Does God Know I Love Him? [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]

YOU know when you are listening to a wolf when He only speaks of God’s love for us but never about God’s command that we love Him – and if we don’t, we are going to hell. Beware. The LORD’s been 100% faithful to us and yet He requires our faithfulness to Him or hell awaits (Matthew 22:37-40).

Our obedience to the LORD should come out of our love for Him. Obedience to God is an expression of our love for Him.

“Obedience to God, is the deepest level of love, and the greatest form of worship.” unknown

Jesus says: “IF ye love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15) Notice “IF.” God isn’t interested in us obeying Him if we don’t first love Him. The first 2 commandments are about LOVE and not works or working to earn God’s favor, which is futility (Matthew 22:37-40). Jesus says the whole law and prophets, all the Scripture writings to that point, and in the kingdom rested upon loving God and others.

Praying God will help you love Him more (Matthew 22:37-40). It really all boils down to WHO we love most. THAT is exactly who we are serving (Romans 6:16).

The indescribable myriad of blessings that await “them that love him.”

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

God first loved Us. He initiated the relationship!

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

The Big Question Jesus Asks

“So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. 16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.” John 21:15-17

Three times here our LORD asked Peter if he loved the LORD. And, Jesus is asking each of us today “lovest thou me more than these?” – which is to say “Am I your very first love, or is someone, something before Me?” Did Jesus not warn the church at Ephesus that they must “repent” to be restored back to Him due to the fact that they had “left thy first love”? (Revelation 2:4-5)

Of this passage One writer points out the following:

“It’s interesting that when Jesus speaks to Peter he uses ‘agape’ (unconditional love) as the word for love. But when Peter answers he uses the word ‘phileo’, an inferior and different kind of word for love that is a conditional love like the love between friends. Peter, for some reason, does not feel it appropriate to use the word for the highest form of love.”

It seems fitting from this passage, from this dialogue between Christ and Peter that feeding His sheep would include at times posing this all-important question as to whether or not we truly love Him. Or, do we have a mere “form of godliness”? (2 Timothy 3:5)

In light of His soon return and due to His great love for us and desire that we be with Him now and forever, as He did with beloved Peter, the LORD is asking us if we truly love Him.

“They that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.” Revelation 17:14

God initiates, draws, calls us, and yet He also requires that we reciprocate His love to us. He calls, He chooses, and we are required to be “faithful” to Him just as the married man requires his wife to be faithful to Him – to love him supremely among all men.

Would you like to do business with the LORD today beloved? Quiet your heart and indulge in His love for you:

ARE WE willing today, to announce to God, that we love Him? Are we ready to say “Jesus, thank You for coming and dying for me, for my sins – to take them all away. And You were buried and raised again from the dead. LORD, please take over my life right this moment. I have sinned against You dear LORD. Please forgive me and wash away all my sins at this moment with Your precious blood. Right this instant, if never before, I ask You to save me now LORD. From this moment forward, I am all Yours and I know You are all mine. I love You my dear LORD Jesus. Have Your way in me Jesus! From this moment forward and till I am with You, I will serve You as You allow it by Thy enabling grace. In Jesus’ name sobeit!”

A Settled Issue

“And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.” John 12:32

When Jesus went to that cross of me, for you, He told us He was doing it for, the Father, to redeem us and that He would “draw” us to Himself. Will we respond in love, in loving Him in return?

“And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” Revelation 22:17

God is unchanging and perfect and He not only told us He loves us – He proved it by giving His only begotten Son to bring us back to Himself from a life of sin. So this is a settled issue. Yet, will we, will I return His love? Will I reciprocate the great love He has to me, or not?

“The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee. … for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.” Jeremiah 31:3, 34

Acid Test

The LORD WANTS US TO KNOW AND LOVE HIM (John 17:3; Matthew 22:37-40) … YES God loves us but do we truly love Him? Does it seem that We only hear about God’s love for us and yet, seldom about our love for Him?

The unchanging LORD Jesus is asking me today, “lovest thou me more than these?”

In other words, He is asking, “Do you truly love me more than all others and all things? Am I truly first in your life?”

“If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. 27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:26-27

The word “hate” here means to “love much less” and not to despise ourselves or others. Also, in verse 27 we see once again that the only way to serve Jesus is on His stated terms – the cross, the daily crucified life.

This is a severe message friend. It may do good for us to stop here and pray, asking the LORD to convict, to expose any idolatrous, spiritually adulterous motive of our hearts, to open our heart to what may be lacking in our personal walk with Him. This is the appropriate moment to simply ask Him to grant you a teachable heart that desires the cleanliness and the change He desires. He is the Potter and we are the clay (Jeremiah 18:6).

Sharon Cornella Scutti writes: “Just because Jesus loves everyone doesn’t mean they are in a saving relationship with Him. Jesus is the Creator of everyone but not everyone’s Father until they are spiritually born into the family of God.

Matthew 7:21-23. . . 21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.'”

The disciple of Christ is personally responsible for keeping Himself in vital union with the Savior- just as it was the personal responsibility of the 10 virgins in Jesus’ illustration in Matthew 25:1-13. Yet only 5 of those 10 remained with the Great Bridegroom into the bridal chamber. The other 5 were shut out.

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

Jesus foretold that “the love of many shall wax cold.”

“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

Neglecting our fellowship daily with the LORD will always produce the dismal result of waxing cold, backsliding.

Comparing those who love Him and those who don’t…

“But if any man love God, the same is known of him.” 1 Corinthians 8:3

“If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha.” 1 Corinthians 16:22

Does God know you love Him?

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

TALK is cheap. Obey Him. Now (1 John 3:18; James 1:22).

HELL is full of people who claimed to be saved yet didn’t simply OBEY. Matt 7:21

PRAY yes, yet if we don’t OBEY it’s all futility! (John 14:15; 15:14)

We have no idea just how much God loves us. The question is, am I reciprocating that love? Am I loving God with my whole heart, mind, and strength as Jesus commanded?

Picture a woman who is engaged to a man and yet she doesn’t truly know if that man loves her exclusively. Will she not ask him if he loves her? Will she sense it if he has wondering eyes? Can she possibly feel secure in their relationship if he isn’t loving her wholly, with undivided motives of heart? Is she, will she be safe with Him? Will he be faithful to her?

Remember that Jesus told us that those who will be with Him eternally, are “faithful” to Him – they reciprocate His great love to them (Revelation 17:14). Jesus proved, demonstrated His great love for His people by coming to die for our sins – to bring us back from sin and Satan unto Himself and the Father.

“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. … 16 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 3:1-3, 16

Do we not realize that God knows the very intents, the motivations of our hearts?

The big question is not whether or not God loves you, but rather: Does God know YOU love Him? Do you truly want the answer to this all-important question Jesus is asking you today? Do you think the Bible may provide this answer? If your answer is “Yes”, you are correct – because God made it clear in His Word exactly who loves Him and who doesn’t. This is the difference between the sheep and the goats, the wheat and the tares (Matthew 13; 25).

As we reciprocate our love back to the LORD who first loved us, who initiated the relationship, He and the Father and Holy Spirit will manifest Themselves to us.

“If ye love me, keep my commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. 18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. 19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. 20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. 21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. … 23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.” John 14:15-21

Job made the quality decision to love and to trust God no matter what he suffered.

“Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.” Job 13:15

Haggai, the LORD’s servant prophet said he was going to joy in the God of his salvation, even if every single blessing, income stream, and all his food failed, ceased coming in.

“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.” Haggai 3:17-19

Life offers each and every one of us many temptations, trials, and hardships and so it’s vital to resolve to love God with all of our hearts, no matter what happens (Job 14:1).

Our LORD has a plan to settle us, to mature, to establish, to bring His strength into our lives.

“But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.” 1 Peter 5:10

If you are not obeying (in the reality of your thoughts and deeds) the words of Jesus, you DO NOT love Him.

WHEN God commands you to do something, just do it. Self-serving tares are rebellious and want no part of personal responsibility and so get convicted when a mere messenger preaches what God says. Then the counterfeit cries “That’s works-based religion” or “That’s legalism.” ! Nonsense. They don’t know the Savior. Since when is obeying the Son of God legalism or a works-based perspective? These are those whom the Holy Spirit foretold who do not “endure sound doctrine” which means to hold ourselves personally accountable to the Word of God obey Him (2 Timothy 4:2-4).

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

Those truly in Christ take delight in Him, in pleasing, in worshipping, in obeying Him.

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

Perhaps we are discovering today that our root problem is our own sin of self-idolatry, of loving the god of self instead of loving God with a whole, an undivided heart. He calls us to return to Him and promises to receive us gracious in the precious blood of His only begotten Son (Hosea 14:1-2; Hebrews 4:14-16).

“Sadly.. Failing to keep the words and commandments of Jesus Christ and the Word of God is the greatest proof that you really don’t love Him.” Jennifer Leza

Loving God is everything as far as what’s in our control – because it’s a choice, daily, and will determine if one remains in Christ to the end.

“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

Obedience is an expression of our love for God.

“He that saith, I know (love) him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth (obeys) his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.” 1 John 2:4-5

God does not know you love Him if…

you don’t seek His face in holy prayer communion? (Matt. 6:6; Ps 5:3, etc.)
you don’t love His Word and study, pour and meditate over it? (Jos. 1:8; Ps 119; 1Pet. 2:2; Jn 5:39)
you do not love your neighbor as you already by nature love yourself? (Jn 13:35; 1 Jn. 4:7-8, etc.)
you do not tell others about Him? (Mark 16:15, etc.)
you do not give of your resources to His work and in particular, where you are receiving His Word? (Mal. 3:10; Gal. 6:6, etc.)

Perhaps the Savior is looking closely for some trace of His fruit of love in your life and is being blinded by your choices to serve self-interests instead of the business of loving Him and doing His will – advancing His kingdom.

EXAMPLE AND RESULT OF THE INCONSISTENCY

Simply put, one simply does not love God if he is not obeying Him in these basic and practical ways that He instructed us to obey Him. For example, many are asking the LORD for more money or better jobs, etc., yet have not given Him even the tithe of what He has allowed them to earn up to this point. It should be noted that the tithe should always be directed to where the individual is being fed “meat” (receiving spiritual substance) – (Gal. 6:6; Mal. 3:10).

Questions to ask ourselves:

How many true ministers have been affected in their personal lives and ability to minister to others, due to my personal disobedience of withholding and greed?
It is time for us to repent and get real? Do we think that God is fooled by our mere outward “form of godliness”?

“Having a form of godliness, but denying the power (rule) thereof: from such turn away.” 2 Timothy 3:5

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

Christ said that those who refuse His reign in their personal lives (render real obedience to Him) are His “enemies” and that they would be sent to hell in the end.

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

Should we cease calling ourselves Christian (Christ-like) until we arrive at a place of full and complete repentance and begin obeying the basic truths Christ gave us? Friend, the LORD loves you enough to send you this message before it is too late (Gal. 4:16). He told us that only those who “doeth the will of my Father which is in Heaven” will be with Him in Heaven (Matt. 7:21).

ACTION ITEMS FOR THE REPENTANT:

YOUR PRAYER: Precious heavenly Father, I come to You in the name of Jesus. I ask You to please grant my heart to be truly willing to learn to love You – to be broken and contrite, truly an heart of flesh. Now Father, I know that You alone can do this work in me and to teach me to truly worship, trust, love, and obey You. Dear LORD, I here and now ask You to please do Your essential, Your deeper work in my heart and life today, in Jesus’ name, amen.

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

PEACE with GOD

At His Feet [podcast]

“Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.” Job 13:15 Job had just lost all of his children and yet held fast his integrity toward the LORD. He would not allow his wife, his friends, or any other circumstance or entity sway his thoughts. This was a man with a real relationship with the living God – one not based on circumstance. First, foremost, and separate from all else, Job loved and worshipped the LORD with his whole heart. We must come to the place where our LORD alone is […]

“Work of Faith, and Labour of Love” [podcast]

Don’t Bother Obeying If You Don’t Love! “Sadly… Failing to keep the words and commandments of Jesus Christ and the Word of God is the greatest proof that you really don’t love Him.” Jennifer Leza If you are in love with someone, you want them to love you back. You want them to want you. That’s what makes chemistry and a good marriage – a man and a woman who spontaneously reciprocate love to each other – because they truly love one another. Think about that. No human would deny such a simple, self-evident truth. Well, the One who made […]

10 Clues Your Love for God has Waxed Cold [podcast]

The wise virgin saints are keeping their lamps full of divine oil, they are taking personal responsibility for their own spiritual state with Christ the great and soon coming Bridegroom. Read Matthew 25:1-13. “The Love of Many Shall Wax Cold” “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 […]

Articles

How Do You Get Around the Idea That All Israel Shall be Saved? Steve Gregg [video]

“Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:” Romans 9:6

“The remnant shall be saved, not the race.” Steve Gregg

“If one reads Romans Chapters 9-11, he will see that all the way through, it was only a remnant that would truly believe.” unknown

7 Questions on Justification [podcast]

7 Questions on Justification How is fallen mankind made righteous, justified in the eyes of a holy God? (Romans 3:21-28; Galatians 2:16) What law makes New Testament believers “free from the law of sin and death”? (Romans 8:2) What could the law not do? (Romans 8:3-4) What is fulfilled in the life of the born again, Spirit-led New Testament follower of Christ? (Romans 3:31; 8:3-4) How does the Law apply to saints? How does it apply to sinners? (1 Timothy 1:9-11) Can anyone be justified by the works of the law, by law-keeping? Become intimately familiar with Galatians 2:4-5, 16; […]

Dispensationalism Exposed and Destroyed [podcast]

Beware of theological systems. Get and remain organic in your study of God’s Word. Allow no mere man to think, to reason for you! Beware of the dispensational heretics. It’s a cult system full of lies including the “eternal security” fairytale which is espoused by moral cowards who refuse to truly repent, lay down their lives in this sinful world, take up the cross daily and follow Jesus in the crucified life (Luke 9:23-24, etc.). Dispensational heretics claim that only Paul’s writings are important for New Testament saints. They say that Paul’s writing are written TO New Testament saints […]

Articles

Bearing the Precious Seed of God’s Word [podcast]

“They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. 6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves (harvest) with him.” Psalms 126:5-6

A harvest of blessed souls is going to be the result, the ministry produce, the fruit of all who bear and distribute, scatter the seed of the incorruptible Word of God into the hearts of men (1 Peter 1:23).

The LORD didn’t say “go explain who I am to other people.” No, He said “preach the word” and “preach the gospel” (2 Timothy 4:2; Mark 16:15).

Our cute little thoughts and sayings are not even within the same universe of power as the Word of God. Obey God. “Preach the word” (2 Timothy 4:2). We can’t explain someone into salvation. No, only God can draw and convict the lost soul and He instructed us to simply communicate His Word to them.

Instead of doing just another little video of yourself or posting a nice little saying, trying to entice people to Christ, why not just post HIS Word – the KJB? You and I have no power to save anyone, not even yourself (John 6:44; 12:32). Only Jesus can do that and He told you to go preach His Gospel and not try to entertain people into His kingdom (Mark 16:15).

“So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it SHALL accomplish that which I please, and it SHALL prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11

When this revelation (recorded for us in Isaiah 55:11) truly hits and settles in your heart, you will never be the same.

People need to hear from God, not us. Have you memorized Isaiah 55:11?

IF Jesus taught something and we’re not teaching it – it’s because we are not following Him correctly – on HIS stated terms (Matthew 28:18-20; John 8:47; 2 Timothy 3:16; 4:2-4, etc.). Are you following Jesus Christ or mere man? Do you preach Christ and His doctrines from HIS Word or are you just regurgitating the pitiful poisons of mere men?

We are still very wise in our own conceits. May the LORD bless us to true repentance with the fruit of allowing God to speak for Himself by simply giving people His Word in His love and wisdom (Colossians 3:16; 2 Timothy 4:2, etc.).

Leveling endless explanations of the faith is futility if the person communicating is not speaking God’s very Word! God’s words are all-powerful because He spoke them and He alone is ALL-mighty. The Source of God’s words is God Himself and so inherent in His words are His power, His presence, His conviction (2 Timothy 3:16-17; Revelation 1:8, etc.).

The Word of God must become the emphasis and not us, not our wonderful, skillful explanations of who God is. After all, have we forgotten that He is infinite and we finite? Are we not but dust? See Psalms 103:14. Regrettably, many in our day have been elevated in the church world for being able to render endless explanations in their international apologetics ministries. Most of these same men used very little if any Scripture which means they helped no one. Many of those in the “Christian” audiences that elevated these men simply wanted to see the arguments of the enemy of souls defeated and not to be grounded deeply in God’s Word for themselves. One such man was the late Ravi Zacharias.

The Words of the Divine vs the Dust

“Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. 24 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: 25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.” 1 Peter 1:23-25

The “incorruptible seed” is the Word of God, it’s power packed with divine energy. If we are but “dust” before the Almighty, does that not convey just how futile it is to attempt to explain God and His will? Shall we choose to trust the divine or the mere dust created by the divine?

“Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him. 14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust. 15 As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. 16 For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.” Psalms 103:13-16

It’s not that we don’t speak our own words also in communicating to others in ministry, yet the substance of what we communicate in those moments is not our words but rather God’s words. He is divine and we are but dust.

In 1 Peter 1:23 Scripture informs us that people are “born again” by the “incorruptible seed” of the Word of God, not our explanation, not by our words.

It’s the Word that never returns back to God void, not our explanation. If you wish to be used of God powerfully, you must read, study, be resourceful with, and communicate HIS words.

When you encounter a person in darkness, don’t take it personally. No, rather, see it as an opportunity to kindly plant the seed of the Word of God in their heart – which never returns back to the LORD void but always accomplishes that which pleases Him (Isaiah 55:11). “God is love” (1 John 4:8, 16).

The emphasis should not be on our ability to explain God but rather on his word and simply obeying him by preaching it. It’s the incorruptible seed that brings conviction of salvation not our words.

Did the LORD command His people to go explain to others who He is or to simply “preach the gospel”? Mark 16:15

“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

When you read, when you are daily studying God’s Word, do so with the truth in mind that God wants you learning of Him for your own relationship with Him and also to help others.

“That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.” Philemon 6

“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:” 1 Peter 3:15

Our LORD Jesus studied and knew the Word well. Notice how the Son of God readily navigated through the Holy Scriptures to find the exact Scripture He wanted to communicate:

“And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written…” Luke 4:17

Notice another prominent biblical example of how true elders of Christ, as they stand before one or many people, put full emphasis on God’s Words and not their own. They concentrate and put full priority in God’s Word and not their own explanations:

“So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.” Nehemiah 8:8

“read in the book in the law of God distinctly”
“gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.”

Note how these godly elders read God’s Word to the people and then gave the sense of it. This speaks for itself and reveals to us just who is a godly elder and who isn’t. Rare is the man today, in this late hour, who reads Scripture upon Scripture to the people. Many are so busy giving you their explanation that they have no concern that you are hearing the actual, literal words of the LORD. Sad.

Regrettably lots of people brag about their pastor and how he (supposedly) preaches the Word. In most cases it’s obvious that they’re telegraphing that they trust him, the mere man, the pastor and have no life with Christ in His Word daily for themselves – which the LORD commands (2 Timothy 2:15). Hell is full of people who took men at their word instead of loving God enough to find out what He said in HIS Word for themselves firsthand. Sad. If you don’t love God enough to pour over His words, His instructions, His promises, and His doctrines and warnings for yourself, you are in utter need of true repentance and to seek His holy face continually (1 Chronicles 16:11).

“But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. 14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Timothy 3:13-17

Preach the Word

“I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 2 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 4:1-4

The Parable of the Seed Growing

“And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; 27 And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how. 28 For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. 29 But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.” Mark 4:26-29

Getting in on the Gospel action begins with a simple prayer, perhaps something like this …. LORD, please prepare and use me for Your glory. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

Evangelism Adventures: Stories, Reports, and Testimonies of God's Amazing Love [podcast]

SO, we prayed for God to use us today right? …. He’s hearing our prayer. So, in the gym this morning, a lady near me was struggling to get a large plate on each side of the barbell. So, I began to help her and she said “No Ingles” which means she does not speak English. So, I affirmed that she speaks Spanish and I began to speak God’s Word to her in her language. Her face lit up and she thanked me. God is good! Jesus says “The seed is the word of God” and His people are planting […]

Preach the Word [podcast]

“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 The man who is truly faithful to God will search out, diligently study, devour, and learn the words of God and be used of Him to communicate them to others. “So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.” Nehemiah 8:8 They read the Word itself. They gave the sense to help the people understand it. Phillip was able to give the […]

The Seed of Salvation [podcast]

“So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11 When we follow Jesus He makes us fishers of men: “And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men. 18 And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him.” (Mark 1:17-18) We must forsake the nets, the world’s ways in following Him. Prayer: Father, in the name of Jesus, please […]

Teach the Bible [podcast]

JESUS IS COMING AND THE TRUE BODY OF CHRIST IS “HOLDING FORTH (BOLDLY DECLARING) THE WORD OF LIFE” “Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.” Philippians 2:16 WHEN you speak God’s Word, you are speaking divine authority. “These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.” Titus 2:15 “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, […]

Apostasy

“Simple Concerning Evil” [podcast]

Holy Scripture uses the phrase “simple concerning evil.”

“For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple (innocent) concerning evil.” Romans 16:19

“But I would have you – Not only obedient, but discreet also. Wise with regard to that which is good – As knowing in this as possible. And simple with regard to that which is evil – As ignorant of this as possible.” John Wesley

Concerning Romans 16:19 Donald Stamps writes:

“God wants believers to be innocent (Gk. akeraios) in what is evil; this word means ‘unmixed’ or ‘pure,’ i.e., innocent like a child whose mind has not yet been exposed to evil or mixed with the values of the world (cf.1 Cor. 14:20). (1) This biblical principle is in direct opposition to the idea advocated by some that children of Christians should be exposed to sin, immorality, ungodliness, and the things of Satan in order to learn to confront temptation. Some suggest that children need not be guarded from ungodliness. However, according to biblical revelation, the philosophy is not only against God’s will for the believer, but also represents Satan’s own desire that everyone be exposed to the knowledge of good and evil (Gen. 3:5). (2) Knowledge of evil, along with continual exposure to Satan’s ways, will lead many from the path of faith and obedience. Lot found this out to his deep sorrow, losing his entire family for this reason (Gen. 13:12-13; 19:1-38). Scripture warns that ‘evil communications’ (i.e., company) corrupt good manners (1 Cor. 15:33), and that ‘Jesus Christ … gave himself … that he might deliver us from this present evil world’ (Gal. 1:3-4). Those who advocate exposing innocent children to an ungodly environment and/or influence are in danger of violating Jesus’ warning in Matthew 18:6. (3) Believers should do all within their means and power to guard their children from being exposed to the deceitfulness and sin and the perverseness of this generation. To refuse to protect our children in this respect disregards the Holy Spirit’s desire that they be innocent and babes regarding what is evil.” Donald Stamps, Life in the Spirit Study Bible, p. 1959

Spoil the innocence of a child or others and God will spoil, bring ruin to you.

“But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.” Matthew 18:6

“Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.” 1 Corinthians 14:20

Concerning the fact and principle of offering children to Satan on the altar of Moloch, one source notes the following:

“Based on historical and biblical accounts, child sacrifice to Moloch was a Canaanite and Phoenician ritual, often described as offering children to a deity in a “tophet” (place of burning). Scholars interpret this act as a desperate attempt to appease a god associated with the underworld or to ensure divine favor in exchange for the ultimate sacrifice.

Why Children Were Offered to Moloch:

Appeasement of a Deity: Moloch (or Mlk) is identified by some scholars as an underworld deity or a Phoenician god linked to the underworld, requiring the ultimate sacrifice to ensure favor or safety.”

“Lot … Pitched His Tent Toward Sodom”

“Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom. 13 But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly.” Genesis 13:12-13

Of the act of Lot pitching his tent toward Sodom, the late Donald Stamps wrote:

“PITCHED HIS TENT TOWARD SODOM. Lot’s great failure was that he loved personal gain more than he hated the wickedness of Sodom (v10-13). (1) If he had loved righteousness sufficiently (see Heb. 1:9), it would have caused him to remain separate from the wicked ways of sinful people. Instead he tolerated evil and chose to live in wicked Sodom (v13). Perhaps he reasoned that the material advantages, culture, and pleasures of Sodom outweighed the dangers, and that he was strong enough to remain faithful to God. Thus, he exposed himself and his family to the immorality, and ungodliness of Sodom, only to learn the bitter lesson that his family was not strong enough to resist its evil influences (Gen. 19:24-26; 30-38). (2) Parents must be careful not to place themselves or their children in a “Sodom,” lest they come to spiritual ruin as did the family of Lot.” Donald Stamps, Life in the Spirit Study Bible, p. 27

“Although Lot was distressed by the filthy deeds he saw and heard (2 Pet. 2:7-8), he still was willing to tolerate the wickeness of Sodom for social and material advantages (13:12 note). This compromise brought tragedy to his family (v24). Likewise, believers today who expose their families to ungodly environments and evil influences for social or material gain are setting themselves up for family tragedies.” Donald Stamps, Life in the Spirit Study Bible, p. 34

Gentlemen, if we lust for the things of this world, it will cause us to sacrifice God’s truth on the altar of our greed and cause needless destruction in our families.

Ephesians 5:1-17

“1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;

2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;

4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.

5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them.

8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)

10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.

11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.

13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.

14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.

15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”

“And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended. 18 And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, 19 And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.” Mark 4:17-19

“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” 1 John 2:15

“Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” Matthew 5:8

Key to a pure, innocent heart…. is that the LORD Almighty is truly first in our lives, that we are truly one with Him—just as Jesus prayed in John 17. The futile god of self must be denounced, as well as the sin of spiritual adultery and idolatry.

“Keep thyself pure.” 1 Timothy 5:22

PRAYER: “LORD, right this moment, I release everything and everyone that I might be holding onto tighter than You….I will have no other god before You dear LORD…You Jesus Alone Are My LORD And Savior. In Jesus’ name. Amen.” Marlene Austin

Overcoming Whoredom [podcast]

ARE parents setting their own children up for failure, ruin, and damnation by sending them off to college? ONLY THE BIBLICALLY ILLITERATE WONDER WHY AMERICA IS COLLAPSING. HINT: THE FOUNDATION IS GONE (Psalms 11:3; 68:6) More and more it becomes apparent that most college degrees are useless and that “educated” would be more honestly termed “indoctrinated.” Are parents who indoctrinate and push their daughters to “go get a degree/education” guilty of prostituting their own daughters, making them whores? Does this lead to “college educated” and also “college prostituted” daughters? “Do not prostitute thy daughter, to cause her to be a […]

Parenting and the Eternal Destiny of Your Child [podcast]

There’s no such thing as a Christian who is a parent and isn’t teaching their child(ren) God’s Word. So you programmed and indoctrinated your own child to “go get an education” from a commie university, with nothing but antichrist’s as “professors”, who merely read and teach marxist textbooks full of every evil known to mankind. And yet you still wonder why they turned from Christ? – if you even taught them the Bible in the first place. Time for you to get saved. God holds you personally accountable for allowing and inviting evil upon the minds and hearts of the […]