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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The Miracle Working Power of God Manifesting in Your Daily Life [podcast]

Death, Burial, Resurrection – You go down and God raises you up, daily. That’s the Gospel re-enacted in your daily life. There’s no other way to walk with, to follow Jesus (Luke 9:23-24). “Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. 11 For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you.” 2 Corinthians 4:10-12 We […]

What to do If You Sin

The Answer to this Question May Shock You “As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.” Psalms 103:12 SO, what sin is it that you committed that is greater than the cleansing power of Christ’s blood? Is it not idolatry of the worship kind to place anything above “the blood of His cross”? “In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: … And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things […]

Can and Will God Use You? [podcast]

Does God Use You Because You Are Special in and of Yourself, Have Never Sinned Since Being Saved (haha), Or Have a Seminary Degree? Can God still use you? If so, why? How? First off, if you are reading these words, you are “desperately wicked” and not wonderful. Jesus is the “Wonderful” One! (Isaiah 9:6-7) “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” Jeremiah 17:9 Memorize Romans 7:18 today! “If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?” Psalms 130:3 In a certain sense, the LORD uses us in spite of, not because of us!!!! “ALL […]

Abiding

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

“All these are the beginning of sorrows.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Evangelism

Here are all the ministry’s shorts (60 sec) videos. Feel free to share and subscribe to the ministry YT channel:

See all shorts videos here on ministry youtube channel.

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

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

Following Christ's Great Commission Command [podcast]

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

The Result of Real Repentance [podcast]

“They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.” Titus 1:16 WE DON’T NEED JUST ANOTHER “CHURCH SERVICE” OR “SERMON,” WE NEED TO REPENT AND WHEN WE REALLY DO, WE WILL OBEY GOD—OTHERWISE WE DIDN’T TRULY REPENT. “In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, 2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. 3 For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way […]

Apostasy

Jesus Promised Judas an Eternal Throne in Heaven but He Chose to go to Hell #shorts [video]

Judas died and went to eternal hell, irrevocably as every lost soul shall experience (Acts 1:25). Judas is the “son of perdition” and “perdition” means damnation (John 17:12).

Here’s all the ministry’s shorts (60 secs) videos. Feel free to share:

See all shorts videos here on ministry youtube channel.

Judas was even sent out with the other apostles to heal the sick, raise the dead, and preach Christ’s Gospel (Matthew 10:1-8). He was real, then backslid and is in hell (Acts 1:16-25).
The Truth about Judas

“And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones (not 11), judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” (Matthew 19:28)

Judas wasn’t kept and Jesus specifically and irrefutably promised him an eternal throne in Heaven – Matthew 19:28. “TWELVE” not eleven~!

At the time of this divinely-given promise, it is more than abundantly clear that Judas was eternally secure, otherwise Christ would have never given this promise to the “twelve” which includes Judas Iscariot (Matthew 19:28). It is only after this that Judas allowed iniquity in his heart and by his own deliberate will fell by his own iniquity (Acts 1:25; Heb. 3:12-15).

“Saying, I (Judas) have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that.” Matthew 27:4

“Eternal security”? Don’t kid yourself. Moral cowards who refuse to take person accountability for their every thought, motive, and deed love this lie. Satan’s first lie – which led to the fall of mankind (Gen 2:17; 3:4).

“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

WHAT ABOUT JUDAS? [podcast]

The Son of Perdition Exposed Dear eternal security adherent: You cannot take one verse or passage and make a conclusion without the whole of Scripture agreeing. Judas was chosen, sent out by Christ to preach Christ’s Gospel, raise the dead, and heal the sick (Matthew 10:1-8), and was promised a throne in Heaven (Matthew 19:28) and died and went to Hell for betraying Jesus (Acts 1:25). He followed Christ and then departed from the Son of God. Jesus says that one can believe and then “fall away” (Luke 8:13). Are you going to call the Son of God a liar? […]

John Calvin Exposed

The Cult of Calvin: Exploding the Diabolical 5-Point Mythology of Calvinism In my personal opinion and from decades of observation, it appears to be evident that those in ministry who teach Calvin’s doctrines were subverted by those who taught them before they ever personally learned God’s Word themselves. They were taught this lie growing up and/or in the seminaries they attended before they had studied unto the LORD and gained a foundation in His Word (2 Tim. 2:15; 3:16-17). Like most false doctrines, Calvinistic teachings have an inoculating effect upon those who have been deceived by this teaching. Beholding John Calvin’s abominable […]

Grace vs Holiness [podcast]

“The horrible travesty we have in America today is Christianity without holiness.” A.W. Tozer Grace and holiness come only from God. The LORD is Holy and He extends salvation by grace to repentant, believing sinners at the moment of conversion. Grave vs Holiness: WHY is one of these two so overwhelmingly overemphasized by today’s pastors and self-appointed “grace teachers,” when the other is prioritized by God as is demonstrated by the number of times it appears in Holy Scripture? Which word appears more times in the Bible?: Grace, or Holiness LET’S DO THE MATH: Comparing Grace and Holiness 170 […]

Articles

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

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

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

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

“IF you love me, keep my commandments” says Jesus (John 14:15)…. IF we don’t know and love Him there’s no use trying to keep His Word…. He’s not speaking of keeping His Word in order to earn His justification but rather as the fruit of knowing Him in a saving relationship….

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

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

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

LOVE is the governing factor:

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

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

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

What the Verses Say

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

How Love and Works Connect

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

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

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

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

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

“His commandment are not grievous”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

One writer notes:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.” Joel 2:13

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Uphold Jesus (audio)

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