Abiding

SUPERBOWL SUNDAY: ‘He Gets Us’ Campaign Examined [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]

“Christian” Group Seeks to Promote Jesus Christ in a New Light with $100 Million Ad Campaign: ‘He Gets Us’

The campaign will reportedly run TV commercials — including a Super Bowl ad — as well as online content, billboards and more marketing materials aimed at younger generations.

Notice, $100 Million dollars with no Scripture. Wow.

What’s the import of such a statement? ‘He Gets Us’ as in Jesus understands our sin and it’s okay? That’s how it seems to come off – because the sin of the individual is never mentioned, the very reason that Jesus came to die on a cross, be buried, and raised again to redeem us from our sin (Matthew 1:21; Luke 19:10; John 1:29; 1 Timothy 1:15; 1 John 2:1-2, etc.).

Something didn’t sit well with me on this recently launched campaign. Smelled a rat. Let’s test it together against Scripture.

Jesus gets us? Yes, but….What does Jesus get about us?

First off, the question is being asked as to what church is ‘he gets us’ affiliated with? Their answer:

“We’re also not affiliated with any particular church or denomination. We simply want everyone to understand the authentic Jesus as he’s depicted in the Bible — the Jesus of radical forgiveness, compassion, and love. It wouldn’t be hard to guess that we’re led by Jesus fans and followers.”

The summation of the ‘He Gets Us’ movement/message is “Jesus gets that you are a sinner and it’s okay.”

EXPOSED: The ‘He Gets Us’ scam alert: Note that one of their slogans says “It’s never too late.” Is this biblically true or false? False.

“And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:” Hebrews 9:27

The ‘He Gets Us’ campaign is coddling people in their sin instead of loving God enough to obey Him by preaching His Word to them so they can repent and be saved. These wolves are lying to the lost instead of lovingly informing them that Jesus commands them to repent and believe upon Him for salvation – before it’s too late. – “now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6:2)

Notice that in this ‘He Gets Us’ campaign, there’s no mention as to why Jesus came to the earth. They cite that Jesus forgives and yet WHAT does He forgive? The Bible is not shy to cite the word SIN and all the variations thereof, and never should His people be! The words sin/sins appears 620 times in God’s Word. That’s not even counting the specific sins named, listed throughout. Here’s 17 specific and soul-damning sins in just one passage:

“Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” Galatians 5:19-21

So, how are sinners going to realize that they’ve sinned against their Maker and are in need of His forgiveness if those sins (Ten Commandments, etc) are hidden from them? God didn’t hide them in His Word and so why should we?

“This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.” 1 Timothy 1:15

Bible 101

Jesus came to die to save sinners. And, anyone not preaching this paramount Gospel truth is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Interestingly, most pastors today avoid the biblical topic of sin which removes the dilemma Jesus came and died to solve….. Beware!

By pretending to “rescue” Jesus from what religion has painted Him out to be, this movement does even more violence on the image of the Son of God. This is why one must diligently and daily study God’s Word for himself and never depend on a ministry or movement or movie to tell them who God is.

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God (you do it!), a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15

Did Jesus make space for everyone? Yes and yet He spoke His truth to those He “make space for” as the ‘He Gets It’ campaign claims. Yes, Jesus is the “friend of publicans and sinners!” – whom He came specifically to save them from that sin, because it separates them from Him and the Father who are “Holy, holy, holy.” (Isaiah 6;3; Revelation 4:8; Luke 7:34)

“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10

Acting is if we love Jesus and others by befriending the lost and yet not disclosing to them their separation from God due to sin, is evil.

Testing the ‘He Gets Us’ Organization Against Scripture

Any attempt to make Jesus popular, especially where Jesus’ very words aren’t integrally incorporated, will fail to produce the fruit God intends. Are we not warned never to bid Godspeed to any false gospel or minister? (2 John 7-11)

Are we open to consider just what “Jesus” they are calling people to with this $100 Million campaign? Christ’s apostle Paul exposed that the enemy of all souls seeks to insidiously displace God’s people via the presentation of “another Jesus … another spirit … another gospel.”

“For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. 3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.” 2 Corinthians 11:2-4

Jesus Gets Us? hmmmm

“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” 1 John 4:1

Just what does Jesus “get” about “us”?

Does Jesus really get us? Yes and that’s exactly why He came on His Father’s mission to the earth.

Yet the ‘He Gets Us’ campaign never communicates this biblical truth on their website or otherwise (at the time of this writing).

What kind of message are they sending? The ‘He Gets Us’ advertising campaign seems to portray that Jesus “gets us” in our sin, He understands and is okay with it, and doesn’t call us to repentance.

Jesus got us alright. He knew from the Garden of Eden when man sinned and fell from grace that mankind was utterly depraved, “desperately wicked” and that He alone could solve such a sin-separation problem (Isaiah 53; Ezekiel 22:30; 1 Peter 3:18; Revelation 1:5-6). He knew that we were sinners – long before He came to the earth. In fact, that’s exactly why He came. God didn’t send His only begotten Son to come to earth and “get us” which means to understand and approve us in our sin. Jesus came to die. He came to be crucified for our sins because He knew we were sinners hopelessly separated from God who is “Holy, holy, holy.” (Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8)

Does this new ‘He Gets Us’ campaign ever mention how Jesus came to die for us, sinners and why He came? Does it cite what Scripture calls sin and that “The wages of sin is death”? (Romans 6:23) If so, what exactly are those sins specifically called by their King James Bible name?

“For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8 But God commendeth (displayed) his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:6-8

Jesus came because we ARE sinners and were in need of the salvation He alone could provide (Ezekiel 22:30; Galatians 4:4; 1 Timothy 2:4-6; Hebrews 1:3; 1 Peter 3:18, etc.).

The reason Jesus Christ came to the earth could not have been stated more clearly in God’s Word. Bible 101.

Is this just another misleading, heretical apostate modern church world campaign attempting to get people to like “Jesus”, all while intentionally ignoring the very stated reason the Jesus of Holy Scripture came to the earth? – “to save SINNERS”?

“This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.” 1 Timothy 1:15

Fallen men owe a debt they cannot pay. Jesus came and paid a debt He did not owe. He said:

“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10

To intentionally hide this fact and the sins fallen men have committed against God is to deceive people. According to the divinely inspired record of Holy Scripture, Jesus Christ came into this world for the express purpose of dying on a cross for the sins, to take away the sins of the world. Then He was buried, and raised again from the dead for the justification of whosoever will (Romans 4:25). The Son of God came to save His people – those who will repent and receive Him – from their sins – NOT IN THEIR SINS. And Jesus only saves from their sins the individual who repents and receives Him (Luke 13:3; John 1:12, etc.).

“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21

“The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” John 1:29

“Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” Titus 2:14

Jesus didn’t come to this earth to help people think He was a nice, good person. He came to die for the sins of the world.

Hiding the truth is evil and misrepresents Christ.

It’s only misled men who mislead men. Misled men are men who deny the daily cross Christ commanded us to take up (Luke 9:23-24). Un-crucified men will deny Christ by delivering a message different from the one He delivered.

“A third defect in our message is our tendency to keep the terms of discipleship hidden until a decision has been made for Jesus. Our LORD never did this. The message He preached included the cross as well as the crown … We popularize the message and promise fun. The result of all this is that we have people believing without knowing what they believe (with) no doctrinal basis for their decision. They do not know the implications of commitment to Christ. They have never experienced the mysterious, miraculous work of the Holy Spirit in regeneration. ~ William MacDonald, “Evangelical Dilemma” Milk & Honey, 4/07, p. 4

We Must Beware of Overcompensation

“Prove (test) all things; hold fast that which is good.” 1 Thessalonians 5:21

Yes, while it is important to present what the Scriptures reveal about the life and mission of the Son of God, including that religionists were His greatest human enemies, it’s also important to make sure Jesus is perfectly represented and these things not distorted or purposely left out.

In our zeal to reject self-righteous religionists of our day and how they’ve grossly misrepresented Christ, we must never also misrepresent Christ by altering the Gospel of Christ which includes essential doctrines such as ….. the divinity of Christ, the virgin…..the absolute necessity of His perfect blood payment for the sins of mankind, that no one else qualified to make this payment except the Lamb of God Himself, the necessity of repentance, holiness from sin which separates men from God, the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, the imperative of the crucified life – the cross – in the personal daily life of any person who will truly follow Jesus, eternal damnation for all who die in sin, judgment to come, the necessity of personal holiness, readiness in light of the soon return of Christ, etc.

In watching these commercials, one will hear things like “Around the dinner table they can talk and see how much they have in common.” Yet it never speaks of the fact that we all have sinned against our Maker and that is what all men have in common. And also it never hints of the “common salvation” – the salvation of Christ to all who have sinned (Romans 3).

“Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” Jude 3

The Gospel

“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By which also ye are saved, IF ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:” 1 Corinthians 15:1-4

If they are not preaching THE Gospel, they are preaching another gospel and are “accursed.”

“I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.” Galatians 1:6-9

The very next words Paul pens concern those who preach “any other gospel” and why they preach it. – “For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.” (Galatians 1:10) Simply put, those who promulgate a false gospel, do so because they do not fear God and are not Christ’s servants.

On the surface, to say “Jesus gets us” seems unfitting for several reasons, including the fact that the group spreading this message could have just as easily used their money and screen time quoting Scripture directly from God’s Word, the King James Bible. Instead, they are using misleading (at best) slogans and making deceptive claims such as “Jesus was a refugee.” Among other things this is the typical lame, avoid-all-persecution “evangelism”, which is not biblical evangelism. “Evangelism” that doesn’t bring persecution is not biblical evangelism (Luke 6:26; Book of Acts, etc.).

To Preach HIS Word is the Mandate of God to His People

There are so many spineless moral cowards today who promulgate the “Jesus loves you” false gospel – pawning gospel of half truths. Yes Jesus loves you and came and died, was buried, and raised from the dead to save you from your sins – and He will only do so if you repent and put your trust in Him completely (Luke 13:3; Acts 17:30; Romans 10:13, etc.).

Here’s what the true disciples of today preach as did the LORD’s apostles and earliest followers of Jesus. Read the book of Acts afresh.

“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;” Acts 3:19

“Preach the Word”

“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

The actual Word of God must be preached – and that’s exactly what you’ll see the true remnant of disciples today doing. In fact, is it not disheartening to see so many who claim to follow Jesus never just posting the pure, raw Word of God (King James Bible)? Sad. It reveals that they are ashamed of Christ – regardless of any excuse.

“Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” Mark 8:38

Anyone ashamed of Jesus’ words is ashamed of Christ. If a person isn’t ashamed of Christ and His Word, why then would they not be boldly posting, declaring, communicating it?

ARE YOU sharing the Gospel, the Word of God, or are you proving to be ashamed of Christ?

Jesus never commanded that His people go and pander to the public, to soft sell them on, to make them feel good about the idea of “Jesus.” Christ commanded His people to “Go” and “preach”, to boldly declare His Gospel.

“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. 19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. 20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.” Mark 16:15-20

A reading of the book of Acts reveals that the earliest saints were baptized with the Holy Spirit and boldly preached the Word of Christ. Today we have endless and lame attempts to soft sell Jesus, to make Him palatable to the world using half-truths which has inflicted incalculable damage.

Here are some comments on this $100 million “He Gets Us” scam:

“Imagine what they’ll attract with such an unimaginative bait and switch…” C.

“You are right on the money here! I like your straightforward way of just saying it the way it is. Cringe! I like that. Did you hear what was really said in the video that imitated Mary and Joseph when Mary was pregnant by the Holy Spirit? That trivialized the virgin birth of Jesus and the entrance of God-incarnate into this world. When they liken JOSEPH to a “BOYFRIEND” of an out-of-wedlock baby-mama, I about fell out of my computer chair. That is blasphemous!!! The fallacy is that all women except Mary have to be sexually active in an immoral way before God if they are pregnant out of wedlock, but Mary was a engaged virgin, moral, and Jesus was conceived by the HOLY SPIRIT. Matthew 1:23. They do not say anything that makes Jesus’ birth different from all other humans, but they compare it to an illegitimate pregnancy.” Lee

“Thankfully, I have already gotten Jesus so I’ll be taking a pass on this campaign.” D.

Testing Everything, Every Mere Man Against Holy Writ

The “more noble” Berean disciples tested against the final divine authority, next to the divine standard of the written Word, what the apostle Paul was preaching (Acts 17:10-11). Things to ask about any person claiming to represent Christ:

Are they calling out sin from God’s Word? The violation of the Law/Ten Commandments, etc. (Romans 3:20; Galatians 3:24; 5:19-21; 1 John 3:4, etc.).
Is he/are they calling me to repentance? (Matthew 3:2; 4:17; Luke 13:3; 24:49; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 20:21, etc.
Is he preaching Christ and His original Gospel? (1 Corinthians 15:1-4; Galatians 1:6-9; 2 Timothy 4:2-4, etc.).

Was Jesus a Refugee? Not Quite.

The ‘He Gets Us’ website states the following:

“Jesus was a refugee: As a child, Jesus lived as a refugee in Egypt to escape physical and political persecution.”

One writer notes:

“Jesus was not a “refugee” in any sense meaningful to today’s world. For one thing, Jesus’ family never left the Roman Empire; they simply fled from one region of Roman territory to another Roman territory. That would be like someone moving legally from one state to another within the USA to leave the jurisdiction of the governor of the first state. Also, Luke makes it clear that Joseph and Mary went out of their way to follow Roman law in adhering to the census (Luke 2:1–5). Everything they did was legal.

Jesus and His family moved to Egypt in order to escape King Herod’s murderous intentions, but they had a plan, and they had supplies and support. Their trip was entirely self-funded, due to the gifts of the magi. And their sojourn in Egypt was short. The family remained there until the death of Herod, at which time they returned home (Matthew 2:19–21). Given these details, there’s no real parallel to the modern, indigent refugee who asks permission to enter a new country to avoid some calamity.”

PRAYER: Father, in Jesus’ name, please teach me Your ways, bringing a deep conviction for what You told us angers You and what pleases You. Please sharpen the discernment of Your beloved people and cause us to earnestly contend for the faith of the original Gospel You gave us. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Ten Commandments Evangelism [podcast]

Use the 10 Commandments to bring conviction to the consciences of the lost and backslidden. THAT’s exactly how New Testament saints are instucted to use the Law. Do you have them memorized? Do it now. GOSPEL/KINGDOM TRUTH: People must become convicted of their sin before they are broken and shown the need to repent. This truth is essential to successful ministering. Gal 3:24; 1 Tim 1:7-10; Ps 19:7 … You cannot and will never talk anyone into being saved. You don’t have that power. God does. And He instructs us to give them the divine sword which cuts straight into […]

The Chosen and Jonathan Roumie Exposed [podcast]

Another vatican deception ensnares lazy counterfeits who refuse to get into the Word for themselves. ***BEWARE OF THE BANDWAGON BAFOONS! The counterfeit chumps who jumped on the more than obvious THE CHOSEN vatican fraud movie bandwagon have even more egg on their face with the revelation of the pride abomination flag that was on the set. That tells us all we need to know about Johnathan Roumie and The Chosen. “The Chosen” movie is just the latest “I-want-it-to-be-true-because-I’m-too-lazy-to-read-God’s-Word-for-myself” deception. “And Hollywood loves the Chosen because it is presenting a false Jesus. The world loves their own! John 15: 19. The […]

Sin: Man’s Core Problem [podcast]

People don’t have a “mental health” problem, they have a SIN problem and sin is what gives way, gives full access to Satan! “When people hear voices telling them to harm themselves or others, that’s not a chemical imbalance, it’s demon possession.” Rachel Gould “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” Jeremiah 17:9 Jesus taught us that man’s sin comes out of his “desperately wicked” heart (Jer17:9; Mark 7:20-23). The devil and his agents have created a million ways to divert us from stopping our lives, getting honest, taking personal responsibility, humbling ourselves, […]

Abiding

Following the Faith of Abraham [podcast]

“There failed not ought of any good thing which the LORD had spoken unto the house of Israel; ALL came to pass.” Joshua 21:45

The LORD Keeps His Promises to His People

God could trust 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 Abraham who lived by faith, the LORD says “For I know him” and if we love God, like Abraham, we are known of the LORD also.

“But if any man love God, the same is known of him.” 1 Corinthians 8:3

Does the unchanging God ever tell His people to leave where they are and go to another place? Yes.

“Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: 2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: 3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. 4 So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him…” Genesis 12:1-4

Abraham met the condition and God fulfilled His promise. Could the LORD have blessed Abraham had Abraham not trusted and obeyed Him?

“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

“The key is to say ‘Here I am.’ Abraham responded 3 times to God in Gen 22, when God called His name. It was an immediate response of obedience. Did he know exactly why God was calling him? No! It was the posture of his heart. Because of his faithful obedience the Lord knew Abraham was a God fearing man, who only cared about doing God’s will.” Karen Cochran

“And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness.” Genesis 15:6

“And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.” James 2:23

“I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. 7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. 8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. 9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.” 1 Corinthians 3:6-9

“By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.” Hebrews 11:8

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

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please forgive my unbelief, which is a sin. Please wash this heart afresh in Your precious blood dear LORD Jesus. Fill my heart with faith, with love, joy, and peace. Please order my every step and be glorified in this life You gave. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

"Though He Slay Me, Yet will I Trust in Him" [podcast]

DO WE have the “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him” spirit and disposition of the beloved Job? “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.” Job 13:15 Going though a season of testing and trials and yet not worshipping God through it all, is a waste. Personally I had to learn this the hard way. God has been so wonderfully gracious! “But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, […]

Are You a "A FAITHFUL MESSENGER" of the LORD? [podcast]

The faithfulness of God is where we begin …. every word in the Bible. His Word oozes with His faithfulness. He was faithful to us “while we yet sinners” (Romans 5:6-8), to forgive us our sins (1 John 1:9). ruling over cities – see Luke 19 See examples of faithfulness to God in Hebrews 11: “he pleased God” “By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.” Hebrews 11:5 “But whoso looketh into the perfect […]

Abiding

The Flesh will Never be Reformed it Must be Crucified [podcast]

The Divine Prescription is Clear and there are No Shortcuts

“And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.” Galatians 5:24

The law brings repentance, salvation while thereafter the crucified life, the cross keeps us from that sin which once separated us from the LORD, who now has saved us (Psalms 19:7; Romans 6).

There are lots of people peddling the lie of “self care” which is ultimately nothing more than absolute selfishness. Pure evil. We need SAVIOR care! Such “self-care” only perpetuates the prey, the victim, in their misery. The only way to deal with the wicked iniquitous nature, is to crucify it, not pamper it (Luke 9:23-24). It’s your time to get into God’s Word and follow Jesus (KJB). Repent, deny yourself, lay down your life and serve God and others, not yourself. Loving your wicked self IS your problem and so all “self care” is accomplishing is to make your problem bigger, to fortify the evil within (Galatians 5:16-24). Crucifying that evil by the power of the Holy Spirit who is then raising your upward in His grace, glory, and power, is the divine prescription (Romans 8:13; Colossians 3:3, etc.). Read Philippians 2:3-5 each morning this week. Jesus commands you to love God. Worship God. Obey God (Matthew 22:37-39).

All whom Jesus has saved make a decision every day, including this day. All who were initially saved and yet aren’t searching out and taking up the cross daily, prove they do not love Him, even though they may claim such. Each of us prove who we really love by who reigns in our lives, and by who dies. See Matthew 6:24.

“Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?” Romans 6:16

WHO we yield ourselves to today, proves who we truly love – either the Savior or self.

“But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:” 2 Corinthians 1:9

We must declare and establish “the sentence of death in ourselves” so that our trust is in God who raised Christ from the dead and raises up all of His saints as they are crucified with Christ.

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20

Tired of sinful self and wanting it out of your way? Here’s the divine prescription: “But I keep under (subdue) my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway” (1 Corinthians 9:27).

The fact that Jesus is coming back for a church, a people who are holy, let us peer into what the Bible tells us concerning overcoming the flesh, sin (Romans 6-8).

Jesus never said to try or try harder. no, Jesus says you must die to follow Him (Luke 9:23-24; John 12:23-25, etc.).

Jesus is sanctifying and cleansing by His Word a people, a church “a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish” (Ephesians 5:25-27).

Times of fasting and prayer are doing yourself a favor and not God. Yes. You are crucifying self, getting self out of God’s way so that Christ is reigning in your life in place of sinful self! This should be viewed with absolute delight! (See Psalms 37:4; Hosea 6:6; Matthew 9:13, etc..) You are crying, you are driving a stake in the ground and declaring: “LORD, You must increase but I must decrease!” (See John 3:30.) That’s the “daily” operation of the cross God has ordained to be transpiring in our lives (Luke 9:23-24; 2 Corinthians 4:10-12; Galatians 2:20, etc.).

What’s your plan for a special time of fasting and prayer this week? There’s no mystery – you will not overcome the flesh, sin, without being crucified with Christ and there’s no better way than fasting and prayer. It’s the most direct route to being dead, buried, and raised up in the victory Christ alone can grant. Lay it all down, now. Memorize Colossians 3:3 and walk it out.

We simply can’t know just how deep we are buried in pride until we begin to obey God in fasting and prayer. Isaiah 58

Overcoming the flesh, walking in victory requires continually delighting in the LORD, worshipping Him “in spirit and in truth” (John 4:23-24).

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

HOW many of us know that the flesh is never going to behave itself, never going to be tamed …. until it’s slain by the cross, crucified?

The flesh IS going to rage, be bent toward and do evil. That’s a given (Romans 7). This is why the cross, the crucifying of the “old man” and putting on “the new man” are essential to God bringing the victory in our lives! (Romans 6-8; Ephesians 4:23-25; Colossians 3:5-10, etc.)

Doesn’t the fact that our flesh does not like the cross, only confirm the need for it? What are the “works of the flesh” that will separate a once saved Christian from God? (Galatians 5:16-21) Though it’s never heard in the apostate modern church world, Jesus commanded the cross in the life of each and every person who would follow Him (Luke 9:23-24). The fact that our flesh hates the cross in no way changes God and what He said concerning the severity in which we are to deal with the flesh, with sin – and the eternal damnation that awaits all who don’t crucify the deeds of the body (Mark 9:42-49; Romans 6; 2 Corinthians 7:1; 1 Peter 1:15-16; Revelation 21:8, 27, etc.). When’s the last time you read the words of Jesus recorded in Mark 9:42-49 and took Jesus at His Word? IF you truly love Him, you will obey Him (John 14:15).

God fully expects for His people to induce, to participate in the crucifixion of our flesh, putting the self-life to death (Isaiah 58; Matthew 6:16; 1 Corinthians 9:27; Galatians 2:20, etc.).

Holiness is not the way to Christ but rather Christ is the way to holiness. Abiding in Christ IS abiding holy – in the divine definition of holy. The key is that holiness is NOT the way to God but rather Christ is the way to holiness, His way, His definition – which is the daily cross (Luke 9:23-24). Abiding fellowship with Christ, on HIS terms, is holiness – being set apart to the LORD, in the LORD (Psalms 4:3; John 15).

Sin is man’s master until Christ is man’s Master (Matthew 6:24).

No one overcomes by accident. Those who love the LORD, truly, not just in mere profession, will seek Him diligently and obey Him and therefore are brought into His victory by Him (Matthew 7:21; 22:37-39; Titus 1:16; 1 John 2:3-6; Revelation 2-3, etc.). The disciple must truly repent and cease all excuses for the sin that displeases God and walk as “MORE than conquerors through him that loved us” (Romans 8:1, 5-6, 13-14; 37, etc.).

Jesus came from Heaven to earth and successfully confronted evil, sin, death, and the devil by going to the cross and defeating them! Read Colossians 2:14-15; Hebrews 2:14-15 and 1 John 3:8. In Christ, with Christ, we defeat death by dying, laying down our lives (Hebrews 2:14-15). And Jesus, who conquered death, hell, sin, Satan, and the grave, sends us to the cross – co-death with Him to defeat all of our sin and Satan also (Luke 9:23-24; Romans 6; 8:29, 37; 2 Corinthians 4:10-12, etc.). His precious blood alone atoned for our sins positionally, and yet to enforce that victory in defeating sin and Satan in our daily lives, Jesus prescribed to us the cross life (the practical).

The only thing we can do about this reality – about the iniquitous fleshly nature – is to crucify it (Galatians 5:16-24). There can be no negotiation.

“Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:11

The one way to master sin is bow to Heaven’s Master and let Him master sin! The cross.

BECAUSE JESUS CHRIST ROSE AGAIN, ALL WHO ARE BORN AGAIN IN HIM ARE RAISED UP SPIRITUALLY IN THIS LIFE TO OVERCOME ALL SIN, SATAN, AND THE WORLD, AND WILL SOON be RAISED UP INTO ETERNAL GLORY WITH HEAVEN’S KING.

Rhetorical Question: What’s your fasting and prayer plan beloved? Your answer to this important, prompting question is before you and your LORD….

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:1-2

You are not serious about overcoming sin if you’re not yet setting apart regular times of fasting and prayer. The fact that you don’t want to fast is the clear proof that you need to fast. Currently, your flesh is in control! Once you are broken, you will delight in, you will look forward to those times of regular fasting! Read Isaiah 58. | The Amazing Benefits of Fasting and Prayer

Times of Fasting and prayer get YOU out of the way so Jesus can reign supreme! Isaiah 58

“For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” Romans 8:13-14

“He must increase but I must decrease.” John 3:30

FASTING IS STARVING THE FLESH AND FEEDING THE SPIRIT IN ORDER TO BE BROUGHT BY THE LORD INTO FULL ONENESS WITH HIM AND THE FATHER, AND INTO THE COMPLETE VICTORY AND FRUITFULNESS HE’S ORDAINED YOU TO WALK IN (ISAIAH 58).

Read Romans 6-8.

I am not a good person. Neither are you. “There is none righteous, no, not one” (Romans 3:10). Admit it. The Bible and our own failing experience in this life clearly reveal such to be the case. The sooner we become HONEST with that which is more than obvious, announcing freely and transparently that there is “no good thing” in us except CHRIST, the sooner God will begin a fresh, deeper work in us! See Romans 7:18, 24—the cross!

“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

“Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;” Colossians 3:9

The SINNER, the vile wretch I must first and foremost confront, is myself! See Job 19:28; Rom 7:18, 24; Ps 39:4-5 and Eccl 7:20. It’s essential to begin to understand the flesh, the fallen man, the iniquitous old man, in order to realize what we’ve been saved from and what must be crucified daily. The cross is God’s solution, His prescription to “put off the old man with his deeds.”

“That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;” Ephesians 4:22

The cross subdues the flesh, it separates us from being held captive to the dictates of the old man, the carnal fallen nature.

The Root of the Matter is in Me! | The Daily Cross

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Fight the temptation or die the death? Where’s the victory come from? The Cross – something counterfeits intentionally evade (Philippians 3:18-19). The cross is how we know who is real and who is fake. Refusing to take up the cross means one has denied Christ. This would account for the vast majority of men in ministry today. They are cross-less. The only people who are truly following Christ are those who are doing it HIS way – and His stated way is the cross, the crucified life (Luke 9:23-24). There is no other way to follow Jesus. If we don’t […]

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Apostasy

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 the written Word so carefully presented here concerning the very purpose of the Bible.

Doctrine – (Gr. DIDASKALIA): that which is taught; teaching, instruction. An individual’s doctrinal body of truth consists of that which he has been taught and holds to be true.

Reproof – (Gr. ELEGMOS): proof, proving, test. As the noble Berean believers demonstrate and John commands, to test every doctrine that comes from the mouth or pen of men, against the holy Standard – the Scriptures. This is, in part, what is being spoken to us by the Holy Spirit in this verse at hand. Therefore, we conclude that we have been given “All scripture” in order to exercise “reproof,” or the testing of men’s doctrines against Holy Writ and to test every notion of belief we currently hold against the divine standard of the written Word which is final divine authority (Acts 17:10-11; 1 John 4:1).

Correction – (Gr. EPANORTHOSIS): a restoration to an upright state or right state. The Scriptures are “given by inspiration of God” to bring correction into our own hearts, and into the hearts of all who heed the divine message (James 1:21-25).

Instruction in Righteousness – (Gr. PAIDEIA): training in righteousness is what is meant here. The Bible is given to train us in the ways of the One who inspired the same. The divinely given Precepts of life can never fail anyone who would search out and do its commands (Isaiah 34:16). All of life’s answers, as pertains to man, are found within its pages (2 Peter 1:3-4; Psalms 119:128a). Millions of godly pilgrims, journeying through this earthly life, has found the perfect divine will and direction by studying the words of Holy Scripture (Psalms 119).

The verse following this monumental 16th verse, v17, also reveals to us another reason for the Scriptures – “That the man of God may be perfect (mature), throughly furnished (equipped) unto all good works.” This maturity will come as a result of the workings of God as we walk with Him. He will teach our hearts His doctrine, His correction, His reproof, and instruct us in righteousness.

In review, what are the 4 reasons that God gave us His Word in written form?

doctrine
reproof
correction
instruction in righteousness

The Bible was written to CHANGE you – TO CORRECT FALSE THINKING – and not to accommodate the lies you believe. Are you washing your mind of every false notion – by daily study of God’s Word, OR are you backslidden? (Romans 12:2; Ephesians 5:26) Repent now and conform to Christ by learning, embracing, adhering to, searching, studying, and obeying His truth (2 Timothy 3:16-17). WHY DID GOD GIVE US HIS WORD? WHAT are the stated 4 reasons God gave us His Word? Do you know this truth, and are you ready to share it with others?

You are obviously saved when you are putting God’s Word as final divine authority of your life and that’s pleasing to the LORD (John 8:47). When we allow God’s Word to correct us, we prove He is authentically the LORD of our lives (2 Timothy 3:16).

SOFT-PEDDLING, HALF-TRUTH preachers are Satan’s agents. No conviction, no cross, no holiness, no repentance, no readiness for the return of Christ, no judgment to come, no hell, no lake of fire! RUNNNNNN

WHY did God give us His Word? It was to establish His truth in and to protect His people from the many deceivers – “them that seduce you.”

“These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.” 1 John 2:26

God gave us His Word so that we may be established in him and kept safe from the “Many false prophets” He so often warned us about. He provided His written Word, his tangible revelation, so that we may fear Him (Deuteronomy 4:10), and so we can know Him (John 5:39). As you study Scripture, be on the look out for the many divinely stated reasons our LORD gave us His written Word.

Beloved saint, will you now teach these Bible truths to others? Share this.

Memory Verse: 2 Timothy 3:16

God gave us His Word in written format so they’d be no confusion and also, no excuse on Judgment Day (John 12:48; Romans 2:16; 1 Corinthians 14:33; 2 Timothy 3:16-17, etc.). The Word of God is the basis by which the LORD shall judge each of us.

“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

“Read your Bible for yourself. Please. A YouTube sermon clip is not enough. A podcast is not enough. Your favorite preacher is not enough. Know your Bible.” Biblical Man

“Seek ye out of the book of the LORD, and read: no one of these shall fail…” Isaiah 34:16

Read God’s Word itself, yourself (KJB). THAT is God speaking. Every time you read His Word, God is speaking to you.

In Christ’s Love.

PASS IT ON

Memory Verse: 2 Timothy 3:16

GOD’S WORD

LET’S LEARN GOD’S WORD TOGETHER – ONE TRUTH AT A TIME: Are you tired of reading Scripture or hearing a good message from the Word and not retaining any of it for yourself and to help others? This message was sent out to each person on our Moments For My Master email devotional list. We would love to add you and have the privilege of nourishing your heart with God’s Word (1 Tim. 4:6). Sign up here.

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