Abiding

“Give us this DAY, our DAILY bread” [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]

“Man what a great podcast – Daily Bread. I agree with you based off Scripture 100%.” Will | Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread

QUESTION ASKED:

“Please provide scripture to support your statement that ‘if you aren’t in the word daily you are backslidden and not ready to meet Jesus’?”

I am a follower of Christ and have extensively studied the Word. Please provide specific scripture that says if you don’t read the Bible every day you are backslidden and not ready to meet Jesus.”

REPLY:

The word “daily” appears 7 times in the Gospels directly spoken by or speaking of our LORD Jesus. “Daily” is found 63 times in God’s Word.

You are fooling no one except yourself to say that seeking, walking with God isn’t “daily.” And, that seeking the LORD doesn’t integrally involve reading, pouring prayerfully over, searching, studying, meditating up, and memorizing His Word.

Does God’s Word save us? Are we saved by God’s Word?

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

“18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. … 21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. 22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.” James 1:18, 22-25

The mere act of being in God’s Word daily, in and of itself, doesn’t save us and yet, being daily in His Word proves we, who are born again, are remaining in Christ – continuing in “the perfect law of liberty” – both in reading and doing it (James 1:22). The abiding disciple is continuing in the words of Christ – seeking, desiring, worshipping, and obeying Him. Our obedience to God is our expression of love to Him – that is, if we truly love Him (John 14:15).

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalms 119:105). How often does the disciple, the wise virgin believer need his path lit? Weekly? Monthly? Daily?

Do you seriously believe that the 5 wise virgins who made it into the eternal bridal chamber, who endured to the end of their espousal period, casually got around to keeping their vessels full? Or, did they fervently, worshipfully, daily, diligently, obediently, and vigilantly keep their lamps, their lives, under the spout where the glory comes out? Have you read that parable of the 10 virgins recently? (Matthew 25:1-13)

The feeding of Christ’s flock would integrally involve exhorting them to diligently study and walk in God’s Word themselves, daily (John 21:15-17). Isn’t this exactly what the apostle Paul told Timothy to do? Yes. He told his understudy to “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).

One of the ways we know who the false ministers are, is that they want people dependent on THEM, not God. So, they don’t constantly exhort the people to get into God’s Word, the Holy Scriptures, for themselves. Run.

3 Daily Essential Basics for Every Believer

1. Daily Bible study (Job 23:12; Jer 15:16; 1 Pet 2:2)
2. Daily life of prayer (1 Thess 5:17)
3. Daily fellowship with other true believers (Acts 2:42-47; Heb 3:13; 10:25)

How does divine light enter into, get into the hearts and minds of God’s people? – “The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple” (Psalms 119:130). The light of the LORD enters our hearts and minds as the words of God enter our eye gates, minds, hearts. How often do we need God’s light in our darkened hearts, in this dark, fallen world? Every once in a while? When we get around to it? Or, daily, at all times, perpetually?

“Mine eye mourneth by reason of affliction: LORD, I have called DAILY upon thee, I have stretched out my hands unto thee.” Psalms 88:9

Was David, the very one the LORD said was “a man after mine own heart,” a man who sought God, who tended to his relationship with the LORD seriously, was consumed in his love for God? Or, does that convey that David casually attended to the LORD?

What timeframe is the psalmist speaking of when he writes the following? The psalmist, David, the man after the heart of God, wrote: “Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice”? Daily (Psalms 55:17).

3 times daily …

Beloved David is the only man we find in the record of Holy Writ whom the LORD said is “a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will” (Acts 13:22). As we just read, David sought God daily – “Evening, and morning, and at noon.”

It is a fact that each and every person reading these words serves self daily. So, if we serve self DAILY and yet aren’t seeking the face of the LORD daily, what does that reveal? Does that reveal that Jesus is our “first love” or a mere hobby? See Revelation 2:4-5.

The counsel of God is the very “thoughts of his heart” and are recorded in the Bible, His Word.

“The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.” Psalms 33:11

God is not available to the casual seeker (Jeremiah 29:11-14).

“This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein DAY and NIGHT, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.” Joshua 1:8

“Day and night” is clearly referring to each and every DAY – and not only in the day but also in the night, God’s Word is to rule in our lives!

In Psalm 1, we see the contrast between the righteous and the ungodly:

“But his (the righteous man) delight is in the law (Word) of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. … the ungodly are not so…” Psalms 1:2, 4

Jesus says to those He has saved that we must “abide” (continue, remain) in and with Him to the end or be cast into the fire (John 15:6). Would you like to explain how that’s possible without the divine fuel of God’s Word?

God’s Word gloriously gets into us – as we get into it, daily. Make the beautiful, quality decision today, right now, that from tomorrow morning forward, you will awake to seek the LORD your God, to get into His holy Word, to give Him thanks for all He’s done and doing, and quality moments in prayer communion.

“It is written, Man shall not live (have life with God) by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:4

The LORD expects each of those He saves, to remain “nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine”…

“If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.” 1 Timothy 4:6

Again, a statement I’ve often made is “Any person who was saved in the past and yet isn’t presently in God’s Word daily, is already backslidden.”

It’s interesting that the people who occasionally balk at such a statement, seem to prove they are in darkness and defending their own rebellion, instead of hearkening to the truth in repentance. Anyone who can get up daily and feed their face natural food, fill their mind with the world’s news, etc., and not desire and devour God’s Word, is clearly lukewarm at best, and ready to be spued (rejected) from Christ’s body as He promised to do (Revelation 3:15-16).

If a person who was saved by Christ doesn’t follow Him on HIS stated terms – they are backslidden, period.

Did Jesus say His true disciples follow Him and receive His bread (Word) weekly, monthly, or daily? See Matthew 6:11; Luke 9:23-24. Any person not walking with Jesus on HIS terms, is backslidden. And Christ’s stated terms include “daily.”

Jesus says His people are to pray “Give us this day, our DAILY bread” (Matthew 6:11). How do you suppose that spiritual “bread” is received, ingested, other than by reading God’s Word? Jesus quantified following Him as being “daily” (Luke 9:23-24). Anyone not following Jesus “daily” is not following Jesus.

“Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.” Job 23:12

How is God’s Word going to get into me if I am not getting into it?

“As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:” 1 Peter 2:2

How is the believer going to “grow” if he’s not desiring and devouring God’s Word? He’s not. In fact, he’s going to grow weary, weak, and faint.

Growing in the grace of Christ comes from desiring and ingesting His words. Anyone not growing in Christ is and has fallen away.

BE NOT DECEIVED: YOU CANNOT SUSTAIN A LIFE WITH CHRIST WITHOUT DAILY FELLOWSHIP WITH HIM!

YOU MUST “DESIRE THE SINCERE MILK OF THE WORD” AND FEED YOUR SPIRIT THE WORD OF GOD DAILY OR YOU WILL GROW WEAK VERY QUICKLY AND FALL AWAY (1 PETER 2:2). JESUS CALLS US TO BE “NOURISHED UP IN THE WORDS OF ETERNAL LIFE” (1 TIMOTHY 4:6).

“Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.” 1 Chronicles 16:11

By definition, seeking “continually” would definitely be “daily”, and not casually as if He, the Son of God, were a mere hobby and not our “first love” (Revelation 2:4-5).

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

“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.” Matthew 22:37

Is it not more than obvious that we love self more than we love Christ when we tend to self, and serve self daily and not the Savior?

What does this say for the person who can do many things daily but chooses not to seek God daily? He eats food and drinks drink daily, right? Why? Because they are important to Him. What people do DAILY is what they count to be important.

The reason we eat physical food daily is because we count it important to nourish our physical body, right? Well, do you count feeding our spirit (which is eternal) daily? If not, why? – because we don’t count our spiritual life with Christ important which means He is not our “first love” and also that we are lukewarm (Revelation 2:4-5; 3:15-16).

Daniel sought and served God “continually” and not casually (Daniel 6:16, 20). By this example we know that this godly man truly knew, loved, worshipped, and obeyed the LORD. The LORD was not a second class citizen in his life but rather his “first love.”

“Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.” Daniel 6:10

Beloved Daniel, in the face of the threat of his very life, sought God “continually,” as “he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God.” Oh, and notice it says “as he did aforetime” which means that Daniel, in peace time, before the present threat he faced, always sought the LORD. Simply put, Daniel, like every other true disciple of Christ, puts God “first” and not self.

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

When a man loves a woman, does he think about and communicate with her weekly, monthly, or daily? Does he want to hear her voice once in a while or daily? The answers to these questions are more than obvious.

If I am not into God’s Word, how can God’s Word possibly be getting into me?

“Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.” John 15:3

When God is speaking to His obedient disciple, through the ingestion of His words, there is a continual cleansing “with the washing of water by the word” (Ephesians 5:26). This is not happening unless one is truly continuing with Christ via His Word. Each and every abiding disciple of Jesus relishes, diligently devours, and lives by His words (John 8:31-32).

“Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” John 17:17

Christ makes it clear here that sanctification occurs in every abiding disciple of Jesus “through thy truth” which is His Word. In the divine economy, the truth and the Word are synonymous.

“Continual Feast”

“All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.” Proverbs 15:15

According to Proverbs 15:15, let us ask: How is any follower of Jesus ever going to have a heart filled, full of His perpetual divine joy if that disciple isn’t filling His heart and mind with God’s Word daily? Not going to happen. Get into God’s Word and stay in it – every day with no exception – wake to seek His holy face each morning. Live by truth and never feeling. You are crucified with Christ (Galatians 2:20).

“Searched the Scriptures DAILY”

“And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures DAILY, whether those things were so.” Acts 17:10-11

Those who truly serve the LORD don’t casually get around to reading His Word. Instead, true followers of Christ deliberately put Him “first” (Matthew 6:33). He is their “first love” and not second or a hobby (Revelation 2:4-5).

Proverbs 4

“1 Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.
2 For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law.
3 For I was my father’s son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother.
4 He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live.
5 Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.
Pro 4:6 Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee.
7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.
8 Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her.
9 She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.
10 Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many.
11 I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths.
12 When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.
13 Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life.
14 Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.
15 Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.
16 For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall.
17 For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.
18 But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
19 The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.
20 My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.
21 Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.
22 For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.
23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”

Grace and Truth Bible School (free upon request)

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Abiding

How do We Know Who is “of God” and Who is “Not of God”? [podcast]

Scripture vs Subjectivity/Human Reasoning

“Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” Colossians 2:8

There are many people pretending to be representing Christ. Many pretend to speak for God but how do we know who is truly “of God” and who is “not of God”? Jesus gave us the answer to this important question because He desires His people to be protected by proper discernment. He has warned us repeatedly to “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know (discern) them by their fruits. … And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many” (Matthew 7:15-16, 24:11).

Jesus says to use that we shall “know” (discern) others “by their fruits.” (Matthew 7:16, 20)

“You’re taking things out of context” is what unrepentant heretics throw at you when you state the Word. And they say “rightly divide the word of truth,” using it out of context for their own self-serving agenda because they don’t like what the plain truth of God states in His written Word. They are clearly “not of God” according to Christ who also said “by their fruits” we are to “know” (discern) others (Matthew 7:16, 20).

Here’s the clear proof that most of the “church” is not Christ’s church, not His people at all. They falsely claim to be, as did the Jews of Jesus’ day. Memorize John 8:47 – who is “of God” and who is “NOT of God.”

“He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.” John 8:47

Simply put: We know who is truly “of God” and who is “NOT of God” by how they treat God’s Word.

True Heaven bound disciples of Jesus follow God according to the Bible (Psalms 119:105). All others follow a false god they concocted in their own deceived imagination (John 8:47).

One of the examples in this late hour of those who pose a threat to believers is the New Apostolic Reformation movement which has produced and sent forth an army of false prophets. Their false insinuations and claims include that their prophetic words, visions, apostles, prophets, and prophecies are equal to the divine authority of Holy Scripture. More on the New Apostolic Reformation Cult and its false teachings and false prophets is here.

When you or I or any other mere human claims to be hearing from the Holy Spirit, such is purely subjective and must be tested against the Holy Scriptures (1 Corinthians 2:13; 1 John 4:1, etc.). THAT’s WHY we have the written Word – to protect us from being misled from the “MANY false prophets” who are deceiving “MANY” as Jesus forewarned would be the case (Matthew 24:11). Final divine authority is the written Word, not some mere sinful man or woman posing as God’s voice.

The LORD gave us His Word in order that we could know Him who is “the truth” and not be “led away (from God) with the error of the wicked” by following “cunningly devised fables” (John 14:6; 2 Peter 1:16; 3:17).

2 Peter 1:16-21

16 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.

17 For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

18 And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.

19 We have also a MORE SURE WORD of prophecy (the written Word); whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:

20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.

21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

The Word of God is sure and steadfast as is its Author who is eternally perfect and unchanging in His divine nature. Our faith is not based on mere fables or stories, but rather on the Word of the very One who created and sustains all life in His vast Universe (Colossians 1:16-17).

“The apostasy is here. Everyone is a Christian until it gets biblical.” F.

You wanna know who is really “of God” and who is “NOT of God”? John 8:47 – memory truth.

“He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.” John 8:47

Every person who is “of God” has their conscience captive to His Word. Any person who is casual about God’s Word instead of fervently attentive, is “not of God.” When the true follower of Jesus hears Scripture, they hearken, are comforted, corrected, edified, etc. They love God and therefore change to conform to the Word. His words are the highest authority of their lives.

Is God’s Word your final authority or not?

IF God’s WRITTEN Word is not the final authority of your personal life, we have nothing in common – you are not saved. Jesus says you are “NOT of God” (John 8:47).

LOTS of biblically-illiterate guys hanging out on social media arguing using subjectivity, lies, and false notions when they should be diligently studying and speaking only the Word. The problem is not only “lack of knowledge” but also the pride that underlies their refusal to be teachable (Hosea 4:6).

The godly man will own the truth – he will surrender and allow it to own him – even when it is correcting him (Proverbs 1:5; 15:32; Romans 3:4; 2 Timothy 3:16-17, etc.).

IF you refuse to allow God’s Word to correct you, you are “not of God” (John 8:47).

The righteous declare with Christ’s apostle Paul to “Let God be true and EVERY man a liar” (Romans 3:4).

IF you don’t love God enough to voraciously study His Word, you do not love Him!

“Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.” Job 23:12

We know who is truly “of God” by their resolved, unwavering love for God’s Word.

Those who preach the Word of God continue sending a whole slew of ungodly men packing! These ungodly men who vainly believe they are of God, prove their rebellion by their refusal to be corrected by God’s Word (Romans 3:4; Matthew 7:6; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Titus 3:10-11; 2 John 7-11).

“And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Timothy 3:15-17

IF it is discovered that God’s written Word is not your absolute final divine authority, you will be rebuked and sent packing if you don’t repent. You are “NOT of God” (John 8:47). Time to clean house! Time to flip the tables of the hypocrites.

The only way to be rooted and grounded in Christ is to be an ardent student of His Word. There are no shortcuts and all who are not rich in His Word will be misled for not loving Jesus enough to prayerfully, daily pour over, learn, apply, and walk in His Word.

“As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: 7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. 8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. 9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:” Colossians 2:6-10

We are “complete in Christ” and Christ is revealed to us in His Word (John 5:39-40, etc.).

IF you are living by human reasoning instead of strictly by God’s written Word, you are a lost soul in need of repentance. Repent now and when you do, the proof will be that God’s Word will become the authority of your life (John 8:47). Those who truly repent are in Christ and live by His Word and nothing else.

There are so very many people today acting like they know Jesus while His Word is not the final divine authority of their lives – which clearly proves they have either never repented or have since backslidden and are lost!

“Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12

Satan is able to master the lives of those who “received not the love of the truth. … for this cause God shall send them strong delusion.”

Not getting into God’s Word will cost us everything. Those who do not love God’s Word, clearly prove they do not love Him.

“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

Many modern “pastors” are little more than those who entertain goats/counterfeits and we know this because they are not fervent but rather casual about the Holy Scriptures and most of them use fake “bibles.”

“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” 2 Timothy 4:2-4

Jesus told Peter to feed his sheep (John 21:15-17). Christ never instructed Peter or anyone else to merely hold church services. Of course believers are to gather and yet, when we gather, what’s most important is feasting on God’s word (Nehemiah 8:8; Acts 2:42, etc.). Instead though, today most gatherings called “church” are little more than an hour of empty entertainment, void of the fear, the holiness, and the Word of God.

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly (abundantly) in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” Colossians 3:16

Hireling wolves aren’t getting people into the Word for themselves because they want people to need, to depend upon THEM instead of God so they can build their own brand, church, club! They are using people, building a busine$$ on the gullibility of their prey! (John 21:15-17; 2 Timothy 2:15; 4:2-4; 1 Peter 4:11).

Sink or swim! Get into God’s Word daily for yourself and stop trusting entirely on your Sunday morning gathering – which if you attend such, should be just one of many times you are fellowshiping with God and His people in a week’s time frame and not an end in itself -which inevitably it becomes!

After Pentecost, the birth of the New Testament church, the earliest believers are seen in temples (Jewish church buildings) for a time. They are also seen fellowshiping “house to house.”

“And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine (the Word) and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. 44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. 46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, 47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” Acts 2:42-47

Jesus told Peter to “feed my sheep” (John 21:15-17). Perhaps more like “Go feed them” as Jesus and His apostle did. They went to the people (Matthew 9:35-38; Acts 1:8; 8:4; 10:38, etc.), and not “Go get them to come to you for their weekly entertainment and so you can fleece them with your church membership program and system you’ve set up to catch unsuspecting souls.” Gathering together is God’s will and yet, being corralled to be preyed upon is something about which we see warnings throughout God’s Word.

Corralling and entrapping unsuspecting souls is one of the schemes, devices used by beguilers. In my opinion, this is what the apostate modern church world has become – a baited trap, a stage performed on by pied pipers who use music, bands, and story-telling to seek to capture, to ensnare souls.

“For among my people are found wicked men: they lay wait, as he that setteth snares; they set a trap, they catch men. 27 As a cage is full of birds, so are their houses full of deceit: therefore they are become great, and waxen rich.” Jeremiah 5:27-28

Those who allow themselves to become indoctrinated and ensnared in this system become “twofold more the child of hell” and continue this campaign of evil for generations (Matthew 23:15).

“And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. 3 For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. 4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.” Revelation 18:2-4

PRAYER: Holy Father in Heaven, I come to You now solely on the basis of Christ’s perfect sacrifice for my sins. Please forgive my sin of self-idolatry and spiritual adultery where I have not put You first but had other false gods before You. In this very instant, right now, I repent. I turn back to You dear Jesus and ask You to wash my sins afresh in Your precious blood. I love You LORD Jesus and from this moment forward, I am relishing, worshiping, loving, obeying, and seeking Your holy face relentlessly. Please fill me afresh with Your Holy Spirit and use me dear LORD. Also, please give me the deep desire for more of You and for a photographic memory of Your words. In Jesus’ name, amen.

The Word of God

Beware of the Scripture Twisting Jezebels [podcast]

The name Jezebel is spelled in Hebrew as “LYZEBEL” and it means “Baal exalts, un-husbanded one, without cohabitation and unchaste.” This spirit hates authority, despises correction, hates being subjected to authority and loves attention. Some today attempt to use the following passage to justify women being elders, overseers in the body of Christ. “And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: 18 And on […]

Doctrine, Correction, Reproof, Instruction in Righteousness [podcast]

Doctrine, Correction, Reproof, Instruction in Righteousness 2 Timothy 2:15; 3:15-17 ARE you learning sound “doctrine”? Are you being corrected by the LORD? Are you being reproved by Jesus? Are you being instructed in Christ’s “righteousness”? RED FLAG: You attend a “church” and yet aren’t searching, diligently and daily digging into, devouring, and memorizing God’s Word daily. Backslidden! Under the bless-ed weight of the true original Gospel, men are convicted, broken, and crushed to repentance! (Matthew 21:44; 1 Corinthians 1:18; 2:4; 2 Corinthians 4:20; James 4:8-10, etc.) WHEN a minister’s message is all about encouragement, prosperity in this fleeting life, […]

Why Did God Give Us His Word? [podcast]

The 4 Pillar Purposes for the Holy Scriptures There are 4 reasons detailed in 2 Timothy 3:16 for the Holy Scriptures being given to us by God. Under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, the apostle Paul wrote: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” 2 Timothy 3:16 According to this verse, the Bible, God’s very Word, has been given to the people of God for 4 reasons: Doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness. Let us take a brief look at these 4 reasons for […]

Abiding

The Blessing of Being Born of God, Born Again [podcast]

QUESTION:

“What does it mean to be ‘born again’?”

REPLY:

Great question. I am praying for you now. Born again is the same as regeneration we see in Titus 3:5-7. When the sinner (ALL of us) comes to God humbly, in repentance, turning his life to the LORD, and putting all of his faith now in Jesus Christ alone, God does a miracle in the person’s life—a change on the inside that is unmistakable and transforms that persons nature and life forever. From that moment onward, Christ reigns in that person’s life, filling him with love, joy, peace, etc. (Galatians 5:22-23). The LORD works from the inside out. First He saves, washes our sins away, and then dwells in that newly saved, born again temple (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

To be born again you have to go to God directly…. admitting you have sinned against Him, and receive Jesus into your life. It has to be personal. Religions are designed to keep you from God while claiming to be the way to God. Beware.

“Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3

“Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again (2nd birth).” John 3:7

“The birth for which Christ contends is from above—by the agency of the Holy Spirit. Every man must have two births, one from heaven, the other from earth—one of his body, the other of his soul: without the first he cannot see nor enjoy this world, without the last he can not see nor enjoy the kingdom of God. As there is an absolute necessity that a child should be born into the world, that he may see its light, contemplate its glories, and enjoy its good, so there is an absolute necessity that the soul should be brought out of its state of darkness and sin, through the light and power of the grace of Christ, that it may be able to see, or to discern, the glories and excellencies of the kingdom of Christ here, and be prepared for the enjoyment of the kingdom of glory hereafter. The Jews had some general notion of the new birth; but, like many among Christians, they put the acts of proselytism, baptism, etc., in the place of the Holy Spirit and his influence: they acknowledged that a man must be born again; but they made that new birth to consist in profession, confession, and external washing.

The new birth which is here spoken of comprehends, not only what is termed justification or pardon, but also sanctification or holiness. Sin must be pardoned, and the impurity of the heart washed away before any soul can possibly enter into the kingdom of God. As this new birth implies the renewing of the whole soul in righteousness and true holiness, it is not a matter that may be dispensed with: heaven is a place of holiness, and nothing but what is like itself can ever enter into it.” Adam Clarke

“I can remember after getting saved my friends and my family immediately saying What happened to her?’ There was an immediate and complete change in me. God cleaned me from the inside out. I was made brand new and people noticed. My family asked ‘What has happened to her?’ Does anyone know? Yes! Jesus happened to me! Alleluia!” Karen Cochran

YOUR PRAYER TO GOD TO BE SAVED, TO BE FORGIVEN

Are You Ready to be Saved? Okay here’s a prayer to be God’s child. You have to admit the obvious, that you have sinned against God and turn to Him fully, turn your life over to Him who made you, and confess Jesus Christ as the new LORD and Savior of your life. Pray this …

Your Prayer to God … You must honestly admit your sins and receive Christ… Apply His holy blood to your life so that you may be saved, forgiven, and live eternally with Him. You must completely turn your life over to Him in repentance and faith. Now, pray the following prayer to God with all that is within you, from your heart and out loud:….

Dear heavenly Father, right now, if never before, I come to You as a broken and sinful person. Thank You for sending Your only begotten Son to die in my place for my sins. Thank You Jesus for coming to this earth to die and rise again to rescue me from sin and eternal hell and to save me for Your eternal glory. Right this moment, if never before, I receive You LORD Jesus. Come in and take over my whole life. I am all Yours and You are all mine. I love You Jesus and I will follow You from this moment forward till I am with You in Heaven forever! Please use me to help others know You dear LORD. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

How do we know someone is “born of God”?

“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; … Now then we are ambassadors for Christ…” 2 Corinthians 5:17-18, 20

First off, if you are born again you are changed from the inside out … you desire to do God’s will now…. and are learning the need for the cross, the daily crucified life (Luke 9:23-25).

Let us remember that the biblical words “born again” (John 3:3, 7), “born of God” (1 John 4:7), “regeneration,” and being a “new creature” in Christ go hand in hand or we can say, are synonymous.

“Born of God” appears 6 times in God’s Word and are all found in the book of 1 John:

1 John 3:9
Whosoever is BORN OF GOD doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is BORN OF GOD.

Those who are “born of God” do not live in sin. They repent or return (turn back) to the LORD, confessing all sin. If not they will “fall away” and be outside of Christ (Luke 8:13). See Can a Born Again Man be Un-Born Again? [podcast]

1 John 4:7
Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is BORN OF GOD, and knoweth God.

Those who are “born of God” walk in His love toward others.

1 John 5:1
Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is BORN OF GOD: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.

Those who repent and believe upon Christ are “born of God” and they love all other of Christ’s saints.

1 John 5:4
For whatsoever is BORN OF GOD overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

Those who are “born of God” overcome this fallen world. By present and perpetual faith, they “overcometh the world.”

1 John 5:18
We know that whosoever is BORN OF GOD sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.

Those “born of God” do not live in sin. Rather, they “keepeth” themselves from sin and therefore Satan. This is accomplished by what we read in 1 John 1 and 2—which spells out the walk of the true disciple of Jesus.

MAY GOD bless each disciple of Jesus today to abide in Christ by walking crucified and raised up by Him today (2 Corinthians 4:10-12). May “the fruit of the Spirit”—the “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance” be abundantly produced in the life of every saint of Jesus! May it be 100 fold LORD! Read John 15. If you have been drawn in by Christ (John 6:44; 12:32), have repented (Luke 13:3), have received Christ (John 1:12), and are born again (John 3:3), you are bought by the precious blood of the LORD Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:17-18).

YOUR PRAYER: Heavenly Father, You found and saved me into Your eternal kingdom by way of the precious blood of Your only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. I stop this life here and now, and I give You praise. I love You LORD Jesus. I am no longer my own but Yours. I am crucified with Christ. Please work in me both to will and to do of Your good pleasure. I am all Yours LORD and I know You are all mine! Please fill this vessel with Your Holy Ghost afresh, and please use me. In Jesus’ name, amen Master Jesus!

Your Life Will Never be the Same [podcast]

The “More Blessed” Life “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35 The “more blessed” life is the cross life our LORD calls us to. “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.” Luke 9:23-24 These are the words of the Messiah – who gave His life to purchase His church. And dare we say […]

Born Again: What Does That Mean?

Understanding and Communicating the Born Again Experience No man merits, works, or earns his way into the salvation, the family of God, the body of Christ. The only entrance is to be born into Christ’s kingdom, to be “born again,” to be “born of God,” a work done by God Himself as the sinner is drawn in by Him and bows in repentance and faith (John 3:3, 7; Acts 20:21; Titus 3:5-6; 1 John 5:4, etc.). ATTN: Religion and being good enough are a farce. If you are not born again, you are not in God’s family. But you can […]

Born Again Podcast

Send us a text Order the BORN AGAIN book here or on amazon: https://safeguardyoursoul.com/store/ Support | STORE | Podcasts | H.O.T. Bible Study [podcast] | Divine Blessings | Exhort One Another Daily | The Return of Christ | The Joy of Fulfilling the Great Commission | The Love of Many Shall Wax Cold | Lie of the Ages (book) | Soul Damning Sins (small book) | Why We Need not Fear Death | Revelation Bombshell! HOMEPAGE: https://safeguardyoursoul.com/ MAKE PEACE WITH GOD NOW: https://safeguardyoursoul.com/peace-with-god/ SUPPORT: https://safeguardyoursoul.com/support/ STORE: https://safeguardyoursoul.com/store/ ABOUT: https://safeguardyoursoul.com/about/ email Todd: info@safeguardyoursoul.com Background Music by: Thad Fiscella https://www.thadfiscella.com/ […]

Water Baptism: Understanding It [study guide]

“Repent and be baptized.” Acts 2:38 Water Baptism (PDF) (Duplication encouraged. An open King James Bible should accompany your study of this topic. Carefully, prayerfully study each verse given in order to answer each question correctly. Print this document out and pencil in the answers in the blanks provided. It may be best to cut and paste it to your word processing software and then print it out. Your life in Christ will be enriched forever as you embrace and put into practice His Word.) Water baptism is important. Every believer should understand and be water baptized. Yet water baptism […]

"Buried with Him by Baptism into Death" [podcast]

“For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” Colossians 3:3 Every person “hid with Christ in God” is saved and under divine grace, saved by Christ. Everyone not “hid with Christ in God” is going away in judgment (Colossians 3:3; Romans 8:13; Galatians 5:19-21, 24). When we are “hid with Christ in God,” we are safe, secure, and under the blessings of His divine grace instead of His condemnation. “Of the doctrine of baptisms” Hebrews 6:2 Baptized into Jesus Christ and Baptized into His Death “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were […]

Abiding

“David Encouraged Himself in the LORD his God” [podcast]

“And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, … but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.” 1 Samuel 30:6

Gathering from several commentaries on this passage, one source notes the following:

“Faced with the devastating loss of Ziklag and a mutinous army threatening to stone him, David found supernatural resilience. Rather than yielding to panic or despair, he actively turned his focus away from the overwhelming crisis and strengthened his faith directly in God.

Key Context and Lessons

- The Crisis: Amalekite raiders had burned the city and captured all the women and children, including David’s own wives.
- The Breaking Point: His loyal men were now grieving and broken, turning their deep anguish into violent anger against their leader.
- The Shift: David did not look to his men, his own strength, or his circumstances for hope. He preached truth to his own soul, drawing on his past history with God’s faithfulness and inquiring of the Lord for his next steps.

Practical Takeaways

- Self-Talk: When no one else is around to lift you up, you must learn to speak God’s promises to your own heart.
- Refocusing: Encouraging yourself in the Lord means anchoring your identity and security in His unchanging character rather than shifting public opinion.
- Actionable Faith: David’s inward strengthening immediately led to outward action—he sought God’s direction and pursued the enemy, resulting in complete victory and restoration.”

“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

“In the world ye shall have tribulation”

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

During seasons of great stress, this man after God’s own heart sought the LORD. This time only served as a blessing, hastening David to the feet of Christ. Beloved David gave us the most amazing Scriptures concerning seeking God.

“My soul followeth hard after thee.” Psalms 63:8

“As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. 2 My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?” Psalms 42:1-2

“One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.” Psalms 27:4

“When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.” Psalms 27:8

Prayer: Father in Heaven, in the name of Jesus, please grant me, Your mere servant, to be possessed with a heart after You dear LORD. I love You Jesus. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Having a Pure Heart Requires the Cross Life [podcast]

“Great Podcast. Thank you. When I think about Matthew 5:8 I think of Psalm 24:3-4, ‘Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place? 4 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.’ Who is worthy to stand in God’s holy presence? Only those who are living holy and righteous lives! Those disciples who are free from pride and sin and are maintaining inner purity. With no idolatry, hypocrisy and deceit in their hearts! They are hungry and thirst […]

The Importance of Pureness of Heart [podcast]

“He that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend.” Proverbs 22:11 With pureness of heart, our words shall issue forth with grace and seasoning and be more readily received by those who hear. “Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.” Colossians 4:6 David’s Prayer “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.” Psalms 19:14 “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they […]

Purifying Ourselves even as He is Pure [podcast]

Ready or Not – Jesus is Coming “And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.” 1 John 3:3 Here’s how you know if you are ready to meet Jesus—whether by dying or His soon return. The context of the Bible verse above is the return of Jesus and being ready for it (1 John 2:24-3:3). Those who live for Christ long to see Him and look expectantly for His soon return. This world is not their home. “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all […]