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“Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.” Romans 14:4

IN their early days, it was pride in the disciples that caused them to question and seek to get Jesus to shut down other ministries. They were judging another man’s servant as Paul puts it (Romans 14:4). Jesus replied and shut them down by forbidding sectarianism. Watch this:

“And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us. 50 And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us.” Luke 9:49-50

Jesus’ disciples here sought to shut down others doing what Christ apparently saw as legitimate ministry.

Do we not become the enemy of Christ if we stand in the way of His work, His workers?

The LORD grants us discernment to “know” (discern) who His body is and who isn’t a true disciple – “by their fruits.” (Matthew 7:16, 20)

Let us give God thanks for each and every member of Jesus’ body today and the work He’s called them to do! (1 Corinthians 12)

Flash Point: Other people doing ministry aren’t illegitimate because they don’t follow your exact pattern or gather with your group. Let’s humble ourselves in repentance and God will give us a kingdom perspective saints.

Jesus commanded the members of His body to …

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

Especially in our day, where Daniels’ prophecy of exponentially increased technology is playing out, there are many ways to communicate God’s Word to people (Daniel 12:3-4). Which one of those many communication mediums is it evil to use in communicating God’s Word? None! In fact, ministries which also use the internet, in addition to local ministry, reach exponentially more saints and sinners with God’s Word.

“The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it.” Psalms 68:11

Examples of Judging another man’s Servant

At times we’ve had folks balk that we “sell books” as if every author and every worker on the planet is worthy of his hire except those who do the most important and only eternal work of the Gospel. SMH. For the record, the ministry makes no money on the sale of books. Most of that small amount of money goes toward sending books into prisons! Every time a book is ordered through the ministry website, we have to pay the publisher (amazon) for that book(s) and the shipping to send it to the person who ordered it.

Because this outreach ministry is quite visible on the web, some may not realize that reaching the world via the web is but one phase of the outreach. Evangelism, feeding and clothing the poor, and engaging other pastors and saints in biblical discussion is also ongoing daily. Check out the Because You Care page here for a taste of other ministry operations that a transpiring.

Wouldn’t it be a kingdom-minded perspective to flood the marketplace of books with Scripture-rich books? Does amazon and other booksellers need more secular or more biblical based books for people to choose from?

Over the years we’ve received a couple of fiery emails about just giving the books away. Yet you can’t give away books when the publisher charges for each copy! Books on amazon have to be bought.

The Scripture-rich books we offer is ALL done to reach people with God’s Word in every possible place.

Laugh of the day … is when people say we’re in this for the money. If you only knew how under-supported the outreach is, you’d laugh too!

Saints, if the LORD is choosing to use us, we must not become pride-filled and act as if we are greater than any other disciple. If we do, we will be prone to wrongly judge other believers which is sin. We should be praying that all other of Christ’s saints will be used MORE than Jesus uses us! (Philippians 2:3-5)

Just because your Gospel ministering happens in a physical building on Sunday mornings, doesn’t mean it is illegitimate nor does it mean the ministering of others is not just as important. The day of the week nor the communication medium and physical location do not determine the divine legitimacy of ministering. Did Jesus and His holy apostles minister out of or in a “church building” or did they go to the people? Didn’t Jesus command us to “GO”? (Mark 16:15)

Perhaps some need a fresh, attentive, sobering read of the books of the Gospels and the book of Acts. Note: Not 1 dime was collected for a physical “church building.” Such came around later with the great apostasy.

It is pride and high-minded arrogance to vainly believe that our ministry work is more significant than that of other members of Christ’s body. Pride is evil. Pride never emanates from the crucified vessel.

“For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.” 2 Corinthians 10:12

God alone saves and places the members of His body where He chooses to use them. Jesus bled to redeem each member of His body and He’s in charge of what He prepares and leads them to do, not man.

“But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.” 1 Corinthians 12:18

We are “one body in Christ” saints. Let us lift up, edify, and pray for the greatest fruitfulness in each member and rejoice when God blesses others!

“That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. 26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. 27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. 28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.” 1 Corinthians 12:25-28

“Would God that all the LORD’S people were prophets, and that the LORD would put his spirit upon them!”

Let us hear Moses today. Moses wished all of God’s people were doing ministry! In this passage, we see how a young man ran and warned Moses of others doing ministry among God’s people. What was the response of Moses?

“But there remained two of the men in the camp, the name of the one was Eldad, and the name of the other Medad: and the spirit rested upon them; and they were of them that were written, but went not out unto the tabernacle: and they prophesied in the camp. 27 And there ran a young man, and told Moses, and said, Eldad and Medad do prophesy in the camp. 28 And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of Moses, one of his young men, answered and said, My lord Moses, forbid them. 29 And Moses said unto him, Enviest thou for my sake? would God that all the LORD’S people were prophets, and that the LORD would put his spirit upon them!” Numbers 11:26-29

Like Moses, the godly today desire to see God anoint and use each and every one of His people mightily! They rejoice at such! They rejoice that Christ is glorified in the hearts of men through the ministry of the Word and Spirit of God – regardless of the vessel used! (1 Corinthians 12)

It doesn’t so much matter WHO is preaching the Word. No, it matters most that the Word of God be preached!

Are you threatened by the ministry of others? What in us might still need to be crucified?

It’s the blessed crucifying cross that makes us free from the bonds of self and puts to death all self-glory and wrong judgment of others! Christ alone is LORD and worthy of all glory! (1 Corinthians 1:29-2:5)

“And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us. 50 And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us.” Luke 9:49-50 

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Articles

Somebody Prayed Teddy Swims [video]

Nearly broke down in tears when this one came on while I was in the gym. … Try not to cry listening to this one…. God has been so very good to us! Jesus saves.

Never stop praying for your friends and loved ones.

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Articles

WHY IS THE KING JAMES VERSION CALLED THE “AUTHORIZED VERSION”?

Excerpt from “Answers To Your Bible Version Questions”

Question: Why is the King James Bible called the “Authorized Version”? How did King James Authorize it?

Answer: Despite stories to the contrary, King James, in no uncertain terms, clearly authorized the translation of the Bible that now bears his name.

[Note: This is a drastically shortened account of the birth of God’s preserved words in English. Longer accounts are available, as in Final Authority: A Christian’s Guide to the King James Bible, by William P. Grady.]

Sanctioning the Authorized Version

When Elizabeth died on April 1, 1603, she had seen 130 editions of the New Testament and the Bible published during her 45 years as Queen of England. James VI of Scotland, son of Mary, “Queen of Scots,” became James I of England.

Four days later, on his way to London, a delegation of Puritan ministers met James, asking him to hear their grievances against the Church of England. James consented, and on January of 1604, four Puritans came to express their troubles at Hampton Court, in front of King James and over 50 Anglican (Church of England) officials. One by one each request was rejected, until the Puritan group’s leader, John Rainolds said these famous words:

“May your Majesty be pleased to direct that the Bible be now translated, [since] such versions as are extant [are] not answering to the original.”

At first, Bishop Bancroft of London was dead-set against it, saying, “If every man’s humor might be followed, there would be no end to translating.” But the King made it clear he liked the idea. Not too long later Bancroft wrote this to a friend:

I move you in his majesty’s name that, … no time may be overstepped by you for the better furtherance of this holy work…. You will scarcely conceive how earnest his majesty is to have this work begun!

When this Bible was translated, the title page was printed basically as you find it today in Cambridge Bibles:

THE
HOLY BIBLE
CONTAINING THE
OLD AND NEW TESTAMENTS
TRANSLATED OUT OF THE ORIGINAL TONGUES:
AND WITH THE FORMER TRANSLATIONS
DILIGENTLY COMPARED AND REVISED
BY HIS MAJESTY’S SPECIAL COMMAND
 

APPOINTED TO BE READ IN CHURCHES

The King James Bible was “Authorized” to be translated as God’s Word for the English-speaking people of the world. God bless you as you study His authorized and preserved words in English, the King James Bible.

Bible Versions Issue 

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Abiding

The Imperative of Private Prayer [podcast]


We must be aware of our prayers we throw up while they have no congruence with our personal life – when they are shot gun prayers void of the foundation of private prayer, private praying, and holy living.

Private prayer with God is an essential to set your life up for success.

“But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.” Matthew 6:6

Private prayer is essential to the disciple. Jesus reveals here that those who seek His face in prayer privately, will be used of Him publicly!

Are you at Christ’s feet? Do you live a life of prayer? Have you ever studied the life of Christ and beheld the many instances of His prayer life?

“And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.” Mark 1:35

“Solitary” simply means uninhabited.

If we want to assess our true spiritual state with God, we need only look to our prayer life or lack thereof. Show me a man’s prayer life, and I will show you who that man is! When God is truly first in a person’s life, all else will be demoted in importance!

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

Backsliding begins with neglect of our relationship, our prayer life, our life of prayer with our LORD and Savior.

“Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:41

I will either pray my way into glory, or I will not be there. Matthew 26:41

“Hebrews 10:22 “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.” This is how we are to come to God in prayer and fellowship. With a true, (honest) heart. That has been washed in the pure blood of Jesus! Confessing our sins so our conscience is clear. And we are cleansed from the filthiness of the flesh. Then we can come boldly before the throne of grace! Hebrews 4:16.” Karen Cochran

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I return to You now. Please forgive my sin of prayerlessness. Break me LORD. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Moments with Our Master [book] 365 Day Devotional book available at safeguardyoursoul.com/store and amazon. English and Spanish.

See what others are saying about this devotional book.

Support | STORE | Podcasts | Jail/Prison MinistryMexico Mission here | All Ministry Updates | Because You Care Page | The Greatest of these is CharityBe Ready in the Morning [podcast]The Sure Mercies of David [podcast]That Repentance and Remission of Sins should be Preached [podcast]At His Feet | Prepared to be Used of God Walking with Jesus on His Stated Terms – the Cross | Fasting and PrayerThe Old Man Must be Put Down [podcast]The 5 Sins That Keep God’s People Out of Their Promised Land [podcast]What Did Paul Mean by “I Keep Under My Body”? [podcast]“Jesus the Author and Finisher of our Faith” [podcast]A Living Sacrifice unto God [podcast]Departing from Hell BeneathPrayer

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