Abiding

How to Know You are being Led by the Spirit [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]

The Killing Power of the Holy Ghost: What does that Mean? [podcast]

Firstly, since there are many ungrounded flakes today claiming God is telling them things or leading them, let’s speak of the danger of using God’s holy name in vain.

“Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.” Exodus 20:7

It’s a dangerous proposition to be attaching the holy, the very name of the LORD to things He is not saying. Such is the work of counterfeits, false prophets. Read the severe warning in Jeremiah 23:30-40 on this matter. We know for sure that HE has and is speaking through His written Word and such keeps us all safe (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

BEWARE when you hear people speak about the “Holy Spirit” and not the written Word! This is a dead giveaway of someone who wants to claim, to attach the name of the Holy Spirit or the LORD to things that He didn’t say in His Word – which includes “ALLLLL things that pertain unto life and godliness” for all times (2 Peter 1:3-4).

Memorize now:

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Psalms 119:105

Beware of the pretenders claiming to be highly spiritual in hearing from God yet never seeking to exhort others to get into God’s Word for themselves – because they want you following, depending on them (2 Timothy 2:15; 3:16-17). Any person pretending to be representing Christ and yet is not getting His audience grounded in the written Word, is absolutely a self-serving false prophet.

“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

These self-appointed people always seem to have to be in the drivers seat, always having a supposed dream, vision, or word they claim is from God. Yet, the authentic disciple of Jesus devours, personally procures God’s Word daily and so he/she is not impressed with someone making these claims as they take the name of the LORD in vain by attaching His holy name to things that are not from Him.

“Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the LORD. … How long shall this be in the heart of the prophets that prophesy lies? yea, they are prophets of the deceit of their own heart;” Jeremiah 23:16, 26

Clear Proof One is Walking in the Spirit

God is eternally perfect, He is God alone. He will never lead anyone contrary to His Word but rather always in exact accordance of what He has stated.

WONDERING whose voice is speaking to you? WHEN it’s God you will know it because HE is leading you to repentance and confession of all sin, to the cross, to the throne of His grace and mercy! Boom.

The flesh is not going to yield to and be led of the Holy Spirit until it is crucified (Romans 6; 8:11-14).

Interestingly, many preach about being led of the Spirit and say nothing of being crucified with Christ – which is essential to being led by the Spirit.

“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

The primary way we are blessed to be dominated and led by the Holy Ghost instead of the flesh is to be given over to the LORD in the crucified life! In the above passage, verse 13 precedes verse 14 by divine design.

LOTS OF PEOPLE CLAIMING TO BE LED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT: Jesus anoints His people with His Holy Ghost to put to death the deeds of the body (Romans 8:13-14)! If you are truly full of and led by the Holy Spirit, you are denying yourself, taking up the cross daily, and authentically following Him (Luke 9:23-24, etc.). We seldom hear these things together…. And they are biblically inseparable! Without exception, the truly anointed person, led by the Holy Spirit, lives a crucified life.

Yes it is those who are led by the Holy Spirit of God that are revealed to be truly of God. Yet, who are those people? Among all who claim to be following Jesus, who are those that make up His “little flock”? (See Luke 12:32.) Jesus made it clear that “many” who fully believe they are His really are not following Him and are not His and will be rejected in the end for not truly adhering to His Word (Matthew 7:21-29, etc.).

EVERYthing must be tested by Holy Scripture (Acts 17:10-11).

The Word of God is the only foundation that will not be washed away in the coming judgment (Matthew 7:21-29; Hebrews 12:24-29, etc.).

Saints, you have NO business attempting to have Christian fellowship with anyone who does not uphold the HOLY SCRIPTURES, the written Word as absolute final divine authority! (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Psalms 119; John 8:47)

Lots of people speak of being led by the Spirit of God and yet never mention the final divine authority of the written Word of God. This is scary. Everything must be weighed against the tangible written Word the Holy Spirit gave us just as was the case when the Bereans tested Paul the apostle against that holy, final authority standard (Acts 17:10-11; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21).

THE WRITTEN WORD OF GOD IS THE UNCHANGING WILL OF GOD.

Are you grounded in God’s Word?

The “MORE Sure Word” is God’s Written Word

Many today claim and believe they are being led by the LORD’s Holy Spirit and yet those same people believe and are doing things contrary to what the Holy Spirit of God gave us in His written Word. Who’s wrong, those people or the LORD Almighty?

There are so many today who believe they are of God and led of His Spirit and yet, are Christ’s people to believe every person who claims to be led of the Spirit?

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

The LORD’s apostle Paul came in the name of the LORD and yet, the noble believers in the city of Berea put him to the test as we do with our own hearts and all mere men:

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

Divine Truth Recorded! “…the record that God gave of his Son” is on “RECORD” in the Bible

In His blessed written Word, the LORD has given us “ALL things that pertain unto life and godliness” and all who do not believe that “record” – that which is on written record – are shown to be “not of God” (John 8:47; 2 Peter 1:3-4).

“He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. 11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. 13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” 1 John 5:10-13

Knowing We are in the Truth

Many today speak often of being led of the Spirit and yet never mention the Word. Beware! The primary way the LORD guides His New Testament church (individually and corporately) is through the Holy Scripture (2 Timothy 3:15-17, etc.). No one who is not living and being led according to the Word, is being led by the Spirit of God. In some cases, those who claim they are led by the Spirit wish to divorce themselves from truly adhering to the perfect Lordship of Jesus presented in His written Word and don’t want what they consider constraints. The true follower of Christ says with the psalmist:

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Psalms 119:105 (memorize today)

Regrettably, many today have been misled by the “many false prophets” who have taught them that after being saved they are not personally responsible to continue in Christ which means continuing in His Word (John 8:31-32; 15:1-6, etc.).

Two ways we can know we are in the truth and of the truth and discern whether or not others are being led of the LORD:

By knowing we are hearing and believing the Word of God which is the “MORE sure Word”:

“For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. 18 And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount. 19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” 2 Peter 1:16-21

By obeying God’s Word practically:

No one can actually show or tell us how to trust God practically. It’s when we simply obey Him by faith that we experience His truth making us free from self by His guiding hand, and being led of Him, etc. (John 8:31-32). It has to be “work(ed) out” individually and as we do, the LORD works in us both to will and to do of His good pleasure (Philippians 2:12-13).

“Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. 17 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.” John 7:16-17

“My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. 19 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.” 1 John 3:18-19

How to Make Sure You Are Following Jesus – Being Led of His Holy Spirit (synonymous)

“Bind up the testimony (written Word), seal the law (Word) among my disciples. … To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” Isaiah 8:16, 20

A fuller portion of this magnificent text will further open our eyes:

“Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples. 17 And I will wait upon the LORD, that hideth his face from the house of Jacob, and I will look for him. 18 Behold, I and the children whom the LORD hath given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from the LORD of hosts, which dwelleth in mount Zion. 19 And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead? 20 To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” Isaiah 8:16-20

v16 The Word is to be bound to the individual believer. All true servants of Christ endeavor to bind His people to His written Word, the primary way the LORD leads His New Testament believers and church (2 Timothy 3:16-16, etc.).

v17 The LORD is not available to the casual seeker but rather those who diligently seek Him (Jeremiah 29:11-14; Matthew 6:6; 2 Timothy 2:15, etc.).

v18 As God’s Word becomes flesh in His saints, powerful things happen by His holy hand.

v19 There are many evil spirits with falsehoods and false doctrines and only the believer who clings to the truth, the written Word, will escape their influence (1 Timothy 4:1-2, etc.).

v20 As we diligently discern by weighing all things against the written Word, we will know who is of the truth and not a wolf in sheep’s clothing (Matthew 7:15-15; John 8:47; Acts 17:10-11; 2 Timothy 2:15, etc.).

Jesus says:

“Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. 14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.” John 16:13-14

There is no possibility “the Spirit of truth” would lead anyone to read or listen to that which contradicts and perverts His truth (John 16:13-14; 17:17). “(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth)” (Ephesians 5:9). …. Jesus says the Holy Spirit only leads people into the truth. Any person who believes the Holy Spirit of God led them to listen to or buy the books of a wolf is under the influence of “another spirit” which is from Satan (2 Corinthians 11:2-5; Galatians 1:6-9).

The Holy Ghost, “the Spirit of truth,” will never confirm a lie in your heart. So, if you are conflicted within about something, keep praying and studying God’s Word about it – in full surrender asking Him to make you whole, to clarify, to teach you (John 16:13; 1 John 4:6).

The Fruit of the Holy Spirit will always be consistent with these 3 things: GRT = Goodness, Righteousness, Truth

“goodness”
“righteousness”
“truth”

WHEN we are judging fruit – FIRST our own – these are 3 things to know that will always be consistent with the Holy Ghost working a life.

Ultimate “goodness” intended even when it’s a rebuke (Psalms 141: 5; Proverbs 27:5-6).

“Righteousness” – it will be biblically right, accurate.

“Truth” – it will aways, with no exception, be according to the truth of God which is the Word of God (John 17:17).

“Cease”

We are directly instructed to cease listening to all who do not speak strictly according to the Word of God:

“Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge.” Proverbs 19:27

His Sanctified Saints

The body of Christ is being daily washed by the water of God’s Word as we fervently look for the soon return of Christ (Ephesians 5:25-27). The remnant believer allows the Word of the LORD to establish His sound doctrine in his life and is corrected by the Word as he sees his thoughts and beliefs did not align. This is how the saint of Christ is sanctified – set apart to the LORD.

Dreams, Visions, Prophecies, and Supposed Apparitions [podcast]

Remember that Jesus says that His sheep hear His voice (John 10:16). The point of this message is in no way to limit God or foolishly claim He no longer speaks to people in dreams, visions, or the vocal gifts of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:7-10; Hebrews 13:8). Yet, today, most of those claiming to be getting words, visions, dreams, and prophecies, are not grounded in Christ and most of them make it abundantly obvious by their lack of preaching the essential doctrines of the original Gospel such as Christ’s cross, judgment, hell, repentance, the necessity for personal holiness, […]

CHRIST SAVED CHARLIE!!!!

OUR LORD JESUS IS SAVING SOULS TODAY SAINTS! Charlie and the Chipmunk Please lift up Mr. Charlie in a prayer…. who repented and was miraculously saved into Christ’s kingdom today. Divine appointment 100%. He came to a wilderness area today to free a chipmunk that had been in his yard and God made him free, set him free from sin, washing his sins away in the blood of the Lamb! I saw that he was from Louisiana (my state of birth and upbringing) and so pulled in next to him and begin kidding around a bit with him. He said […]

Ministry Update: Mexico Mission Update [podcast]

***Hope you enjoy and will lift a prayer for these precious people we are together blessed and privileged to reach for Christ (1 Corinthians 3:6-9). Also, keep in mind that only a percentage of the ministry exchanges are feasible and yet this should give a sense of what our LORD is doing here in Mexico – due to the giving of His saints to His business – His Great Commission. THIS MORNING a dear man named Fernando was in need and so, because you gave, this man was blessed to receive some coffee and the love of God in the […]

The Cross is a Surrender Not a Struggle [podcast]

The Cross is a Surrender not a Struggle Seems apparent that the struggle comes with living in the flesh, from resisting the surrender. In contrast, “the peace of God which passeth all understanding” comes from walking in the Spirit with Christ (Psalms 119:165; Galatians 5:22-23; Philippians 4:7). On the cross…. “And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.” Luke 27:46 Then what happened? “He is not here: for HE IS RISEN, as he said. Come, see the place where the […]

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How to Give Alms, Pray, Forgive Others, Fast, and Lay Up Treasure in Heaven [podcast]

Breakdown of Jesus’ Teaching in Matthew 6

How to Give Alms.
How to Pray.
The essential of forgiving others.
How to Fast and how not to fast.
The importance of laying up treasure in Heaven.

Matthew 6

Giving to the Needy

1 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.

2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:

4 That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.

The Disciple’s Prayer

5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:

15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Fasting

16 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

17 But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;

18 That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.

Lay Up Treasures in Heaven

19 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.

22 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.

23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!

24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Fear Not

25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?

26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?

27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?

28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:

29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?

31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

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

34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

Putting God First [podcast]

If God’s Word isn’t important to you, it’s because He isn’t important to you. If anything comes before the LORD in your day, you are an idolater. “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” Exodus 20:3 GOD’s WORD cannot get into you if you aren’t into it. “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 Jesus commanded: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33 As you seek God, […]

The Simplicity of Real Fellowship [podcast]

Satan thinks he has Stolen the Fellowship of the Saints “Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.” Revelation 12:12 Exhorting God’s People “Daily” “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 the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in […]

SATAN'S SEMINARIANS [podcast]

Seminaries are the Invention of Satan If you are born again and abiding in Christ and can’t find a biblical local church, it’s because you love Jesus and His truth, His Word. The epidemic apostasy we are witnessing at the local church level is the prophesied and intended outcome of Satan’s long term plan commandeered largely through seminarian wolves (Matthew 24:1-13; 1 Timothy 4:1-2; 1 Peter 5:8; Revelation 12:12). In earlier centuries, beginning at Pentecost, Satan couldn’t slow or stop the spread of the Gospel through faithful witnesses, so he devised a plan to replace those Gospel disciples with the […]

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The Core Values of the Modern Church Agenda Exposed [podcast]

Lots of occultic symbolism in the art below.

The “church growth” industry is a multi-million dollar enterprise with books, seminars, selling sermons, etc., on how to build a large church, how to grow the nickels, noses, and numbers. Is this what Jesus had in mind when He stated “I will build my church”? (Matthew 16:18)

“Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.” 1 Corinthians 7:23

Do you spend more time in “church” than in the Bible itself? Wow! Red flags flying!

“Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.” 2 Peter 3:17

So you are listening to some slick talker preach and yet he’s not using the BIBLE essential words like hell, repentance, holiness, the cross, the blood of Jesus, the return of Christ, etc? Repent and RUN!

The vast majority of so-called pastors today are more interested in getting you to join their church club, to become a member of their church, than they are about truly feeding the flock of God with the whole counsel of Scripture, equipping you for ministry, and winning souls to Jesus (John 21:15-17; Acts 20:20-32; Ephesians 4:11-12; 1 Peter 5:1-6, etc.). Prove it wrong.

Church Membership Exposed | The 501(C)(3) Deception | The Modern Church

501(C)(3) Churches Exposed [video]

HERE’S 100% PROOF THAT THE 501(C)(3) SO-CALLED “CHURCH” YOU GO TO IS NOT OF GOD – BUT RATHER IS COMMANDEERED BY A WOLF IN SHEEP’S CLOTHING (2 Peter 2:1-3). The 501(C)(3) scam is a deal with the devil that silenced the self-serving greedy devils many call “pastors” today in America (Isaiah 56:8-12; Philippians 3:18-19). “And why does the church want to make you a member? I guarantee that there is a $nickel attached to these 501c’s from the state. And, just remember that Planned Parenthood is a 501c, as well as the church of Satan, should we be in confederacy […]

The Truth about Tradition and Church Membership [podcast]

Godly and Ungodly Tradition and True and False Church Membership “Prove (test) all things; hold fast (keep and do) that which is good.” 1 Thessalonians 5:21 Of the 13 times we find the word “tradition(s)” in Scripture, only twice is it used positively. The other 11 times it is used negatively because men put their foolish traditions above Christ. History of Church Membership: The history of church membership in Protestant and Evangelical churches begins with the Catholic Church, which implements its discipline over all the baptized (christened, water sprinkled), through a tradition-based sacramental system, governing the lives of their captors from cradle […]

Nick's Salvation: "Don't Let a Building Confine Your Faith" [podcast]

Nick’s Salvation: “Don’t Let a Building Confine Your Faith” [podcast] Please pause to lift Nick in prayer. He’s a new believer. As you will hear on this brief podcast, Nick told me that a handful of Christians had been recently ministering the Gospel to him. He also said that a handful of disciples told him to make sure he’s read the King James Bible. Nick received a copy of the new Authentic book. Nick is a special young man. The beginning of the conversation was about working out, sports, athletics, etc. He’s been working out and was telling me […]

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Mary hath Chosen that Good Part [podcast]

Luke 10:38-42

Mary = loving relationship with Jesus, not just being busy with doing, with labor, with performing works such as what Martha was doing. First and foremost, Jesus saved us for relationship with Him and the Father (John 17:3). And here our Savior expresses that knowing, loving, adoring, and listening to Him are at a divine premium, they are most important to God. That’s what God desires – for us to delight ourselves in Him (Psalms 37:4).

“Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” Psalms 37:4

David’s brothers looked the part but they couldn’t and wouldn’t even face Goliath, much less slay him. David though, was spending time alone with the LORD, listening to His voice and tending to the sheep. He who is the only man God ever said was “a man after mine own heart,” was used mightily of God to slay the giant (Acts 13:22; 1 Samuel 17).

Isn’t this how we are with our children? Wouldn’t every parent rather their precious children sit in their mom or dad’s lap telling their parent how much they (the child) loves them (the parent)? That’s the biggest heart melt we know, right?

Like David, the most powerfully used warriors are first worshippers.

Our real, our genuine relationship with the LORD is that place out of which His power and grace (divine enablement) will flow. Like David, we must be primarily, and first and foremost worshippers. Out of that rich communion with the Savior will flow the warrior anointing of the LORD who is “a man of war” (Exodus 15:3).

Many who sense the call of God on their lives to minister go to seminary. Sad. We must go to God ourselves – in prayer, a life of prayer, relentlessly seeking His holy face in His Word for ourselves.

“But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.” Matthew 6:6

Private prayer with the LORD precedes God using us. Those who seek God in “secret” will be “openly” rewarded by Him.

“The little estimate we put on prayer is evidence from the little time we give to it.” EM Bounds

“A sinning man stops praying. A praying man stops sinning.” – Leonard Ravenhill

Luke 10

38 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.
39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.
40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.
41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:
42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

“Mary hath Chosen that Good Part”

The “good part” Mary chose consists of…

Mary made the only wise choice “Mary hath chosen.”
Mary put Jesus first. She put the Savior first, not herself or her idea of what it meant to serve Him.
Jesus says here that choosing to put and keep Him first is the “one thing [that] is needful” or most necessary (v39, 42).
Sitting before Jesus Himself and not searching for God outside of God Himself, primarily that is. All other learning is supplemental and subservient to that which the LORD tells us specifically, in His Word.

Worshippers become the most powerful workers God uses!

Like many today who are shallow rooted, Martha was a worker but not first and foremost a worshipper. Mary was a worshipper who loved to spend time with Jesus. Therefore she was empowered by God Himself via that fellowship with Him to walk in His holy compassion and to do His works with His power and for His glory (1 Corinthians 15:10).

When our works are not fruitful as they should be, perhaps it can be traced back to our lack of fellowship with our LORD. As we fellowship with Him, putting Him first and not ourselves, our vessel, our cup will run over with His goodness…. it will spill over onto others! (See Psalms 23:5.) That’s when our labor will carry His eternal weight of glory (2 Corinthians 4:17).

“Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.” Psalms 23:5

When Jesus came, it was God bringing Heaven to the people – to forgive their sins and make them whole (Matthew 9:6). This was the foretold fulfillment of His kingdom coming on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10).

When Jesus came, He went to the people, to heal, to save, to make whole (Matthew 9:35-38; Acts 10:38, etc.).

As we go, Jesus is with us, “even unto the end of the world. Amen” (Matthew 28:20).

Daily, our LORD is using His people to bring Heaven to the people. As the Holy Spirit fills our lives, His blessed presence and fruit in our lives is going to over overflow onto others.

A sister in Christ once told me that “The best Marthas are first Marys.” Think about that one in light of what we read in this passage when Jesus visited the home of Mary and Martha (Luke 10:38-42). Those who sit at Jesus’ feet to hear His holy counsel, are changed into His image and become reservoirs for His blessed glory. Their cups run over onto others!

“Prayer is of transcendent importance. Prayer is the mightiest agent to advance God’s work. Praying hearts and hands only can do God’s work. Prayer succeeds when all else fails.” E.M. Bounds

When worshiping Jesus is our first priority, the work He uses us to do WILL carry His unction and bring fruit to bear for His eternal glory.

Rote obedience to minister to others, while not anchored in intimacy with our LORD, will not yield an abundant harvest, fruit. In contrast, we can be blessed to have God’s power and grace to do His work and that happens as we are truly communing, fellowshipping in the construct of that oneness relationship He made us for (John 15; 17).

Knowing God’s Word and obeying Him is not an automatic progression (John 8:31-36). One can know the Bible and not its Author. Or, one can know the Bible well and not know the Author well (Job 22:21-28). Obeying God’s Word requires knowing Him, abiding in an intimate fellowship with Him, thereby enabling that saint the grace (divine enablement) to obey Him (John 5:39-40; 7:17; 14:21-23; 15:1-16, etc.).

Martha “received him.” Many of us have “received” Jesus, have been saved by Him (John 1:12), yet like Martha we aren’t sitting at His holy feet, listening to Him speak through His Word. Like Martha, we also are “cumbered about much serving.”

It should be understood that our work can exceed our worship, our hospitality can exceed our holiness, our serving can exceed our sanctification, etc. That would be defined as imbalance (Proverbs 11:1).

In Luke 10:38-42, notice that Mary sat directly at Jesus’ feet and no other. When we arise in the morning to commune with the LORD, such is to be direct communication between you and Him, alone (Matthew 6:6). That would mean perhaps that when you arise in the morning you aren’t reading some other book about God or turning on a podcast or TV program to find and commune with the LORD. No, those things involve others. We must directly commune with the LORD in prayer and in HIS Word. How else shall we be able to discern the “MANY false prophets” Jesus warned us “shall deceive many”? (Read Matthew 24:11; 1 John 4:1.) How can we know the counterfeit if we don’t know the real? We can’t.

In principle, Martha is a person like Cain, a person who chose to do things their own way, not God’s – because they are not truly submitted to God. Does that describe your life friend? Jesus calls us home to Himself (Matthew 11:28-30).

Are we attempting to serve the LORD on our own terms or are we sitting before Him, hearing His voice as we are worshipfully, joyfully submitted to Him on His stated terms?

“The men who have done mighty things for God have always been mighty in prayer, have well understood the possibilities of prayer, and made the most of these possibilities. The Son of God, the first of all and the mightiest of all, has shown us the all-potent and far reaching possibilities of prayer. Paul was mighty for because he knew, how to use, and how to get others to use, the mighty spiritual forces of prayer.” EM Bounds, The Complete Works of E.M. Bounds on Prayer, P. 341

When we are brought to the point of true repentance it will be obvious in that we will do things God’s way and no longer our own. Like Mary, we will be settled at His feet, hearing His Word, His voice. The Mary person is in love with and submitted to the LORD and Savior she so joyfully worships.

“Jesus never taught His disciples how to preach, only how to pray. To know how to speak to God is more than knowing how to speak to people. Power with God is the first thing, not power with people. Christ loves to teach us how to pray.” –Andrew Murray, With Christ in the School of Prayer, pp. xxiii-xxiv

At His Feet [podcast]

“Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.” Job 13:15 Job had just lost all of his children and yet held fast his integrity toward the LORD. He would not allow his wife, his friends, or any other circumstance or entity sway his thoughts. This was a man with a real relationship with the living God – one not based on circumstance. First, foremost, and separate from all else, Job loved and worshipped the LORD with his whole heart. We must come to the place where our LORD alone […]

The First Love of the True Disciple [podcast]

The words “disciple”/“disciples” are found 273 times in the Bible, all in the New Testament canon with the exception of 1 appearance in the Old Testament (Isaiah 8:16). “Disciple” is married to the word discipline. An un-disciplined life reveals a gross lack of respect and rooting in the Person, the Word, and the cause of Christ and is an un-fruitful life. “And have NO ROOT in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended.” Mark 4:17 “They on the rock are they, which, when they […]

Our Sin Should Lay us at His Feet [podcast]

“Sin lieth at the door.” Genesis 4:7 One writer takes a shot at this in the following words: “Jesus died for our sins. He is the sin offering for all humanity: past, present, and future. So the offerings in the Old Testament represent the Cross. So in short, if you reject the offering, meaning Christ and the Cross, ‘then sin lieth at the door.’ This means sin will DOMINATE you if any other method is used.” “Sin lieth at the door” – Temptation to sin presents itself perpetually and this is why prayer, abiding communion, perpetual communication with the Savior, command central, is […]