Abiding

GOD ISN’T ANSWERING EVERYONE’S PRAYERS-GET OVER IT! [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]

In its most basic definition, prayer is communion with the LORD and not just a place for us to selfishly ask Him, out of our uncircumcised heart to do things for us or to give us more stuff.

Does God answer all prayer?

While His people were in rebellion, the LORD made promises to bless them but only if they complied with His just requirements. We see this throughout Holy Writ. Here’s but one of a myriad of examples.

“Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; 17 Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. 18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. 19 IF ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: 20 But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.” Isaiah 1:16-20

Beloved, when you read God’s Word, look for not only His promises but also His conditions. Ask yourself: What good father just indiscriminately hands out endless money and resources to his children without requiring their engagement in a relationship with him which has certain, clear prerequisites, obligations which he requires to be met? None.

Promises without conditions are being flung out to us from every direction these days. But God discriminates. He distinguishes between those whose hearts are truly His and otherwise. In fact the eyes of the LORD scan the earth in search of a man whose heart is perfectly fixed upon Him:

“For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.” 2 Chronicles 16:9

Though we do NOT serve Him for such, rather for who He is …. let us ask: Are there benefits that come with worshipping, serving the LORD? Yes. – “Forget not ALL his BENEFITS.”

“Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:” Psalms 103:2

Now read this verse below to see how the LORD was sad not to be able to bless His beloved people due to them not hearkening to His commandments.

“O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea:” Isaiah 48:18

Are the affections of your heart truly affixed upon the LORD?

“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.” Colossians 3:1-4

According to this passage above, it’s only those who are setting the affections of their hearts upon the LORD, laying down their lives in this world (daily cross) who are promised “then shall ye also appear with him in glory.”

Of king Uzziah, the Bible tells us:

“… as long as he sought the LORD, God made him to prosper.” 2 Chronicles 26:5

One can only expect to prosper in Christ as he is seeking the LORD.

FLASHPOINT: God is not getting ready to bless the life of anyone who isn’t born again and serving Him with a whole heart on HIS terms (Jeremiah 29:11-14). Let’s repent afresh and cease giving people false hope! Be like Jesus! Full disclosure! Only false prophets, wolves in sheep’s clothing, hide the truth, preach half-truths, and refuse to teach the whole counsel of God’s Word! (Acts 20:20, 27; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 4:2-4, etc.).

“For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.” Psalms 84:11

Our LORD Jesus says:

“IF ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” John 15:7

Anyone not abiding in Christ – on HIS stated terms (His Word) – will not have their prayers answered, other than the sincere prayer of repentance.

“Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord GOD. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin.” Ezekiel 18:30

We have assurance in prayer as we are truly abiding in and with the Savior according to His Word which is His Word.

“And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. 20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. 21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. 22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.” 1 John 3:19-22

No, we are not meriting or earning anything from God and yet, our obedience to Him, to His Word proves we love Him. Our obedience to God is our expression of love to Him.

The LORD chose to die for and save you and I because He’s merciful and not because of any goodness on our part – because there is none (Romans 3:10).

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

Pour over Titus 3:5-7. Make it a personal life passage!

God’s blessings would have been given to His people had they obeyed Him earlier. The LORD makes it clear here in Psalm 81 that He desired to bless them earlier but they rebelled and so He didn’t. Here it is…. Like it or not, God has established conditions which must be met in order to dispense His blessings….

Psa 81:13 Oh that my people had hearkened unto me, and Israel had walked in my ways!

Psa 81:14 I should soon have subdued their enemies, and turned my hand against their adversaries.

Psa 81:15 The haters of the LORD should have submitted themselves unto him: but their time should have endured for ever.

Psa 81:16 He should have fed them also with the finest of the wheat: and with honey out of the rock should I have satisfied thee.

Were Noah and his family blessed to be saved out of that wicked generation in which they existed? Yes. And what did that involve? It involved their meticulous involvement with the LORD, obeying His exact pattern in building that ark of refuge (Genesis 6:9-22).

“Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he.” Genesis 6:22

Beloved, Noah did just as Jesus commands we do to be with Him – dig deep and build our house, our lives on the bedrock of His Word (Luke 6:46-49). Any compromise in the laying, the building of the foundation will later be found out, will compromise that person’s ability to stand stable and secure (Matthew 7:19-29).

“Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” 2 Timothy 2:19

Without obedience we prove we love and therefore serve the god of self supremely, not the Savior.

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

IF you love God, truly, you will obey Him. Those who do not obey Christ, don’t love Him (John 14:15; 1 John 2:3-6, etc.). Such a person is deceived.

“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” James 1:22

Any person who thinks they are a Heaven-bound follower of Jesus and yet is not obeying the KING, is completely deceived.

“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 7:21

No, your obedience doesn’t save you. Only Jesus can save and these are the words of Jesus. He gave conditions. Since when is obeying Jesus legalism or “lordship salvation”? Beware of the grace-perverting wolves who would dare say such (Jude 3-4, etc.).

“And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” Luke 6:46

Do you call Jesus your LORD, friend?

“They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.” Titus 1:16

Many reading this are backslidden, are in the same spiritual slump they were in years ago – because they sit under a lame wolf who refuses to confront their sin and call them to the crucified life (Luke 9:23-24). Those who bid Godspeed to false leaders do so because tof their own heart which is departed from the LORD.

Preaching the whole of God’s Word includes preaching His conditions, the things He requires of us!

“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

When a man repents, with no exception, he will become a man of truth – a man who lives by truth, divine truth, the Word of God.

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

Jesus Christ is the Almighty God and Creator and Sustainer of all that is (John 1; Colossians 1, etc.). He stated: “Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.” (John 18:37)

The Word of God is the final divine authority in each and every one of Christ’s disciples. All others who pretend to be disciples of Jesus are counterfeits.

“For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? 4 God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar;” Romans 3:4

Every true follower of Jesus is “valiant for the truth” (Jeremiah 9:3).

Prepared to be Used of God

Not only does God not answer everyone’s prayers, He also doesn’t use everyone. The LORD only uses those who prepare themselves to be used of Him.

Every man who will be used of God tomorrow is diligently preparing himself today.

“If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.” 2 Timothy 2:21

To the degree that a man prepares himself by seeking the face of the LORD, devouring His Word, crying out to Him for change and deliverance, and letting God have His way …. to that degree will He be “meet (fit) for the master’s use” in Christ’s kingdom work.

You want to be used of God friend? If so, let HIM speak for Himself by sharing HIS words.

And if you have a problem with that, you have a problem with the Almighty. His promises are conditional, not unconditional. And, if YOU don’t meet His conditions, you won’t have His blessing on your life.

So many today are running around shooting out promises and not even mentioning the divinely stated conditions.

Today’s generation of “Christian” doesn’t uphold God’s Word as the final divine authority, and we see this in that very little Scripture is stated and when it is, it’s from a corrupted, a fake “bible.” No, instead of posting Holy Scripture, we see all kinds of people trying to be cute and impressive in their own little sayings, as if they are building a name for themselves instead of glorifying the LORD Jesus by simply posting HIS words. King James Bible.

“There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness.” Proverbs 30:12

So many lame false promises being tossed around today be people with no foundation in the doctrines of Holy Scripture. They are professional ear-ticklers and on the wrong of prophesy (2 Timothy 4:2-4).

Joshua 1:8 captures the walk of the true disciple:

“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

“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. ²But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. ³And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. Psalm 1:1-3

If you want to be used of God, it begins with fresh repentance and the fruit will always be that you will become a true disciple of Jesus by daily without pouring over, studying, devouring, and speaking HIS words. | Fresh Start with God

“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

When you see a man who isn’t diligently daily devouring God’s Word, you are looking at a man who is not even right with God – a lost soul who has himself as the god of his life instead of the LORD.

No man should expect to be used of God who is not studying His Word daily – including reading, learning, meditating upon, obeying, and memorizing His Word.

YOUR PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I come to You now in the name of Jesus Christ. LORD, please forgive my utter sinfulness, unbelief, foolish pride, and self-idolatry. I am undone before You Father. Please forgive my sins now dear LORD, on the basis of the perfect and precious blood of Your only begotten Son Jesus Christ. This moment, right now if never before, I lay my life in Your holy hands. Not my will but Thine be done dear LORD. Thank You for washing me clean and clear of all my sin in Your precious blood LORD Jesus. Please fill me with Your Holy Spirit and use me LORD. In Jesus’ Name.

God’s Blessings are Conditional | Meet for the Master’s Use – being prepared to be used of God

Fresh Start with God

Busting Hell Wide Open while Believing You are “Blessed” [podcast]

Teach the Bible [podcast]

Special Ops Spiritual Warfare [podcast]

Abiding

A Fresh Look at Jesus’ 7 Letters to the Churches [podcast]

Did Jesus tell even one of the seven churches He addressed that they are as sure for Heaven as if they were already there due to being initially saved by Him?

Did Jesus give conditions for being with Him in eternal glory?

Can someone please help me figure out where un-conditional eternal security/OSAS fits in with the 7 letters of Jesus to the churches of Asia? Is it anywhere mentioned? No.

Can anyone find OSAS/eternal security in Jesus’ 7 letters to CHURCHES in Revelation 2 and 3? No. No such thing. Instead He gives conditions to overcome, to endure to the end, to abide, remain, and continue in Christ, in faith and obedience.

No such thing as “eternal security” in Christ’s kingdom until AFTER you are in Heaven. Such heresy is the bait of Satan as it was in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:17 > 3:4). Only moral cowards who make excuse for sin instead of being crucified with Christ daily as Jesus commanded. Bite on this bait (Luke 9:23-25). Eternal hell awaits. Time to repent and get “honest” (Luke 8:15).

Satan’s First Doctrine is a Lie. Yet Many Claim it’s Part of the Gospel of Jesus. Beware of these Wolves.

No such thing as a born again AND presently abiding saint who is not fruitful, who is not bearing good fruit. Otherwise why did Jesus instruct His people to know themselves and others “by their fruit”? See Matthew 7:16, 19. Such a notion as is heretical. Anyone who Jesus saves and then they don’t endure to the end, they don’t continue abiding in Christ, is no longer the LORD’s and going to hell. Read John 15:1-6 and stop believing the Devil’s very first lie—OSAS (Genesis 2:17; 3:4).

“If a man abide (continue, remain) not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.” John 15:6

WHEN YOU ARE IN YOUR MIND beginning to make excuse for sin, you KNOW it’s your un-crucified flesh and Satan that are in control. You know then that repentance, re-turning to the LORD who is Holy, is necessary.

“Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: 14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” James 1:13-15

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

When you are tempted to believe in the satanic heresy of “eternal security,” otherwise known as “once saved always saved (OSAS),” you know SATAN is seeking to seduce you (Genesis 2:17; 3:14).

Concerning these 7 letters of Jesus to the churches, one source notes the following:

“Revelation chapters 2 and 3 contain seven individual messages from Jesus Christ to seven historical churches in Asia Minor. The letters share a common pattern: an address to the church’s angel, a description of Christ, an evaluation of the church’s spiritual state, a call to repentance or perseverance, and a promise to those who overcome.”

Overview of the Letters

Ephesus, Pergamum, Sardis, and Laodicea receive direct rebukes for forsaking their first love, tolerating false teachings, dead orthodoxy, or lukewarmness, alongside urgent calls to repent.

Smyrna and Philadelphia face intense tribulation or persecution yet receive no rebuke, and are encouraged to hold fast to their faith.

Promises to Overcomers: Each letter concludes with eternal assurances for “him that overcometh” such as the tree of life (Revelation 2:7), the crown of life (Revelation 2:10), and exemption from the second death (Revelation 2:11).

The Notion of Eternal Security Expelled

Some interpret the repeated conditional commands to “overcome” and “hold fast” as evidence that eternal salvation requires ongoing faithfulness and endurance to the end, suggesting that warnings against unrepentance involve real spiritual risk rather than unconditional security.”

For Example, Jesus’ letter to the church at Sardis:

“And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.
2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.
3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.
4 Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.
5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
6 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.” Revelation 3:1-6

Also:

“… 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

“And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved …. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” Matthew 10:22; 24:13

Concerning Jesus’ 7 Letters and OSAS, once commentator notes:

“The seven letters of Jesus in Revelation 2-3 challenge absolute eternal security (“once saved, always saved”) by repeatedly commanding repentance, warning believers that unfaithfulness carries severe consequences, and conditioning eternal promises on actual endurance.

Warnings and Conditions in the Letters

Ephesus: Jesus warns that if the church does not repent for leaving its first love, He will “remove thy candlestick out of his place” (Revelation 2:5). [1]

Smyrna & Philadelphia: The promise of the crown of life and inclusion is explicitly tied to being “faithful unto death” (Revelation 2:10) and holding fast what they have “that no man take thy crown” (Revelation 3:11).

Thyatira: Jesus warns He will cast those committing adultery into great tribulation and will “kill her children with death” (Revelation 2:22-23).

Sardis: Jesus tells those who do not watch that He will come upon them “as a thief” (Revelation 3:3).

Laodicea: The lukewarm church is threatened with rejection: “I will spue thee out of my mouth” (Revelation 3:16).

The Promise to the Overcomer

In every letter, rewards like eating from the tree of life or being clothed in white raiment are promised specifically “to him that overcometh” (Revelation 2:7, 3:5).

Supporters of eternal security point to Christ’s assurance in Sardis—“I will not blot out his name out of the book of life” (Revelation 3:5)—as proof of permanent keeping, while critics argue the conditional phrasing implies names can be blotted out for failing to overcome.”

The Return of Jesus

Departing and the 7 Letters of Revelation [podcast]

Notes: Pergamos the church of imperial favor. The Church became allied with pagan Rome. Pergamos means married (to the world). “The doctrine of balaam teaches those of the world how to bring a curse on the church by feigning friendship toward them through subterfuge in order to corrupt them thereby bringing a self-inflicted curse on a people who otherwise could not be cursed. To become an enemy of the world is to become the enemy of God. This is how…” Paul Roberts The Return of Christ | Support | STORE Victory Over the Iniquities that Currently Drive You [podcast] The More […]

Grace vs Holiness [podcast]

“The horrible travesty we have in America today is Christianity without holiness.” A.W. Tozer Grace and holiness come only from God. The LORD is Holy and He extends salvation by grace to repentant, believing sinners at the moment of conversion. Grave vs Holiness: WHY is one of these two so overwhelmingly overemphasized by today’s pastors and self-appointed “grace teachers,” when the other is prioritized by God as is demonstrated by the number of times it appears in Holy Scripture? Which word appears more times in the Bible?: Grace, or Holiness LET’S DO THE MATH: Comparing Grace and Holiness 170 to 654 […]

The Damning Myth of Unconditional Eternal Security! [podcast]

HELL Awaits! SO YOU THINK YOU ARE ETERNALLY SECURE? WHO TOLD YOU THAT LIE? NOT GOD! IT SIMPLY DOESN’T MATTER HOW POPULAR A PREACHER IS – IF HE’S TEACHING SATAN’S FIRST LIE THAT CAUSED THE FALL OF THE HUMAN RACE – OSAS/ETERNAL SECURITY – HE’S A FALSE TEACHER, AN AGENT OF SATAN (Genesis 2:17; 3:4). OF COURSE he’s popular – he’s not preaching the cross but rather excuses for sin against a Holy God! RUN from that devil! You will be safe and eternally secure when you get to Heaven, not before. ARE YOU enduring sound doctrine today or walking in […]

Articles

Exhort One Another Daily [podcast]

“But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” Hebrews 3:13

“Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. ²³Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) ²⁴And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: ²⁵Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” Hebrews 10:22-25

Saints, let’s always remember that other disciples have the SAME exact iniquitous flesh to deal with daily as we do (Genesis 6:5, 12; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 3, etc.). They are just like us – absolutely wicked and depraved without the present working of the saving grace of our God at work in us! (Romans 7) Each of Christ’s followers are like us, working out their own salvation with fear and trembling as the LORD works in them both to will and to do of His good pleasure (Philippians 2:12-13).

“We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.” Romans 15:1

“Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. 2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:1-2

Let’s lift up our LORD’s disciples instead of wrongly judging them in our attitudes, etc. Seeing and treating them with God’s love is important ( 1 Peter 4:7-8; 1 John 4:7-8, 16-18; 5:1, etc.).

“And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart.” Zechariah 7:10

“Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.” Romans 14:19

“Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11

DOES the Bible tell us to “Go make disciples” OR to “Teach others God’s Word”? Interesting. Does the Bible Ever Say “Go Make Disciples”?

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Exhort One Another Daily [podcast]

“But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” Hebrews 3:13 “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) 24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much […]

Neither Give Place to the Devil! [podcast]

“Neither give place to the devil.” Ephesians 4:27 “This is a really good message!” CB — MANY have been blinded and duped to believe that either 1) there is no devil, or 2) there is a devil but he’s not active. But God’s Word tells us that Satan, the archenemy of Christ and mankind, is active and has an organized kingdom structure: “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Ephesians 6:12) Warning: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as […]

Fulfilling Your Calling [podcast]

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 […]

Technology in End Times Prophecy

GOD foretold of the explosion of technology in the final days leading up to our LORD’s return (Daniel 12:4). The internet is a neutral medium of communication to be used by believers to teach the truth of God in fulfillment of Jesus’s Great Commission command. “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, […]

Abiding

Tried. Trusted. Blessed. [podcast]

CAN God Trust You?

WHO is God going to bless? WHO is going to “abound with blessings”?

“A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.” Proverbs 28:20

Beloved of God, let us always remember that God only rewards and promotes those who are faithful right where they are with whatever they have in their possession to use for His glory. This is the truth we see throughout Holy Scripture, including in Jesus’ parable of the talents in Matthew 25. May God bless each of us to serve Him by serving others—right where we are, right now, with whatever we have—taking no thought for tomorrow but rather trusting Him to provide all (Matthew 6:33-34).

Christ’s Parable of the Talents: What is our LORD Teaching us here?

Trustworthy Faithful ABRAHAM—Faithfulness

“Always remember that God is looking to see if we will be faithful in the small things before He puts us in charge of much.” Frank Telford

Read Hebrews 11 this weekend. See what the heroes of the faith endured and yet remained faithful to the LORD. God remains faithful, even when men do not remain faithful to Him. Yet He’s faithful to Himself — not to those who deny Him. “He cannot deny himself” and yet He will deny those who deny Him the place of reigning in their personal lives (Revelation 2:4-5).

“It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: 1 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: 13 If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.” 2 Timothy 2:11-13

The lives of the patriarchs and apostles make it clear that none of us could possibly come to know and to trust the LORD deeply until we walk with Him, love, worship, serve, and obey Him by faith as He leads us through this life—through seasons of thick and thin, little and much. Faith is forged in fiery trials and not in fairy tales of false faith by those who recline on fancy furniture instead of fighting ferocious foes. Jesus Christ is KING—and we can’t know Him closely until we begin to suffer with Him.

“The goodness of God! Wow! Love it! I have never seen Gods goodness more than I have in the last few months! It makes me cry whenever I realize all He has done for me. I have been blessed beyond measure. I am so blown away that God has met me in the deep valleys.” Karen Cochran

“Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: 9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.” 1 Peter 1:5-9

Might you choose to pray as did the apostles? – “Increase our faith” (Luke 17:5).

Not only should we ask God to “Increase our faith” but also to teach us to be faithful to Him. God will bless those who are faithful to Him—those who are loyal and serve Him obediently through thick or thin, in riches or poverty, through sunshine or rain.

WHERE are God’s eyes and blessings focused?

“Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me.” Psalms 101:6

Does this verse above remind us of the words of 2 Chronicles 16:9?

WHO wants God’s gaze, gifts, and blessings upon them?

I do!

“For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.” 2 Chronicles 16:9

Are you presently blessable beloved of God?

The LORD could trust Abraham. Can He trust us? Can the LORD trust me? Am I faithful to Him?

Even before God tested Abraham to see if he would offer his only and promised son, the LORD says this of Abraham:

“For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.” Genesis 18:19

Of the heroes of the faith who’ve gone before us, God’s testimony of them is that they “confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.” Remember beloved of God, like them, we are passing THROUGH this life on earth. We are not here to stay.

“These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. 15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. 16 But now they desire a better country (heavenly New Jerusalem), that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.” Hebrews 11:13-16

Abraham’s willingness to offer his beloved son Isaac as a sacrifice to God is a type, a foreshadowing of the Father offering up Christ to be crucified, buried, and raised again to pay the ultimate redemption price for the sins of mankind (Genesis 22).

“By faith Abraham, when he was tried (tested), offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,” Hebrews 11:17

Investing in Christ’s eternal kingdom while on earth. This is what Jesus instructed us to do.

“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Matthew 6:19-21

“God commands obedience first and foremost! Abraham obeyed the Lord God’s call on his life when he was told to go and leave the country he was in and leave all behind for a destination unknown. He had to completely follow and depend on the Lord. A test of his faith. We know he did obey the word of the Lord, packed up his family and left all behind for a land unknown to him. Genesis 12.” Karen Cochran

The LORD is always faithful. He has never failed one of His children, ever. Dare we stop here to reminisce how He found and saved us?

Liza Young writes: “At first, life seems to be at a dead end, then we make our way to the SAVIOR, realizing we dare not go forward without the assurance of HIS presence. As we completely trust in HIM, HE helps us face the future by walking with us each step of the way. GOD ‘S wonderful promise in Isaiah 41:10.”

Heavenly Father, please grant Your people to have clean, clear, pure hearts and consciences. Right this moment, I re-turn to You now, afresh dear LORD—bringing words of repentance and confession of all and any sin. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“O Israel, return unto the LORD thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity. 2 Take with you words, and turn to the LORD: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so will we render the calves of our lips.” Hosea 14:1-2

Fresh Start with God

“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 1:25

Get saved.

Continue. Abide. Or perish (John 15:1-6).

“And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. Joshua 24:15

Are We Blessable?

Or, are we…..

out of Bible order

and

out of Bible blessings?

God will bless no man who doesn’t love Him enough to obey Him.

God doesn’t need us.

We need God.

God’s Testimony of Abraham

WE CAN TRUST GOD BUT CAN GOD TRUST US? The LORD could trust Abraham, our example of faith (Romans 4). Can He trust you? Are you trustworthy? What do you do when no man is looking? God sees all, right?

“And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do; 18 Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? 19 For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.” Genesis 18:17-19

What did God know about Abraham? Shall we review?

There are conditions to receiving God’s blessings. One must meet those conditions to walk in God’s blessings. The LORD reveals to us here that He is going to bring His full blessings on Abraham because He could trust Abraham to trust Him and obey Him. Note that God could trust Abraham because Abraham was obedient to Him and also notice that the promises the LORD made to Abraham were contingent upon Abraham continuing to obey the God. They were conditional.

“And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: 12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” Hebrews 6:11-12

“He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich“ (Proverbs 10:4). If you will be rich you must diligently seek the LORD…

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

Who is Going to be Blessed?

“A FAITHFUL MAN shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.” Proverbs 28:20

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please unite my heart to fear Thy name, to number my short days upon the earth, and to bless my life to be fruitful for Your eternal glory this day, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Faithfulness to God

PARABLE OF THE TALENTS [podcast]

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Jesus Sat Over Against The Treasury [podcast]

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Lay Up For Yourselves Treasures in Heaven [podcast]

“LAY UP FOR YOURSELVES” The only wealth that will last, forever, is that which is gained by obeying God in this life – thereby laying up treasure in Heaven. Money Has Wings “Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.” Proverbs 23:4-5 Instruction: “Labour not to be rich” v4 Instruction: “cease from thine own wisdom” v4 Question?: “Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not?” v5 Wisdom to ponder: “for riches certainly make themselves wings; they […]