jesus. According the Bible, we must repent to be cleansed.

Many are taught and teach that they are not accountable for their actions, attitudes, thoughts or words anymore (since they got saved), and that God does not judge them for sin any longer because He sees them through the blood of Christ. In other words, 1) Their salvation changes the very nature of God – God ceases to be holy and just, and, 2) they have no responsibility to live holy (see Titus 2:11-12; Rom. 6:1-2).

The ‘once saved always saved’ doctrine teaches that all sins, past, present and future are forgiven. Let us ask ourselves, “Is this what the Bible says?” Check this little nugget out:

“Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are PAST, through the forbearance of God.” Romans 3:25

Note the term “sins that are past.” Where is there any mention here of future sins unconditionally or indiscriminately being forgiven??? (This was the perfect place for the Holy Spirit to reveal such if it were so.) It is clear from Scripture that all sins, past, present and future, are already paid for by Christ’s blood, but that His blood is only applied where there is true repentance. Scripture gives no assurance that any future sins are automatically forgiven. The forgiveness of future sins is conditional upon the continued obedient faith of the individual.

“But IF we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7

When we choose the sins of the flesh over the Lordship of Jesus Christ, we forsake our own mercy (Jonah 2:8). In this we would rather wallow in the sins of the flesh rather than to face the God we give lip service to. The “irresistible grace” adherent is taught that he does not have to repent of his wickedness (sins) – all under the banner of being eternally secure or ‘once saved always saved.’ As for the propagators of this myth:

“Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ (because they use it to justify their sins): Whose end is destruction (eternal damnation), whose God is their belly (sinful appetites), and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.).” Philippians 3:17-19

‘Once saved always saved’, like many false teachings through the centuries, is merely a cloak for man’s sinful nature which God commands to be crucified. This teaching justifies men in their iniquities whereas divine truth helps men to be cleansed and delivered from the penalty and burden of sins. This is why Jesus came – to make captives free from sin and its bondages (Matthew 1:21; 11:28-30; John 1:29; 3:17; 8:31-32).

Here are instructions and promises concerning being received of God as His children:

“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; AND I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1

INSTRUCTIONS Listed in 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1:

Conditional PROMISES Listed in 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1:

“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.” Romans 8:13

Those who truly love Christ and His glorious appearing, are those who, at all costs choose daily to please God by putting away the deeds of the sinful nature and seeking to live holy in His sight (Col. 3:1-13). Oh yes, when we fall, we are to continue to get up and seek the face of the God who loves us and has our ultimate good in mind. This is the heart that is after God. The LORD is “good” to us and “ready to forgive.” Take a look:

Psalms 86:5, 15 “For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee…But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.

PRAYER: LORD Jesus, please shine Your holy light into my heart and life. May there be no part dark in this vessel dear LORD. Please unite my heart to fear Thy name. I love You my LORD Jesus. Teach men. Help me please. Break me dear LORD. In Jesus’ name.

Sign up for free email devotional HERE… The Moments with My Master email devotional is sent out for the edification of the body of Christ.

The Holiness of God [podcast]

The Sanctified, Cleansed Church Jesus is Returning For [podcast]

“Joy Unspeakable and Full of Glory” [podcast]

Moments with Our Master 365 Day Devotional [ book ]

Apostasy

Eating the Fat, and Drinking the Sweet! [podcast]

Mourning Trumps Merriment in Christ’s Kingdom

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I’d like to walk in Your bless-ed joy, filling my life to overflowing, no matter what’s transpiring. LORD, I ask You to do Your deeper work in my heart, in my life. Please set apart my life to truly glorify You, being full of the fruits of Your righteousness. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

Everyone desires the joy of the LORD, right? Yes, yet only those who are willing to devour His Word – to get it into their hearts and keep it flowing into their hearts, will experience that great joy of the LORD which is our strength! In context, the joy of the LORD is the strength of those who read it, hear it, embrace it, adhere to it, and keep it flowing into their mind and heart daily! (Nehemiah 8:8, 10)

“So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly (directly), and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading. … 10 Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:8, 10

After they had feasted on God’s Word, the elders of Israel said to them: You are now full of the Word. Now “Go your way”, that is, go home and be blessed to “send portions” of the bounty of the LORD you’ve been filled with today to overflowing. “Freely ye have received, freely give.” (Matthew 10:8) Let your cup run over and bless others! Let your light shine into others, may your cup run over onto others, to bless them with the bountiful blessings of the LORD you have received.

We have to eat the fat and drink the sweet of the Word of God to be filled with the joy of the LORD which is our strength!

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

Nourishing the Body of Christ

“If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.” 1 Timothy 4:6

DO people know they can find the rich treasures of God’s Word when they walk into your life, when they visit your social media page? (Colossians 3:16) Will they be “nourished” by the milk and meat of God’s bless-ed Word when they are graced to be in your company?

“There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise.” Proverbs 21:20

Holy Father, we ask You in the name of Jesus to make us happy in Jesus as You’ve forgiven and freed us from our sin and so of all people on Your earth, only Your people can be truly happy in Thee dear LORD. Please bless each of Your beloved saints to be anointed for the death and burial of the self life and raised up in Your blessed resurrection grace and joy. In Jesus’ name let it be dear LORD.

“These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” John 15:11

Joy in the LORD

The Joy of the Bible [podcast]

“I have always known of HIS graciousness – all my 50+ years of life, even when I thought I knew better than He did for my life. He’s always met me right where I was when I called out to Him, and even more so in these days that I have dug deeper into His Word.” Dyanne Gonzales NOTHING is true because I say it or any other mere man. What GOD has said is truth, final divine authority – now and forever. Fall down humbly under His power or perish. Memorize Psalms 138:2 “I will worship toward thy holy […]

G.O.D. = Game Over Devil [podcast]

Ousting the Enemy! WHO’s READY FOR SOME VICTORY? Satan only has place when the individual isn’t submitted to God. James 4:7 – memorize. Your issue is with the God you have sinned against, and not me, a mere messenger of His. Blaming everyone except the sinner who caused your separation from your Maker will only dig yourself deeper in misery. The sin you are living in has given full control of your life to Satan who has come “to steal, to kill, and to destroy” (John 10:10). The following information will equip you to know what the LORD requires of […]

Abiding

The Death before the Death [podcast]

Gethsemane Preceded Calvary

“And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, 42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. 43 And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. 44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” Luke 22:42-44

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

“Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. 11 For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you.” 2 Corinthians 4:10-12

“And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. 25 For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?” Luke 9:23-25

Shall We Freshly Declare the Cross to be Front and Center in our Personal Lives?

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20

5 Aspects of the Mind of Christ [podcast]

5 Components of the Mind of Christ from Philippians 2 Jesus Christ made Himself of no reputation. He took upon Him the form of a servant. He was made in the likeness of men. He humbled Himself. He became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Philippians 2:2-10 “Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but […]

The Cross and the Throne of Grace [podcast]

“Hid with Christ in God” “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.” Colossians 3:1-4 The safest place in the universe is in the cross of Christ: “your life is hid with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3). Our place of protection is […]

Raised Up in Christ [podcast]

3 Resurrections to Celebrate 1. Christ’s resurrection (Matthew 27:64; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, etc.). 2. Your resurrection at the moment of regeneration and daily resurrection (Romans 1:4; 4:25; 6:3-14; 8:11; 2 Corinthians 4:10-12; Ephesians 2:6). 3. Final resurrection into glory or damnation (John 5:28; 29; 1 Corinthians 15). Christ’s resurrection guarantees ours and that we need not fear death. Dancing on hell’s grace. Read 1 Corinthians 15 serveral times. “But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; 25 Who was delivered for our offences, and […]

The Only Way Up is Down [podcast]

Chapter 8 from the book Raised Up (narration) “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.” Proverbs 16:18 The Down and Up Principle of God’s Kingdom “And the remnant that is escaped of the house of Judah shall again take root DOWNWARD, and bear fruit UPWARD.” Isaiah 37:31 The Scriptures follow a pattern of death and resurrection, a downward death and upward life. See if you can observe such a truth in the following verses: “The LORD upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth UP all those that be bowed DOWN.” Psalms 145:14 Do you possess the blessed desire to be raised up by […]

Abiding

“Rend Your Heart, and Not Your Garments” [podcast]

Who Does God Look to? Who Does God Dwell in?

Beware of any man pretending to represent Christ who isn’t praying and preaching for you to be possessed by a humble and contrite heart.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:3

“‘Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven’ (Matthew 5:3). A low condition. ‘Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted’ (Matthew 5:4). To mourn over our sin and our utter wickedness before a holy and righteous God. Those are the ones who will receive the comfort and ‘joy in the Holy Ghost’ (Romans 14:17).” Karen Cochran

Abandoning Our Own Sin, Our Own Way, for God and His Better Way!

To “rend your heart” is a biblical phrase meaning to tear open your heart in radical sincerity, true humility, and genuine repentance.

The phrase comes from Joel 2:13 in the Bible: “Rend your heart and not your garments and return to the Lord your God.”

One source notes the following:

“Context and Deeper Meaning:

Cultural Background: In ancient times, the Jewish people would tear (rend) their clothes as a public, highly visible display of grief or repentance.
The Spiritual Message: God is warning that outward rituals (like ripping clothing) are meaningless if the heart remains unchanged. Rending your heart implies breaking through your pride, letting go of excuses, and being completely vulnerable and authentic before God.
The Reward: The verse goes on to say that God is “gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love.” Tearing open your heart allows you to experience His forgiveness and restore your relationship with Him.”

To see an example of rending one’s physical garment in representation of rending their heart, see Acts 14:11-18.

Where is the LORD Looking?

“But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7

“Therefore also now, saith the Lord, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: 13 and rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. 14Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the Lord your God” Joel 2:12-14

“What a gracious invitation is contained in these words. How tenderly the Lord reasons with his people. And what an encouraging assurance it folds up with. Reader! do not fail to observe that this call of the Lord, the accompanying grace to incline the heart to the observance of it is implied. It is most blessed ever to remember that when the Lord thus comes forth in his endearing invitations, he is secretly inclining the heart to accept them. Grace must first enter the heart, or there will be no inclination to obey.” Robert Hawker

“Jeremiah’s message was never meant to leave the heart in despair. Every warning from God carried an invitation to return. The Lord does not expose empty religion to shame His people, but to heal them. Repentance is not the loss of hope, it is the beginning of hope. Christ still receives every soul that comes with humility, and He gives living faith where there was only habit, peace where there was only fear, and joy where there was only emptiness. The call remains the same today, to draw near to Him with a sincere heart, trusting that His mercy is always greater than our weakness.” Dan Blincoe

A Fresh Start with God Always Begins with Humility and True Repentance

“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.” Acts 3:19

Concerning rending our hearts before the LORD, one source notes:

The classic Bible passage on this concept is Joel 2:13, where God commands: “Rend your heart and not your garments”. In ancient biblical culture, tearing (or “rending”) one’s physical clothing was a customary, visible display of extreme grief, despair, or repentance. Through the prophet Joel, God is essentially telling His people: Stop doing the empty, outward religious ritual of tearing your clothes to show everyone how sorry you are. Instead, let me see true, inward brokenness over your sins.

Examples of Rending Physical Garments

In the Bible, the physical act of tearing clothes was used as a dramatic expression of deep emotion in several well-known narratives:

Joseph’s Brothers (Genesis 37:29, 34): When Reuben realized Joseph was not in the pit, and later when the brothers brought Joseph’s blood-stained coat to Jacob, they tore their clothes in grief and despair.
Job (Job 1:20): After hearing that he had lost all his wealth and his children, Job stood up and tore his robe as an outward sign of his overwhelming sorrow.
King David (2 Samuel 1:11-12): When David received news of the deaths of King Saul and Jonathan, he and his men tore their clothes to mourn.
The High Priest (Matthew 26:65): In a dramatic display of hypocritical outrage, the high priest tore his own garments when Jesus declared He was the Son of God, falsely accusing Him of blasphemy.

The Spiritual Meaning of “Rending the Heart”

The concept of “rending the heart” contrasts an outward show with inward reality.

Genuine Repentance: Tearing your heart means being vulnerable, acknowledging your brokenness, and deeply repenting of sin before God.
Prioritizing Relationships over Rituals: God desires a sincere heart—true sorrow and a desire to change—more than he desires traditional religious pageantry or dramatic, public displays of grief.
The Promise of Forgiveness: In Joel 2:13, the command to rend the heart is immediately followed by the promise of grace: “Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love”.

God sees beyond our external habits and religious actions, requiring instead a humble, contrite heart to fully experience His mercy.”

God’s Mercy

“Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: 13 And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. 14 Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the LORD your God?” Joel 2:12-14

In God’s Word, where we see men who tear open their garments…. This holds the illustration of rending our hearts before the LORD.

Don’t render outward tearing, no, rather, tear open your inner man, your heart—be honest, sincere, exposed, and vulnerable to the LORD whom you trust.

Let’s attempt to get at, to ascertain what God is commanding of His beloved people to do in this “rend your heart” passage.

“Joel 2:13: Rend your heart—Let it not be merely a rending of your garments, but let your hearts be truly contrite. Merely external worship and hypocritical pretensions will only increase the evil, and cause God to meet you with heavier judgments.

For he is gracious—Good and benevolent in his own nature.

Merciful—Pitying and forgiving, as the effect of goodness and benevolence.

Slow to anger —He is not easily provoked to punish, because he is gracious and merciful.

Of great kindness—Exuberant goodness to all them that return to him.

And repenteth him of the evil—Is ever ready to change his purpose to destroy, when he finds the culprit willing to be saved. See the notes on Exo_34:6, Exo_34:7.” Adam Clarke

“Joel 2:12-14: III. DIVINE APPEAL TO JUDAH TO REPENT (2:12-14)
Even now, the LORD calls the people to repentance. It is not too late to return to Him. But it must be more than outward ritual. Their turning was to be with all their heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.” Believer’s Bible Commentary

To rend our hearts is the consistent message, mandate of God to His people of all ages and eras.

“The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.” Psalms 34:18

“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.” Psalms 51:17

In Joel 2 the LORD reminds those who are backslidden that He “is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. 14 Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the LORD your God? …”

They must meet His stated conditions to receive His blessings ….

He promises that He will forgive them as they…..

“Joel 2:12-27: THE AVERTING OF JUDGMENT
To rend the garment is easy, but a broken and contrite heart can be imparted only by the grace of the Holy Spirit. The love of God should bring us to repentance. He takes no pleasure in our miseries and if men repent and turn from their sin they find an immediate and loving welcome to the Father’s heart and home. Joel had called for the trumpet to announce war; he now directs the trumpet blast to summon the people, from the highest to the lowest, to plead for help. Prayer and true repentance and faith bring an immediate answer. As the husband yearns over his erring but repentant wife, and is indignant with those who have maltreated her, so will Jehovah remove from us, when we turn to Him, those who have cruelly oppressed us.
The great things Jehovah did against Egypt and Babylon are an earnest of what He will do again. The earth (and all the creation of God) … have good reason to rejoice in what awaits them. God promises not only to forgive sin, but to make us happy and well provided as if the locust and cankerworm had never settled upon our lives.” FB Meyer

Religious hypocrites, counterfeits, emphasize the outward to cover their inner darkness, rebellion.

“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. 24 Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel. 25 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. Matthew 23:23-25

“He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.” Mark 7:6

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