The global invasion of a priesthood of beguilers have put a modern face on historical heresies. Men and women posing as pastors, prophets, evangelists, and apostles make millions preying on the biblically-illiterate, sick, poor, and emotionally fragile. Behind a veil of glamour, many self-proclaimed pastors mask their spiritual abuse with claims of special position and power from the Holy Spirit. The Original Gospel pulls back the curtain to reveal the truth behind this lucrative industry.
“For we are not as many, which corrupt (pervert, twist, misuse) the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.” 2 Corinthians 2:17
WHEN you get into God’s Word for yourself, honestly, your eyes are going to be opened to the great prophetic apostasy transpiring (2 Thessalonians 2, etc.). Most pastors today are nothing more than greedy scammers who are building their own kingdom using the name of Jesus and you (Philippians 3:18-21). Nothing has changed (Ecclesiastes 1:9; Isaiah 9:16; 56:10-12; Jeremiah 23; Ezekiel 34; Matthew 24:11; 2 Timothy 3:1-13; 2 John 7-11, etc.).
Most in “ministry” today are using God’s Word for their own self-serving agenda, building their own empire, not Christ’s kingdom! Beware (Matthew 16:18; 1 Corinthians 1:29-2:5; 2 Corinthians 4:5; Philippians 3:18-19).
The person not crucified with Christ will communicate using only things that will bring accolades to himself. They do not want the heat, the persecutions that come with preaching the original Gospel Jesus and His apostles preached. These are the self-serving cross-less wolves Paul warned us about specifically (Philippians 3:18-19). Jesus warns: “Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets” (Luke 6:26).
THE self-serving lightweights, seminarian scammers, many call “pastor” don’t get YOU INTO THE WORD for yourself because they simply want you to continue to patronize their church busine$$! Get a clue! This is completely contrary to Christ’s apostle Paul (2 Timothy 2:15; 3:16-17; 4:2-4). ANY so-called “preacher” who won’t offend you is a self-serving wolf! RUN NOW!
HAVE you noticed how these new lightweight “churches” brag about their “Top 10 Core Values”? What a joke! In other words they pick out 10 socially acceptable things most people will like and that’s their top 10. And they do this instead of simply announcing that they endeavor to adhere to the whole of the Bible. KJB. Lame.
In order to sell books, some modern authors seek to make our life with Christ appear flowery and romantic. This is why they intentionally, carefully selectively sprinkle a few Bible verses as to not spoil the plot and plan of their own book, written with their personal goal and agenda of selling many of them. Yet God’s Word doesn’t romanticize our walk with Him. No, to the contrary, it warns of severe sufferings for walking with Christ. Loving God is spoken of in terms of worshiping and obeying the LORD and not experiencing some romantic thrill. Anyone who has been saved for a few years knows Jesus’ words to be true – “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). True disciples of Jesus, as opposed to wolves in sheep’s clothing in our midst, give full disclosure to prepare, protect and set expectations. But “tribulation” doesn’t sell books now does it. In their unrealistic, fairy tale writings, these authors conveniently fail to mention the “much tribulation,” “divers temptations” and “perils” we face as a result of serving the LORD in this fallen world (Acts 14:22; 2 Corinthians 11:26; James 1:2).
“In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;” (2 Corinthians 11:26) ……Jesus promises those who walk with Him will be “hated of all men for my name’s sake” (Matthew 10:22). Does this sound glamorous to you? The smooth handed beguilers paint a picture completely inconsistent with what we read in God’s Word. While Jesus and His holy apostles came straight forward with warnings, in order to prepare the hearts of His people, modern wolves hide these severe threats and warnings.
Today, annually there are more than 60 million books sold in the Christian genre.
Modern “Christian” authors have and are capturing an enormous audience. Using a unique, captivating writing style in and of itself is not a sin. Yet, painting a picture foreign to the setting of God’s Word is sin.
Couching the truth in a setting that varies from what Holy Scripture presents is dangerous at best and can mislead the reader. Beware of many modern “Christian” writers who do just this.
DOES the gathering you call “church” align with the order seen in the early church records in the New Testament Scriptures? How do you know either way if you aren’t diligently searching the Holy Scriptures daily? Acts 2:42-47 is a good place to begin.
When you read Acts 2:42-47, stop and think of the simplicity of worship and how it all centered on Christ and resulted in the edification of His body. So much in our modern “churches” has been added, commercializing the gospel for the self-serving purposes of those doing such. It has been said that “Simplicity is the ultimate form of sophistication” and such applies to the order of God when His saints gather to worship HIM! Would Jesus not again cleanse the temple if He were here in the flesh today?
Rule of thumb for every disciple of Christ: Read God’s Word, the King James Bible, at least 3 times as much as the reading of any other book. This includes the time we spend listening to preachers. Bible study is primary. The importance of knowing God’s Word for ourselves cannot be overstated (2 Timothy 2:15). There’s simply no way to discern truth from error unless we are deeply grounded in the truth, God’s Word, for ourselves. Our time in the study of God’s Word is the most important thing we do upon this earth.
The man who presents a partial gospel is a poison peddler (Acts 20:20, 27, etc.).
SAINTS, we must not be like most “pastors” who pick and choose what they want to teach from God’s Word for personal advantage, personal gain. NO! Rather, we must endeavor like Paul to disclose the whole counsel of Holy Scripture (Acts 20:20, 27).
It is intentionally misleading people to neglect to warn them and prepare them for difficult times to come. As is on record in Colossians 1:28, Christ’s apostle Paul did the following three things to prepare Christ’s body for the return of Heaven’s King:
- Preach
- WARN
- Teach
To inaccurately portray is to betray.
PWT = Preach, WARN, Teach
“Whom we PREACH, WARNING every man, and TEACHING every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:” Colossians 1:28
Did you catch what the apostle Paul did to prepare the church to meet Christ?
Evil wolves are known in that they do not warn their prey (their audience) of the reality of the rigorous sufferings every disciple of Jesus must “endure” (Matthew 10:22; 24:13). Christ and His apostles gave full disclosure of the sufferings, afflictions, persecutions every true follower of Jesus must endure. They hid nothing and to do so is deceit.
“And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. … 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.” Matthew 10:22; 24:10-13
Does this sound glamorous to you?
Are you learning the real, original Gospel of Christ through daily, diligent study of the Scriptures for yourself, OR, are you being sold a glamorized, commercialized, sensationalized false gospel?
Saints of Christ, “Holy Scripture” is given to God’s people to make us “wise” and fully “furnish” us in this life (2 Timothy 3:15-17). As you read through Holy Scripture, watch for the divine warnings. The Bible verses posted here in this section are but a taste of the full unveiling of the realities of the Christian life. Ask: WHAT did Jesus warn us of and WHY would the Great Shepherd of His sheep have done so?
“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
“Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” 2 Timothy 3:11-12
Whether via the pulpit or pen, to pervert the original Gospel of our LORD by presenting it for self-serving purposes and therefore rearranging or giving partial disclosure, is to betray the LORD and reveal oneself to be a wolf, the very enemy of Christ.
Reprehensible Reciprocal Relationship
God’s Word clues us in to the reciprocal relationship between wolves and those they mislead. Of God’s own professing people, the prophet Jeremiah told us that “My people love to have it so” (Jeremiah 5:31).
“The (false) prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?” Jeremiah 5:31
Unrepentant mere professors will only patronize and support that which does not call for them to truly repent, deny self, live the crucified life, and walk with Jesus for real. Like the professing believers Isaiah addressed, they want “smooth things.”
“That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD: 10 Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:” Isaiah 30:9-10
Peddling the gospel for money is nothing new. To do so, one must present a partial gospel which is a false gospel. When Jesus was cleansing the temple He stated:
“And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise.” John 2:16
By the Holy Ghost, the LORD’s apostle Peter specifically warns us of those who use “feigned words” to make a dollar off of God’s people:
“And through covetousne($$) shall they with feigned (fictitious) words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.” 2 Peter 2:3
The Spirit of the LORD would expose the wolves in our midst who are making a fortune as they spring board off of false premises, using psychobabble. John Eldredge for example builds the whole message of his book “Wild at Heart” off of the false premise that “men have become soft.” While this may be true, and if it’s true that all the more means that those men need the Word of God. The reason they have been softened is due to the previous false leaders who didn’t get them into the Word for themselves whereby full masculinity would have taken its rightful place. So John Eldredge is perpetrating the error by giving men his own philosophy instead of God’s Word. Yet the fact that men have become softer is no premise for a message in a book supposedly representing the LORD. Instead of simply preaching the Word and thereby establishing divine truth and seeing God build His kingdom in the lives of His men, John Eldredge begins on a faulty foundation. In that lie, he catches, snares, lures, and puts the hook in gullible, un-grounded novices and counterfeits.
The Gospel is not a fairy tale. No, it’s for true disciples. Books that seek to glamorize the Gospel are for unrepentant lazy, refuse-to-get-into-God’s-Word-for-themselves counterfeits.
Laurie Cox writes:
“I threw out a lot of of books from the beginning of my walk [in Christ] that were error, this (John Eldredge book) was one of them. The Word of God is the Greatest Book that we should be in to.”
In case you need more evidence of the threat of human authors, here is a specific warning from Christ. Jesus specifically warned us about the writers, the scribes.
“Beware of the scribes (writers).” Mark 12:38; Luke 20:46
Paul spoke of denouncing all deceit and presenting God’s Word just as it’s written:
“But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.” 2 Corinthians 4:2
Some modern “Christian” writers couch things in such a way as to appeal to the sensual nature, the uncircumcised hearts of the unrepentant. In doing so they become wealthy in this fleeting world as they mislead their readers. These who will give full account before a holy God, fulfill the prophetic utterance found in 2 Timothy 4:3-4.
“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 4:3-4
“Fables” here means stories. And that’s exactly what the glamorized “Christian” books are – fairy tale stories. They are not according to Scripture but rather a romanced version full of psychology and half-truths that deliberately leave out the severe judgment coming on all rebels, all who die in sin.
To tickle ears, one must remove the essential doctrines of the original Gospel, thereby removing the “threat” of convicting ones audience. You know, the doctrines of repentance, bringing forth good fruit to prove you are truly in Christ, personal holiness, the holiness of God, judgment to come, eternal damnation for all who die in sin, the crucified life (cross), brokenness, fearing God, the the soon return of Christ, etc.
The cross is the divine power generator of the Gospel. There is no victory outside the crucified life (Galatians 2:20). It’s all surface level wasted words if there’s no cross! (2 Corinthians 4:10-12)
SAINTS, if there’s no CROSS in his message, he’s a wolf! 100%
YOU know when you are right with God when you are running TO the cross message and not AWAY from it! “Enemies of the cross” of Christ “mind earthly things” and not the things the LORD commanded (Philippians 3:18-19).
Their very book titles give away the deceit contained therein: Titles such as Sacred Romance, Wild at Heart, and Ragamuffin Gospel are designed to sell books and deceive readers. These titles alone do not align with the picture Jesus’ followers gain from reading the pure Word of God, the King James Bible. This would mean that the authors of such books are “accursed” for preaching another, a false gospel (Galatians 1:6-9).
“For ye have perverted the words of the living God, of the LORD of hosts our God.” Jeremiah 23:36
Misrepresenting the LORD is not limited to failing to declare the full contents of Holy Writ (Acts 20:20, 27). Unlike Scripture, in these fairy tale volumes, there are no convicting or direct statements. This is intentional so as to cater to the unrepentant. The demands of the original Gospel repel those who are rebels at heart against the LORD. For example:
“If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:26
“And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:27
“So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:33
“Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.” Luke 17:33
Is your favorite minister giving you verses like these above or is the wolf intentionally avoiding them in order to beguile you into a false gospel?
At all cost, the divine message of Holy Scripture must be tainted, toned down, and glamorized in order to sell books that mislead readers.
Sometimes perhaps we limit the “false prophets” and “false teachers” we’re so often warned about in Scripture to those who stand in pulpits on Sunday morning. Not. As someone has aptly stated: “The pen is mightier than the pulpit.” Unknown
“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
Misrepresenting the LORD is the identifying work of the wolves we are warned about in God’s Word. This deception includes both the refusal to preach the whole Word and also in painting a dishonest, misleading picture of the Christian life that is not seen in the Bible. Some modern authors project a lightness, frivolity, a novelty, which is never so seen or experienced on the pages of Holy Scripture. For example, while they deceitfully claim to be Christian writers, you will never hear a false leader, writer, etc., dare mention Bible truth such as:
“And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea. 43 And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: 44 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. 45 And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: 46 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. 47 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: 48 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. 49 For every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt. 50 Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another.” Mark 9:42-50
One of the reasons you will never hear the above passage mentioned by modern wolves, the lame pulpiteers or literary liars of our day, is that the vast majority of them read and use modern fake news “bibles” which removed the above passage and many others. Fake New “Bibles” Exposed
This misrepresentation breeds false hope and ultimately leads to great discouragement. Glamorizing the Gospel is dangerous to souls. Women are especially susceptible to this lure and snare. This glamorization of the Gospel, void of any of the warnings or the convicting truths found in Scripture, is misleading at best and out of the context of God’s Word. When you take a step back to consider the words of some modern authors, you will discover that in their plot and subject matter, they position you and not Christ at center stage. In doing this they are setting up the reader for failure. | Modern Church Exposed
Dear reader: So you listen to a man you think is a true preacher for Christ who never speaks BIBLE words, truths such as the holiness of God, the holiness of true saints, repentance, the eternal damnation of all who die in sin, the essential crucified life of every true disciple of Jesus, or the return of Christ for a bride who is without spot or the stain of sin but rather holy? (See Ephesians 5:25-27.) And you still think he’s of God?
Identifying those who Mislead
Such men who present a false gospel are “accursed” and to be marked in order to warn and protect the people of God (Galatians 1:6-9).
“Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. 18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.” Romans 16:17-18
We must beware of those who are marketing, branding, and building their own name and “by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.” They have lured in and captured the heart affection of the people, intercepting them from Christ! These are antichrists or those who’ve replaced Christ with themselves. Anti means in place of.
WHILE MOST of the men people call “pastor” today are presenting fancy, stylish messages to draw attention to themselves, to their “church” or ministry, the great apostle wrote:
“That no flesh should glory in his presence. 30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. 1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. 2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. 4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: 5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:29-31; 2:1-5
Real ministry that glorifies God comes through crucified vessels and brings attention and glory to Christ alone and not to the mere human messenger (2 Corinthians 3:5; 4:5, etc.).
Many modern authors who pen “Christian” books carry the minds of people away in an unrealistic phenomenon unlike what is produced from reading pure Scripture from the King James Bible. Think about this in light of how the Holy Ghost through Paul warns us of those who “by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple” (Romans 16:17-18).
Two authors who present an unrealistic portrait of the life of an authentic follower of Jesus are John Eldredge (Wild at Heart) and Brennan Manning (Ragamuffin Gospel) specifically come to mind. It should also be noted that Brennan Manning is a full blown Calvinist heretic. | Calvinism Exposed
Prayer: Holy Father in Heaven, I come to You in the name of my LORD Jesus Christ. LORD, please circumcise my heart and grant the deepest repentance for my sin of rebellion, for self-idolatry. Please forgive me of my sin of forsaking You, for not studying Your pure Word and therefore glorying in the writings of mere sinful men who falsely pose as Your servants, Your scribes. Jesus, please break me to the deepest parts as only You can do. I return to You now LORD Jesus as the first love of my life. In Jesus’ name, amen.
John Eldredge Exposed | False Prophets Busted and Exposed | The Sensual Seduction and Solicitation of the Modern Church!
Concerning one of John Eldredge’s books, one former reader notes:
“I threw away this book when in the 5th or 6th chapter he references & praises the work of Agnes Sanford. Agnes Sanford was a heretic. She believed the world was saved by the breath of Jesus upon his death, that the world is saved even today by his “vibrations and energy” in the world, that we have a spirit body, she leaned towards both Gnosticism & Modalism all at once, & that’s just scraping the surface. It would be one thing had he used her as a reference, then said she had other teachings he would encourage the reader to shy away from, but XYZ was a good point she was right about, but he didn’t do that. He used her as a great reference on spiritual healing, and that is dangerous. He doesn’t tell the reader anything else about her, not only leading the reader to believe she was a woman of God, but also deceiving the reader to believe he himself is a man of God, when in reality he likely espouses some of the same teachings, or at best isn’t aware of them; though, that is doubtful if he knows who she is to be referencing her to begin with. I won’t waste my time with people who 1. Use teachings of heretics to back up his/her own teachings or arguments. 2. Lead others to follow the teachings of heretics. 3. Who espouse the teachings of heretics. Please do your research on Agnes Sanford, and realize that if this man is an admirer of her teachings then he should not be given any of your time or attention.” SM
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Abiding
Dirty Ox Stalls bring Dividends [podcast]

An intriguing proverb that applies directly to our daily lives and the stewardship of the time our LORD has afforded us in this brief life. Gaining traction via the wisdom of our great God and King Jesus Christ. How to avoid spending our lives “spinning our wheels.”
“Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.” Proverbs 14:4
The blessing of a dirty ox stall…. What’s most important to God is productivity, not neatness, not tidy-ness, not a clean stall.
Here’s a proverb from the Holy Spirit and Solomon which breathe wisdom into our lives. Let’s read it again:
“Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.” Proverbs 14:4
The proverbs of the LORD we have in His Word hold hidden meaning which breathe wisdom into our lives.
A proverb is a figure of speech, words that impart truth by using natural illustrations to convey spirit truths.
Jesus taught in parables. Parables are earthly stories with heavenly meaning, divine wisdom to establish us in our relationship with Him as we love, worship and obey the LORD.
This is exactly what we have in Proverbs 14:4, where an ox and his stall are featured in order to convey the divine truth that productivity is more important to God than the pettiness of cleanliness.
The proverbs often use simple images to convey a deeper moral or practical lesson.
Active, working oxen bring dirt and dividends. Clean ox stalls glitter but produce no gold.
When commenting on this proverb, one man said: “Don’t be deterred by the dung.”
Fruitful saints aren’t known by how clean their house is but rather how full, how abundant their treasure in in Heaven (Matthew 6:19-21). Their prayer and work is focused upon pleasing their LORD Jesus and not with how clean their temporal living space looks, by how sparkling clean their life looks to mere sinful men.
One pastor notes the following about the divine truth imparted to us in Proverbs 14:4:
“There are some proverbs that stick in our heads more than others and this is one of them for me. The image is memorable and the lesson is unforgettable. Solomon paints the picture of a barn without oxen and because of no oxen, the stalls are clean and pristine. This is a barn that the perfectionist likes; a barn that can be organized, cleaned and maintained without interruption. This is a barn that the neat freak and the clean freak crave; a barn that they can come into and know that everything is clean and tidy. This is a barn that needs no work. This is a barn that, after working in the field, demands no additional time or effort to clean. This is a barn that needs no attending to after hours. It demands no thought when heading out of town. It never smells. It doesn’t even make a sound. There is no sickness in this barn nor does death ever visit its crib. This is a barn that requires no food or water and as such, it doesn’t require any constant removal of dung. It’s clean and pristine! … While that sounds appealing to the average man or woman, the average farmer doesn’t pursue an empty crib. He knows that the tradeoff is well worth it. It’s the cost of doing business in agriculture. He knows that he could farm his land on his own and that he could produce “some” increase on his own. He knows that he doesn’t need oxen to till the ground, to sow the seed or to harvest the crops but if he’s going to have “MUCH” increase, he needs oxen and there are no oxen that clean up after themselves.”
The mess is worth the money.
The dirt is worth the dividends it brings.
Dirty spaces bring special graces.
The progress and productivity are worth the pile of trash.
Men who are dirty from working all day will go home with fruitfulness for their family. They are satisfied and blessed to do so and so we wake up the next morning and gladly go do the same. The trade off that brings wages is worth it.
This proverb also brings into mind the harvest that can being produced by you alone, in contrast with the harvest produced having others to labor with you to bring forth “much increase.”
Also, by not inviting others to join you in doing our LORD’s work, we deprive them from being blessed to lay up treasure in Heaven as our LORD commanded each of us who His children to do (Matthew 6:19-21).
The following is from Josh Denhart:
“In ministry we think, “If you want a job done right, do it yourself.” You may avoid messes, but you have just stepped into the “Trap of the Clean Stall”.
Proverbs 14:4 reads, “Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox. “
In the ancient agrarian world, animals brought a massive advantage. To have an animal meant you could accomplish so much more. Today we refer to a car as having a certain amount of “horse power”. In times past, an animal brought with it a certain amount of power. Power to increase the harvest and get the job done. Here, the writer of Proverbs is referring to “Ox Power”. The power and advantage is brought through the strength of an ox.
The writer of Proverbs says that it is really a trade off. On one hand you get a significant increase through the strength of an ox, yet with it you get, poop. Yes, good, ol’ fashioned ox poop.
Goal: Huge Harvest
Let’s compare the alternative. You have no oxen, but you have an amazingly clean manger stall.
More harvest with a poopy stall vs. a perfectly clean stall and a diminished harvest.
Our goal is not a clean stall. Our goal is a huge harvest. A natural side effect of a huge harvests are messes. What do you want? Do you crave a super clean stall over a bountiful harvest? Listen, a tidy stall in and of itself is a bad trade for a compromised harvest.
Let me shoot straight with you. I have a well-managed case of OCD. I crave order. If you serve in children’s ministry, you probably do too. I hate disorder. Yet the calling of the harvest trumps our neurotic desire for order.
Do not fall into the trap of the clean stall.
You Can’t Do It Alone
We must define our goal for the harvest over and over! Our goal is reaching the lost through equipping the fold. Our ultimate goal is not order for order sake. Our goal is the good news of Jesus going deep into the hearts and heads of kids, which brings messes. Get used to it. And get over it.
We can have order as we achieve a large harvest, but uncomfort with messes can short circuit great harvests.
Let’s take this proverbial analogy a step further. You as a ministry leader are essentially the farmer. You can’t and don’t want to do it alone. You need help. Those willing to help you from a staff or a volunteer perspective can bring great strength and accomplish more for the harvest than you by yourself. And, yes, I am equating associates and volunteers to oxen.
The Harvest is Plentiful
Oxen and people are living beings. Both bring messes. Farming, like ministry, is just messy. Jesus said He came not for the healthy but for the sick. Sick people vomit physically and emotionally, have issues and need attention. That is our job. Years ago, someone sarcastically said, “Ministry would be great were it not for all these people!”
Listen, if you want order more than you want the harvest, you may find yourself doing it alone. Doing it alone equals to a field white for harvest with no one to get the job done. The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. More workers means more messes. We as farmers must manage the messes and rise above the stall to see the harvest.
Do you want a harvest more than you want order? Absolutely. Therefore, we had better embrace the reality of a poopy stall. Do not fall into the trap of the clean stall.”
One has to roll up his sleeves and get dirty to produce dividends to the glory of the divine.
Ever see construction works at the end of a work day? They are dirty and yet earned dollars, dividends. They will do it the next day also. Why? – because the trade off is productivity, earning that which is desirable.
Lots of work brings movement and a mess.
Lot’s of dirt when you much to diligently do and bring dividends.
A clean workspace brings no coin.
Do you want to work and get dirty, cause a mess, and yet make a profit? Or do you want to keep your place clean with the outcome being no coin?
The blessing of “much increase” comes at the expense of a clean crib, work space. It’s a bless-ed trade-off, right?
Personally, I could care less about a disheveled work place. My goal is to be fruitful, fruit-filled for Christ, bearing – “fruit … more fruit … much fruit.” (John 15)
In your business life, would you rather a disheveled work space and work to do, or a clean work space with no work?
It is better to have dirt to clean up with work that brings wages than to have a clean work place with no work.
Increase in material prosperity, productivity, fruitfulness comes by utilizing the oxen for labor and as a result there will be a mess made. The fruit produced far outweighs having to clean the stall, the work place.
“A barn can be kept cleanly swept where there are no oxen, but isn’t it better to have some dust and dirt around, knowing that the labor of an ox will lead to a bountiful harvest? The rewards of toil more than compensate for its disagreeable aspects.
This proverb is not intended to encourage homes or chapels that look like disaster areas. But it does discourage that passion for order and dustlessness that puts the brakes on progress and productiveness.” Believer’s Bible Commentary
Dust and dirt bring dividends.
Productivity makes for progress.
The grind brings the goods.
Labor brings some loot.
Someone has wisely stated:
“Salons always have hair on the floor.
Garages always have oil on the floor.”
The oxen serve a good purpose and produce productivity.
What is it to have a clean work place? That just means you aren’t being productive, you don’t have work that is bring wages and blessings.
“Straining at a gnat”…. Swallowing a Camel
This idiom Jesus uses means over-emphasizing the minors while under-emphasizing the majors, “the weightier matters of the law.”
Matthew 23
“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
24 Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.
25 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.
26 Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.
27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness.
28 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. “
Martha and Mary – Mary had the Divine Priorities in their Rightful Place
“38 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.
39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.
40 But 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.
41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:
42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”
No, it’s not a sin to keep things clean, to be organized. Yet, at the judgment, Jesus is not going to say “Oh wow, you kept your living and workspace clean! Enter thou into the joy of the LORD.” No, but rather….
“His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” Matthew 25:21
At the coming judgment what we did for His glory, in His holy name, will be rewarded.
Matthew 25
“And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”
Read John 15 and underline “fruit” and “more fruit” and “much fruit.” “Fruit” emanates from the life that is soundly grounded in an abiding relationship with Jesus Christ.
“Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. 17 These things I command you, that ye love one another.” John 15:16-17
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Abiding
Top 12 Missing Essential Doctrines in the Modern Church World! [podcast]

DOES THIS SOUND LIKE YOUR “CHURCH” OR FAVORITE PREACHER? It’s real simple… if they are not preaching the cardinal doctrines of the original Gospel given to us in the New Testament, they are preaching “another gospel” and are “accursed.” (Galatians 1:6-9).
“For MANY DECEIVERS ARE ENTERED INTO THE WORLD, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. 8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. 9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. 10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: 11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.” 2 John 1:7-11
Modern church wolves refuse to preach the original Gospel of Jesus Christ from the pages of Holy Scripture and in the power of the Holy Ghost. No, instead they preach sermonettes that cater to the self-worshiping idolaters they entertain and collect money from (2 Timothy 3:1-7). They don’t even use the King James Bible but rather some cheap counterfeit. Their ear-tickling topics range from healing damaged emotions, 5 love languages, best life now, recovery, learning to love yourSELF, coping platitudes, loneliness, psychobabble band aids, law of attraction, being a successful single, purpose driven delusionment, etc.
LOTS of lying going on when we have counterfeits peddling affirmation without salvation, the “promise” of things “getting better” when their prey are heading straight to hell. Especially certain social media platforms are flooded with this false gospel coming out of “Christians.” There is no sin or repentance in their message which alone identifies it as a false gospel. You see, the things that are happening to the sinners around us are allowed by God in order to lead them to repentance and yet, the counterfeits among us are assuring those sinners it’s all going to get better and never giving them the 10 Commandments to show them they are sinners (Galatians 3:24) and then, leading them to Jesus (Romans 10:9-10, 13, etc.). 10 Commandments Evangelism
In the modern church world, there is …..
No cross. No Jesus. No blood. No judgment. No sin. No repentance. No hell. No readiness for the soon return of Jesus. No Heaven. No equipping preparation for ministry. No Scripture memory. No holiness. No Messianic prophecies and their fulfillment. No Christology. No fear of God. No repentance. etc., all of which are Bible doctrines essential to salvation and/or essential to sound foundation in Christ and are missing in the modern church world.
“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
THE TOP ESSENTIAL BIBLICAL DOCTRINES NEVER HEARD IN THE APOSTATE MODERN CHURCH WORLD!
- The divinity of Jesus Christ (John 1:1-4, 14; 1 Timothy 3:16). | Jesus Christ is God
- The virgin birth of the only begotten Son of God (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23). | The Virgin Birth of Jesus
- The essential precious blood of Jesus Christ (Matthew 26:28; Hebrews 9:22; 1 Peter 1:18-19). | The Blood
- The inherent fallen nature of mankind (Genesis 6:5, 12; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 7:18). | Fallen, Sinful Man
- Worshipping God not idols (Exodus 20:3-5). | Idolatry
- The essential doctrine and necessity of repentance (Luke 13:3). | Repentance
- The Return of Christ and being ready for it (Luke 12:40; 21:34-36). | The Return
- Who Jesus is returning for and who will be shut out of His eternal kingdom (Matthew 25:1-13; Ephesians 5:25-27). | Ready for Christ’s Return
- The essential of enduring to the end to be with Christ eternally, initial and final salvation (Matthew 10:22; 24:13; Hebrews 3:6, 12-15; 10:26-30; Revelation 2:26). | Enduring to the End
- The essential daily cross, the crucified life, which Jesus required in following Him (Luke 9:23-24). | Living the Crucified Life
- Forgiving all others from the heart (Matthew 18:21-35). | Forgiveness
- Walking in God’s love (Ephesians 5:1). | The Love Walk
- Holiness – including the necessity of personal holiness (Hebrews 12:14; 1 Peter 1:15-16). | Holiness
- Judgment (Psalms 9:15-17). | Judgment
- Hell (Matthew 8:12; Mark 3:29; Luke 16:19-31). | Hell
- Fearing God (Psalms 2:11; Luke 12:4-5). | Fearing God
When’s the last time you heard verses like this in the modern church?
“So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:33
“Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.” Luke 17:33
The modern church is going down in flames into the flames of hell. It cannot be reformed. Come out from it.
“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 18:4
In 2 Timothy 4:3 to “endure sound doctrine” means to hold oneself accountable to it. WHAT’s at the root of those who refuse to “endure sound doctrine”? – They simply do not love Jesus like He commanded them to (Matthew 22:37-39). They profess Christ as Savior and yet love self supremely and therefore serve the god of self. The Holy Ghost through Paul told us this of those who have a mere “form of godliness” in the last day resumé found in 2 Timothy 3:1-7.
Notice by divine design the very first thing he reveals is that “men shall be lovers of their own selves.” All the following evil comes out of self love, refusal to love God supremely and therefore repent, deny self, take up the cross and follow Jesus:
“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” 2 Timothy 3:1-7
God is toppling all the heart idols (Ezekiel 14:3)… because He’s Jealous and wants us looking to Him and not these mere men, these vile wolves, these celebrity sinners posing as His representatives (Exodus 34:14).
“For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God:” Exodus 34:14
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Abiding
Fulfilling Your Calling [podcast]

“And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.” Colossians 4:17
MINISTRY which pleases God is simply helping people know and grow in Christ for themselves – by the cross life and getting into HIS Word for themselves so they can follow HIM, not you! True ministry fosters in the hearers faith in God, not the preacher or local church organization! Read 1 Corinthians 2:1-5; 2 Corinthians 1:9; 3:5; 4:5.
Your communications and ministry are fed and fueled by your personal daily study and knowledge of God’s Word (Proverbs 22:17-21; 2 Timothy 2:15).
Ephesians 4:1-14
“I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, 2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. 7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. 8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. 9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting (equipping, maturing) of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;” Ephesians 4:1-14
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