Articles

Faith, Blessings, Miracles, and Answered Prayer – God’s Way

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]

“Delight” and “Desires” are Biblical Words

God wants to grant the very desires of our hearts and that’s made clear in Christ’s statement:

“Have faith in God (not self) …. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.” Mark 11:24

WHY not just stop and simply ask HIM?

Abraham

Abraham appears 250 times in God’s Word. Think he’s important?

At God’s command, Abraham, by faith in God and self-abandonment, went out towards a land he had no earthly idea even existed.

“By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.” Hebrews 11:8

Hebrews 11 is what is called the “hall of faith” chapter where our LORD heralds the faith of many patriarchs who went before us. One of them is beloved Abraham. God promised them a baby. He’s 100 and she’s 90 – and they are going to have a baby!!! NOW, what can’t God do for you?! “Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, Shall a child be born unto him that is an hundred years old? and shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear?” (Genesis 17:17) … “Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.” (Genesis 18:14)

When we read Hebrews 11 afresh, we begin to further realize that FAITH is not something we use to get things for ourselves but rather something He requires and is the blessed connection we enjoy between God and ourselves.

Jesus’ Prayer

Have you of late read Jesus’ prayer to our Heavenly Father as is on record in John 17? Study that prayer. Much can be learned by what Christ prayed. You will note the grand theme of His being one with His Father and asking that we – His beloved children – be made one with Him.

“That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.” John 17:21

When we begin to serve the LORD with the deep desire to continually know Him better, then we will begin to pray with the LORD’s desire and delight in mind – caring for His glory and not our own selfish lusts. It’s then that we will know He’s conforming us to Christ’s holy image.

“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

Do you desire Christ-likeness? Are you asking God daily to conform you to Christ’s holy image? Is this not His stated will for your life and for mine? Are we truly “crucified with Christ”? (Galatians 2:20) Are you being taught this daily cross message?

In His earthly life Jesus set this example for us to follow – “I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.” (John 5:30)

“Not my will, but thine, be done.” Luke 22:42

Worshiping, serving, and praying to God with the right motives is important to the LORD. When we do things His way, He promises that “all” His blessings will follow:

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

GOD is not a genie or slot machine. We don’t obey Him to get something from Him but because we are choosing to love and worship Him for who He is, the Almighty, supreme LORD our Redeemer!

The LORD gave conditions for having our prayers answered. Listen to the apostle John’s words:

“And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.” 1 John 3:22

What if God just gave you everything your sinful heart desires? Think about it: You would never be moved into the place of being conformed to Christ’s image. Now that would be tragic, wouldn’t it? No, we have to “seek … first” His blessed kingdom’s glory and not our own glory and in that process He is conforming us to Christ.

I must ask myself the simple question “What are my motives in serving God and in my prayers?”

Praying with the right motives is important to the LORD.

—–BIBLICAL FAITH IS NOT ABOUT ATTEMPTING TO USE GOD TO GET SOMETHING FOR OURSELVES (AS THE WORD OF FAITH WOLVES WOULD LEAD THEIR PREY TO BELIEVE). FAITH IS NOT COMING UP WITH SOMETHING WE WANT AND TRYING TO GET GOD TO PROVIDE IT FOR US. REMEMBER WHAT JAMES WARNED US OF?

“Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.” James 4:3

In the above verse, it seems that the Holy Spirit is addressing misguided, wrong, unpurged motives here. And, as long as our hearts are being circumcised by the LORD through the daily cross, we will not have those self-centered motives that cannot be hid from God who sees all. He cannot be deceived (Galatians 6:7). Instead, we will be made one with Him through daily communion – on His terms – and will pray His perfect will which has Him, His kingdom, and others in mind, not just us or our selfish desires.

If we are denying Christ by denying that “daily” cross He commanded us to take up, we are still praying out of an uncircumcised heart (Philippians 3:3). Can you begin to see how that “daily” dying truly is at the center of our walk with Him?

A pure heart is of the utmost importance to the LORD and can only come as a result of laying ourselves, our will, our lives, our desires aside for His greater glory. It’s really not that difficult friend. When you wake up tomorrow morning, or even right now, stand up before the LORD. Raise your hands and say from your heart “Holy Father, into Your holy hands I commend (submit) my spirit.”(Luke 23:46)

Here’s a sampling of the LORD’s desire for us to have a heart purified by Him – a pure heart:

“Now the end of the commandment (the chief, supreme purpose of all of God’s Word) is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned.” 1 Timothy 1:5

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

Our LORD would have us to pray for a pure heart: “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” Psalms 51:10

Jesus made it clear that He desires to answer our prayers for what we desire and yet, those desires have to come out of a daily cross relationship with the LORD where our desires are made one with His. Isn’t that what He’s getting at when He tells us this?:

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

Let’s establish firstly that “delight” and “desires” are God’s words and therefore important to Him.

As we “delight” in knowing and truly worshiping the LORD “in spirit and in truth,” our “desires” will be purified and conformed perfectly to His (John 4:23-24). Then, when we ask – when we pray – there will be congruency.

As we are made one with Christ by seeking Him, we will then “delight” in Him and our “desires” will be what He desires.

MODERN WOLVES ARE EASILY IDENTIFIED AS THOSE WHO ARE LEADING A WHOLE GENERATION TO BELIEVE THAT GOD IS JUST SITTING IN HEAVEN WAITING FOR THEM TO USE HIS WORD AGAINST HIM, TO HAVE ENOUGH FAITH TO GET THE THINGS THEY SO DESIRE, TO OBTAIN MANY THINGS FROM HIM FOR THEIR OWN SELF-SERVING USE. BASICALLY, IN THIS GODLESS THEOLOGY, THE INDIVIDUAL IS HIS OWN “LITTLE GOD” WHO DESIGNS AND ORDERS HIS OWN WORLD USING WORDS BY HIS OWN FAITH. SO HE’S IN CONTROL, NOT THE LORD. THIS EVIL THEOLOGY SUPPOSES THAT THE LORD, THE ONLY SAVIOR, HAS NO FURTHER SANCTIFYING PURPOSE FOR THE LIVES OF THOSE HE HAS SAVED FROM SIN AND HELL. NONSENSE. TITUS 2:11-14

But the Bible says:

“And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.” 2 Corinthians 5:15

The true follower of Christ does not live for his own glory but rather for God’s. He knows that he is no longer his own but rather bought with the price of the very blood of Jesus (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Such a person who does things his own way instead of God’s is not right with God. You see, the LORD must be followed and obeyed on His clearly stated (biblical) terms and no other.

While we should desire to have an open prayer life – life of prayer – with the LORD, we must also understand that God is after more than just giving us all that we ask for and all that our sinful, self-serving hearts desire.

WE ARE TO OFFER EVERY “SUPPLICATION”TO THE LORD (PHILIPPIANS 4:6). A “SUPPLICATION” IS SIMPLY A HUMBLE REQUEST TO THE FATHER IN JESUS’ NAME (JOHN 16:23-24). WHILE “SUPPLICATION” IS IMPORTANT, SO ALSO IS COMMUNION – PRAYER COMMUNION. THERE ARE MANY TYPES OF PRAYER IN GOD’S WORD AND SEEN IN THE LIVES OF HIS PEOPLE THROUGHOUT HOLY SCRIPTURE. IT’S QUITE AMAZING HOW THAT A WHOLE INDUSTRY OPERATING WITHIN THE CHURCH WORLD ONLY EMPHASIZES ONE OF MANY ASPECTS OF PRAYER. WHY? WELL, IT’S TO THEIR GREEDY ADVANTAGE. IT’S TO THEIR SELF-SERVING PURPOSE TO GET YOU DEMANDING AND ASKING GOD IN PRAYER FOR EVERY LITTLE COVETOUS THING YOUR DEPRAVED HEART SO DESIRES. YOU SEE, THEY WANT YOU LIKING THEM SO THEY TELL YOU WHAT YOUR SINFUL NATURE WANTS TO HEAR SO THAT YOU WILL RECIPROCATE WITH GIVING/SUPPORTING THEIR MINISTRY ($). THESE GREEDY BEGUILERS WILL NEVER TELL YOU TO DIE DOOR NAIL DEAD – TO BE CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST AND THEREFORE RAISED UP IN HIS BLESSED POWER TO GLORIFY HIM ALONE! WHY? –BECAUSE SUCH DOESN’T SELL! (PHILIPPIANS 3:18-19)

“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” Hebrews 13:8

Has Jesus changed? No. Impossible. Did Jesus do miracles while on earth? Yes.

Does God still do miracles? YES. Hebrews 13:8. He does miracles and gives prophecy but not fake stuff. The LORD’s works are real, tanglible. They can be proven and not just propped by false ministers (2 Corinthians 11:12-15). God’s miracles are authentic and bring glory to Him and not the mere men (1 Corinthians 1:29-31; Colossians 2:18-19). Lots of frauds pretending to raise the dead and prophesy and do miracles – Jesus foretold this very thing and told us that they’d be cast into hell (Matthew 7:21-23). These are Satan’s counterfeiters and yet, their evil in no way negates the miracle working power of our unchanging LORD Jesus today!

“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.” Matthew 7:21-23

God the Father answers prayer and does miracles in the name of Jesus and on His perfect merit alone! (John 14:13-14; 16:23-24) Anything added is of Satan in order to draw attention from and steal the glory from Christ! (Colossians 2:18-19)

A relationship with the LORD is not all about us but rather about Him. It involves knowing, worshiping, and obeying Him and trusting in His wisdom. Since He loves us He will not answer the prayer we might pray that’s out of His will (unless one persists – then He may turn us over as He did when Israel cried out for a human king in rejection of Him 1 Samuel 8:6. See Give Us a King!. Faith will quicken us to prayer and to truly trust that God will bring to pass His perfect will. It is trusting that He can and will do what we CANNOT do (Mark 10:27).

Are You Following the Voices of Wolves instead of Christ?

IF I AM SO VERY WILLING TO ASK GOD FOR THE THINGS I THINK I NEED AND YET, AM NOT WALKING WITH HIM ACCORDING AS HE HAS PRESCRIBED, MIGHT HE FRUSTRATE MY LIFE IN ORDER TO GET ME ALIGNED WITH HIM? (HEBREWS 12:5-6) ISN’T HE THE POTTER AND WE HIS CLAY? (JEREMIAH 18:6). THE LAST TIME I CHECKED, HE’S IN CHARGE, NOT ME – OR YOU.

You see, today, most Christians (or people who think they are Christians) are living according to the voices of the day which are calling them to worship at the altar of self. Hint: There’s no cross (dying to self) in their message, hence they deny Christ. Weren’t we forewarned of these end-time wolves and their “damnable heresies”?

“But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. 3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.” 2 Peter 2:1-3

THE GULLIBLE, WHO ARE NOT IN GOD’S WORD DAILY, ARE EASILY MANIPULATED AND MISLED FOR THE SELF-SERVING PURPOSES OF THE “MANY FALSE PROPHETS” THAT OPERATE TODAY (MATTHEW 7:15). THE “CHRISTIAN” INDUSTRY OF SPEAKING AND WRITING IS A MULTI-BILLION DOLLAR ENTERPRISE WHEREIN THE “FALSE PROPHETS” AND THE “FALSE TEACHERS” OPERATE TODAY. THESE LARGE SUMS OF MONEY ARE BEING GENERATED AS THEY “MAKE MERCHANDISE” OF THOSE WHO LACK THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD’S WORD. THEY ARE BEING EXPLOITED AND “DESTROYED” BY THESE MANY FALSE LEADERS.

“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.” Hosea 4:6

The prophet Isaiah warned:

“For the leaders of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed.” Isaiah 9:16

Only those who refuse to have an independent, individual, personal daily walk with Christ will be deceived and ultimately damned ( 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12). You see, so many today who have been saved “fall away” afterwards because they refuse to lay down their own lives in this sinful, fleeting world. They refuse to genuinely follow Jesus – HIS way (Luke 8:13; Galatians 5:4).

THE FACT THAT THESE MODERN WOLVES CAN SPEAK OF SUCCESS IN THIS EARTHLY LIFE, RELATIONSHIPS, CHURCH ATTENDANCE, GETTING MORE FAVOR AND FINANCES FOR SELF, ETC., AND NEVER TEACH THE “DAILY” CROSS JESUS TAUGHT SO OFTEN AS AN ESSENTIAL, IDENTIFIES THEM AS “ENEMIES OF THE CROSS OF CHRIST.” (LUKE 9:23-24; PHILIPPIANS 3:18-19)

“(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 Whose end is destruction (they’re going to hell), whose God is their belly (carnal, self-serving appetites), and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)” Philippians 3:18-19

YES THERE IS ABSOLUTE ANSWERED PRAYER, BREAKTHROUGH, MIRACLES, AND COMPLETE AND TOTAL VICTORY IN THE LORD – WHEN WE TRULY OBSERVE AND DO THINGS HIS WAY AND NOT OUR OWN AND NOT ANYONE ELSE’S WAY (JOHN 15:7). WE MUST LEARN THE LORD’S WAYS THROUGH DAILY PERSONAL STUDY OF HIS WORD AND WHEN WE DO WE WILL THEREFORE “HATE EVERY FALSE WAY.” (PSALMS 119:104; 128)

“If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” John 15:7

God be thanked that we can pray to Him with all confidence and access through our LORD Jesus Christ.

“And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: 15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.” 1 John 5:14-15

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Abiding

It’s not all Going to be Pretty [podcast]

“Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” 2 Timothy 2:3

One of Paul’s resumes of the sufferings he endured as an apostle of Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 6:3-10

“3 Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:

4 But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,

5 In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;

6 By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,

7 By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,

8 By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true;

9 As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;

10 As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.”

You are His. Cling to Him. The LORD Jesus is going to bring you through, not matter what you face (Deuteronomy 13:4).

“But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. 2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.” Isaiah 43:1-2

“Hated”

“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

“Ye shall Laugh”

“And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God. 21 Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh. 22 Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake.” Luke 6:20-22

“Through much Tribulation”

“Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.” Acts 14:22

Eternity with Christ, “with Joy”

“For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.” Isaiah 55:12

“To Make them White”

“And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. 33 And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days. 34 Now when they shall fall, they shall be holpen with a little help: but many shall cleave to them with flatteries. 35 And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed.” Daniel 11:32-35

“Made white … the wise shall understand”

“Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.” Daniel 12:10

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Articles

7 Sayings of Jesus on the Cross [podcast]

What Final Statements Did Jesus Make on the Cross and What Did They Mean?

Our LORD Jesus Christ said 7 things while as He was offering His body and precious, sinless blood to buy us back to God. He was suffering for the sins of mankind and for no sin of His own (2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 7:26; 1 Peter 3:18). He was shedding His blood to Re-deem (buy us back) and that’s what Jesus did for “the whole world” when He died on the cross, was buried, and raised again from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:1-4; 1 John 2:2). Do you know Him?

1. “My God, My God, Why hast thou forsaken me” (Matt. 27:46; Mk. 15:34; Ps. 22:1).

This concerned those who hung Him on the cross and how He became the sin bearer, the sin sacrifice and how the Father could not look on sin, so temporarily turned His head. Jesus was forsaken so that we might be forgiven (Isaiah 53).

Application to us: Job 19:6-10; Psalms 139:8; 2 Corinthians 12:7-12; Hebrews 13:5-6

2. “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Lk. 23:34).

He asked the Father to forgive them – a token of what His shed blood would pay for and facilitate – forgiveness of sin for all who come to Him on His terms to be saved. The sacrificial death of the Son of God satisfied the claims of the Father’s justice to justify mankind (Isaiah 53:11).

Application to us: As God forgave us due to Christ’s perfect sacrifice, He mandates, without exception, that we freely forgive all others, from our hearts. Matthew 5:44; 18:21-35; Mark 11:25-26; Ezekiel 36:24-26; Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:12-14

3. “Verily, I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise” (Lk. 23:43).

This promise of forgiveness and eternal comfort given to the thief who believed on Christ in his final moments is the same promise for all who come to Him and are saved (John 6:47).

Application to us: Immediate glory, comfort, and bliss with our LORD at the moment of death. Luke 16:19-31; 2 Corinthians 5:6-8; Philippians 1:21-23; 1 Corinthians 2:9; Revelation 21:4; Luke 21:28

4. “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit” (Lk. 23:46).

Jesus closes with the prophetic words of Psalm 31:5, speaking to the Father. We see His complete trust in the Father (John 5:30, etc.). Jesus entered death in the same way He lived each day of His life on earth, offering up His life as the perfect sacrifice and placing Himself into the Father’s hands (Luke 22:42).

Application to us: This is a great prayer! Stephen emulated his Savior when being stoned to death for Christ (Acts 7:51-60). “Commend” means to submit. Personally I find these words, while in prayer, rolling off my lips – submitting afresh, daily, and asking the LORD to take full control.

5. “Woman, behold thy son … Behold thy mother” (Jn. 19:26-27).

Jesus, looking down from the cross, was still filled with the concerns of a son for the earthly needs of his mother. None of his half brothers or sisters were there to care for her, so He gave this task to the apostle John (Mark 6:3). Here we see Christ’s humanity.

Application to us: We must take care of earthly responsibilities according to the counsel of the written Word of our God (Psalms 119; 2 Timothy 3:16-17).

6. “I thirst” (Jn. 19:28)

Jesus refused the initial drink of vinegar, gall, and myrrh offered to alleviate his suffering (Matthew 27:34 and Mark 15:23). But here, several hours later, we see Jesus fulfilling the messianic prophecy found in Psalm 69:21. By saying He was thirsty, Jesus prompted the Roman guards to give Him vinegar, which was customary at a crucifixion, thereby fulfilling the prophecy which showed that everything was happening according to God’s plan.

Application to us: We must endure hardness, bitter sufferings and seasons (Acts 14:22; 2 Timothy 2:3; James 1:2-4, 12, etc.).

7. “It is finished” (Jn. 19:30).

This means “paid in full.” The sin debt for all was fully satisfied in the sacrifice of our LORD Jesus Christ, the ultimate price was paid to satisfy the claims of the Father’s justice to redeem fallen mankind (Isaiah 53:11). He is “the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).

Application to us: Jesus accomplished our salvation single handedly, satisfying the claims of divine justice to redeem fallen mankind. He died to abolish law-keeping for righteousness and so we must “walk by faith and not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7; Romans 10:4; Colossians 2:14-19; Hebrews, etc.) Read Romans 3-5; Galatians.

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“It is Finished”!

“When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.” John 19:30　 What Exactly was “Finished” at the Cross? WHAT Did Jesus Fulfill? What Did Jesus Finish? What did the Son of God Accomplish by Dying for Our Sins on that Cross? Much Divine Truth is Locked Up in This On the cross Jesus declared “It is finished” but what is it that was “finished”? (John 19:30) Let’s peer a bit into this ultimate truth… “It is finished” in John 19:30: “Finished” Strong’s Concordance teleó: to bring to an end, complete, fulfill Original Word: τελέω […]

How We Know the Bible is the only Holy Book on Planet Earth [podcast]

Only God knows the future. Law of probability and the fulfillment of Bible prophecies: Odds of the 332 prophecies of the prophets concerning the coming Messiah, given hundreds of years prior to His arrival coming true are: 8,749,002,899,132,046,697,490,008,908,470,485,461,412,622,723,572,849,745,… 703,082,425,425,639,811,996,797,503,692,894,052,708,092,215,296 to 1 Fact: Only the Almighty could know the future and forthtell it in specific detail, long before it ever happened. THIS is how we know that the Bible is truly the Word of the one true God and that all other so-called “holy books” are frauds. “Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.” […]

The Supremacy of Jesus Christ [podcast]

Do We Have Time to Learn More About the LORD Jesus today, OR, are We Just looking for Yet Another Quick Fix, Self-Serving Feel-Good Message like so many professing Christians today? The modern church is too busy to study Christ Himself because they’re too busy trying to use Him to get what they want. Let that soak in as you remember how long it’s been since you’ve heard a message specifically about Heaven’s King. Most modern “pastors” probably don’t even know what the word Christology means. God created us to know Him and yet, such doesn’t happen without the recipient […]

Abiding

Counting the Cost – Following Jesus to the End of Your Life [podcast]

The Cost of Discipleship

“But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.” Acts 20:24

Those who count the cost refuse to count their own life dear to themselves and this is the only way not to be derailed, to finish our course, enduring to the end.

“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.” Revelation 12:11

Those who balk at and ignore that Jesus says you MUST “endure to the end” to be “saved” into eternal glory, simply do not love Him (Matthew 10:22; 24:13, etc.). Jesus is not worth their life. They were worth His life which He gave for them on the cross, yet the Son of God is not worth giving up their own life in this fleeting world. Counterfeits. These are the frauds who hide behind the eternal security sham.

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

EARTHLY FAMILY DOES NOT COME FIRST – THE LORD DOES

By divine design, there’s an order of priority in the Ten Commandments. Here’s the first of the ten:

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

And the fifth:

“Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.” Exodus 20:12

Honoring God supersedes even the love we have for our husband/wife.

“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 22:37-39

Jesus knew that if we don’t love Him supremely, we will allow other relationships to interfere and circumvent our relationship with Him.

If we don’t hate those other relationships compared to our love for Him, our decisions will be affected, will be to please them and not Him. When we love the LORD supremely, His will takes precedence, priority over all others.

“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.” Luke 14:26

We must love the LORD so much that our love for others is near to being hate in comparison. If we don’t love God supremely, others will without exception, drag us downward and away from Him.

Of this passage in Luke 14, FB Meyer wrote:

“Our love must be greater than the ties of family affection, Luk_14:26; must be greater than our love for our own way, which must be nailed to the Cross, Luk_14:27; must be greater than our love of possessions and property, Luk_14:33. Christ has done more than any other teacher to cement the relationships of human love, but He always asks that they should be subordinated to the claims of God. Oh, for the love that Paul had! See Php_3:8.”

“What a comfort it is to realize that God counted the cost before He set about the task of redemption, whether of a world or of us as individuals. He knew all that it would cost, and surely He did not begin what He cannot complete!”

In Matthew 10, after speaking of the essential of enduring to the end (v22), Jesus gives warning concerning those things most likely to derail and prohibit our enduring to the end in His will.

“And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household. 37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.” Matthew 10:36-37

Of this Adam Clarke wrote:

“He that loveth father or mother more than me – He whom we love the most is he whom we study most to please, and whose will and interests we prefer in all cases. If, in order to please a father or mother who are opposed to vital godliness, we abandon God’s ordinances and followers, we are unworthy of any thing but hell.”

Of Matthew 10:34-42, FB Meyer writes profoundly:

“RECEIVING CHRIST’S REPRESENTATIVES

In Jesus Christ we acquire a new affinity, stronger than that of family ties. When we enter into the family of God we belong to all His children. They are our brethren and sisters in the most intimate sense. See Mat_12:48-50. The new love that floods our nature does not make us less but more tender and sympathetic toward our own kith and kin; but if we are compelled to choose, then we must stand with the children of God, though it should rend us from the old happy family life in which we were nurtured.

As to the closing paragraph, may we not illustrate it thus? When the widow who sustained Elijah at Zarephath entered Paradise, she found herself standing amid the great prophets of Israel. When she asked the attendant angel whether there was not some mistake, he replied, ‘Certainly not. In treating the prophet as you did, you proved yourself to be of the same spirit and temper as he; and it is but right that you should share in the prophet’s reward.’”

To those who are entangled with earthly family, namely unbelievers who are not repenting, it would be spiritually beneficial to get free, to cease your dependence on them and to sever the soul ties and cease basing your emotional well-being on them and how they view you and your decisions. Lay the axe to the root as you denounce false obligation to them. “Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:60). Read Matthew 10.

You are no longer your own. You are bought with the price of Christ’s blood (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). You now and forever are a part, a member of the eternal family of Jesus Christ (Ephesians 3:14-15).

“For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 Of whom the whole FAMILY in heaven and earth is named,” Ephesians 3:14-15

Jesus Addressed the Excuses

Jesus addresses excuses, diversions concerning obeying Him, asserting our highest priority – the LORD, not family. The point becomes even clearer – that we are to be captive to the LORD, our “first love,” supremely, and not family (Revelation 2:4-5).

“And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father (wait till parents die). 60 Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God. 61 And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. 62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:59-62

Jesus further establishes that He is to be supreme in our lives and those who are His – not natural familial bonds. The body of Christ, its members, are our eternal family.

“And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked. 28 But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.” Luke 11:27-28

The harshest of biblical truth is the delicacy, the delight of the true disciple of Jesus. He runs to all of it and never from any of it. He embraces the cross, never evading it. He delights in the sword of the Spirit that cuts to the core and carves the image of Christ into his life – into the fabric, the innermost core of who he is in Christ! Christ and Christ alone is his sole identity and he counts not his own life in this world dear unto himself so that he is able to finish his course with great joy – hearing from His Savior the sweetest of all words “Well done, thou good and faithful servant … enter thou into the joy of thy lord” (Matthew 25:21; Acts 20:24; Romans 8:29; Galatians 2:20; 6:14; 2 Timothy 2:3).

Militancy is essential in our abiding relationship with Christ (Matthew 11:12). Heartfelt love also.

So many today who claim Christ view salvation as something they did in the past and not a present relationship with Christ on His stated terms (John 15; Titus 1:16).

Jesus commands His very own to “endure unto the end” to be “saved,” and unless one becomes deliberate, absolute, militant, he will not make it “unto the end” with Christ (Matthew 10:22; 24:13; Mark 9:43-49; 2 Timothy 2:3, etc.).

“And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them, 26 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. 28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? 29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, 30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. 31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? 32 Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage (a messenger to negotiate peace), and desireth conditions of peace. 33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:25-33

“Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” 2 Timothy 3:5-7

Striving Lawfully – That is, According to the Rules, the Terms

Denouncing the crippling, corrupting comforts of Laodicea. Grasping for the obedient love of Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7-22).

“Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. 5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.” 2 Timothy 2:3-5

May God bless each of His people to “endure hardness” as good soldiers of Jesus Christ (2 Timothy 2:3). Take note that “there is no respect of persons with God” (Romans 2:11). The LORD made His servant Jeremiah obey Him on His terms. God never bends or modifies, bends the rules (2 Timothy 2:5). We must not deceive ourselves and must “strive lawfully” which means according to HIS terms, not our own or any other.

“And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.” 2 Timothy 2:5

“Be Not Weary in Well Doing”

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Galatians 6:9

SATAN tempting you to give up? Who wins if you do? Where shall you turn? Turning away from God means we are without Him in our life and trials, right? The LORD, who is your Potter, has a plan. He will absolutely bring you through the floods of water and fire! (Isaiah 43:1-2; Jeremiah 18:1-6) After saving us, God has to bring us to an end of ourselves and that happens through “much tribulation” (Acts 14:22; 2 Corinthians 4; 12:7-12, etc.). Read 2 Corinthians 4. When Jesus had fed the flesh of the multitudes, they turned and walked away from the Savior. But…

“Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? 68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.” John 6:67-68

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Discipleship | Enduring to the End | Abiding | The Blessing of Suffering

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