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“WHEN HE HAD BY HIMSELF purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.” Hebrews 1:3 

ALL “BY HIMSELF” Jesus redeemed us, bought, brought us back to God by the shedding of His precious blood on that cross. Jesus needed no help: He alone was sufficient to propitiate, expiate, atone for the sins of mankind.

The grace of Christ which saved us through His perfect sacrifice is the same and only grace that keeps us and enables His perfect will in our lives!

Here’s how that works in His kingdom economy:

He who died, was buried, and raised again from the dead for us says “for without me ye can do nothing.” (John 15:5)

Those who are known of Him and presently abiding in Christ are being brought to the fuller realization that He who single-handedly bought them with His redeeming blood alone can raise up their lives to glorify Himself (2 Corinthians 4:10-12).

We are wicked without Christ presently reigning in our lives today – “for without me ye can do nothing.” (John 15:5) The sooner this is admitted, the sooner God will grant the victory! (Romans 7:18, 24)

“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. … O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” Romans 7:18, 24

In the divine economy everything operates by “grace … through faith.” (Ephesians 2:8-9) Grace is Heaven’s fuel and accessed by faith – for initial salvation and everything thereafter in our LORD’s kingdom. – “it is of faith, that it might be by grace.” (Romans 4:16)

Grace is the divine influence of God upon our hearts and His operational power in our lives! His divine ability working in us! (1 Corinthians 15:10)

Want more grace? I sure do! As did the apostles, let’s pause and ask that our Father would “increase our faith.” (Luke 17:5)

Heavenly Father, we come to You in the name of Jesus and ask You to increase our faith and multiply to us Your divine grace. In Jesus’ name.

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

Did you just catch that?

Your life will never be the same when He blesses you with the revelation of His grace! It’s Heaven’s fuel for our race! Ask Him beloved!

Divine grace enables holiness in the abiding saint (Titus 2:11-12; Romans 6:14, etc.).

IN Christ’s kingdom, we are only made strong by Him as we are blessed to first be made weak – death, burial, resurrection. Jesus’ apostle Paul was brought low by the thorn God allowed to be given him by the messenger of Satan (2 Corinthians 12:7-10). Will God allow calamity into our lives? Yes. He has a greater plan than comfort – He’s after the character of Christ via cross occasions (Romans 8:28-29). Pan your mind in meditation upon the history, the strippings of God in the lives of every man that would be used of Him. We gaze upon the breaking of Jacob (Genesis 32), the calamities of beloved Joseph (Genesis 37-50), the devastation of Job, the sin and restoration of David (Psalms 51), the denial and restoration of Peter, and the strippings of Paul (2 Corinthians 6, 11, 12, etc.). Our LORD’s dealings in the lives of these men plainly demonstrates that God can and will use no man till He has first brought that man to the place of crucifixion – co-death with Christ (Romans 6:3-4). God will raise up (resurrection) no man who is not first dead and buried (2 Corinthians 4:10-12).

In our humanity, we learn a few Bible verses, minister to a few people, and then somehow believe that we are set to go, to be used mightily of God. That’s “fruit” that proves you are known of Him, being used of the LORD, and yet God desires, “more fruit” and “much fruit.” (John 15:2, 5) So, that requires that He purge you so your life can bear more fruit (John 15).

“Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.” John 15:2

God desires a progression – “thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred.” (Mark 4:8) Thank the LORD, He has much greater plans and therefore much deeper pits to allow us to be placed in! His brothers meant what they did to Joseph for evil yet God was at work to crucify Joseph so that He could use him in a much greater fashion (Genesis 37-50). Many years. Joseph remained faithful to God (James 1:2-14, 12; 1 Peter 1:7; 5:10). The deeper the dying, the greater, the higher the resurrection (2 Corinthians 4:10-12). If Job and Joseph and Paul had to be stripped through great trials and sufferings, what’s that say for us? God strips and uses those He loves (Hebrews 12:5).

The divine economy is a cross economy – first Christ’s redeeming cross, and then that death, burial, and resurrection He causes to be re-enacted in our lives daily (2 Corinthians 4:10-12).

This is the Gospel key to full victory, overcoming, and powerful ministry.

TODAY: The glorious grace of our God is working in each and every one of His beloved, abiding saints today! “The MANIFOLD grace of God” is beyond description in human terms (1 Peter 4:10). Grab this saints. Life changer!

Divine grace goes far beyond unmerited favor in initial salvation! Let’s peer into this glorious grace of our God and Savior Jesus Christ!

Are you asking God to prepare you? 

If today in your life is not a cross day, you should be concerned (Luke 9:23-24). Let us cry out to the LORD with John the Baptist – “He must increase, but I must decrease.” (John 3:30)

When we truly rest in the LORD, we will not be carrying the burden He never intended us to carry and therefore will never burn out:

When through the cross-life divine grace works in our lives, not only will we not burn out, we will labour “more abundantly” – because God’s grace is defined as His operational power, His divine influence and enablement ….

“But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.” 1 Corinthians 15:10 

The LORD is infinite, untiring, divine …. and His grace is sufficient for His beloved people…

“Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. 29 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. 30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: 31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Isaiah 40:28-31 

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-20

“Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.” Psalms 55:22

“Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.” Psalms 37:7

Elijah Flees Jezebel

“And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword. 2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to morrow about this time. 3 And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beersheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there. 4 But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers. 5 And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat. 6 And he looked, and, behold, there was a cake baken on the coals, and a cruse of water at his head. And he did eat and drink, and laid him down again.” 1 Kings 19:1-6

“I am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me. 15 And if thou deal thus with me, kill me, I pray thee, out of hand, if I have found favour in thy sight; and let me not see my wretchedness.” Numbers 11:14-15

“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

“But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.” 1 Peter 5:10

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

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Galatians 6:9

“And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

“The flesh doesn’t like that Bible truth! When we are weak He IS strong. Lord, pls help me to glory in my weaknesses as I am ‘forced’ to depend on YOU, so Your glory may be seen by all who need to see YOU (and NOT me).” Debbie Lord

“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” Isaiah 41:10

“Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:14-16

“The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: 25 The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: 26 The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.” Number 6:24-26

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Abiding

“NEVER take a Vacation from God” [podcast]


God’s Word teaches us to be diligent in knowing and following Christ – even when the word diligent is not used.

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

Make the deliberate decision to “set…

“Now set your heart and your soul to seek the Lord your God; arise therefore, and build ye the sanctuary of the Lord God, to bring the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and the holy vessels of God, into the house that is to be built to the name of the Lord.”  1 Chronicles 22:19

“Don’t you EVER take a vacation from God!” said my first pastor.

This beloved  brother knew exactly what happens when the disciple relaxes in his seeking of the LORD. Think foolish virgins. The result can be deadly, irrevocably.

He was dead on in this warning. Give the flesh an inch and it will take a mile, right?

Have you ever slipped backward? If so, you know it started with just not reading God’s Word one day. That one day turned into two, three…. Right?

Never must this happen. The war is won in the now. You must “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8).

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7

God requires that we “give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall” (2 Peter 1:10).

It’s only those who remain built up in Christ like the wise virgins of Jesus’ parable, who “keep” themselves “in the love of God” who are not going to fall away.

“But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, 21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. … Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, 25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.” Jude 20-25

Jesus warns:

“Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:41

How did this kind of wisdom get lost from us beloved of God?

The disciple must get out ahead of the flesh. He must be one step ahead – knowing by testimony of the Word and by personal experience that there is “NO good thing” in us other than Jesus (Romans 7:18). This is exactly why Paul also said things like:

“I die daily.” 1 Corinthians 15:31

“But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” 1 Corinthians 9:27

Exhorting the sheep of Christ, one pastor said:

“Have fun this summer.  Enjoy the outdoors. Travel to see friends and family. Explore the world.  Just don’t take a vacation from God.  He loves you more than you can imagine and wants to keep refilling your sack with his awesome gifts so that you can keep sharing them with others in your life!”

“The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but it is abomination to fools to depart from evil.” Proverbs 13:19

Various Quotes on the Importance of Diligence

“Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts.”Calvin Coolidge

“But I never could have done what I have done, without the habits of punctuality, order, and diligence…”―Charles Dickens

“Prefer diligence before idleness, unless you esteem rust above brightness.”―Plato

“Diligence is the mother of good fortune.”Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra

“Amateurs look for inspiration; the rest of us just get up and go to work.”―Chuck Close

“If he [Thomas Edison] had a needle to find in a haystack, he would not stop to reason where it was most likely to be, but would proceed at once with the feverish diligence of a bee, to examine straw after straw until he found the object of his search.”―Nikola Tesla

“Laziness looks at excuses as something to treasure while diligence always focuses on excuses as an inconvenience to be overcome.”Dr. Lucas D.  Shallua

“The three great essentials to achieve anything worthwhile are, first, hard work; second, stick-to-itiveness; third, common sense.”―Thomas Alva Edison

“That which ordinary men are fit for, I am qualified in, and the best of me is diligence.”William Shakespeare

“Active valour may often be the present of nature; but such patient diligence can be the fruit only of habit and discipline.”―Edward Gibbon

“Diligence overcomes difficulties; sloth makes them.”―Benjamin Franklin

“The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.” Proverbs 26:13

In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.” Proverbs 14:23

“Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;” 1 Peter 1:13

“Wherefore – Having such encouragement. Gird up the loins of your mind – As persons in the eastern countries were wont, in travelling or running, to gird up their long garments, so gather ye up all your thoughts and affections, and keep your mind always disencumbered and prepared to run the race which is set before you. Be watchful – As servants that wait for their Lord. And hope to the end – Maintain a full expectation of all the grace – The blessings flowing from the free favour of God. Which shall be brought to you at the final revelation of Jesus Christ – And which are now brought to you by the revelation of Christ in you.“―John Wesley

“Slothfulness (laziness, lack of diligence) casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.” Proverbs 19:15

Power Words Power our Lives!

Remember those power words your parents instilled in your growing up? Remember things like “readers are leaders”? How about “The early bird gets the worm”?

What are some of the good words your beloved parents instilled in you as a child that live on in your mind and heart daily?

My beloved father taught us five to “always be consistent.” Oh and these weren’t just words. Oh no. My brother and I are only 13 months apart and so when we started playing football at about 6 years old, my parents set us down and looked us in the eyes and said “If you start this football season, you WILL finish. We require it of you, so count the cost.”

Nothing replaces consistency. Say it out loud with me right now beloved of God – CONSISTENCY.

While we’re on this topic, I hope you won’t mind me saying that it is befuddling to see how people start doing something that works and then quit – from a work out program to a lifestyle change in eating and most devastatingly, serving God then quitting.

Wait a minute, you were doing _______ and it was working, was blessing you, and then you quit?

Hebrews 10:32-39

“But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions;
33  Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used.
34  For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.
35  Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.
36  For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.
37  For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.
38  Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
39  But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.”

Hebrews 6:9-12

“But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak. 10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. 11 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.”

62 times the words “diligent,” “diligence,” and “diligently” appear in Holy Scripture.

Each time we read these words, they pertain specifically to serving God “diligently” with “diligence.”

“Diligent”

“He becometh poor (spiritually) that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich (spiritually).” Proverbs 10:4


“Diligence”

“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” Proverbs 4:23


“Diligently”

appears 37 times in God’s Word

“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

“Looking DILIGENTLY lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;” Hebrews 12:15

“Keep your dukes up!”

Growing up boxing, from home training to being on a golden gloves team in high school, the command of the coaches was always and repeatedly “Keep your dukes up!”

Those who drop their dukes, their hands from covering their face, get hit, get knocked out.

Another sign on the wall of that boxing facility was: “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” unknown

We are going to go through what Jesus foretold:

“For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.” Matthew 24:21-22 

YOUR PRAYER: Holy Father, in the name of Jesus I come to You now. Please forgive my sins of self-idolatry, slothfulness, and spiritual adultery.


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Articles

How Do You Get Around the Idea That All Israel Shall be Saved? Steve Gregg [video]

“Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:” Romans 9:6

“The remnant shall be saved, not the race.” Steve Gregg

If one reads Romans Chapters 9-11, he will see that all the way through, it was only a remnant that would truly believe.” unknown

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Articles

Bearing the Precious Seed of God’s Word [podcast]


“They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. 6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves (harvest) with him.” Psalms 126:5-6 

A harvest of blessed souls is going to be the result, the ministry produce, the fruit of all who bear and distribute, scatter the seed of the incorruptible Word of God into the hearts of men (1 Peter 1:23).

The LORD didn’t say “go explain who I am to other people.” No, He said “preach the word” and “preach the gospel” (2 Timothy 4:2; Mark 16:15).

Our cute little thoughts and sayings are not even within the same universe of power as the Word of God. Obey God. “Preach the word” (2 Timothy 4:2). We can’t explain someone into salvation. No, only God can draw and convict the lost soul and He instructed us to simply communicate His Word to them.

Instead of doing just another little video of yourself or posting a nice little saying, trying to entice people to Christ, why not just post HIS Word – the KJB? You and I have no power to save anyone, not even yourself (John 6:44; 12:32). Only Jesus can do that and He told you to go preach His Gospel and not try to entertain people into His kingdom (Mark 16:15).

“So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it SHALL accomplish that which I please, and it SHALL prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11

When this revelation (recorded for us in Isaiah 55:11) truly hits and settles in your heart, you will never be the same.

People need to hear from God, not us. Have you memorized Isaiah 55:11?

IF Jesus taught something and we’re not teaching it – it’s because we are not following Him correctly – on HIS stated terms (Matthew 28:18-20; John 8:47; 2 Timothy 3:16; 4:2-4, etc.). Are you following Jesus Christ or mere man? Do you preach Christ and His doctrines from HIS Word or are you just regurgitating the pitiful poisons of mere men?

We are still very wise in our own conceits. May the LORD bless us to true repentance with the fruit of allowing God to speak for Himself by simply giving people His Word in His love and wisdom (Colossians 3:16; 2 Timothy 4:2, etc.).

Leveling endless explanations of the faith is futility if the person communicating is not speaking God’s very Word! God’s words are all-powerful because He spoke them and He alone is ALL-mighty. The Source of God’s words is God Himself and so inherent in His words are His power, His presence, His conviction (2 Timothy 3:16-17; Revelation 1:8, etc.).

The Word of God must become the emphasis and not us, not our wonderful, skillful explanations of who God is. After all, have we forgotten that He is infinite and we finite? Are we not but dust? See Psalms 103:14. Regrettably, many in our day have been elevated in the church world for being able to render endless explanations in their international apologetics ministries. Most of these same men used very little if any Scripture which means they helped no one. Many of those in the “Christian” audiences that elevated these men simply wanted to see the arguments of the enemy of souls defeated and not to be grounded deeply in God’s Word for themselves. One such man was the late Ravi Zacharias.

The Words of the Divine vs the Dust

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

The “incorruptible seed” is the Word of God, it’s power packed with divine energy. If we are but “dust” before the Almighty, does that not convey just how futile it is to attempt to explain God and His will? Shall we choose to trust the divine or the mere dust created by the divine?

“Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him. 14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust. 15 As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. 16 For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.” Psalms 103:13-16

It’s not that we don’t speak our own words also in communicating to others in ministry, yet the substance of what we communicate in those moments is not our words but rather God’s words. He is divine and we are but dust.

In 1 Peter 1:23 Scripture informs us that people are “born again” by the “incorruptible seed” of the Word of God, not our explanation, not by our words.

“So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11

It’s the Word that never returns back to God void, not our explanation. If you wish to be used of God powerfully, you must read, study, be resourceful with, and communicate HIS words.

When you encounter a person in darkness, don’t take it personally. No, rather, see it as an opportunity to kindly plant the seed of the Word of God in their heart – which never returns back to the LORD void but always accomplishes that which pleases Him (Isaiah 55:11). “God is love” (1 John 4:8, 16).

The emphasis should not be on our ability to explain God but rather on his word and simply obeying him by preaching it. It’s the incorruptible seed that brings conviction of salvation not our words.

Did the LORD command His people to go explain to others who He is or to simply “preach the gospel”? Mark 16:15

“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

When you read, when you are daily studying God’s Word, do so with the truth in mind that God wants you learning of Him for your own relationship with Him and also to help others.

“That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.” Philemon 6

“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:” 1 Peter 3:15

Our LORD Jesus studied and knew the Word well. Notice how the Son of God readily navigated through the Holy Scriptures to find the exact Scripture He wanted to communicate:

“And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written…” Luke 4:17

Notice another prominent biblical example of how true elders of Christ, as they stand before one or many people, put full emphasis on God’s Words and not their own. They concentrate and put full priority in God’s Word and not their own explanations:

“So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.” Nehemiah 8:8

  1. read in the book in the law of God distinctly”
  2. gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.”

Note how these godly elders read God’s Word to the people and then gave the sense of it. This speaks for itself and reveals to us just who is a godly elder and who isn’t. Rare is the man today, in this late hour, who reads Scripture upon Scripture to the people. Many are so busy giving you their explanation that they have no concern that you are hearing the actual, literal words of the LORD. Sad.

Regrettably lots of people brag about their pastor and how he (supposedly) preaches the Word. In most cases it’s obvious that they’re telegraphing that they trust him, the mere man, the pastor and have no life with Christ in His Word daily for themselves – which the LORD commands (2 Timothy 2:15). Hell is full of people who took men at their word instead of loving God enough to find out what He said in HIS Word for themselves firsthand. Sad. If you don’t love God enough to pour over His words, His instructions, His promises, and His doctrines and warnings for yourself, you are in utter need of true repentance and to seek His holy face continually (1 Chronicles 16:11).

“But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. 14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Timothy 3:13-17

Preach the Word

“I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 2 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 4:1-4

The Parable of the Seed Growing

“And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; 27 And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how. 28 For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. 29 But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.” Mark 4:26-29 

Getting in on the Gospel action begins with a simple prayer, perhaps something like this …. LORD, please prepare and use me for Your glory. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

Support | STORE | PodcastsBecause You Care Page | The Greatest of these is CharityBe Ready in the Morning [podcast]The Sure Mercies of David [podcast]That Repentance and Remission of Sins should be Preached [podcast]At His Feet | Prepared to be Used of God  |

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