Abiding

Conditions and Consequences: Beware of False Prophets

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God is not getting ready to bless any person who has not repented and put their lives in the hands of the nail-scarred risen Savior Jesus Christ.

Beware of the promise peddlers who indiscriminately dish out promises and never mention the necessity of meeting the conditions.

We’d better begin noticing the “IF“‘s in God’s Word – the conditions, the things God requires. Here you go, let me assist….

“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. 19 IFFFFFFFF 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 1:18-20

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.

Praying while Robbing

Recently I saw the video of a man trying to rob a store who was consequently locked in. And, he started to pray. Yet we know that all those who do not obey God’s Word which is His stated will, can pray till they are blue in the face and God will not deliver them. Nothing replaces obeying God’s Word. The LORD will bless no person who doesn’t obey Him (Matthew 7:21; Titus 1:16; 1 John 2:3-6, etc.).

“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” James 1:22

Just like this man who was praying while robbing someone, so today, many seek to rob the LORD of the glory due His holy name and in the midst of their disobedient, rebellious lives, pray to Him to bless them.

The only way to build your house, your life, from the ground up, is to get honest in fresh repentance, and to make God’s written Word the final authority of your personal life (Mathew 7:19-30). | Rooted and Grounded in Christ

Turning your face and ear away from God’s written Word and believing you are going to be blessed is utter insanity! Repent now and follow Jesus for real.

Memorize Proverbs 28:9 today.

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

So, the condition in the verse above is that we hear and obey God’s Word. Otherwise our prayers are not heard by God and are an “abomination.”

The conditions given by God are integrally and inseparably non-negotiably connected to the promise and required in order to receive the promises He gives. Throughout history God gave His people promises but they didn’t always possess those promises due to their own sin (Psalms 107:17). Read 1 Corinthians 10 concerning the 5 specific, exact sins that kept God’s people out of the land He promised them. Just because the LORD gave promises, doesn’t mean everyone is going to possess those promises. Obedience required. | The 5 Sins That Keep God’s People Out of Their Promised Land [podcast]

On social media, I recently ran across just another all-too-typical false prophet who is peddling false promises. Notice “prophet” Tracy’s bait – “YOUR YEAR!” No year is “YOUR year.” God created time and all of it is HIS, not yours. They pretend to determine and control when and if God is going to bless someone in order to flatter them, to get them to give. Yet, pied pipers like this guy, Joel Osteen, and so many others are always falsely promising that “God’s promises, His blessings, are right around the corner.” They tell the people, their prey to “Hang in there. Continue to give because His blessing is coming.” Year after year, the promised blessing never comes and the false prophets continue to milk their audiences of cash. Yet these same frauds do not endeavor to preach and teach the whole counsel of the written Word of God which includes the divinely stated conditions for His blessings. The LORD is never going to bless any person who is not loving Him supremely and obeying Him (Psalms 18:20; 66:18; John 15:7; James 1:22; 1 John 3:22, etc.). What these false promise peddlers are doing is stringing people along in order to continue to syphon money from their wallets.

There are endless memes circulating on social media promising God’s blessings on everyone. Not. They are not qualifying who the blessings of God exclusively belong to and thereby deceiving many.

“God … now commandeth all men every where to repent:” Acts 17:30

Jesus commands all men to repent and will bless no one who doesn’t (Luke 13:3; Acts 17:30). All who do not repent and receive Christ are going to hell irrevocably forever and yet professing Christians are promising those unrepentant rebels that God is going to bless them. This is a lie, bearing false witness against the LORD. It’s time to preach the original Gospel which begins with the divine command to “repent.” (Matthew 3:4; 4:17; Luke 13:3, 5; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 17:30, etc.) Let’s stop giving out promises to people without the conditions that God gave. We are lying to them. Jesus commands us to preach repentance. Those who don’t are not obeying Christ, are not preaching the Gospel He preached and are therefore misleading their audience. They are preaching “another gospel.” (Galatians 1:6-9)

“And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And ye are witnesses of these things.” Luke 24:47-48

very old trick: The longer they can keep people hanging onto, chasing these false promise carrots they dangle before them, the more money those wolves can milk out of those groundless dupes.

“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

“IF (denotes the condition) 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

“Preach the Word”

“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” 2 Timothy 4:2-4

It’s real simple, frauds like this are NOT simply preaching the Gospel, the WORD. They only use, misuse Scripture to entice, to deceive, to mislead, to “make merchandise” of the people they prey upon (2 Timothy 4:2-4; 2 Peter 2:1-3) False prophets like this give false promises, never mentioning the divinely stated conditions.

Instead of simply preaching the written Word, the “MORE sure word”, false prophets conjure up words, prophecies, visions, dreams, and flattering false promises for their prey as they “make merchandise” of them (2 Peter 1:16-2:3). Beware.

“And her prophets have daubed them with untempered morter, seeing vanity, and DIVINING LIES unto them, saying, Thus saith the Lord GOD, when the LORD hath not spoken.” Ezekiel 22:28

Those who are truly “of God” seek His holy face daily, diligently, and for themselves – just as He commanded (1 Chronicles 16:11; John 8:47; 1 Thessalonians 5:17, etc.).

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15

Anyone claiming to know or love God who doesn’t love and devour His words, is a liar and the truth is not in him.

“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

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

ALL who truly follow Christ turn their “ear” towards His Word, never from it (Psalms 119; John 8:47, etc.).

God promises are conditional and reserved for those who obey Him (John 15:7).

“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. ⁸ 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.” Galatians 6:7-8

NO, God is not trying to get rid of any of His own and yet, He’s set the conditions! Meet them or perish! Surrender now – that’s where it all begins.

Does every person on the planet automatically receive the benefits of Christ’s atoning death? No, there are conditions: repent, believe on Christ, and receive Him.

“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:” John 1:12

There are divinely required conditions to be saved initially and into glory – eternally. God’s promises are conditional and He will only give them to those who meet His stated conditions.

ANOTHER FALSE “PROOF TEXT” BUSTED AND EXPOSED!

Many take the following passage out of its biblical context for their own self-serving purposes:

“For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, ³⁹ Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39

Question: Does the above passage of Scripture contain the only verses in the Bible to consider when studying the love and divine attributes of God? Are these the final words, the only two verses to be considered or is there more to consider? Do we need to take this verse for what it says and also in context with the whole of Scripture? Yes.

WHO is this promise for? Certainly not everyone. There are divine conditions placed on all of God’s promises and the honest student of Scripture must acknowledge this truth.

In the same chapter where this promise is found, notice the context of several verses that precede it:

Romans 8:1 “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”

In Romans 8:1 there are two conditions: 1. you must be saved— “to them which are in Christ”, and 2. you must live in the Spirit and not the sins of the flesh— “who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”

Also, see Romans 8:12-14:

“Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. ¹³ For IF (denotes free will to choose) ye live after the flesh, ye shall die (be separated from God): but IFFFFF ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live (remain in His life). ¹⁴ For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, THEY are the sons of God.”

This passage tells us that we are indebted to God who saved us into Christ and out of a life of sin. IF, IF, IF (denotes condition) we go back to living after the flesh, in sin, we shall die which means to be separated from God. Verse 14 tells us that anyone not being led by the Spirit of God but rather living in the flesh, is not a Son of God.

And Romans 8:17:

“And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; IFFFFFF so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.”

This verse lets us know that even being the very heirs of God does not remove the conditions this same God requires. Only the law-less counterfeits ignore them.

Christina Richmond writes:

“‘If’ denotes condition. Did you know that ‘If’ Is found about 1,595 times in 1,420 different verses of the KJV? I would say that denotes a lot of condition. Like salvation is conditional. Many, many scriptures prove just that. But sadly so many people like to leave out the word that implies condition (IF)… Like we see in 1 John 2:24-25, and John 15:6… If we fulfill the conditions the promises are then ours. Colossians 1:21-23 notice in this the condition, ‘If’ Indeed you continue in the faith… Hebrews 3:12-14 again see the condition, “If” we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end. The same as, we are the Lords friends ‘If’ we do whatsoever he command, John 15:14… Salvation is a gift offered to us by grace, but is activated through faith. You can deny salvation by departing from the faith. We are not forced to remain in Christ. If we do remain in him, we have life to look forward to, but if we don’t remain in him, we are cast forth into the fire. If, is a very important word that should never be overlooked or left out. By leaving it out, it will change the entire meaning of the scripture.”

If we are His truly heirs, we will suffer persecution for His sake and if we endure to the end in Christ we shall be glorified with Him eternally.

“HE THAT OVERCOMETH (divine condition), the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.” Revelation 3:5

If you are truly a child of God, you are suffering for Christ—you are being persecuted.

“Yea, and ALLLLL that will live godly in Christ Jesus SHALL suffer persecution.” 2 Timothy 3:12

Consider: Nothing can separate us from God’s love, if we abide (remain) in Christ. Otherwise we will be “cut off” and cast into the fire (John 15:6; Romans 11:20-22).

Jesus teaches that answered prayer is contingent upon the one who is in Him to continue to abide/remain in Him:

“IF (IF, IF, IF) 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

God is warning all Gentile believers using the example of how He “cut off” (rejected) His own people (the Jews) when they rebelled, and threatens to do the same to all of us if we also rebel:

“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.” Romans 11:20-22

“If thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.” 1 Chronicles 28:9

“If we deny him, he also will deny us.” 2 Timothy 2:12

There’s a difference to behold in Scripture between the LIFE and the LOVE of God. The believer can never be separated from the LOVE of God …. not the LIFE of God as in eternal life! The testimony of Holy Scripture reveals that the personal possession of eternal life is not eternal but rather can be forfeited. Eternal Security, OSAS (once saved always saved), and perseverance of the saints busted!

Divine conditions are found throughout Scripture. All of God’s promises to individuals are conditional upon them meeting His stated requirements.

It’s real simple, take a step back… If you don’t choose to agree with the Almighty, who gave us His Word, and comply, you will not be with Him. Instead you will be cast into the lake of fire with all other rebels. He gives you the choice. Agree and comply with DAD or you’re out. Read John 14, the whole chapter. Notice it begins with Christ telling us He’s the only way and promising us a mansion. Then He speaks of obedience and chapter speaks of abiding or remaining in Him to the end.

“Let that therefore abide (remain) in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. IFFFF (conditional) that which ye have heard from the beginning shall REMAIN in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.” 1 John 2:24

Who are “ALL the promises of God” reserved for and who are they kept from?

“For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.” 2 Corinthians 1:20

Whoever is not presently “IN HIM”—that is, walking in Christ, dead, with their life “hid with Christ in God”—is not included.

The OSAS deceiver will emphasize the promises of God in this verse and deliberately ignore the condition of being “in him.”

Jesus repeatedly taught that God’s promises to man are conditional. Here’s a mere sampling. Notice the conditions and consequences in each of Christ’s statements here in this vital passage out of John 15:

“⁵ I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth (continues) in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
⁶ IF (denotes choice, condition) a man abide (remain) not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
⁷ IFFFFF ye abide (remain) in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” John 15:5-7

WHO does God show mercy to? EVERYONE? No …. read this closely….

“But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him (the divinely given condition), and his righteousness unto children’s children; 18 To such as keep his covenant (obedience), and to those that remember his commandments to do them.” Psalms 103:17-18

God gave all men free will. Jesus died for “ALL men” (1 John 2:2). God chooses all men to be saved and yet leaves the decision to the individual.

“I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore CHOOSE life, that both thou and thy seed may live.” Deuteronomy 30:19

GOD set the rules and conditions of His kingdom as He chose. Those who comply will be blessed and those who don’t will be cursed.

“Choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24:15

Regrettably, so many today who claim to know Jesus do not follow Him the way He prescribed—which is the only way to follow Him. In fact, they aren’t even interested in finding out what Jesus says because of the ear-tickling lies they pay their wolves to tell them (2 Timothy 4:2-4). All those who care to know what the LORD said so they can follow Him accordingly, will daily and diligently devour His Word.

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15

Fresh Start with God

God’s Promises are Conditional | OSAS/Eternal Security | The Curse of Calvinism | God Sovereignly gave Man Free Will |

https://safeguardyoursoul.com/busting-hell-wide-open/

https://safeguardyoursoul.com/the-5-sins-that-keep-gods-people-out-of-their-promised-land/

https://safeguardyoursoul.com/the-only-begotten-son-of-god/

https://safeguardyoursoul.com/christ-our-reward-podcast/

https://safeguardyoursoul.com/can-you-forfeit-salvation-by-living-in-sin/

Abiding

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

Fight the temptation or die the death?

Where’s the victory come from?

The Cross – something counterfeits intentionally evade (Philippians 3:18-19). The cross is how we know who is real and who is fake. Refusing to take up the cross means one has denied Christ. This would account for the vast majority of men in ministry today. They are cross-less.

The only people who are truly following Christ are those who are doing it HIS way – and His stated way is the cross, the crucified life (Luke 9:23-24). There is no other way to follow Jesus.

If we don’t crucify the flesh, the evil deeds of the body, the flesh will crucify Christ out of our lives. Pray and read Romans 6 each morning this week.

Jesus conquered sin, death, and Satan by dying and not by first rising up (Hebrews 2:14). This is how we also are brought forth into His victory by Him – through our own weakness. Let’s give our ear to hear Christ’s apostle Paul:

“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

It’s interesting that the vast majority of pastors today insist that it’s impossible to stop sinning and be delivered – as if Jesus failed, didn’t provide a perfect redemption that dealt with past, present, and future sin and complete victory through it all (1 Corinthians 15:57-58; Titus 2:11-14).

“If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. … 36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” John 8:31-32, 36

Victory and our place with Christ are contingent upon our continuing in His truth, abiding, remaining in Christ after He saves us (John 15:1-6).

They have no faith in the overcoming grace of Christ but instead treat it like a license to justify their sin, as they pretend to be trusting God by grace and faith… yet they never make the connection that Jesus came to redeem us and establish us with Him in His holiness as we look with joy for His soon return (Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 12:14; 1 Peter 1:15-16, etc). | Walking in the Full Victory of Christ!

The cross is surrendering. Don’t try harder, just die deeper!

The reason so many don’t take sin seriously and sit under sin-justifying wolves in sheep’s clothing, is because they do not fear nor take God seriously. Then they attack the true messengers of Christ who are declaring that God is holy and His requirement is non-negotiable: that anyone who will know and be with Him eternally cut off occasion for all sin as Jesus commanded in Mark 9:43-49 KJB. They talk about grace but only in the respect that their sins were initially forgiven, yet never in respect to divine grace being the divine influence and enablement in their daily lives to overcome all that displeases Him – as they worshipfully with great gratitude deny self, take up the cross and follow, abide in Jesus (Titus 2:11-14; Luke 9:23-24; John 15:1-6, etc.).

Death, Burial, Resurrection – You go down and God raises you up, daily. That’s the Gospel re-enacted in your daily life. There’s no other way to walk with, to follow Jesus (Luke 9:23-24).

“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

Once He shows you this cross revelation it’s over for your sin and Satan! This is the way we “Taste and see that the LORD is good” beloved (Psalms 34:8). The divine economy is a cross economy which cannot be short circuited. There are no shortcuts.

The safest place in His Universe is for us to be “HID with Christ in God.” How does such occur? (Colossians 3:1-4)

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

The more His Word runs rich in your spirit, soul, and mind, the richer, the more cutting and divinely blessed your praying is going to become.

We are crucified with Christ today saints. Christ alone is reigning supreme in us, raising us up out of that death and burial posture. In Jesus’ Name, the “old man” is dead and buried and Christ now lives and reigns in His resurrection power in our lives through us! (See Ephesians 4:22-24.)

Say, pray, memorize Galatians 2:20 beginning right now. Let it be the original Gospel anthem of your life from this day forward.

“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

Becoming prayerfully and steadily saturated in the cross message, concept, and application, is the only thing that brought a consistent victory over sin to this disciple.

In the divine economy, the death and burial guarantees the resurrection!

When we His people are dead and buried, His resurrection power is guaranteed. Nothing could stop the resurrection of Jesus Christ when the stone was rolled away! And nothing can stop the resurrection power of Christ working in His saints as they lay down their lives in this fleeting world!

“Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:” John 11:25

Must Take a Ruthless Stand

Concerning the necessity of a ruthless perspective toward the flesh via the cross, we must recognize that the flesh is a terrorist which means it cannot be negotiated with.

Yet there must be forged in us a ruthless perspective, toward our perception of the “never-going-to-die” flesh, a veritable terrorist with which you cannot negotiate or give place to. It will not die until forced, therefore the disciple must take a ruthless posture toward it – showing no mercy to the enemy of God! See Romans 6, 8; Galatians 5.

Never ever underestimate the depth of the deceit that is in the fallen human heart, human nature 1 (Corinthians 10:12; Hebrews 3:12-14; Genesis 6:5, 12; Jeremiah 17:9).

We must allow no mercy for what God calls sin…the iniquities, the relentless evil within. It must be honestly dealt with, and perhaps we can observe that there are onion-type layers of evil, of deceit that we are buried in from which only God calls us and brings us forth (Proverbs 8:13; Psalms 97:10; Mark 9:43-49).

While Satan and his masquerading ministers seek to diminish the violation and penalty of sin, Jesus exponentially heightens our awareness of sin’s offense against a holy God when He warns us to cut off the hand and pluck out the eye that cause us to offend Him (Mark 9:43-49).

There is nothing in existence more important to stay safe from than HELL. That’s exactly what Jesus Christ taught. Read Mark 9:43-50 in the King James Bible (new versions have butchered that passage).

Rom 7. The cross must be applied with no respect to the evil desires, the sinful dictates of the flesh.

Our outlook toward the flesh should be “kill or be killed.”

“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

Kill or be killed – picture yourself being put in a room, locked in with just one opponent. Only one of you will be exiting.

A showdown – conquer or be conquered.

Life or death.

Sink or swim.

“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

Either the cross will keep you from sin or sin will keep you from the cross.

“The Cross = The Signature of Jesus.” A disciple

“WHEN THOU WAS LITTLE IN THINE OWN SIGHT”

The LORD removed Saul from his place of kingship due to the pride found in his heart that previously was not there. We must remain humble before our God and the only way this can happen is the daily cross.

“And Samuel said, WHEN THOU WAS LITTLE IN THINE OWN SIGHT, wast thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the LORD anointed thee king over Israel?” 1 Samuel 15:17

The Bible clearly teaches us that if we do not obey the LORD, He will replace us. We are not irreplaceable and only pride in the heart of a person would convince him of such a lie.

When Esther was called upon by the LORD to go before her husband, the king of Persia, and intercede for the people of God, she was warned that if she chose not to obey God, she’d be replaced and her father’s house destroyed.

“For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14

Ruthless simply and only applies to the PERSPECTIVE the believer must take toward the terrorist, the flesh.

There can be no concession, no compromise, no negotiating with the flesh. It must die and that only happens as we submit to the LORD.

The flesh will never be reformed, it is inherently evil, and must be crucified.

Those who’ve been saved and aren’t learning the daily cross, the crucified life, will never grow in Christ. The cross life is at the center of the kingdom economy of Christ. There are no shortcuts. Jesus taught that in order to follow Him, we must “deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23-24). Any person whom Jesus has saved and isn’t learning the daily cross, is not truly following Jesus. Listen to the Lamb:

“And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.” Luke 9:23-24

PRAYER: Holy Father, in Jesus’ Name, please do Your deeper work in me. Bless this life You died for to be truly crucified with Christ. Please make me Your authentic disciple. Cut away, circumcise every falsity, fakery, deceitful thing from my heart – everything that defiles me in Your holy eyes. Use me LORD, please. I love You. In the name of Jesus, amen.

Cross Cache, Cross Saturation

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

Ousting the Enemy! WHO’s READY FOR SOME VICTORY? 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 you to be back into His graces, in a vital union with the Savior. Sin […]

The Laid Down Life [podcast]

Chapter 5 from the book Raised Up (narration) “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” 2 Timothy 3:1-5 You know the counterfeits far outnumber the authentic followers of Jesus when you put out a […]

The Reign of Christ! [podcast]

God counteracts death by the promise of resurrection – now and in eternity! (1 Corinthians 15; 2 Corinthians 4:10-12). Three Dimensions of the Reign of Jesus Christ: 1. Christ Reigning Over His Creation, 2. Christ Reigning in Your Life, and, 3. Christ Reigning Over the Wicked. Christ Reigning Over His Creation “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there […]

Abiding

“And this Gospel of the Kingdom shall be Preached in all the World” [podcast]

“All these are the beginning of sorrows.

9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.

10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.

11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.

12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” Matthew 24:8-14

The true remnant of Christ are known in that they are enduring to the end in the midst of iniquity, abounding and preaching the Gospel of Jesus the King to the world.

“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” Mark 16:15

PRAYER: Father in Heaven, I come to You in the name of Jesus Christ, admitting I have been living for my own evil glory. I am a sinner. I’ve committed the sin of idolatry, having myself first instead of You. I admit here and now before You that I have been committing the damning sin of spiritual adultery. I have claimed to know You and yet refused to uncompromisingly adhere to Your Word. Here and now, right now if never before, I repent and ask You to forgive my sins and to wash me afresh from my sins in the precious blood of Jesus Christ my LORD. Into Your hands I commend, I submit my spirit, my life, right this moment and ask You dear LORD to fill me with Your Holy Ghost and use me to preach Your glorious message of repentance to those around me so that they can receive the forgiveness of all their sins and walk in the times of refreshing from Your holy presence dear LORD. I love You Jesus. I am all Yours and I know You are all mine. In Jesus’ Name amen.

Evangelism

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See all shorts videos here on ministry youtube channel.

Beware of the "I Love My Church" Deception [podcast]

DID YOUR “CHURCH” DIE FOR YOU…. OR DID JESUS DIE FOR YOU? “I see many exalting their church but nothing about Jesus Christ.” Tina A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE CAUGHT UP WITH THEIR “CHURCH” BUT NOT WITH CHRIST! (REVELATION 2:4-5) You only love your fake “church” because the fake “pastor” is a gutless self-serving coward who refuses to preach the whole counsel of God’s Word, including – sin, repentance, the crucified life, and the holiness of God and how He commands you to be holy as He is holy (Acts 20:20, 27; 2 Timothy 3:15-17). Oh and he uses a fake […]

Following Christ's Great Commission Command [podcast]

The future belongs exclusively to Jesus Christ and His followers. Read the book of Revelation! “And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:62 Is your hand on “the plough” – that which God has called you to do in His kingdom work? Have you looked back? “Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.” Colossians 4:17 Have you grown weary in well doing? “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due […]

The Result of Real Repentance [podcast]

“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 WE DON’T NEED JUST ANOTHER “CHURCH SERVICE” OR “SERMON,” WE NEED TO REPENT AND WHEN WE REALLY DO, WE WILL OBEY GOD—OTHERWISE WE DIDN’T TRULY REPENT. “In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, 2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. 3 For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way […]

Articles

Obedience or Love – Which is Most Important? [podcast]

“IF ye love me, keep my commandments.” John 14:15

Have you ever noticed the “If” of this statement by our LORD Jesus?

Okay, reread the words of Jesus above and see what comes first in the sentence – “love” or keeping His commands.

“IF you love me, keep my commandments” says Jesus (John 14:15). IF we don’t believe upon, know, and love Him there’s no use trying to keep His Word. He’s not speaking of keeping His Word in order to earn His justification but rather as the fruit of knowing Him in a saving relationship. The hell bound self-righteous pharisees knew God’s Word yet they refused to “COME” to Jesus – to love, honor, and believe upon Him (John 5:39-40).

“Few seem to understand the huge difference between obedience and legalism. We obey because we love God and we know obedience doesn’t save us. Legalism believes by obeying they are saved by it. We that are born again know only the blood of Jesus saved us but we also know that obedience proves we are saved and keeps us saved. It is joy to obey the Lord as we love what He loves and we hate what He hates. Amen.” Shirley Bruso

—- JESUS IS NOT GLORIFIED BY THE KEEPing OF HIS INSTRUCTIONS/COMMANDS BY THOSE WHO DON’T LOVE HIM …. LOVE COMES FIRST – LOVING AND WORSHIPPING HIM IS MOST IMPORTANT TO GOD. “IF IF, IF YE LOVE ME, KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS.” JOHN 14:15

“Ye are my friends, IF ye do whatsoever I command you.” John 15:14

LOVE is the governing factor:

“We love him, because he first loved us.” 1 John 4:19

Of John 14:15 and 15:14, one source notes the following:

“In John 14:15 and 15:14 (KJV), Jesus teaches that love and obedience go together, meaning real love for Him naturally leads to doing His commands rather than separating love from works.

What the Verses Say

- John 14:15: Jesus says, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” He makes keeping His words the direct proof of love.
- John 15:14: Jesus says, “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.” He shows that friendship with Him requires action and obedience.

How Love and Works Connect

- Love is the root: Jesus starts with love as the inner heart motive.
- Works are the fruit: Doing His commands is the outward action that proves the love is real.
- They are not separate: Jesus does not say love replaces works; He says love produces obedience.”

Love begins with God and any relationship requires reciprocating love – love flowing from each of the 2 parties to one another.

“And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, FOR THE LOVE HE HAD TO HER.” Genesis 29:20

Jacob didn’t mind serving a whole 7 years for Rachel, because he loved her so much. The true disciple doesn’t view serving God as drudgery but rather delight – because he loves God supremely!

“A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.” John 16:21

“His commandment are not grievous”

“For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.” 1 John 5:3

IF I don’t love Jesus, do you think He’s honored when I try to obey what He said? No.

“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God…” Matthew 22:37

“IFFF ye love me, keep my commandments.” John 14:15

IF WE LOVE JESUS, OBEYING HIM IS JOY, JUST AS IT WAS FOR JACOB AS HE SERVED A WHOLE 7 YEARS TO OBTAIN A LIFELONG MARITAL RELATIONSHIP WITH HIS BELOVED RACHEL (GENESIS 29:20).

Perhaps we are not understanding the divine economy as Christ meant us to understand Him. Jesus says “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.” (John 15:14) It’s only IF I love Jesus that He is interested in my doing the things He told HIS true people to do, otherwise, my good works are in vain, even if I suffer martyrdom by burning my body – “And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.” (1 Corinthians 13:2) IF WE DON’T LOVE HIM – truly – with our whole heart, mind, and strength He’s not interested in us obeying Him (Matthew 22:37-39). Now, of course, if I truly do love Him, I will obey Him and yet Jesus doesn’t want us to think we are impressing Him by outward obedience only. In the divine economy, it all begins with LOVE – “God so LOVED the world that He gave ….” (John 3:16) The Bible informs us that “The Lord looketh on the heart” and if He sees that I don’t truly love Him, He’s not interested in my vain outward show (1 Samuel 16:7).

“IFFFF you love me keep my commandments” and not “prove you love me by keeping my commandments” (John 14:15) … big difference. Jesus isn’t interested in any law keeper keeping His commandments …. He desires and calls His people to love Him! If not, there’s no reason to try to obey Him.

“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” Matthew 22:37-40

Those who truly know and love Him do His commandments. They don’t live on their own terms but rather on His. They delight to do His will because they truly seek, know, and love Him who bled to redeem their otherwise hopeless, wretched souls. Yet, obedience saves no one. Keeping His commandments doesn’t save you – the pharisees claimed to do that while refusing to come to Christ whom (John 5:39-40). No, God alone can save and He does so on His terms – initial and ongoing faith “which worketh by love” which is relationship. Yes, “faith … worketh by love.” (Galatians 5:6) Remember that even if a person goes so far as to give their body to be burned and has no love – they don’t love God, their obedience, their sacrifice is in vain (1 Corinthians 13:3).

1 Thessalonians 1:3 speaks to those already saved using the phrases “work of faith, and labour of love.” Please pay close attention to the words “faith” and “love.” “Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;” (1 Thessalonians 1:3)

When God initially saves us, He puts a love in our hearts for Him which is manifested by putting our faith in Christ. Jesus taught that knowing the Father and Himself were cardinal in His kingdom. – “And this is life eternal (the whole purpose for it), that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” (John 17:3)

“And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.” Exodus 25:8

“That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;” Philippians 3:10

DID GOD send His only begotten Son to create an army of mechanical law-keepers OR a family who knows, worships, and adores Him? What does the Bible say is the cardinal reason for the whole plan of redemption? Why did God send His only begotten Son to bleed, be buried, and raised again to justify all who would come to Him? Are you familiar with what the LORD told us in Exodus 25:8, Matthew 22:37-40, and Philippians 3:10? We must have anchored in our hearts this glorious truth of knowing Him! Nothing else matters if we don’t relish Him, adore Him, and worship Him. If you name the name of Jesus Christ, it would greatly benefit your life, understanding. and ministry to memorize the words of the very Redeemer Himself as is recorded in John 17:3. More on that later.

If we love the LORD truly and our neighbor we will not steal, lie, covet, bear false witness, hate, commit adultery, OR any of those other sins and be walking in God’s perfect will. It’s really quite simple actually. But first we must examine this day whether or not we truly love Him.

One writer notes:

“Holiness is first and foremost agape love. Unconditional love for all, including enemies of us and enemies of God. This over-emphasis on repentance can make us the initiator and God the responder if we are not careful. God is always the initiator.”

IT IS MY OPINION THAT WE SHOULD BEGIN TO BE VERY CAREFUL NOT TO OVER-EMPHASIZE OBEDIENCE WHILE NEGLECTING TO PREACH THE COMMAND TO KNOW, LOVE, AND ABIDE IN CHRIST. ALL OF OUR OUTWARD OBEDIENCE IS IN VAIN IF WE DON’T AUTHENTICALLY LOVE HIM. MANY WHO PREACH SEEM TO BE DOING THIS AND ARE CALLING MANY TO WORSHIP AT THE ALTAR OF SELF BY PERPETRATING THE FALSE NOTION THAT CHRIST’S ONE PERFECT SACRIFICE WAS NOT ENOUGH. THIS SEEMS TO RESONATE IN THE HEARTS OF THOSE WHO ARE NOT TRULY AND UNRESERVEDLY SURRENDERED TO CHRIST AND WHO WANT TO FEEL AS IF THEY ARE HELPING TO EARN THEIR OWN SALVATION WHICH IS IMPOSSIBLE. WHAT DOES ROMANS 4:4-5 TELL US?

“Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” Romans 4:4-5

So, while it’s absolute that ALL who have saving faith in Christ are obedient and have good fruit in their lives, those good works and good fruit aren’t what saves them. No, good fruit merely evidences that there is a relationship. Christ alone can save and He does that instantly when a lost soul believes upon Him (John 6:47; Acts 16:31; Romans 5:1, etc.). The Great Shepherd of His sheep keeps His people saved as they keep themselves in the love of God, “looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” (Jude 21: 1 Peter 1:5)

“Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” Jude 21

The story of Jesus, Mary, and Martha is yet another place in the Scriptures of truth that clearly reveal what God is looking for from us – to love and to worship Him supremely.

“Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. ³⁹And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. ⁴⁰But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. ⁴¹And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: ⁴²But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:38-42

Jesus speaks to us of an abiding union/relationship with Him where He calls us His friends. I want to encourage you to read John 15 closely this week. In this discourse on the Husbandman (the Father), the Vine (Jesus), and the branches (us), you will note that the relationship precedes the fruit bearing. While the fruit reveals the root – testifies to the relationship – fruit doesn’t save, neither does obedience. God does require us to obey Him by putting our faith in Christ to save us, but it’s He who saves us. Jesus Christ alone can save. Ephesians 2:8-10 reveals that we are saved by His grace through our faith and that we are “his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works.”

Consider that our LORD was “moved with compassion” toward those in need (Matthew 9:36). The great apostle said “the love of Christ constraineth (compels) us.” (2 Corinthians 5:14)

At times we quote 1 John 2:4 and yet, let’s look at a wider angle of this passage:

“And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. ⁴He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. ⁵But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. ⁶He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.” 1 John 2:3-6

“But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice…” Matthew 9:13

“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.” Joel 2:13

Is loving God more important that obeying God? Both are obviously important and yet, in the divine economy, which is most important?

“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. ³⁸This is the first and great commandment. ³⁹And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. ⁴⁰On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” Matthew 22:37-40

Am I choosing and learning to “love the Lord” with my whole heart?

Andre Alexis writes: “Christianity is more than merely believing and obeying commands and reaping the promises of God. Christianity is not a religion: it is a relationship. And a relationship requires communication. Therefore, prayer is essential, because it is through prayer that you and I communicate with our heavenly Father.” …. This is a simple truth and yet bears stating as brother Andre did above. This is especially important due to the epidemic of charlatans which have promulgated a “what’s in it for me?” self-serving lifestyle upon millions who don’t bother to truly lay down their lives and see with their own eyes the full counsel of our LORD’s Word which actually communicate the very “thoughts of his heart.” (Psalms 33:11). The LORD wants a relationship with each of His children. He’s not just there to answer our every prayer while we commit spiritual adultery by wasting our time/lives in this fleeting world playing games, giving hours to frivolous foolishness, etc. He wants our hearts. Jesus told us the reason the Father sent Him in John 17:3. This was David’s and Paul’s whole goal in their respective earthly lives (Psalms 27:4, 8; Philippians 3:10). Jesus told us He wants an abiding relationship that bears fruit that remains to His eternal glory (John 15:1-16).

After being saved, under the new covenant, it’s not law keeping but rather abiding in Christ, amen? John 15 “Abide in me.”

“My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.” 1 John 3:18

LOVE IS THE CARDINAL EVIDENCE OR FRUIT THAT ONE KNOWS GOD.

Do we truly know Him who “is love”? (1 John 4:8, 16) Love is a divine attribute that is, without exception, resident in every man who is truly in right standing with God (Galatians 5:22-23)

PRAYER: Holy heavenly Father, I come to You impoverished in spirit. For without You dear LORD, we can do nothing. You are love and I am not and yet, I ask You here and now to more deeply imbue my innermost man with and teach me Your love. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Uphold Jesus (audio)

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What Did Paul Mean by "I Keep Under My Body"? [podcast]

In spite of all the evil that is me, dear LORD You have been so gracious (Genesis 6:5, 12; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 7; Titus 3:5-7). Thank You Jesus. Please bless this life to be crucified with Thee! If OSAS/eternal security is true, WHY did Paul say he himself that he could be “castaway” from God in the end if he didn’t endure to the end, perpetually keep under his body (the cross life)? “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.” […]

A Living Sacrifice unto God [podcast]

The burnt offering means a complete consumption. What did God illustrate to us when He required His people under the Old Covenant to offer burnt offering sacrifices? His coming Messiah’s perfect sacrifice for the sins of mankind. The ordained way He requires that His people serve Him. Jesus was the ultimate burnt offering. He gave all of Himself freely in obedience to His Father and to redeem mankind. “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.” Romans 12:1 In His earthly […]

The Correlation of Grace and Good Works [podcast]

Confused about how grace, faith, and works correlate? “We are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works.” Ephesians 2:10 We are saved by God through Christ’s perfect sacrifice, by grace through faith, and yet true saving faith ALWAYS produces the fruit of an obedient, holy life. Obedience saves no one and yet is the fruit, the proof one truly knows and is known of God. Anyone teaching otherwise is fulfilling the grace-perverting prophesy of Jude 4. Read James 2; 1 John 2:3-6, chapter 3, etc. “Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep […]