Crumbing Christ [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]

“All things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee.” 1 Chronicles 29:14

THERE are children of God who are behind on bills. There are called-out men of God preaching Christ’s whole Gospel fearlessly, and you STILL support a multi-millionaire wolf who is making merchandise of the people to make himself even richer in this fleeting world? (2 Peter 2:1-3) God is calling you to repent. You are in darkness.

Someone has wisely stated that:

“On judgment day many will wonder why they got so excited about money and not Jesus.” Unknown

—– WANT to see what matters to you? Want to see how real you are? How authentic your love is or isn’t for Christ? Do you truly want to know what matters to you? … are you willing to face the truth? …if so, then go look at what you spend your (His) money on and you will see what matters to you (Matthew 6:19-25; Luke 12:15-21, etc.). If His work means nothing to you it’s because He means nothing to you.

— BE HONEST: Which biblical subjects, doctrines, do you dodge? Which get the least attention? Those that deal with financial responsibility/stewardship, right? Does this not clearly reveal how much it’s needed and how much true repentance is needed before it’s too late. “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matthew 6:21). Read Matthew 6:19-24.

— IT WAS when Jesus began to tell His audience that they had to partake of Him, to die to self, to give up their lives in this fleeting world, that they left Him (John 6). Before that He fed their stomachs. They were willing to stay as long as they had their creature comforts. Yes, they were okay as long as their stomachs were being fed by the fish and loaves He multiplied and gave to His disciples to give to them. They did not want to die – to lose their lives in this world – and nothing has changed today among the many who claim to know Christ. That mass of people left Jesus. Only twelve remained. Read John 6.

People today claiming to know the One who came and gave all to save them are okay with “serving” Him as long as it costs them nothing. He’s not worth giving anything up for. He’s not worth sacrificing the junk food they consume in order to rightly steward the resources He gives them. He’s not worth it to them to begin learning how to reach others with His Word in this late hour. He’s not worth losing the friendship with their children so they refuse to tell that child “no” to watching the myriad of corruptions polluting his/her own child’s young mind. He’s not worth feeding a poor soul that is homeless. He’s not worth their reputation so they refuse to live for Him publicly.

This person described above does not fear or know the LORD.

John 6:66 tells us that “From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.”

These are those who are willing to “serve” Christ on their own terms, deceiving themselves all the way to the irrevocable place of eternal suffering.

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

Love is Giving

All that comes to us is from the hand of God who “so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son” (John 3:16).

The LORD is a Giver and desires that His children willingly choose to freely give as has been given to them (Matthew 10:8; 2 Corinthians 9:6-11, etc.).

The opposite of being generous is to withhold. The word or term “crumbing” in part refers to being stingy, tightfisted, or miserly.

“There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. 25 The liberal (generous) soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself. 26 He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.” Proverbs 11:24-26

Stingy Rich Man Now Eternally Remorseful

—- Question: WHO in the Bible went to hell for not simply chipping off a smidgen of supply to a beggar? Who?

Does this ring a bell? It should. You should become very familiar with the passage this refers to (Luke 16:19-31).

Think about it: What would that once “rich” man not do now to have one more breath on earth to repent and change his wicked ways? He’s already been in hell for some 2,000 years with not even one second having expired from eternity’s time clock. Want to follow his example and go there too? Keep reading friend.

Jesus told us that unfaithful stewards go to eternal damnation (Matthew 25:30, 41, etc.). … Okay, before we go on, let’s get rid of the counterfeits. I can hear it now from the unrepentant who are serving the god of self and are highly offended at someone preaching on the biblical topic of stewardship: “But brother, are you saying I’m going to hell if I don’t give?!”

Yes.

Unapologetically, I am preaching and repeating what Holy Scripture clearly tells us.

Don’t like it?

Bye.

Now, for those willing to render honesty toward God, let’s continue …

Now that the counterfeits are vanquished, disqualifying themselves by their own sin of unbelief and rebellion, let’s talk saints.

So, why would any true believer get upset with another disciple of Jesus because that disciple seeks to make sure those other believers are really going to eternal glory with Jesus?

“Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?” Galatians 4:16

You see, when our lives are truly given over to the LORD, so will be all our resources. If they aren’t, it’s because we’re still serving the god of self and mammon.

Choosing to begin giving a portion of your resources to the LORD is not going to save you from spending eternity in hell. No, and yet, if you aren’t a giver of your resources, it’s because your heart and life are not given over to the LORD.

If you wish to see where your heart truly is, simply look at where your money is going.

If your resources are all being spent on the god of self, it indicates that there is idolatry of self. This would point to self worship instead of Savior worship (Galatians 5:19-21; Ephesians 5:5-9; Revelation 21:8, 27, etc.). A few particular verses come to mind:

“Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” Exodus 20:3

“Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.” Revelation 2:4-5

“For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.” Exodus 34:14

Jesus taught: “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. 22 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. 23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness! 24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” Matthew 6:19-24

—– SATAN is strategically working to stop you from doing YOUR part in the army of the LORD … THIS message from the LORD is for you beloved. He wants to speak to YOUR heart directly from His Word here which is alive now – “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever” (1 Peter 1:23). If this has ever been relevant, it is a message for this hour as much if not more than it ever has been. Will YOU be able to say with Paul “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:7-8)? Will you be able to say with the apostle Paul that you “fought … finished” and “kept” the will of God in your personal life by doing your part?

There’s a “certain man” who was once rich (temporarily in his life on earth). This “certain (specific, literal) man” has now been burning in conscious torment in the flames of hell for some 2,000 years. Go read Luke 16:19-31 (King James Bible) and find out exactly why that man is irrevocably in hell and in a million years will still be in hell “suffering the vengeance of eternal fire” (Jude 7). And what about Esau who traded his soul for a bowl of soup? For what fleeting trinket in this brief life will you lose your soul in eternal damnation in hell?

Can you begin to imagine the horror of remorse this man has been anguishing in for 2,000 years? Wow!

Will you follow his wicked example or will you choose to follow Christ by giving all?

Didn’t Jesus present us with the open ended question we alone can answer? – “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? 37 Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Mark 8:36-37).

Remember, when you truly repent before the LORD, the resources you have will then become His … otherwise you never really repented and are still subject to serving the god of self and therefore mammon (Matthew 6:19-24). Those who know Jesus do not serve mammon, they serve Christ and give as He came and gave.

If you’re truly saved, so is your wallet!

The coffers that fuel God’s work of getting His Word out deserve:

A. To be empty,

B. To be moderately supported and tipped, or

C. To be abundant in order to have no hindrance to the advancement of Jesus Christ’s Gospel message in this late hour.

Your personal answer isn’t seen in which one of the above multiple choice answers you chose but rather in whether or not you’ve been giving to His work.

Keep in mind that if you give, it’s in worship to the LORD from whom all good things come (1 Chronicles 29:14; James 1:17). When you give, you are not doing God a favor or the person or ministry you are giving to. No, you are getting yourself off the hook. You are doing yourself a favor! Of course, giving should be done as a deliberate, “need-no-chill-bump” obedient gesture of worship first and foremost. When you obediently give, you are doing now (giving) what the once rich man in Luke 16 refused to do and is now incarcerated in the flames of hell from which there is no release date and never will be (Mark 9:43-49). God requires that His people rightly steward the resources He allows to come into their temporary possession. Greed, stinginess, withholding, and covetousness have already damned the souls of countless eternal souls who are presently and will burn consciously for all eternity.

“And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! 24 And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.” Mark 10:23-25

Christ says it’s easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a man rich in this fleeting world to go to Heaven. In light of this, the Son of God warns 1) “they that have riches” (v. 23), and 2) “them that trust in riches” (v. 24).

Those who possess this world’s riches are prone to trust them instead of God. Beware. Jesus was warning us of this and that’s more the reason to empty our resources on the poor and good work of the LORD.

Apparently, the “certain rich man” Jesus described in Luke 16 was just like many today. He lifted no finger to help a godly man that sat right under his long, evil nose. Many of you reading this know of the needs of individual, godly people around you, and Great Commission New Testament ministry works. You have refused to help. Never mind the supposed “good intentions” you claim to have.

Are you real or are you a fraud?

“Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 17 But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? 18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. 19 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.” 1 John 3:16-19

The saying is true that: “The road to hell is paved with good intentions.” Like so many today who claim to be serving the One who came and gave all, the once “certain rich man” who’s now in hell, perhaps had the lame intention to help others, yet didn’t. Like many today, it’s obvious that the once rich man tended to dozens and dozens of other self-serving pursuits and yet took no time to help others, even those right under his nose (Luke 16:19-31).

It’s time to truly come to Jesus in repentance and when you do, everything you have in your temporary care will be directed by Jesus.

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

Any question?

Perhaps it’s been wisely stated that:

“Whatever you compromise to keep, you will lose.”

This is a life and death gauntlet. God’s Word has shown you this in fact. This is a Heaven and hell issue. What we do with what God puts in our hands is a direct reflection of where our hearts truly are.

“Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?” Romans 6:16

—– WHEN Israel (the LORD’s people) left off to (ceased to) honor Him with their increase (money), He allowed a difficult reaping to come on them, read Haggai 1 today. Also Malachi and watch for this as you read through Scripture. Jesus repeatedly taught that each of us will give account for how we stewarded that which came into our temporary care in this life. Many of Jesus’ teachings come to us via His parables (earthly stories with a heavenly meaning).

Does the LORD receive the first portion of what you earn? Or, does His honor and work get a mere tip when you ‘get around to it’ – that is, when things more important to you aren’t consuming you at the moment? “Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: 10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine” (Proverbs 3:9-10). I’m not a bit concerned that you or anyone else is going to get upset with me for toppling your idolatry (idol of you). No, my fear is going to be toward the One who after He has killed me, is able to cast my soul and body into eternal hell (Luke 12:4-5).

It’s better to simply repent and change your ways and factor God into the money you receive in this life. In other words, schedule His %/portion in beforehand in your mind and heart so that it’s already spoken for. If we don’t deliberately slate this into the first priority when we receive pay, it doesn’t happen, right?

Now I wonder what God will do if we render simple, practical, literal, faith-filled obedience to Him in this important subject of stewardship. Well, does this divine promise sound familiar? “So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.” Remember we just read in Proverbs 3:9-10 that those who honor the LORD, the Giver of all good gifts, by putting the very first portion (“firstfruits”) of our increase into His kingdom, that he will fill us with plenty? Is this a promise? Yes. What did the apostle Paul say about all of the promises of God? – “For all the promises of God in him (Christ) are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us” (2 Corinthians 1:20).

What limiting dilemmas is your disobedience causing?

Who’s ministering to Christ’s ministers? Who? Where’s the supply line? We are Christ’s army (2 Timothy 2:1-4). We are His body, each member called to worship Him and do their part. See Romans 12; 1 Corinthians 12; Ephesians 4. What part are you playing? Are you doing that part or sitting back waiting? Are you sending prayers and supplies to those in the fox holes, the front lines? Are those in the fox holes starving? Have they run out of ammo? Are they now vulnerable to be killed – to be taken out – taken off post – because you aren’t doing your part by sending up prayers and sending supplies out of your increase?

Note how unoffended His saints were who suffered great lack as we see on record in Hebrews 11:37-39. <<< read this in the KJB. They loved Him above all else and were just grateful to know Him. Today many of those the LORD has called out to do His work and are obediently doing it, are not being uplifted sufficiently by the body of Christ they serve as unto Christ and have to continue to be thankful to our LORD, the One they serve. His watchmen are despised by the religious and neglected by those who agree with the truth they communicate and work they do .… “Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: 18 Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. 19 The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.” Habakkuk 3:17-19

You are not only as sure for hell as if you were already there, you are a “miserable” individual if you are living for your own self-serving pleasures. You are exactly like the hell bound Laodiceans whom Jesus said were “wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.”

“Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.” Revelation 3:17

These backsliders had much in the way of earthly riches and yet, like the specific, “certain rich man” Jesus spoke of in Luke 16, they were bound for eternal damnation along with being in this fleeting world “wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.”

The fall-out, the effects of the disobedience of so many is untold. There are many men today whom God called out and who are prepared by Him but they can’t do what He sent them to do due to the disobedience of so many. They’ve left their post and are now working a secular job.

Father please grant us grateful hearts no matter what we face in this temporal world. We will be home with You soon! Revelation 21!

Build the House! (audio)

FEEDBACK:

“Mar 6:7 And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits;
Mar 6:8 And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no scrip, no bread, no money in their purse:
Mar 6:9 But be shod with sandals; and not put on two coats.
Mar 6:10 And he said unto them, In what place soever ye enter into an house, there abide till ye depart from that place.
Mar 6:11 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.
Mar 6:12 And they went out, and preached that men should repent.

“For those who are sent will be taken care of by HIS people, and those who will not take care of those whom HE sent will be left, as the one who came to preach leaves them, taking with them the peace of the LORD.” Yvonne S.

Build the House [podcast]

No Pentecost, No Power!

John Wesley on Calvinism, Once Saved Always Saved, and Conditional Security

Articles

Occultic Origins of the Law of Attraction and the Secret and Word of Faith Theology

The Law of Attraction and The Secret and Word of Faith Theology are Witchcraft Operated in by Self-Serving, Christ-Denying Rebels

“WITCHCRAFT” is on the list of soul damning sins (Galatians 5:19-21). Witchcraft breaks down to control. It’s simply when man takes control, in place of God. Cross-less. See Isaiah 14:12-15 and 1 Samuel 15:22-23).

The law of attraction is 100% witchcraft and manipulation and not trusting God.

“The Law of Attraction is from the Devil. 💯 Someone had brought it up in a group Wednesday and the Law of Attraction is making us out to be as GOD and bring things we think into existence. Praise Jesus 🙏 let this knowledge be known to everyone. what is the law of attraction simply it is thinking about something you want a car for example and all the individual will do is think of this car “bringing” it into existence all day think of it picture themselves driving it sitting in it etc. 🚗 only…” unknown

What are you willing to sell your soul for? What so-called temporary “success” are you willing to trade Jesus in for? Who are you truly serving? Have you truly repented, falling upon the mercy of God for your gross iniquity and laying down your life? “Except ye repent ye shall all likewise perish (go to hell).” (Luke 13:3, 5) (This is a good video but we do not condone all of the author’s teachings.)

“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

Predators in Our Pulpits [book] | Deceivers and False Prophets Among Us [book]

The Myth of Elevation without the Cross [podcast]

THE CROSS: Know it. Live it. Preach it. God will never lift up those who stand in their pride but only those who bow before Him in humility (Psalms 145:14; James 4:6-10, etc.). Running to a “revival” is not the answer. The reason people run to a “revival” is due to their refusal to deny self, take up the cross daily, and thereby be re-vived (filled with life!) daily – experiencing the resurrection of Christ each day in their personal lives as God has ordained (Luke 9:23-24; 2 Corinthians 4:10-12). A cross-less life is a life of defeat. A life in […]

The Gospel of the Cross [podcast]

“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 “Dying to self I have learned is the key. I wonder what took me so long but I never heard that message. SafeguardYourSoul was the first time I heard that message. Romans 8: 7-8. I had no clue what that scripture meant. That is why I am so […]

Is YOUR Work Finished just Because Jesus' Work is Finished?

“When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.” John 19:30 These are the 3 most powerful words ever uttered. What did this mean? What did it not mean? Did “It is finished” mean that those who believe on the LORD Jesus, receiving initial salvation, are free from all present and future responsibilities before God? The finished work of Christ is a foundational truth of Christianity, but His accomplishment does not arbitrarily guarantee the final salvation of the individual believer. Christ’s perfect and completed redemptive work to […]

Articles

Full of The Holy Ghost [podcast]

We must be empowered by our LORD to do HIS work (Acts 1:8).

When we are born again the Holy Spirit is in us (1 Jn 3:24; Rom 8:9,16)…. yet there is a baptismal measure, the full measure God wants to give us as a gift….. to empower His people (Acts 1:8; 2:38-39, etc.).

In order to have divine “power” to be Christ’s witness, one must be baptized with the Holy Ghost (Acts 1:8).

****WE MUST not only preach the original Gospel, we MUST be divinely empowered by the Author of that original Gospel! Acts 1:8 …. Are you born again and baptized with the Holy Ghost? If not, you are not yet equipped by Heaven to do the work of Christ! Acts 1:8 It’s only “AFTERRRRRR that the Holy Ghost is come upon you” that divine power floods your being to do God’s work. WHO ever taught us that WE can, WE are sufficient to do God’s work? Delusionment! Let’s do things GOD way saints. Beginning now. ARE YOU anointed by God to preach sinners and backsliders into Christ’s kingdom? (Acts 1:8)

The apostles thought it so important to make sure every born again kingdom saint was filled with the Holy Spirit. When some in Samaria were saved, Peter and John went down and that they’d be filled with the Spirit. Are you baptized with the Holy Ghost?

“Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: 15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: 16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) 17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.” Acts 8:14-17

Re-filled? Yes! While being persecuted for Jesus, the apostles cried out to the LORD…….

“And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, 30 By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus. 31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.” Acts 4:29-31

“They had been filled before, but they were filled again. It is our privilege to claim repeated infillings to make good our leakage and evaporation.” FB Meyer

So many today are consumed with self, have not laid down their lives, and therefore do not care for people. They are too busy building their own empire, temporal ministry kingdom. But Jesus cares and came to set men free from sin and Satan.

Does the Devil oppress people? Notice that Jesus was anointed with the Holy Ghost and power to do what? To do men good and bring healing to “all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.” When God is with us, He uses us to see that men get set free from the oppression of the devil. …. God has an answer for the work of Satan, doesn’t He?

“How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.” Acts 10:38

Holy Ghost Baptism

Holy Spirit

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Holy Ghost Baptism

Holy Ghost Baptism [study guide]

Holy Ghost Baptism (PDF) (Duplication encouraged. An open King James Bible should accompany your study of this topic. Carefully, prayerfully study each verse given in order to answer each question correctly. Print this document out and pencil in the answers in the blanks provided. It may be best to cut and paste it to your word processing software and then print it out. Your life in Christ will be enriched forever as you embrace and put into practice His Word.) “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes […]

The Baptism with the Holy Spirit [podcast]

If you are saved and yet not baptized with the Holy Ghost, you are naked in the battle. Jesus made full provision for you to be fully, divinely empowered and He’s calling you to Himself in fresh repentance and gratitude for finding you, washing, and saving you into His family by the precious blood of His only begotten Son. Then, ask Him to fill, to baptize you in the Holy Spirit….. No, being filled with the Holy Spirit does NOT save you, the blood of Jesus does. Yet, the baptism with the Spirit will empower you! The apostles of Jesus […]

Authentic Pentecost [podcast]

Saints, each of us are saved by the blood of Jesus Christ. And yet many are not yet empowered by the LORD to do HIS work. We cannot possibly do HIS work in the flesh. After walking with Jesus for 3 years, His own apostles were not yet ready to be used of Him in ministry – until they tarried in Jerusalem (Luke 24:49). “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon […]

Articles

When God Says to STOP PRAYING! [podcast]

Reconciling with God and other Saints

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

Those who do not love God enough to seek Him in the Word, to learn, and to obey Him, will not be heard by Him.

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

In general, because God is “Holy, holy, holy,” when there is sin, God will not answer prayers – until the sinner repents and reconciles with the LORD and any person involved as needed (Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8; Proverbs 28:9, etc.).

“And the LORD said unto Joshua, Get thee up; wherefore liest thou thus upon thy face? 11 Israel hath sinned …” Joshua 7:10-11

In other words, God said to Joshua “Why are you seeking My face, praying to me, talking to me, when there is sin in the camp? Get the sin our of the camp and then you can approach Me in prayer.”

STOP PRAYING AND LEAVE IT!

God is not going to bless our lives unless we are willing to sincerely admit our sins, repent and confess them, and make amends (restitution) with anyone we’ve harmed. In the divine economy, there’s no such thing as being right with God when you’ve done another person wrong, haven’t repented, and haven’t made amends for what you’ve done. Such a person will be outside of the will and blessings of God until he makes things right with God and man.

God is not hearing the prayers or worship of any person who has done someone else wrong and refuses to make restitution (Matthew 5:23-24).

“Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath aught against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; FIRST be reconciled to thy brother, and THEN come and offer thy gift.” Matthew 5:23-24

God will not answer the prayer of any person who does not honor and obey His Word and if a person has an outstanding offense He wants them to clear up these matters (Proverbs 28:9, 13).

Here Jesus gave us the instruction to stop praying! What!? Someone may be thinking “Todd, are you being sacrilegious now!? What is your problem brother!?” Keep reading okay.

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

“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

According to the Son of God, just when (if ever) should the believer stop praying? When he remembers that a brother has “aught against” him. Yes, I know this may raise eyebrows to say that Jesus told us to stop praying, but He certainly did. That’s what we read of His very words in Matthew 5.

He instructs us not to wait for the other person to come to you. Go to them and make peace. Work things out so that neither of your relationships with God will be in any way hindered. Forgive. Seek restitution and forgiveness. The Christian life is all about relationship – vertically first and them horizontally.

Jesus is saying here: “Stop praying or doing any form of worship until you have first done all you can possibly do to make peace with that person you had strife or misunderstanding with, offended, or wounded – the person that still has aught against you, whose heart isn’t yet clear in the matter. Your prayers and any form of supposed worship will not be honored in Heaven until you take care of this matter. Since I am holy I require certain things of you and one of them is that you do your best to keep unity with others, especially My people. Remember how I told you to love one another and to treat others as you wish to be treated? I love you and want clear communion with you and am simply not going to allow you to have a clear conscience until you work things out with that other person who has aught against you. Remember that though I love you, I care about others as much as I care about you. Get that human relationship right first and then come and seek My face in worship and we shall commune.”

God forgives us through Christ’s perfect sacrifice and as we choose to give it out to others! WHO might you have aught against in your heart today beloved?

As a believer, the LORD holds me personally accountable to facilitate reconciliation and peace in others when there is a rift and no matter whose fault it is (Matt. 5:23-24).

First and foremost we must realize that when we sin it is against the One who is “holy, holy, holy” (Isa. 6:3; Rev. 4:8). After that fact, we at times sin against or offend men (James 3:1). So, when we have wrongly offended someone who is created in the image of God, we should first confess that sin to the LORD and then do whatever it takes within our power to make it right with the person.

“Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it. 28 Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.” Proverbs 3:27-28

“Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. 26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: 27 Neither give place to the devil.” Ephesians 4:25-27

Child of God, are you aware of anyone who might be upset with you for something you have done or they thought you did? Is anyone offended at you?

This writer is no stranger to wronging people, but is learning to follow this simple truth in Matthew 5, making sure to openly and transparently facilitate healing in those I have brought hurt to or who are offended at me for any legitimate reason.

Granted, we are going to offend people at times when it is not our fault. I am not talking about that. I am talking about when it is our fault or the situation is questionable or a close call.

Have you been offended? Have you ever found yourself in a situation where someone else held the key to your closure, your healing? Think back in your life: Have you ever needed someone else’s help in getting free in your heart from something concerning a situation?

Jesus called the divine Person of the Holy Spirit “the Comforter” (Jn. 14:26; 15:26; 16:7). God is all-powerful and can help us walk through a heart-rending ordeal where another person has hurt us and is unwilling to partake of the healing process according to the Word/instructions of the LORD. This He can and will do, yet He holds that other person responsible for doing their part – “Leave there thy gift before the altar – FIRST be reconciled to thy brother.”

Those made righteous by the blood of Christ are to do all in their power to facilitate healing in others.

“If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.” Romans 12:18

Jesus Christ came to make captives free and such freedom is the desire of all who follow Him. They desire also to see people set free and do their part when it is in the power of their hand to help (Prov. 3:27).

“Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2

When need be, we are to work hard to make sure God’s peace abides among the saints.

“Endeavouring (working hard) to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Ephesians 4:3

“Endeavouring” – it’s hard work at times to keep unity in the body. Have you noticed that things happen that need attention, patience, humility, admission where wrong has been done, etc.?

It is our personal responsibility to keep schisms out of Christ’s body as much as it is in our power.

“That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.” 1 Corinthians 12:25-27

The LORD promises us that He commands His precious peace where brethren dwell together in unity.

“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there (in the unity of believers) the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.” Psalms 133:1-3

The person who is truly born again cares for the body of Christ. Peace among the saints is where God’s blessing abides.

“We know that we have passed from death unto life (we know we are saved), BECAUSE we love the brethren.” 1 John 3:14

Without love we are nothing (1 Cor. 13). Divine love, authentically demonstrated in our lives, is the earmark fruit of the Heaven-bound disciple. There are no exceptions – “He that loveth not knoweth not God” (1 Jn. 4:8). If such charitable love does not presently appear in our lives, we should consider going before the throne of grace and making things right with God (repentance). The genuinely born again person is filled with God’s love and teachable in the precepts of the LORD. When he discovers a previously unknown (to him) truth, he swiftly hearkens and obeys. Remember, God’s eternal kingdom and the terms for entrance into it are based on the LORD’s terms and not any individual’s. Either we meet the terms and conditions or we shall be found without (Matt. 7:21-23; Lk. 6:46-49; 13:24-30; 1 Jn. 2:3-5; Rev. 2-3).

“We know that we have passed from death unto life (we know we are saved – been brought from spiritual death to spiritual life), BECAUSE we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” 1 John 3:14-16

Child of God, do you have a key that would help another get free? If you possess the key that would assist in obtaining their freedom, the LORD holds you personally responsible to use it to help unlock that person’s heart and assist in their returning to a heart that is right with God, free from anything that hinders that relationship.

“Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath.” Ephesians 4:26

Don’t let the sun go down upon that which you can do to cause reconciliation in Christ’s body for which He bled. Leave your prayer closet and any and all worship and go get things right with that person the LORD may be placing on your heart. You will be glad you obeyed the LORD in this.

You see, if we truly have an intimate and saving relationship with Christ, we realize that nothing could be more important to us – and others. Knowing Jesus is everything. Armed with this knowledge and moved upon by the Holy Spirit, we are to be compelled to help others in their relationship with Jesus in any way we possibly can.

PRAYER: Father in Heaven, thank You for sending Your only begotten Son Jesus to live and die for me – for all of my many sins. This moment, I turn my life to Thee O God – asking Your merciful forgiveness on my sin of departing from You. Right this instant I ask You to please be my first love LORD Jesus! Bless this heart with sensitivity and a deep conviction for Your truth. Please allow this heart to have godly conviction! Please bless this life You graciously gave lift others to You and help them in any and every way I have opportunity. I am all Yours and You are all mine my LORD. Quicken my heart in any matter that You wish me to make amends with another person. Right now I now humble myself under Your mighty hand and ask You to use me to help facilitate peace between You and others Jesus, and in Your body. Please bless Your body to live in Your love, and Your truth and in peace with You and one another. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

For a topical study of deeper proportions on this subject, see The Blood of Jesus.

If you truly desire to know more about how to really know the LORD, go here: Born Again: What is It?

PEACE with GOD

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