Freedom to Grow in His Grace [podcast]

Paula White Exposed [video]

THAT’s My King! Pastor Lockridge [video]

Powerful Prayers from Children-This Will Shake You [video]

The Fear of the LORD is to Hate Evil: Pride, and Arrogancy #shorts [video]

The LORD is Exceedingly Holy and Infinitely Surpasses Finite Mankind

God is perfecting that which concerns His below people!!! (Psalms 138:8; Philippians 2:12-13, etc.)

YOU are a new creature in Christ! You are no longer who you once were!

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;” 2 Corinthians 5:17-18

When we take this following Bible truth seriously, perhaps today, and sever our past identity before and after salvation, reaching forth into Christ and our life with Him, deliverance will arise in our hearts.

“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14

God is going to be working in the hearts and lives of His people till we are home with Him forever (John 15; Philippians 2:12-13; Psalms 138:8).

I love to pray these Bible verses regularly!

His disciples asked Jesus to increase their faith!

“And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.” Luke 17:5

Love it. Jesus did not rebuke them. Did you notice that detail?

Neither did Jesus rebuke John the Baptist for wavering, for lapsing for a moment in his faith (Luke 7:18-23). Our LORD spoke graciously to John the Baptist in his time of weakness.

“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Hebrews 11:6

God is perfect in all His ways. We aren’t and He understands that. He always requires that we seek Him diligently and with faith.

“Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; 16 Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.” 1 Timothy 6:15-16

Sinless perfectionism or expecting someone, anyone to reach the pefection of the law all by themself, which only Christ could do, is heresy.

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. 21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.” Galatians 2:20-21

Preaching holiness without the cross leaves us to make ourselves holy.

“For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Romans 8:2-4

It’s through the power of the Holy Ghost that the abiding saint is divinely enabled to overcome, to live in Christ’s victory.

“For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.” Romans 8:13

Jesus’ solution for sin, His prescription for holiness, is the cross – the crucified life (Luke 9:23-24; 2 Corinthians 4:10-12; Galatians 2:20-21; Colossians 3:3, etc.).

Isn’t it just better to admit when we are wrong, to openly admit we are not sinless perfection but rather utterly, perpetually in need of God’s grace?

“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” Proverbs 28:13

We are definitely to confess and forsake all sin and prayerfully via the daily crucified life to “perfect(ing) holiness” and yet it’s by God’s grace and His Holy Spirit raising us upward in His power that we are enabled to please God (Proverbs 28:13; 2 Corinthians 7:1, etc.). Preaching holiness without the cross – the crucified life – is a complete imbalance that will always lead to hell and foster self-righteousness. Romans 8:13 and Galatians 2:20.

Job 9:20 and Proverbs 20:9 crush sinless perfectionism.

“Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” 2 Corinthians 7:1

The true disciple cannot justify sin (Romans 6:1-2, 15, etc.). Yes Jesus says “be ye therefore perfect” and yet in that context, was He speaking of absolute moral perfection, or maturity? (See Matthew 5:44-48.) Yes, moral perfection is the goal, and holiness is essential (2 Corinthians 7:1; Hebrews 12:14, etc.), and yet the context of which Jesus speaks at the end of Matthew 5 is dealing with possessing a mature perspective, one that loves all men for whom He came and bled.

“Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.” Hebrews 13:9

Perhaps the sooner we acknowledge that He alone is perfection and we are totally in need of His present, Christ-conforming grace, we shall be free to be molded by Him who is our Potter (Jeremiah 18:1-6; Romans 8:29). It’s important to get this out in the open, and perhaps God will be able to do a more natural work in us due to our open admission and surrender.

“For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.” Romans 7:18

I am not a good person, neither are you – “There is none righteous, no, not one“ (Romans 3:10). Admit it. The sooner we become HONEST with that which is more than obvious, announcing freely and transparently – that there is “NOOOO good thing” in us except CHRIST, the sooner God will begin a new, deeper work in us! See Romans 7:18, 24. The Cross!

Paul is speaking of the fact that no good except Christ dwells in him and that there is a constant war to be won by the power of the Holy Spirit and includes our participation in the daily cross – where we resign our will and lives over to Christ (Romans 8:12-14, etc.).

“O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” Romans 7:24

Paul says he was presently a “wretched man” – “O wretched man that I AM (not was; but presently).” And what does that mean? That simply establishes the reason Jesus says we must deny self, be crucified with Him, and take up the cross to truly walk with Him (Luke 9:23-24; Galatians 2:20). There is still the sinful nature in each of us whom He has saved and it must be crucified daily so Christ can reign (Romans 6-7). Paul announced that he had to “KEEP under” (an ongoing task, a personal responsibility) or he would be cast away from or out of God’s presence in the end (1 Corinthians 9:27).

See also Psalms 39:4-5, Proverbs 20:9, Job 9:20, and 1 John 1:6-10.

God is able to establish our hearts in His grace and to multiply His grace to us (Hebrews 13:9; 2 Peter 3:18).

It seems biblical to announce that our LORD alone is perfect and is perfecting that which concerns our life. “The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands” (Psalms 138:8). Praise the LORD that He is working in us “both to will and to do of His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13). No, this is not the notion of our reveling in sin without any responsibility for how we live, but rather the acknowledgement of His finding, saving, and sanctifying our lives as we participate in an honest, abiding, obedient, faith-filled relationship with Him.

“But I simply can’t overcome” is something we hear. Yet, through Christ alone, we’ve been given “Grace (divine enablement) to help in time of need” …

“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16

“But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:57

We have His overwhelming, absolute victory as we abide in Christ. No sin can or will dominate those who live that divinely-prescribed, crucified life so often read about in the pages of the New Testament Scriptures. Read Romans 6 prayerfully – every day this week.

“For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.” Romans 6:14

Tragically, grace is often presented and peddled as a license to live free from all personal responsibility, independent of God. Is that what Scripture teaches about God’s grace? Study closely Jude 3-4 and Titus 2:11-14.

The LORD desires to “multiply” his grace to your life today. Ask Him. Father, we come in Jesus’ Name and ask You to multiply Your grace to Your people today. | Grace

“Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,” 2 Peter 1:2

“But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.” 2 Peter 3:18

Satan seeks to “spy out”, “frustrate”, and rob God’s people of the liberty wherewith they have been made free by Christ (Galatians 2:4-5; 5:1). It is His stated will that each of His children grow in His grace. And part of God growing us in His grace is offering other saints the space to grow in that same saving divine grace. The blessing of showing others that same grace as they grow in His grace. And we pray for them to grow in His grace, in Jesus’ name. Lording it over, brow beating other saints, looking down on them arrogantly, frustrates the grace of God among His people (Galatians 2:21; 5:1). Adding anything to the simple Gospel of Jesus is exactly what the Galatians did and consequently fell from saving grace – so not only did they not grow in grace, they fell from it (Galatians 3:1-3; 5:4). Selah.

“Having No Part Dark” [podcast]

Grounded in Grace

Grace Abounding

Walking in Godly Integrity

Victory Comes Little by Little [podcast]

Abiding

7 Ways to Forgive [podcast]

PRAY

“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;” Matthew 5:44

LOVE AND DO GOOD TO THE OFFENDER

“Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.” Romans 12:9

REFUSE TO SPEAK EVIL OF THE OFFENDER

“Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.” Romans 12:14

RELEASE THEM FROM YOUR PUNISHMENT

“Recompense (repay) to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” Romans 12:17-19

DON’T CELEBRATE THEIR FAILURES

“Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth: 18 Lest the LORD see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.” Proverbs 24:17-18

TREAT THEM THE WAY YOU WANT TO BE TREATED

“And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.” Luke 6:31

STOP DWELLING ON THE PAST

“Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.” Isaiah 43:18

The blessedness of being merciful to others:

“Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.” Matthew 5:7

The only way to prevent holding a grudge, is to simply forgive them – as God freely forgave you through the infinite price Christ paid for your sins on the cross, of which you don’t deserve (Psalms 103:10).

“Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. 8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. 9 Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.” James 5:7-9

“And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:30-32

Being kind and forgiving towards others becomes simple as we look in the mirror and declare with Paul the apostle: “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing.” (Romans 7:18)

“He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.” Psalms 103:10

Forgiveness becomes easy when we look in the mirror to see the person (us, me) who needs God’s mercy more than any other person alive on the earth! Memorize Ephesians 4:32 now. KJB

“For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.” James 1:20

“Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.” Colossians 3:12-14

Forgiveness Quotes

Forgiveness is ultra important to God. If you don’t forgive all others, you are not forgiven of your own sin and are as sure for hell as if you were already there. If you refuse to forgive you damn your own soul, non-negotiably. irrevocably.

“Forgiveness does not mean what happened is okay. It means not letting what happened take any more of your happiness.” Michelle Maros

“There is no love without forgiveness, and there is no forgiveness without love.” Bryant McGill

“Love is an act of endless forgiveness. Forgiveness is me giving up my right to hurt you for hurting me. Forgiveness is the final act of love.” Reinhold Niebuhr

“Holding a grudge doesn’t make you strong; it makes you bitter. Forgiving doesn’t make you weak; it sets you free.” unknown

Forgiveness | Fresh Start with God | Making Peace with God

Support | STORE | Podcasts |

LESS than the Least! Filthy Rags Fellowship! [podcast]

The cross reveals your sin, and God’s love, not how wonderful you are! Repent! FACT: NO ONE, not one person on this earth needs Jesus more than this fool, this pauper who is nothing without Christ! (Romans 7:18; Ephesians 3:8; 1 Timothy 1:15) Jesus died, was buried, and raised again from the dead to forgive, regenerate, redeem, and grant complete victory in this life to every one of His people. Yet, we must do things God’s way and no other way. JESUS JUDGED SIN ON THE CROSS SO WE DON’T HAVE TO BE JUDGED FOR OUR SIN AND SO WE […]

Stone Cold Truths about Mercy, Judgment, and Forgiveness [podcast]

HOW did God say He is known? – “by the judgment which he executeth.” Get ready! (Read 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10; Revelation 19:11-16.) “The Lord is known by the judgment which he executeth: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah.” Psalms 9:16 “By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.” Proverbs 16:6 So let me get this straight…. you don’t mind that God forgave you, sinner, but now you want to control who else He chooses to forgive and have mercy on? Repent now you vile hypocrite! The flames of […]

Abiding

Christ’s Non-Negotiable Original Gospel Imperative [podcast]

“He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.” Matthew 12:30

It’s one thing to claim we are with Christ and He with us, and it’s another thing to prove we are with the Savior by adhering to His words. Jesus told us that those who are “of God” hear and obey His words (John 8:47).

If one chooses not to love Jesus enough to obey His stated terms, such a man has rejected the Son of God for the love of sinful self and will perish in his own corruption (Matthew 22:37-40; Luke 9:23-24; 14:33; 17:33; John 14:15; 1 John 2:3-6, etc.).

“Repentance is to TAKE SIDES with God against yourself. It is a CHANGE of attitude toward SELF, toward SIN, toward GOD, toward CHRIST that is so REAL that it RESULTS in a changed life. It is raising the WHITE FLAG in SURRENDER to God and turning to Christ as your only LORD and Savior. Repentance is NOT a work … works are the fruit of repentance (Ephesians 2:8-10).” Trent Austin

Only the counterfeit will get upset at this Gospel message because such a rebel wants nothing to do with taking personal responsibility for his sin, the denial of self, the crucified life to be set apart, holy, and having the Savior reign!

Notice how Jesus knits the denial of self, the daily cross, the putting off the deeds of the body, of keeping under the body (the iniquitous fallen nature) with the destiny of the eternal soul.

“And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. 25 For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?” Luke 9:23-25

Jesus made it clear here that the cross is an original Gospel essential, an absolute imperative to eternal glory with Him!

Each of us proves exactly who we love the most by the way we are living! – God or self!

Everything that is happening in your life now is being allowed by God in order to get you down low into the death and burial with Christ. Read 2 Corinthians 4.

“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. 8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; 10 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 4:7-12

What Did Paul Mean by "I Keep Under My Body"? [podcast]

In spite of all the evil that is me, dear LORD You have been so gracious (Genesis 6:5, 12; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 7; Titus 3:5-7). Thank You Jesus. Please bless this life to be crucified with Thee! If OSAS/eternal security is true, WHY did Paul say he himself that he could be “castaway” from God in the end if he didn’t endure to the end, perpetually keep under his body (the cross life)? “But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a […]

A Living Sacrifice unto God [podcast]

The burnt offering means a complete consumption. What did God illustrate to us when He required His people under the Old Covenant to offer burnt offering sacrifices? His coming Messiah’s perfect sacrifice for the sins of mankind. The ordained way He requires that His people serve Him. Jesus was the ultimate burnt offering. He gave all of Himself freely in obedience to His Father and to redeem mankind. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” Romans 12:1 In His […]

Articles

The Book of Proverbs Alexander Scourby [video]

The Blessings of Bible Reading [podcast]

“Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.” Revelation 1:3 The quickest and surest way to get blessed is to simply read God’s Word. This is so simple that most miss it. Bible reading is the key to learning the things of God (Prov. 22:17-22). Bible Study is paramount to spiritual growth (1 Pet. 2:2). Reading God’s Word etches the image of Christ upon the canvass of the heart (Lk 24:27; Jn 5:39, 46). Bible reading instills the fear of the […]

The Book of 2 Peter Narrated [podcast]

Chapter 1 Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ: 2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, 3 according as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 4 whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that […]