Abiding

Does “Abide” Mean that One Must Continue? Is Your Salvation Secure? [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]

Must one “abide” in Christ to the end after being saved in order to be in eternal glory with Christ, the Father, and their saints?

Yes.

“Abide in Christ” means to remain, dwell, or live in a continuous, intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. It’s about maintaining a close connection, relying on Him, and allowing His Word to shape one’s thoughts, will, and affections. Essentially, it’s about a life lived in constant communion with Christ.”

Typically, like the false religionists of Christ’s day, they put aside the WORD of God to keep their heretical tradition. In others words, they made their idol false doctrines king and final authority instead of God’s Word (Mark 7:6-9).

John 15:1-6

1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
2 Every branch IN ME that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
4 ABIDE (remain, continue) IN ME, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it ABIDE in the vine; no more can ye, except ye ABIDE IN ME.
5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that ABIDETH IN ME, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
6 If a man ABIDE 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.

Of this passage, we received a typical reply from an indoctrinated eternal security pawn.

“This is a warning for false converts. They were never saved in the first place. Jesus will not lose one that his father has given him..so if the false convert takes heed to this warning … hopefully they would be led to true salvation through the gospel.” Craig

MY REPLY:

Nice try. Typically, like false religionists of Christ’s day, they put aside the WORD of God to keep their heretical tradition. In others words, they made their idol false doctrines king and final authority instead of God’s Word (Mark 7:6-9). The context of John 15:1-6. Context John 15:1-6. Notice the term “IN ME” appears 5 times …. so were they in Christ, or saved? Yes. In Verse 3 they were cleansed by His Word (regeneration Titus 3:5-7). Also in this passage, the word “abide” appears 5 times. “Abide” means to remain, to continue in Him. So, why would Jesus be telling the counterfeit, a lost souls to continue in Him if they weren’t even saved? That would be lunacy.

Of this passage, Alan Heron writes:

“Craig, this cannot be true, as Jesus explicitly stated that this person WAS ‘in Him’, but IF he didn’t REMAIN ‘in Him’, he would be cast off. There’s no mention of this person being self-deluded into BELIEVING that he was in Christ, merely Jesus’ statement that this person WAS in Him. You can’t be cut off from a vine that you were never a part of. To argue otherwise is deny basic logic.”

Undeniably, un-conditional eternal security is the first lie Satan told to mankind which caused his fall – and he’s still telling the same lie (Genesis 2:17; 3:4). Jesus taught “If 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” (John 15:6). See also Ezekiel 33:12-13; Matthew 10:22; 24:13; 2 Peter 2:20-21; Hebrews 10:26-39, etc.).

The eternal security frauds, cowards, HATE Jesus’s teaching on the absolute necessity of abiding, continuing with Him after being saved – or else suffering the consequence of eternal fire (John 15:6). It’s time to man up, read John 15 honestly, and take personal accountability before the LORD who uttered those words.

Abide or Perish – YOU Don’t Make Up the Rules – God Does! And if You Don’t Abide by them, You Shall Perish as a Rebel.

Notice Jesus said “IF” – “IFFFFF you abide (walk, continue, remain) in me” – which clearly denotes terms you must agree to and walk in or all is lost (John 15:1-6). This speaks of a CONDITIONAL and not an un-conditional eternal salvation. If after being saved, that person does not continue in Christ, what did Jesus say will happen? Let’s review His words again:

“IF a man abide 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.” John 15:6

To “abide” is to remain, to continue and so there are things involved, there are conditions to meet, responsibilities for the recipient, otherwise why these words from Jesus? Who’s the fool – you are the Son of God? What if fiance’ doesn’t remain in relationship with the man/woman he/she is engaged to marry? Will that marriage happen or will it the engagement be ended? The answer is obvious by the 5 foolish virgins being shut out of the eternal bridal chamber. Read Matthew 25:1-13.

The finished work of Christ is a foundational truth of Christianity, but His accomplishment on that cross does not arbitrarily, automatically guarantee the final salvation of the individual He graciously saved in the past. Christ’s perfect and completed work to save mankind does not change the God-given free will of each human being – AND THE UTTER IMPERATIVE, ESSENTIAL OF FAITH-FILLED OBEDIENCE, abiding, ENDURING TO THE END.

When Jesus stated “It is finished,” that did NOT cancel or negate or diminish from ANYTHING else He stated. Jesus says to those He saves that they must “abide” in Him or they will be burned in the fires of eternal damnation (John 15:6). To “abide” simply means to intimately fellowship with, remain in and continue in, which is essential. He says we must “endure to the end” to be saved into eternal glory (Matthew 10:22; 24:13; John 15:6, etc.).

Jesus certainly did pay the perfect price to purchase you out of sin, back to the Father, and yet, your appropriation of that gift is a requirement. Christ’s perfect sacrifice does not in any way remove what Christ Himself mandated for you to do in order for you to remain in Him and be with Him eternally! Salvation is conditional, not un-conditional. And it’s only those who refuse to truly repent and meet those conditions who ravenously balk at such a clear observation of Scripture. They have chosen NOT to love the LORD with all their being and are still in love with self and therefore violently react to the biblical truth that they are personally accountable to God – to obey Him or perish (Matthew 7:21; 1 John 2:4; 3:3-10; Titus 1:16; Revelation 2:26; 3:5, etc.).

Biblically speaking, the perfect finished work of Christ is only appropriated by those who repent, abide in Christ, enduring to the end in love, faith and worship of Him. Remember that true saving faith ALWAYS, without exception will be witnessed in the fruit of good works (Revelation 2:26). All who get saved and don’t abide, remain, endure, continue in Christ to the end of their lives on earth, will perish, and their suffering will be even worse! (Hebrews 10:29-21; 2 Peter 2:20-21).

Eternal security/OSAS is diabolically designed to justify sin and lukewarmness, prevent the once saved person from living a repentant life, denying self in this sinful world, taking up the cross, and following Jesus for real! OSAS is the lie Satan uses to steal back the souls he lost (Titus 2:11-14; 1 John 3:3-10; Revelation 2:4-5; 3:15-16, etc.). This is the very first lie of Satan which led to the fall of mankind (Genesis 2:17; 3:4).

Get saved – Stay saved! It’s not enough to get saved. One must stay saved.

Some of the Baptist persuasion for example, upon hearing the truth, regrettably choose to continue to peddle the OSAS (once saved always saved)/eternal security lie – to cling to a diabolical tradition, heresy, instead of conforming to the truth.

John 15 is a very important passage and we should prayerfully pour over it and ask God to bless us to truly “abide” in Christ – on HIS terms, according to HIS definition!

“If 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.” John 15:6

“Abide”

G3306

μένω

menō

men’-o

A primary verb; to stay (in a given place, state, relation or expectancy): – abide, CONTINUE, DWELL, ENDURE, be present, REMAIN, stand, tarry (for), X thine own.

Total KJV occurrences: 120

God is working in the lives of every abiding believer! Than You Jesus!

OSAS is a Christ-denying, cross-rejecting message. It circumvents what God demands – that you truly repent, lay down your life, take up the cross, and live a crucified life (Luke 9:23-24; Galatians 2:20; 5:24; Colossians 3:3, etc.). YOU are no match for sin – so just die so Christ can reign and conquer in your life! (Luke 9:23-24; 1 Peter 4:1-2, etc.)

“Work out (not for) your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” Philippians 2:12-13

Your part is to “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” and His part is working in you “to will and to do of his good pleasure.”

“Continue” – a Bible Word/Truth Deliberately Avoided by False Teacher

“In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: 23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;” Colossians 1:22-23

“By which also ye are saved, IF ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.” 1 Corinthians 15:2

Jesus said to His own disciples that He required them to endure to the end to be saved therefore we must conclude that any man teaching otherwise is a false teacher and lying against the LORD.

“And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.” Matthew 10:22

“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.” Matthew 24:10-13

What could Jesus possibly have meant other than what He said?

IF you don’t authentically love the truth, aren’t humble, aren’t willing to change, you are a foolish virgin who will be shut out of Christ’s eternal kingdom! Repent now. (Matthew 18:3-4; 25:1-3)

Paul didn’t believe he was un-conditionally eternally secure. He told us that he knew he was in jeopardy of losing it all if he didn’t remain in Christ, a crucified vessel:

“But I keep under my body (a continual necessity), 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

Many times we hear John 10:28-29 cited to “prove” OSAS when the person saying this never considers the condition Jesus gave for such a promise not to be plucked out of His hand.

Yes Jesus told us in v. 27 of John 10 exactly who He was speaking to – those who hear (present tense) His voice and follow (present tense) Him:

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they (those who are presently hearing His voice and following Him) shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.” John 10:27-29

In v. 27 above Jesus gives the condition for the promise of verses 28-29.

Jesus defines His sheep as those who currently hear His voice and are presently following Him. Present tense! Jesus says …..

“My sheep …

hear my voice, and
I know them, and
they follow me…”

Read John 15:1-6.

One writer notes the following:

“To hate is the world’s part, but to endure until the end is our key part who suffer for our Lord. To be hated is a key point to keep in mind of the world, but to endure is our key to succeed and to enter into the kingdom of heaven.”

TODAY, Jesus is continuing the good work of redemption He began in you the moment He saved you from sin into His eternal kingdom! You have His divine promise on this – and His instruction for you to “abide” – to remain and continue with Him or be cast into the fires of eternal damnation (John 15:1-6)

YOU can only be turned over to a “strong delusion” by God if you do not choose to love and devour and obey His truth! (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12) And you will be if you are not “valiant for the truth” (Jeremiah 9:3).

RECENTLY: Some lady was attempting to say that those Jesus saves have no conditions or responsibilities to meet. She said there are no conditions. She also said that Jesus was not speaking to saved people when giving this discourse on abiding in Him and bearing fruit in John 15:1-6. Here was the response to her:

What could Jesus’ command to “abide” mean other than remaining in relationship with Him? And, it must and does require something of you. But since your heart is lawless, you want nothing to do with dying, laying down your life, taking up the cross DAILY and truly following Jesus as He commanded.

Now you are lying on the LORD. Notice the words HE uses …. “in me” …. He tells us exactly who He is addressing and why would He be so intent upon speaking of abiding/remaining in Him if His audience weren’t already in Him??????

Joh 15:1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.

Joh 15:2 Every branch IN ME that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

Joh 15:3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

Joh 15:4 Abide (remain) IN ME, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

Joh 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

Joh 15:6 If a man abide 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.

Hold Fast … firm to the end … Do not depart from the living God … do not be hardened in heart … so you can be partakers of Christ …. hold your faith, your confidence in God stedfast to the end …

“But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, IFFFFF we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end. … Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. 13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;” Hebrews 3:6, 12-14

“For if AFTER they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.” 2 Peter 2:20-21

OSAS EXCUSE:

“Oh but ‘endure to the end’ is speaking of the Tribulation.”

REPLY:

Lame. False. Enduring to the end, final salvation, is taught throughout Scripture – by Christ and His apostles. Yet, if you are hell bent on believing Satan’s first lie – OSAS/eternal security, there’s nothing I can do (Genes 2:17; 3:4). Read Hebrews 3:6, 12-14; 10:26-39; Colossians 1:22-23; Revelation 3:5; 2:26, etc. Many put this OSAS doctrine of devils and doctrine of sinful men above God’s Word. IF you are not a man/woman of truth, there’s nothing I can do for you or God – just like the counterfeit religionists of Jesus’ day to whom He said:

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

Mar 7:7 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men (like OSAS).

Mar 7:8 For laying aside the commandment of God (you lower it), ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.

Mar 7:9 And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God (Word of God), that ye may keep your own tradition.” Mark 7:6-9

The Holy Spirit dwells in every true believer but that in no way guarantees or forces that individual to “abide,” that is, remain, continue in Christ to the end of His life on earth. And Jesus says to His own that we must “endure to the end” to be “saved” to “abide” and if we don’t we shall be cast into the fire (Matthew 10:22; 24:13; John 15:6, etc.). God’s Word teaches both initial salvation and final salvation. Most of the evangelical world has been deceived into limiting salvation to that initial born again experience. “If we deny him he also WILL deny us” (2 Timothy 2:12).

OSAS Exposed | Lie of the Ages (book)

The Eternal Security Audios

The Damning Myth of Unconditional Eternal Security! [podcast]

HELL Awaits! SO YOU THINK YOU ARE ETERNALLY SECURE? WHO TOLD YOU THAT LIE? NOT GOD! IT SIMPLY DOESN’T MATTER HOW POPULAR A PREACHER IS – IF HE’S TEACHING SATAN’S FIRST LIE THAT CAUSED THE FALL OF THE HUMAN RACE – OSAS/ETERNAL SECURITY – HE’S A FALSE TEACHER, AN AGENT OF SATAN (Genesis 2:17; 3:4). OF COURSE he’s popular – he’s not preaching the cross but rather excuses for sin against a Holy God! RUN from that devil! You will be safe and eternally secure when you get to Heaven, not before. ARE YOU enduring sound doctrine today or walking […]

DID Jesus' Apostles Teach "Eternal Security"? [podcast]

Excerpt from the book Lie of the Ages “Great podcast, 🔥❤️ – EVERYONE should and needs to listen to this. I found that too many believe that sharing these harsh truths that come from the Bible is putting out negativity……. Why anyone would think that God’s words are negative is beyond me. With this way of thinking, says a lot to me, of what their true beliefs are…. sad. – Thank You for putting up another great podcast, and I pray that everyone will take the time out to give it a listen to. God Bless! 🙏✝️” GOD is going […]

How to Walk in the Certainty, the Assurance of Salvation [podcast]

Regrettably, so many today who profess to know Christ have a mere “form of godliness, but denying the power (authority) thereof” (2 Timothy 3:5). They want the crown but not the cross. They want to have security, the assurance, but have not truly repented and are not living a crucified, raised up life (Luke 9:23-24). Assurance only comes from obeying God. Assurance does not come from assuring ourself of assurance or that we’re eternally secure. God’s promises are conditional, not un-conditional (Deuteronomy 30:19-20; Joshua 24:15; Matthew 6:33; Revelation 2-3, etc.). Only the rebellious balk at such a truth due to […]

Abiding

The Benefits of Knowing and Delighting in the LORD [podcast]

Delighting ourselves in Him

“Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” Psalms 37:4

Loving God with a Whole Heart, our Whole Being

“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

Abiding in Christ, Asking

“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

Jesus Must Be Our “First love”

“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

“That Your Joy May be Full”

“And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. 24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.” John 16:23-24

“That is the only place I want to be at the feet of Jesus drinking in His word. Soaking up all He has to say to me! I do not ever want to be arrogant enough to believe I can make it without Jesus. Everyday I tell Him how much I need Him. I am nothing without Jesus!! Oh how I long to be with Him! Yearning for the day when I shall see Him in the clouds. Coming to take us home! Hallelujah!” Karen Cochran

Truly Delighting in the LORD

The subject matter of your prayers reveals if you are about you, or about Jesus.

To illustrate our relationship with Christ, one write of old noted:

“The life of self is death.

The death of self is life.”

There cannot and will not be a resurrection until there is a death. Death and burial must precede raising up. Read Romans 6 each morning this week and ask God to help you life a doornail dead life!

Am I delighting in the LORD? If not, how can He possibly grant the desires of my heart?

“Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” Psalms 37:4

When we delight in the LORD, our lives are crucified with Christ, we are one with Him and He is filling our hearts with His desires – to worship, love, and obey Him. What we ask Him for in prayer will change. Instead of “LORD, please give me this or that fleeting trinket,” it will be “LORD, please let this life be crucified with Thee. Help me to love You more. Use me to edify Your people and minister Your bless-ed Gospel to the lost souls You died and raise against to save.”

“For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.” Romans 8:29

Run from any wolf who is not squaring you up regularly to inform you that the LORD mandates your death so that He can fill and raise your life upward, Heavenward, for His eternal glory.

YOUR PRAYER: Holy Father, thank You so very much for sending Your only begotten Son to find, rescue, forgive, and save me into Your glorious eternal kingdom. Please help me to know and love You more. Sanctify my life and conform me to the image of Christ. Please wash me afresh with Your precious blood LORD Jesus. Use me to help others know You dear LORD. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

The Importance of Private Prayer [podcast]

“But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.” Matthew 6:6 Private prayer is essential to the disciple. Jesus reveals here that those who seek His face in prayer privately, will be used of Him publicly! Are you at Christ’s feet? Do you live a life of prayer? Have you ever studied the life of Christ and beheld the many instances of His prayer life? “And in the morning, rising up a great while […]

How to Know You are being Led by the Spirit [podcast]

Firstly, since there are many ungrounded flakes today claiming God is telling them things or leading them, let’s speak of the danger of using God’s holy name in vain. “Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.” Exodus 20:7 It’s a dangerous proposition to be attaching the holy, the very name of the LORD to things He is not saying. Such is the work of counterfeits, false prophets. Read the severe warning in Jeremiah 23:30-40 on this matter. We know for […]

Is Loving God Enough? Must We Fear Him? [podcast]

Often, I’ve heard seminarians and modern “Christians” reject the biblical concept, the divine command to fear God. Both loving God and fearing God are divine commands (Ecclesiastes 12:13; Matthew 22:37-39; Luke 12:4-5, etc.). Yet we must ask: Is loving God enough? Is loving the LORD all we need to do? Will saying we love God keep you out of sin? It’s a nice platitude, yet this is false humility. Trite. Holiness by way of the fear of the Lord is an essential to remaining, abiding in Christ. May God instill in the depth of our being His holy fear – […]

Abiding

Cons and Crooks who Do Not Preach the Cross [podcast]

“For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:18

Those who do not preach the cross prove that they believe the cross is “foolishness.”

The know that many will leave if they were to preach the crucified life. And they are in it for the money, the acceptance of mere men, not Christ. Make no mistake, the Holy Ghost through Paul warned us specifically about this generation of counterfeits, these “evil men and seducers” who “wax worse and worse.” (2 Timothy 3:13) They’ve raised up a generation of self-love counterfeits who have a mere “form of godliness” and are “denying the power (authority of Jesus) thereof: from such turn away.” (2 Timothy 3:1-13)

The con men who commandeer today’s apostate church world want you “in church” so they get paid and yet where did the apostle Paul or any of the apostles instruct anyone to go find a good church or “attend church every Sunday”? Chapters and verses please

Why is lack of attending a local fellowship listed as a sin in the New Testament canon?

What qualifies a man to be an elder? certainly not seminary which are wolf factories invaded by the jesuits in 50’s and 60’s. All seminarians are vatican indoctrinated. The first they the jesuits did was replace the real Bible, the KJB with fake vatican corrupted new version “bibles.”

In His Great Commission command, did Jesus ever command “Go ye into all the world and find a church and be a fruitless, lukewarm, good church member?” OR …. Go teach and preach my Word? (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15)

In the early days of the Gospel, when persecution hit Jerusalem, God’s Word records this: “Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.” (Acts 8:4) This clearly reveals that they were equipped by the apostles “for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:” (Ephesians 4:11-12) Jesus and apostles never trained anyone to become good church members or attenders.

IF YOU ARE ARGUING TO PUSH THE IDEA THAT ALL DISCIPLES OF JESUS MUST GO TO A SUPPOSED “OFFICIAL” CHURCH BUILDING ON SUNDAY MORNINGS AND YET YOUR OWN PASTOR ISN’T CONSTANTLY PREACHING THE CRUCIFIED LIFE AS AN ABSOLUTE ORIGINAL GOSPEL ESSENTIAL….. THIS IS CLEAR PROOF YOU ARE SITTING UNDER WOLVES AND NOW DEFENDING THEM AND WILL BE JUDGED WITH THEM (2 John 9-11).

Isn’t it interesting that those who push the “go to church” agenda are the ones who stand to profit from such? Are you being made merchandise of? (2 Peter 2:1-3)

Christ’s true disciples do what HE did – direct you to the cross, the crucified life – and not some apostate modern church run by a fake pastor, using a fake “bible”, and preaching a fake “Jesus.” WHAT did Jesus teach was necessary to follow Him – going to church or taking up the cross, living the crucified life, daily?

“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

“Many try to crucify their flesh in their own strength. This is impossible. It takes a complete and total surrender to Jesus first. Then the Holy Spirit will show you all the ways you are not like God. Then it is not a struggle. You let Jesus have control. Your job is to obey and take your flesh to the cross to be nailed there. Dead and buried. This is how the fruits of the Spirit are born in us! If we are saved by the blood of Jesus, we will not let sin reign in our mortal bodies. We now have the power of Christ to resist sin. It should never have dominion over us. We are now servants of righteousness and holiness. We are to walk in the newness of life that we have in Christ. Do not serve sin! Serve Jesus!” Karen Cochran

Is the cross, the crucified daily life essential to following Jesus? Yes or no?

“And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:27

Memorize Galatians 2:20 today. Meditate upon and live it daily.

“But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.” Luke 19:27

“Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD:” Amos 8:11

Fellowship with other saints is vital and yet we have to navigate these times of apostasy.

MESSAGE RECEIVED:

“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together” is a Biblical command (Hebrews 10:24-25). It was also demonstrated and practiced in the early church (Acts 4:31, Acts 11:26, Acts 15:25, Acts 20:7, Romans 12:3-8, 1 Corinthians 11:17-34, 1 Corinthians 14:23-26, 1 Corinthians 16:1-2) . Missionaries may not always be able to attend the local church that sent them out but their heart is there and a big part of the mission should be establishing new local churches, like Paul did. All believers should desire to meet with fellow like minded Scriptural believers for fellowship, labor, and worship together unto God. Those without a body mentality are self centered.”

REPLY:

As Jesus commanded, the earliest followers of Jesus cross-walked with Jesus “daily” and fellowshipped “daily.” (Luke 9:23-24; Acts 2:46; 5:42). Today we have people who are impressed with themselves for meeting weekly in a setting that is called “church” that is not even biblical. Churchianity vs Christianity.

Acts 2:42 – “And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” This is the true model of simple, Christ-centered fellowship. Regrettably the bureaucracy mob of wolves infiltrated long ago. Most local “churches” are commandeered by seminarian wolves (Ezekiel 22:25-27). In the first decades after Christ was raised from the dead, the apostle Paul wept bitterly over the hoards of wolves who would come and make a busine$$ out of the church, who would devour the sheep of Christ, for whom He came and died (Acts 20:20-32). Jesus had already cleansed the temple in divine fury over this very thing (Matthew 21; John 2). They the apostle Peter warned us of those who would “make merchandise of you.” (2 Peter 2:1-3)

“Evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse.” 2 Timothy 3:13

Missionaries and others who are truly born again and find Biblical fellowship even daily, instead of weekly, are no less assembling than those who meet in a designated building once weekly.

We still do not see Jesus or the apostles operating rigidly or perhaps much at all with a regimented Sunday morning meeting, nor their insistence that all Christians the world over do such. It was more of a lifestyle, not a Sunday morning visit to a country club as is mostly what we see today. Telling new Christians to go “find a church” in their area is a dangerous proposition especially in this late hour where Jesus promised, foretold that “MANY false prophets shall arise and shall deceive MANY.” (Matthew 24:11) Most “church” organizations are 501(C)(3) which alone means they sold out to the state, rejecting the rulership of the Savior…. and now the state dictates what, when, and where they can preach. The covid scamdemic exposed this – how over 90% of these state owned “churches” are utterly false. Those wolves took orders from the State, not the Savior who commands us to fellowship and if they have true fellowship, why didn’t they continue? They are compromised.

WHAT fruit has the modern church produced? Can we count on more than 1 hand the amount of people we know who are ardent church members (unbiblical) who are also in the Word daily, deny self and taking up the cross daily, and who are evangelizing. There are very few. Jesus says His people are a “little flock.” (Luke 12:32) The modern church wolves who pretend to represent Christ have produced a generation of counterfeits.

WHO did God tell us are His?

“And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.” Galatians 5:24

When’s the last time you heard, outside of a “church” building. a faithful church goer laud and celebrate Jesus Christ, testifying of His precious blood and glorious resurrection? Churchianity isn’t Christianity. So many counterfeit modern church goers brag about and are proud of their church and pastor and yet few if any of those same people testify from their own mouths and lives the glories of the bless-ed nail scarred risen Savior. They are not upholding Christ, the Head (Colossians 2:18-19).

Many modern church assemblies do not equal true Bible fellowship, assembling which will always exalt Jesus Christ, not the elders, the organization, or the church.

YOUR PRAYER: Holy Father I come to You now in the name of Jesus, knowing what you said my life should be and yet not knowing how this is to come about. Please increase my faith. I love You LORD. Here and now I turn to You in repentance, asking You to forgive my many sins of not being thankful to You, of selfishness, self-idolatry, rebellion, and unbelief. Please wash me clean, afresh, in the precious blood of my LORD Jesus. Change me dear LORD. Conform me to the image of Christ. Please fill me with Your Holy Ghost and use me to win the lost and help Your people as we eagerly anticipate Your soon return. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Each of us is blessed with good ministries we are surrounded by. They feed us and they are winning souls (street preachers, God called Bible teachers, etc). Please pray for and support them saints (Galatians 6:6; Philippians 1:19, etc.). This way we are all, each member of Christ’s body, participating in the Great Commission mandate He gave us – and is coming back to take account of the stewardship of our lives – time, talent, treasure, etc. (Ephesians 4:11-16, etc.). Let’s roll saints. Jesus is coming.

The Daily Cross

Victory Comes Little by Little [podcast]

“And the LORD thy God will put out those nations before thee by little and little: thou mayest not consume them at once, lest the beasts of the field increase upon thee.” Deuteronomy 7:22 “The Lord led me to pour over this scripture this morning. 2 Corinthians 3:18. ‘But we all, with open face beholding as a glass the Glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from Glory to Glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.’ ‘Open face’ here means not hiding, taking off the veil over our eyes and hearts and seeing ourselves for […]

Victory Over the Iniquities that Currently Drive You [podcast]

“Too many Christians blame their flesh on Satan and try casting it out. Never works. That’s why they don’t grow! Must crucify the flesh!” Karen Cochran Recently, a brother in Christ was pushing the fact that Genesis 6:5, 12, use the phrase “only evil continually” pertaining to mankind, all men. REPLY: Ask for yourself the important question: WHY did Jesus come to the earth? And from this moment forward, allow the Bible to answer that question …. Look for the Bible answer…… Why Jesus came to die for us and make us new creatures in Christ whereby OLD THINGS ARE […]

The Victory of the Crucified Life [podcast]

The victory of God in your life comes through the victory of Jesus’ life, death, burial, and resurrection. And thereafter, from adhering to His instructions on how to walk with Him – the way of the cross. WHO are truly Christ’s? “And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts (the cross, crucified life).” Galatians 5:24 Read that verse above again. Memorize it. There are many who claim to be Christians, followers of Jesus, yet regrettably, but a miniscule few are actually His, are actually serving the Son of God on His stated terms – […]

Abiding

“A Land Flowing with Milk and Honey” [podcast]

DADDY’S IN THE HOUSE!

There will not be even one rebel in glory …. The LORD loves and calls you to Himself today….. to settle down humbly in true repentance …. asking God to forgive your sinful stubbornness, rebellion, and self-idolatry, self-adultery. Ask Him to give you a heart of flesh and to take away every trace of a stony heart in you (Ezekiel 36:24-26).

If you had a real dad growing up, you know HE was large and in charge in his house…. and so is God!

He’s Large and in Charge!

He’s Daddy, “Abba Father”! (Romans 8:15).

He’s Your Father – yet only if you endure His chastening! (Hebrews 12:5-12)

“A land flowing with milk and honey” (Exodus 3:8) is a biblical phrase that describes a place of great abundance and prosperity, symbolizing the fulfillment of God’s promises and the richness of the Promised Land. It emphasizes a land that is fertile, nourishing, and provides an abundance of sustenance, with milk and honey serving as symbolic representations of this richness.”

“For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba (Daddy), Father. 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.” Romans 8:15-17

Growing up in daddy’s house, you did things his way, right? Not your way but his way…. he was the man of the house, not you. You abode under his provision and his care and love for you, as your daddy, right? Well, that’s how it is with God. He loves you beyond measure and yet you must simply humble yourself and do things His way. When you do, the blessings will flow, will overwhelm you, will consume you, will flood your life! BAM. Memorize Matthew 6:33 today.

Let’s get something straight …

NO DOUBT: There’s no doubt that God wants to bless your life! Yet, you must do it His way beloved. He wants to bless you and yet, you must ask yourself if you really want Him. Are you truly hungering and thirsting for more of Jesus, more of His righteousness?

“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” Matthew 5:6

The Old Testament summed up: In dealing with His people, His transactions, our LORD’s business concerned their salvation and restoration – promised land blessings! Read Numbers 13-14; 1 Corinthians 10:1-13. And, we are now “the Israel of God” (Galatians 6:16). All these things were written and are on record for us – for our learning, comfort, peace, and blessings (Romans 15:4; 1 Corinthians 10:11).

As was the case with Old Testament Israel, God brought you out of a life of sin in this fallen world (Egypt) in order to bring you IN – into His land of abundant blessings, walking victoriously in a cross-abiding relationship with Christ (John 15).

“And he brought us OUT from thence, that he might bring us IN, to give us the land which he sware unto our fathers.” Deuteronomy 6:23

There’s a promised land of blessedness, of abundant fruit, the likes of which we have not even begun to taste. Yet, appropriating, walking into this treasure house, this field, this gold mine of blessedness, requires that we closely, diligently trust and obey the Giver of “every good gift … every perfect gift” (James 1:17).

HE BROUGHT YOU OUT OF SOMETHING FOR GOOD REASON – TO BRING YOU INTO SOMETHING MUCH GREATER – WHICH HE PURCHASED WITH HIS OWN BLOOD ON THAT CROSS!

Many who read these words are seeking to get and to live out what God alone can provide – as you abide in a real relationship with Him, loving Him with all you are, wholeheartedly.

“Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” Psalms 37:4

Delighting in the LORD assures that we will be possessed with His desires and they will be granted!

Truly Trusting and OBEYING God

Are you forgetting any of His “benefits” – the ones Jesus died to give? Are you neglecting to appropriate them by a real walk with Him? “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits” (Psalms 103:2).

Jesus was the perfect example of delighting in God. In the days of His flesh, Jesus toiling as He faced going to that cross for us, cried “not my will, but thine, be done” (Luke 22:42). Have we cried out to the LORD today with a “Not my will but thine be done”?

“First” means First, not Second. Putting God where He Belongs in Your Life – “First”

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33

If you are out of Bible order, you are out of Bible blessings!

If your life is not in Bible order where Jesus is literally FIRST, you will not walk in the blessings of God – the blessings Jesus died to give you!

“IF”

“If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: 20 But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.” Isaiah 19-20

GOD DESIRES TO BLESS YOU – to bring you into “A Land Flowing with Milk and Honey.”

The phrase “milk and honey” appears 20 times in God’s Word and in every case, refers to God’s desire and declaration to bring His people into His land of rich blessings, flowing with the bounty of His goodness!

“And I am come down to deliver them (salvation) out of the hand of the Egyptians (the world), and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites” (Exodus 3:8).

In other words, “I’m going to bring you into a land flowing with milk and honey right in the middle of your enemies!”

The LORD brings us OUT of sin, “OUT of darkness INTO his marvellous light”!

“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar (special) people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you OUT of darkness INTO his marvellous light:” 1 Peter 2:9

“Unto a land flowing with milk and honey: for I will not go up in the midst of thee; for thou art a stiffnecked people: lest I consume thee in the way.” Exodus 33:3

The LORD brings, saves us out of the world and into His kingdom family and blessings!

“And I have said, I will bring you up OUT of the affliction of Egypt (sin; the lost world) unto the land of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, unto a land flowing with milk and honey (salvation).” Exodus 3:17

The “Milk and Honey” of Christ’s Salvation!

God brought His beloved people OUT of Egypt (represents the world) to bring them INTO the promised land He ordained for them! In the same way, God has brought you and me out of sin, out of the kingdom of the world, in order to bring us IN to His promised land of blessing in Christ! Read Ephesians 1 afresh beloved of God.

“Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet (fit) to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13 Who hath delivered us FROM (out of) the power of darkness, and hath translated us INTO the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:” Colossians 1:12-14

God never brings you OUT of something not to bring you INTO something much better! safeguardyoursoul.com

He made us to bless us and yet – will only do so as we walk with Him on His stated terms.

“That I may perform the oath which I have sworn unto your fathers, to give them a land flowing with milk and honey, as it is this day. Then answered I, and said, So be it, O LORD.” Jeremiah 11:5

“And that ye may prolong your days in the land, which the LORD sware unto your fathers to give unto them and to their seed, a land that floweth with milk and honey.” Deuteronomy 11:9

God Sent His Son to Bless Us – His People

“Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.” Acts 3:26

Repentance Always Leads to Refreshing from Heaven!

“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; 20 And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: 21 Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.” Acts 3:19-21

God Requires Repentance and Faith in All Who will be His and Receive His Ultimate Blessings

¨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: 20 That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.¨ Deuteronomy 30:19-20

¨Numbers 14:8 says if He delights in us, then He will give us a land flowing with milk and honey. This means in order to receive a land flowing with milk and honey He must delight in us. This notes a condition of obedience and faith. We have to embrace and conform with His ways (the cross) to receive the spiritual blessings and to receive eternal life.¨ Karen Cochran

¨And now, I beseech thee, let the power of my Lord be great, according as thou hast spoken, saying, 18 The LORD is longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation. 19 Pardon, I beseech thee, the iniquity of this people according unto the greatness of thy mercy, and as thou hast forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now.¨ Numbers 14:17-19

PRAYER: Heavenly Father thank You for being so unimaginably loving and benevolent to Your creation, to all those You made in Your very image. I love You LORD Jesus and here and now give You praise and thanksgiving for coming to die for my sins and then buried and raised again for my justification. Now dear LORD, please make me whole, from the inside out. Please pour out Your Holy Ghost on my life now and use this vessel to bring eternal glory to You. Bless Your people to abide in You Jesus, to have vital union with You and thereby the abundance of fruit, more fruit, and much fruit. In Jesus´ name. Amen.

Fresh Start with God

You can Have a … Jesus is the Great Shepherd of His Sheep (Heb. 13:20; Lk. 15) A FRESH START WITH GOD (First, if you are not certain that you are genuinely born again, please go here first) Let’s get something straight…. the disciple, the mere man writing this message is more in need of JESUS than anyone who ever lived! No one needs Jesus more than I do and yet, we must do things HIS way, not our own (Ephesians 3:8). “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Proverbs […]

Conditions and Consequences: Beware of False Prophets

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 […]

"Fruitful in the Land of My Affliction" [podcast]

FORGETTING AND BEING FRUITFUL ! God’s Word speaks about forgetting the things that are behind us (Philippians 3:13-14) and also speak volumes about abiding in Christ and being fruitful (John 15). Forgetting leads to fruitfulness. Let go and let God. “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14 G1950 ἐπιλανθάνομαι epilanthanomai ep-ee-lan-than’-om-ahee Middle voice from G1909 and G2990; […]