Abiding

If it’s Not Daily, it’s Not at All!

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 bread of God must be ingested daily! Jesus instructed His disciples to pray for “DAILY bread.” (Matthew 6:9-12)

“Give us this day our DAILYYYYYY bread…”

Life Changer: This revelation will transform your life… look up and read each Bible verse with the word “daily” in the New Testament ….

WITH NO EXCEPTION, ALL who are Heaven-ready, seek the LORD daily, diligently.

Jesus is not your “first love” if you don’t spend time with Him daily (Revelation 2:4-5). If you argue this you are self-deceived and your rebellion only proves the point. Now simply repent, come to Jesus – before it’s too late!

Without a heart after God, all we have is a mere “form of godliness.” (Acts 13:22; 2 Timothy 3:5)

In the wilderness, which represents our brief time in this fleeting world, God dropped down manna from Heaven and instructed His people to go and gather it DAILY to eat (Exodus 16:15-19). Here we have the biblical instruction and principle of DAILY feeding on God’s Word. So, when Jesus instructs His disciples to pray “give us this day our DAILY bread,” this is what He had in mind (Matthew 6:9-12). … Are you feasting on God’s Word daily, in the morning when you wake, putting the LORD first and not yourself? Think: Unless you are still an infant, your momma isn’t going to come over and wake you up and spoon feed you. It’s time to mature, to take personal responsibility and study God’s Word for yourself. You are not walking with Jesus if you aren’t in His Word daily. Kid yourself no longer.

“When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.” 1 Corinthians 13:11

“The more of God’s Word you eat, the more you hunger for it.” J.

Those who are casual about the LORD are so because they are already “lukewarm.” (Revelation 3:15-16) If we can awake every morning and serve self, we can certainly choose today to displace, to dethrone self for the Savior – putting HIM first as our “first love.” (Revelation 2:4-5)

IF God really matters to you, His love and Word are your deepest desire!

SEEKING God is a life or death situation and seeking God involves devouring His bless-ed words daily:

“That whosoever would not seek the LORD God of Israel should be put to death, whether small or great, whether man or woman. … 15 And all Judah rejoiced at the oath: for they had sworn with all their heart, and sought him with their whole desire; and he was found of them: and the LORD gave them rest round about.” 2 Chronicles 15:13-15

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

God’s Word will not get into you unless you get into it. Dig in!

“The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments (words) of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. 11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.” Psalms 19:9-11

The Bible: You can’t learn it unless you read it – for yourself.

DOES a stream of Holy Scripture pour from your life, your mouth, your communications about the LORD? (1 Peter 4:11)

Are you obeying the LORD’s instruction for you to personally seek and know Him via His Word?

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

The heart of the wise virgin believer is flooded with the light of God through daily diligent study of His Word (Psalms 119:130). What most don’t realize is that darkness immediately descends upon the heart left unattended – the heart not daily receiving the light of divine truth through diligent study of the Holy Scriptures (2 Timothy 2:15). The heart left without the bright shining light of God’s Word shining into it daily, WILL revert back to type – darkness, iniquity, “desperately wicked,” “only evil continually.” (Genesis 6:5, 12; Jeremiah 17:9, etc.).

Momentum in Christ – “The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be STRONGER AND STRONGER.” Job 17:9

Your prayers being answered are contingent upon your abiding in Christ, His words abiding in you:

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

IF you’re looking for a word, a dream, a vision or anything but God’s written Word, it’s because you aren’t known of God but rather a tare, a counterfeit! Repent and believe on the LORD Jesus Christ now before it’s too late.

IF you are not speaking God’s words verbatim, you are not speaking with divine authority! Memorize His Word! How shall you learn God’s Word if you don’t study it daily?

How long shall you be without Holy Scripture to quote verbatim? How long shall you not know WHY you believe WHAT you believe? (Proverbs 22:17-21; 1 Peter 3:15)

TODAY IS OUR DAY – YOUR DAY – TO CEASE MAKING EXCUSES FOR YOUR SIN – AND TO REPENT, TO RETURN TO JESUS AS “FIRST LOVE” – TO REPENT OF SELF-IDOLATRY. IF YOU ARE NOT IN HIS WORD DAILY, JESUS IS SIMPLY NOT THE FIRST PRIORITY, THE “FIRST LOVE” OF YOUR LIFE (LUKE 9:23-24; REVELATION 2:4-5). Who is Backslidden?

Jesus quoted Scripture, divine authority, verbatim when confronting the devil, right? (Luke 4)

IF you are not speaking God’s words verbatim, you are not speaking with divine authority! Memorize His Word!

“Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge. 18 For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips. 19 That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee. 20 Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge, 21 That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?” Proverbs 22:17-21

NOTHING replaces Bible reading.

There can be no Bible learning without Bible reading.

“Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.” Revelation 1:3

Reading a devotional or commentary is not the same as reading God’s Word. One cannot discern the devotional, the commentaries of mere men if he does not acutely personally know the definite article of the Words of God (2 Timothy 2:15). So very many in our day have handed their very eternal soul over to someone else instead of putting it in the hands of Jesus, the only Savior. We see this occur when we see people attending church gatherings and yet not seeking the LORD’s holy face for themselves in His Word.

You MUST eat, you must devour God’s Word daily or you will fall away! There are no do-overs! Follow Jesus. Obey Christ.

“I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.” Job 23:12

“As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:” 1 Peter 2:2

“Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.” Jeremiah 15:16

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

Getting into God’s Word is going to change your life.

Diligently seeking the LORD “continually” and not casually is what Heaven bound wise virgin believers do, right?

“Keep and seek for all the commandments of the LORD your God.” 1 Chronicles 28:8

3 Essential Basics for Every Believer

1. Daily Bible study (Job 23:12; Jer 15:16; 1 Pet 2:2)
2. Daily life of prayer (1 Thess 5:17)
3. Daily fellowship with other true believers (Acts 2:42-47; Heb 3:13; 10:25)

Spiritual Life is Essential to Remaining in Christ

— SELF-IDOLATRY IS the root cause of the sin of not seeking Jesus’ face daily. ANY PERSON WHOM JESUS HAS SAVED AND YET DOES NOT SEEK HIS FACE IN PRAYER AND THE WORD DAILY, HAS ALREADY BACKSLIDDEN and is in utter, desperate need of true repentance. HELL is full of folk who refused to put GOD “FIRST.” (Matthew 6:33; Revelation 2:4-5) They put self first!

“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.” Hosea 4:6

In most cases among those who’ve been initially saved, we find a gross “lack of knowledge” and therefore lack of spiritual growth. One will never grow if you don’t read, read, read, and study God’s Word. Such a person will “fall away.” (Luke 8:13) Most depend on “going to church” instead of being the church – the people of God. When they do “go to a church service,” they are being entertained and courted to become a member of that “church” and not being spiritually nourished. Falling away, backsliding occurs when one is not devouring God’s words daily (1 Peter 2:2; 1 Timothy 4:6; John 6:63, etc.).

Conversely, those who devour God’s Word will grow in the strength of the LORD.

“A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength.” Proverbs 24:5

Many who initially believed on the LORD Jesus Christ did not continue seeking the LORD and therefore grossly lack the knowledge learned only in the Holy Scriptures (2 Timothy 3:15-17). We should never waste any one day not digging diligently in “the holy scriptures.” (2 Timothy 2:15; 3:15-17)

—Those who don’t study and know God’s Word will be “destroyed” and “ashamed.” (Hosea 4:6; 2 Timothy 2:15)

“Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err (be in ERRor), not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.” Matthew 22:29

How could God possibly trust and use the man who refuses to learn of Him by studying and knowing and obeying His Word? He simply can’t and will not. Here’s the principle in Jesus’ teaching:

“Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” Matthew 25:21

MESSAGE RECEIVED:

“God can use a donkey and did. He can use anyone He chooses Brother in anyway He chooses whether Christian or not.”

REPLY:

That donkey didn’t have the ability to read and know His Word – but we DO and He holds us accountable to know it or we will be “ashamed” and “err” and “destroyed.” (2 Timothy 2:15; Matthew 22:29; Hosea 4:6). He may choose in isolated instances to use anyone He wishes and yet has spoken about, taught that the individual disciple of His must be faithful in the least to be used in much (Matthew 25:21). Ignorance due to laziness is a curse, not a blessing. “A man of knowledge increaseth strength.” (Proverbs 24:5) “A man of knowledge” has the necessity of studying to show himself approved unto God or he is not “a man of knowledge”, right? Please meditate upon the words of 2 Timothy 2:15. It’s clear that those who refuse to “study” God’s Word WILL be “ashamed” and not used of God in any powerful way, if at all. 1 Peter 3:15; 4:11 …. Notice that God instructs us to “be ready” which requires study and if we are going to be used of God, speak for God, we must “speak as of the ORACLES (written Word) of God” – which means we must study, learn, know, and speak His written revelation/Word.

God expects and commands men to be faithful to Him and those are the ones He rewards and uses…. “A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.” (Proverbs 28:20)

“IF IF IF ye CONTINUE in my word, THEN are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:31-32

IF you aren’t continuing in the Word it’s because you aren’t continuing, abiding in Christ (John 15:1-6). If you aren’t being made free HOW are you going to be used of God to see others made free? You simply aren’t.

YOU are going nowhere in God without deep, diligent, daily Bible study.

“Nourished Up”

Not only do we want to increase our knowledge of God and His Word, we also must daily be spiritually “nourished up,” fortified, strengthened and build up in His Word in order to have His strength and build a momentum! God’s Word is the nourishment for the hearts of those who are born again into Christ!

“If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.” 1 Timothy 4:6

Notice the verse above the “good doctrine” must be “attained” by diligent study and being “nourished up in the words of faith” daily.

Fellowship with other believers is connected to those who are in the Word (Colossians 3:16).

GOD has used you to do NOTHING if those you minister to aren’t seeking His holy face daily for themselves (Luke 9:23-24; 1 Corinthians 16:11; 1 Timothy 4:6, 16).

NOTICE in the following verse how there’s a connection between the people who “fear” God and those who hope in His Word:

“They that fear thee will be glad when they see me; because I have hoped in thy word.” Psalms 119:74

There’s a fellowship in God’s Word among those who fear Him. Every person who truly fears God seeks Him daily in His Word. All others who were once saved and yet are now backslidden, out of the Word, are as the 5 foolish virgins upon whom the Bridegroom (Christ) will soon shut the door upon, sealing their eternal doom (Matthew 25:1-13).

So let me get this straight…. you claim to know and love Jesus and yet don’t seek Him in His Word daily? Explain that biblically….. we all know you serve self daily, every day with no exception. Yet, you claim to know Jesus who says that if He is not your very “FIRST love” you are in need of repenting before it’s too late (Revelation 2:4-5).

The breath of God is in the Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16). There is a distinct, essential nourishing effect when feeding on the Word daily without which no one can abide in Christ and do the Word by God’s grace. “These words are spirit, and they are life.” (John 6:63)

How often did God tell the Israelites to pick up the bread He dropped from Heaven? Daily, for six days in a week.

“Six days ye shall gather it; but on the seventh day, which is the sabbath, in it there shall be none.” Exodus 16:26

Did Jesus say we must pray and ask the Father for “daily bread.”? Yes. “Give us this THIS DAY our DAILY bread.” (Matthew 6) Now it’s time to repent instead of making excuses and when we repent God will be first and not ourselves. Later in that same discourse, Jesus taught:

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33

Jesus is not the “first love” of anyone who casually thinks they are going to have relationship with Him, treating the Son of God like a second class citizen. The LORD made it clear that He is not available to the casual seeker (Matthew 6:6; Hebrews 11:6; 1 Chronicles 16:11; Jeremiah 29:11-14, etc.). He said knowing and walking with Him is “daily.” (Luke 9:23-24)

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. 12 Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. 13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. 14 And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity…” Jeremiah 29:11-14

GOD is not available to the casual seeker. It’s all on or it’s not at all!

We will choose to either follow Jesus the way He prescribed or we are not truly following Him. What Does it Mean to Follow Christ? [podcast]

“IFFFF thou seek him, he WILLL be found of thee.” 1 Chronicles 28:9

ANY person who has access to this post has access to the Bible, God’s Word. The person who is not nourishing his heart in the Word “daily” is a foolish virgin believer who was initially saved by Jesus and yet now is out of oil and will be shut out of Christ’s eternal kingdom (Matthew 25:1-13). | Eternal Security / OSAS is a lie.

Nourishment, strengthening is one of the effects of “daily” Bible reading, taking in the bread of the Word, without which no person can be sustained in an abiding relationship with Jesus (John 15:1-16).

One believer writes:

“We must hunger for the bread of life, we feed our body daily, so we must feed our spiritual body daily. We must thirst for the living water. We need water to live and drink daily. So we also drink from the well if life daily. It is sad when our brothers and sisters are not feeding on spiritual food. Yes, we need His word and prayer daily.”

IF you are not in God’s Word daily it’s because the LORD you claim to serve is a mere hobby to you, a second class citizen and not your “FIRST love.” (Revelation 2:4-5)

Backlidden IS hell bound! Eternity is forever! Repent now – before it’s too late!

Fresh Start with God

Does it not seem prideful to say we can walk with Jesus, without ingesting Jesus’ words daily? We ALL eat physical food daily to sustain our natural life, right? Dare we reject our LORD and Savior by saying we can do things our own way and without abiding in Him, seeking Him in His Word?

To think that some have balked at this truth is quite amazing. God forbid that someone would be rebuked by this word and hasten to Christ in repentance and begin a “daily” walk with Him, right? A person’s walk with Jesus is either “daily” or it is not at all.

“And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross DAILY, and follow me.” Luke 9:23

YOU are going to be so full of joy at what God does when you put Him first by consenting to laying down your life – the cross! You’re going to wonder what you waited so long for! We are coming home to our LORD saints – by doing things HIS way!

Counterfeits have purposely sought out lying devils who claim to be Christ’s ministers and thereby been coddled in their soul-damning sins. These tares HATE direct preaching of the light of truth. They manifest their darkness and devils at such light (John 3:19-21).

“Search THE SCRIPTURES …. THEY (the WORD) are they which testify of me.” John 5:39

“The washing of water by the word” is straight from Holy Scripture – A BIBLE verse frauds will never mention and yet this is the way Jesus is sanctifying His true body, making them ready to meet Him.

“Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 That he might present it to himself 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

You cannot possibly be being washed by the Word God if you are not in God’s Word.

Jesus’ apostle Paul instructed:

“Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” 2 Corinthians 7:1

If someone in ministry is not getting you in the Word for yourself, that person is misleading you.

It’s in the Bible but he won’t preach it because he’s got his own agenda (Matthew 7:15; 24:11; Acts 20:20-32; 1 John 4:1).

Red Flag: They will constantly invite you to give your money but NEVER invite you to repent and get into the Word!

God is a mere casual hobby to those not in His Word daily.

Beware of Satan’s Agents – Those not Getting YOU into the Word for Yourself!

It’s Satan himself, through his counterfeit ministers in our midst, who seeks to take away God’s Word.

“Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word.” Mark 4:15

To a person who was recently rebelling against this truth, I replied with the following:

You are seriously departed from the LORD and biblically illiterate. Look over this post at the myriad of Bible verses which prove this to be true. You are arguing to justify lukewarmness as one of the 5 foolish virgins of Matthew 25:1-13. You claim that the Word of God which Jesus told us to pray to receive DAILY – “Give us this DAY our DAILY bread” is not necessary to sustain a life with Christ. Wow. You have not truly repented if you do not diligently daily stay upon your God by seeking His holy face unrelentingly. You have not truly repented which Jesus says is essential for salvation (Luke 13:3, 5). You have not sought the Lord desperately and instead have followed the false gospel of modern wolves. Repent. God is calling you home today to Himself. It all begins with true repentance. So you can live for the god of self everyday but not Christ? Do you say ‘I’m not under the law’, smoke screening your rebellion, when it comes to serving the false god of self daily?

We’ve come so far in apostasy (departure from the truth) that we have fake “ministers” balking at the obvious biblical truth of being in God’s Word daily. Wow! (2 Corinthians 11:12-15; 1 Timothy 4:1-2, etc.)

If you are not laying down your life, taking up the cross and seeking the holy face of Jesus Christ in prayer and the Word daily, you have no business pretending to minister for Him. You are a fraud, a great deceiver, a counterfeit tare, a false prophet, a Judas. God is calling you to real repentance – before it’s too late.

“Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.” Psalms 55:17

Not only daily but 3 times daily David sought God and to think that a “minister” of Christ would balk at this is astounding. Wow! Now do we see why the modern church is so apostate? It’s being led by the wolves we are so often warned to “beware of.” (Matthew 7:15-20; 1 John 4:1; Jude 3, etc.).

If Jesus isn’t important enough for you to diligently seek every day, you are a counterfeit. HEEEE said “daily.” (Luke 9:23) Repent.

“I can’t imagine not starting my day in the Word of God!” Nellie Richard

We can’t be sustained in Christ without Christ, without seeking and being filled with His divine virtue daily via His Word (Matthew 5:6).

The only way to keep the darkness out of our hearts is to flood our hearts with God’s Word, daily. – “The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.” (Psalms 119:130) And, the only way God’s words can gain entrance, flood into our hearts daily, is when we diligently seek Him in His Word. The darkness of our hearts is eradicated by the entrance of the divine flood light of God’s words.

We need to heed the warnings of Scripture. Jesus said we are to pray “Give us this DAYYYYY our DAILY bread”…. and without daily bread, divine nourishment, one will be weakened, malnourished, and backslidden.

“Let thine heart retain my words.” Proverbs 4:4

Those who know and truly delight in Jesus, love and seek Him in His Word. Speaking of the true disciple of Christ, God’s Word says:

“But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.” Psalms 1:2

Charles Pray writes:

“Obedience is better than Sacrifice. JESUS Sacrificed it ALL there is no more sacrifice to be made! It’s only obedience that will please the Lord now! He tells us to honor our mothers and fathers so that we might live long, but then he also tells us that he who doesn’t hate his mother father sister or brother isn’t fit for the kingdom of God! We must always Love God first and put Him first in everything in our lives.”

It is utterly amazing to witness just how many pastors who do not know nor live by God’s Word (Hosea 4:6; Amos 8:11). As foretold, biblical famine has been perpetrated by a cross-less, perverse priesthood of seminarian wolves.

“Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD: 12 And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, and shall not find it. 13 In that day shall the fair virgins and young men faint for thirst. 14 They that swear by the sin of Samaria, and say, Thy god, O Dan, liveth; and, The manner of Beersheba liveth; even they shall fall, and never rise up again.” Amos 8:11-14

IS God’s Word more important to you than your “necessary food”? – “I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.” (Job 23:12)

If you awoke this morning and didn’t seek God in His Word and prayer, you put self before the Savior.

“We’ve got to warn those who REFUSE to read and STUDY the WORD of GOD for themselves.” Ivan Robinson

The lame pansies many call “pastors” today will never preach biblical truth that brings conviction, nor will you ever sense the need to read, read, read, devour, devour, devour, study, study, study God’s Word from listening to them. They are the devil’s agents to put your on ice! RUNNNNNN!!!!!

The LORD requires that you acquiesce… HE gave man free will. “Choose you this day whom you will serve” (Josh 24:15) “Daily” is the very word Jesus often uses to qualify how we are to love and serve Him.

This legalistic? Obedience to Jesus is not works salvation or legalistic. Jesus says it’s necessary and a product of truly loving Him. Is HE truly your “first love”? (Revelation 2:4-5) What about Matthew 22:37-39 and John 14:15 and 1 John 2:3-5? Care to look those up?

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

When, if we truly love Jesus, seeking His face daily is a great joy!

“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” Matthew 22:37-39

James tells us that man who leaves the mirror of the Word forgets what manner of man (sinner) he is.

“For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass (mirror): 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.” James 1:23-24

Then concerning being truly “blessed,” James gives us the divine conditions when he writes:

“But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty (Gospel, Word of God), and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. ” James 1:25

If a person has time, energy, and the wherewithal to do all the others things in life and not seek God, seems to me Jesus is not their “first love” and therefore they are in need of repentance which will always produce a life of seeking the face of the LORD relentlessly (Revelation 2:4-5).

“Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.” Revelation 2:4-5

When Jesus says “First” He means means first – first and foremost supreme priority.

One of the two is reigning – Christ or the flesh, right?

“This book of the law (the Bible, Word of God) shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.” Joshua 1:8

In Israel, the LORD instructed those in places of authority to hand-record His Word.

“And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law (Word) in a book out of that which is before the priests the Levites: 19 And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life: that he may learn to fear the Lord his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them:” Deuteronomy 17:18-19

Fallen Away, Backslidden Equals Lost!

Every honest Bible student, those not following the OSAS/eternal security heresy, knows this to be truth. Backsliding absolutely equals unsaved. Satan’s children are always attempting to fudge, to justify sin instead of owning up to the divine command to die the death – to be truly crucified with Christ or perish (Mark 9:43-49; Romans 6:1-2; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Titus 2:11-12; 2 Peter 2:20-21; Jude 3-4, etc.). Read Jesus parables of the 10 virgins and how the 5 lukewarm backsliders were shut out of the eternal kingdom (Matthew 25:1-13). Read where Jesus is going to spue, vomit, reject all who are lukewarm (Revelation 3:15-16)….. on and on and on…. Heb 3:6, 12-14; 10:26-39, etc. Proof One is Backslidden

Guy Satariano writes:

“Yes we need the bread of God daily to overcome the flesh…. so meditate on that. How could someone not seeking God daily possibly overcome the flesh and being in glory with the One who told us He will soon return for a church, a people, ‘a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish'”???

Jesus prayed to the Father that His people would be sanctified through His Word:

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

When God’s words are being ingested by the true disciple, divine discernment will take it’s place. WOULD so many be deceived by the “MANY false prophets” we were warned about if they studied God’s Word diligently for themselves? No! (Matthew 24:11; Hosea 4:6: 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12; 2 Timothy 2:15).

Yes, just as Jesus prophesied, the love of many is waxing cold right before out eyes – “And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. 11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. 12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. 13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” (Matthew 24:10-13)

Those who do not choose to love God’s Word, are sent by God Himself a “strong delusion” (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12).

YOUR PRAYER: Holy Father in Heaven, I come to You now in the name of Jesus Christ. Father, please forgive me for not truly repenting, and laying down my life in this fleeting world. Please forgive me for not putting You first priority in this life You gave. I am fully accountable to You and personally responsible to follow You on Your terms Jesus, not mine. Right this moment, if never before, I admit I’ve sinned against You in the sin of idolatry and ask You to please forgive and cleanse me LORD. Refresh my spirit and grant a great desire for Your words – to daily devour them as You keep me in an abiding fellowship with Yourself. I love You Jesus! In Jesus’ name, amen.

The Blessings of Bible Reading | The Word of God | Daily Cross and Resurrection Questions [podcast]

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"Give us this DAY, our DAILY bread" [podcast]

“Man what a great podcast – Daily Bread. I agree with you based off Scripture 100%.” Will | Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread QUESTION ASKED: “Please provide scripture to support your statement that ‘if you aren’t in the word daily you are backslidden and not ready to meet Jesus’?” I am a follower of Christ and have extensively studied the Word. Please provide specific scripture that says if you don’t read the Bible every day you are backslidden and not ready to meet Jesus.” REPLY: The word “daily” appears 7 times in the Gospels directly spoken by or speaking of […]

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JESUS IS COMING AND THE TRUE BODY OF CHRIST IS “HOLDING FORTH (BOLDLY DECLARING) THE WORD OF LIFE” “Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.” Philippians 2:16 WHEN you speak God’s Word, you are speaking divine authority. “These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.” Titus 2:15 “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, […]

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Articles

The Laid Down Life [podcast]

Chapter 5 from the book Raised Up (narration)

“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” 2 Timothy 3:1-5

You know the counterfeits far outnumber the authentic followers of Jesus when you put out a message on youtube or social media titled something like “How to know your gifts” and the response is overwhelming due to the many self-centered, self-absorbed cross-less professors (2 Timothy 3:1-7). In contrast, when you put out a message titled something like “Learning to live the crucified life Jesus calls all His followers to” and but a “few” listen – you are reminded of how Jesus says His remnant, is a “little flock” and how Jesus says “FEW there be which enter therein.” (Luke 12:32; Matthew 7:13-14).

Living in the Spirit

Those who descend into death and burial will be blessed to be raised up by the LORD.

“For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection.” Romans 6:5

“And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” Galatians 5:24-25

“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

“Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. 11 For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you.” 2 Corinthians 4:10-12

IT BOILS DOWN TO LOVE!

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2

WHEN Jesus died for our sins, He submitted to the cross without reserve to the Father in order to redeem us! When you obey Jesus by laying down your life, you are saying: “Whew I love You LORD Jesus! You alone are my supreme LORD, love, and the Head of my life. I love You more than sinful self, and I have made a complete mess of my life, spinning my wheels for far too long. Please forgive my rebellion against You! I want You to reign supreme in my life Jesus, from this moment forward. Have Your way in me my LORD, I love You Jesus. I’m all Yours Jesus!”

Living in the Spirit and not in the flesh is a settled issue with the remnant. They “have crucified the flesh” and the evil the sinful nature would do. It’s a done deal – They “HAVE crucified the flesh” that Christ the LORD might reign in their mortal body.

“Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.” Romans 6:18

We cannot be a servant of righteousness unless we are crucified with Christ and sin is out of our way.

“Likewise reckon (count) ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you (because you have accounted yourself dead): for ye are not under the law, but under grace. What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. 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? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.” Romans 6:11-18

The “form of doctrine” delivered by Christ and His holy apostles in the original Gospel, included the accounting of one’s life now dead and then being raised up by Christ, with His life-giving grace operating within to please Him fully (see also Rom. 12:1-3; 1 Cor. 15:10; 2 Cor. 12:9).

“What does this mean for us? Remember that there are two aspects of Christ’s death. He died for our sins. He died for us – substitution. But then Paul tells us that we are also to die with Him. “I have been crucified WITH CHRIST” (Gal. 2:20): “Reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin” (Rom. 6:11). The Israelites in bondage were delivered by the blood shed and sprinkled. But they are pursued by certain of their foes. These foes are slain at the Red Sea, but they themselves escape and are free. Egypt stands for the world of sin. Christ found us in “Egypt,” and by His death in our stead delivered us from the penalty of sin. But even after our conversion some of these sins followed us and harassed us – temper, pride, jealousy, lust, worry, avarice – causing discomfiture and misery, and occasionally temporary defeat. Where is there any escape, any real victory? Only through the Red Sea – baptism, or what baptism implies; i.e., a death to sin and a rising again to righteousness. That is a crucifixion with Christ, so as to be able to “reckon ourselves dead indeed unto sin.” How to Live the Victorious Life, by an Unknown Christian

God’s desire, plan, and command is that His people reign victorious in this life over sin and the enemy and become abundantly fruitful as we await the soon return of our LORD Jesus Christ (John 15; 1 Thessalonians 1:10).

“For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:17

The Cross of Christ and the One He Commands us to take up are Essential

Let’s peer again into the words of our LORD found in John 12:

“And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.” John 12:23-26

Laying down our lives is paramount to walking with Jesus. It is His command (Lk. 9:23-24; 14:33, etc.). He raises up in new life those that are bowed down before Him (Ps. 146:8). The seed (“corn”) is planted or buried alive, and is resurrected by God to a life of glory and blessing. Without a death, there can be no resurrection. This death to the self-life is volitional and ongoing in this life – “I die daily.” (1 Cor. 15:31)

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

As we are blessed to be “planted together in the likeness of his death”, so “we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection.”

“Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection.” Romans 6:3-5

This is rightfully the most popular Bible passage on water baptism and what the meaning and purpose of water baptism is. At water baptism, we are buried in water, figuratively dying to the old man, the man of sin, and being resurrected by the risen Savior and LORD to a new life where He reigns supreme.

“And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.” Romans 8:10-11

There are symptoms in the life of one who is not buried. The disciple who is buried with Christ is “dead to sin.” (Rom. 6:2) When we argue to justify the things we do in this life and call those who point them out “legalistic”, it is symptomatic of a life that is not laid down. When we argue against the truth (the Bible says “Lie not against the truth” (James 3:14) when we are shown it, we manifest the rebellion in our hearts because our lives are not authentically laid out before the LORD. The “corn of wheat” (dead seed) must be planted and remain planted in order to bud and bring forth new life. The laid down life does not make excuse when he realizes that he has sin. No, instead he rejoices to be yet more delivered and in the place of blessing and holiness with the One He delights to please and serve.

Aren’t we the temple of the Holy Ghost and commanded to “cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God”? (2 Cor. 7:1)

If we still have habitual sin in our lives, we should know that we are not buried with Christ. If we were, His life would be teeming in us and causing us to put away sinfulness.

Overcoming sin happens when we bury the old man of sin by nailing it to the cross. God is with us to do such (Rom. 8:13; Phil. 2:12-13)

“For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.” 1 Peter 2:21-24

The LORD looks upon the hearts of men (1 Sam. 16:7). Getting our hearts right with God begins with laying down the right to ourselves and releasing ourselves into the unfailing hands of the One who made us and gives us the breath of life (Lk. 23:46). This is in following the ultimate example of our LORD Jesus who came and laid down His sinless life for us (1 Pet. 2:21; 4:1).

Let’s check our deadness. Let’s see how dead we are to this world system and all of it’s arrogant rebellion against the God of the universe and all that is: Do we defend our “right” to fill our minds and hearts with the evil things that are blatantly and subtly portrayed on some TV and radio programming (and other forms of modern media)? If so, the fleshly nature is not dead but is still alive and we are therefore not raised to new life.

Oswald Chambers wrote:

“The passion of Christianity is that I deliberately sign away my own rights and become a bondslave to Jesus Christ. Any fool can insist on personal rights, and any devil will see that he or she gets them, but the Sermon on the Mount means that the only right the saint will insist on is the right to give up personal rights.” Oswald Chambers, God’s Workmanship, p. 329

Perhaps it is true (as has been stated by some) that a person can be known by what he laughs at or finds humorous. What do we laugh at? What do we find entertaining? – “Charity…Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth.” (1 Cor. 13:4, 6)

Apparently, according to the Word of God, returning laughter when we witness foolishness (folly) confirms the person we are laughing at in his folly and causes us to partake of his foolishness and deeds.

“Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.” Proverbs 26:4

Laying down our lives requires a deliberate, willful decision to fear and obey the LORD and not men. Believers are called to be circumspect (fully set apart in holiness) and not glorify anything the LORD calls profane (Prov. 17:15; 24:24; Isa. 5:20-24; Ezek. 44:23; Eph. 5:15-17).

Yet we should ask: Why crucify the flesh when there is no reason to do such as the false church would have us believe? When a new believer is told that he is “eternally secure” or OSAS, why then should he get sanctified, live a repented life, be wholly set apart to the LORD, be matured and equipped to do ministry, and prepare for the soon return of Jesus Christ?

The following brief and yet convicting commentary is taken from the Life in the Spirit Study Bible concerning Romans 1:32. First let’s view the Biblical text, then the commentary.

“Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.” Romans 1:32

“‘HAVE PLEASURE IN THEM THAT DO THEM’. Paul’s last word on general human sinfulness is God’s condemnation of a condition even more damning than the practice, i.e., supporting, approving, and encouraging evil by taking pleasure in the immoral actions of others. This disposition is the ultimate in depravity – vicarious enjoyment of lust and evil. Sin becomes entertainment. (1) The word ‘have pleasure’ (Gk. suneudokeo) means ‘are pleased with,’ ‘delight in,’ or ‘give approval to,’ and points to the casual enjoyment of the sins of others that prevails in human society. (2) Today we know that great harm is produced by the portrayal of immorality that dominates the entertainment media; yet many consent to it and derive pleasure from it. Being entertained by watching other people sin and engage in ungodly actions, even while you yourself abstain, brings you under the same condemnation of God as those engaging in such evil practices. Iniquity is intensified in any society where sin meets with no inhibition from the disapproval of others and where people enjoy watching it. (3) Hence, those (and especially those who profess faith in Christ) who use the immoral actions of others for entertainment and enjoyment are directly contributing to public opinion favorable to immorality and, therefore, to the corruption and eternal damnation of an indefinite number of other people. This sin is worthy of death and will be exposed and judged at the final day of judgment (2 Thess. 2:12).” p. 1729

Concerning the many things in this sinful world that would draw our affections away from Jesus Christ and blur that pure-focused disposition, the Psalmist wrote:

“I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.” Psalms 101:3

Do we seek to protect our “right” to continue over-relishing or over-indulging in the things of this world which are despised of God? See 1 John 2:14-17. The Bible tells us that those who love this world system and the things in it, hate God and are His enemies – regardless of what they profess (Tit. 1:16; James 4:4).

“And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. 35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.” Luke 21:24-26

When we live out the Word, He promised persecution and instructed us to rejoice (Matt. 5:10-12; Mk. 4:17; 1 Pet. 4:12). Have you ever been persecuted by other “believers” and called legalistic because you chose not to watch a movie that mocks at what God calls sin? I guess I have seen people do this to truth-speakers for so long, that it has little affect anymore, other than inducing a concern for where they really are in their hearts. Seeking to be upright in one’s ways in not legalistic – it is biblical. The Word instructs us to “walk circumspectly” which means fully obedient – exactly, diligently, perfectly.

“See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;” Ephesians 5:15-20

“And in all things that I have said unto you be circumspect: and make no mention of the name of other gods, neither let it be heard out of thy mouth.” Exodus 23:13

What the LORD tells us in Proverbs 26:4-5, is that when we join a fool in his folly (foolishness), we become as guilty as he is and perpetuate this sinfulness in his life and more importantly – we offend the holiness of the LORD we claim to be serving.

What we partake of and/or laugh at reveals who we really are. If all these sinful things and justification of them are still alive in us, we do not have a laid down life.

“Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour.” Proverbs 14:9

“Folly (foolishness)is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly.” Proverbs 15:21

Yes, laughter is a blessing and there is a “time to laugh” and to rejoice, yet we are not made free from sin by the blood of Christ to laugh at evil things (Eccl. 3:4). LORD please bless us to be purified in our hearts and to rejoice and laugh more – for the right reasons! Please grant us Your joy Jesus! Amen.

“A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.” Proverbs 17:22

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge and those who have it walk uprightly – they walk biblically in the Holy Spirit of grace and not legalistically. They have joy from Jesus and are the most blessed people in the world.

“The LORD upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down.” Psalms 145:14

Beloved, our LORD is calling us to lay down our lives like Christ did – that He might fully possess us. Bow down before His holiness that He may raise you up His way. Let it all go. Die to justifying your sins. Before this day expires, get alone with the Savior and release the life He gave to you back to Him. Completely relinquish control as you cry out like Jesus did on the cross when dying for us – “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.” (Lk. 23:46) Give up the ghost. Cease living life on your terms. Lay your whole life at His feet and let Him raise you up in newness of life in the Holy Spirit and reign supreme in your body.

The Path of Our LORD Jesus

Jesus was to be glorified by the Father in laying down His life for all men (Jn. 15:13).

“…nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done…” Luke 22:42

He laid down His own will because of the immeasurable love He has for each of us.

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13

Do we love Jesus Christ in return? How much do I love Him? Will I lay down my whole existence before Him, knowing He will raise me up to new life and fruitfulness as He lives His life through me? Is this not the essence of Galatians 2:20?

“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

He must increase and we must decrease, that He might be glorified in us, and we might be the living epistles He has called us to be. When Jesus is reigning in a person’s life, it is obvious. His holy and impelling presence is the life that exudes from that person instead of the stench of the self-centered and selfish nature (Jn. 3:30). At this place of resurrection life, the LORD who made and redeemed us is greatly glorified and pleased and His fruit is being yielded.

“Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.” Ephesians 5:1-2

Finding that place with God in prayer is where the laid down life begins. May I suggest that you begin with prayerfully, and from deep within, citing Galatians 2:20 aloud.

“Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.” Psalms 42:7

PRAYER: Please draw me deeper in You LORD Jesus. Father in Heaven, You sent Your only begotten Son to die for me in order that I might be raised up in new life in this brief life and eternally. I love You Jesus and ask You to lead me to that crucified life that you lived when here on earth. Quicken me by Your Holy Spirit and fill me afresh O LORD, that this life You gave might be fully fruitful and pleasing to Thee. Lord, I am watching and praying in light of Your soon return. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

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The Myth of Elevation without the Cross [podcast]

THE CROSS: Know it. Live it. Preach it. God will never lift up those who stand in their pride but only those who bow before Him in humility (Psalms 145:14; James 4:6-10, etc.). Running to a “revival” is not the answer. The reason people run to a “revival” is due to their refusal to deny self, take up the cross daily, and thereby be re-vived (filled with life!) daily – experiencing the resurrection of Christ each day in their personal lives as God has ordained (Luke 9:23-24; 2 Corinthians 4:10-12). A cross-less life is a life of defeat. A life in […]

Raised Up [Audio Book]

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Lay Down Your Life - Now!

“He must increase, but I must decrease.” John 3:30 God’s way is the cross. No one will be in Heaven who didn’t walk His way – which is the way of the cross, the crucified life (Luke 9:23-24; Galatians 2:20; Colossians 3:3, etc.). Trying to become a better husband or wife, a kinder friend, a more loving person? These are good desires and yet, we must remember that the first order of priority is being a better disciple of Jesus, our “first love” and THEN everything else will come into God’s order, by His enabling grace (Revelation 2:4-5; Matthew 6:33, […]

Abiding

Chosen, Ordained, Joyfully Fruitful [podcast]

“Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.” John 15:16

“Ye have not chosen me”
“I have chosen you”
“and ordained you”
“that ye should go and bring forth fruit”
“and that your fruit should remain”

Of this truth, the Believer’s Bible Commentary notes the following:

“15:16 Lest there be any tendency for them to become discouraged and give up, Jesus reminded them that He was the One who chose them. This may mean that He chose them to eternal salvation, to discipleship, or to fruitfulness. He had appointed the disciples to the work which lay before them. We should go and bear fruit. Fruit may mean the graces of the Christian life, such as love, joy, peace, etc. Or it may mean souls won for the Lord Jesus Christ. There is a close link between the two. It is only as we are manifesting the first kind of fruit that we will ever be able to bring forth the second.

The expression “that your fruit should remain” leads us to think that fruit here means the salvation of souls. The Lord chose the disciples to go and bring forth lasting fruit. He was not interested in mere professions of faith in Himself, but in genuine cases of salvation. L. S. Chafer notes that in this chapter we have prayer effectual (v. 7), joy celestial (v. 11), and fruit perpetual (v. 16). “That whatever you ask … .” The secret of effective service is prayer. The disciples were sent forth with the guarantee that the Father would grant them whatever they asked in Christ’s name.”

Adam Clarke writes;

“The first ministers of the Gospel were the choice of Jesus Christ; no wonder, then, that they were so successful. Those whom men have since sent, without the appointment of God, have done no good. The choice should still continue with God, who, knowing the heart, knows best who is most proper for the Gospel ministry.

To be a genuine preacher of the Gospel, a man must –

1. Be chosen of God to the work.
2. He must be placed in the true vine – united to Christ by faith.
3. He must not think to lead an idle life, but labor.
4. He must not wait till work be brought to him, but he must go and seek it.
5. He must labor so as to bring forth fruit, i.e. to get souls converted to the Lord.
6. He must refer all his fruit to God, who gave him the power to labor, and blessed him in his work.
7. He must take care to water what he has planted, that his fruit may remain – that the souls whom he has gathered in be not scattered from the flock.
8. He must continue instant in prayer, that his labors may be accompanied with the presence and blessing of God – Whatsoever ye shall Ask.
9. He must consider Jesus Christ as the great Mediator between God and man, proclaim his salvation, and pray in his name. – Whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, etc. See Quesnel.”

God alone ordains His people to His work and brings them through many purging seasons to cause His fruitfulness in them, preparing them to bear more of His fruit. God chose us and blessed us with the ability to repent and receive Christ. As His people, He’s also ordained us to “go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain.”

As we read this discourse from our LORD (John 15 and 17), we discover that He is speaking of that abiding fellowship we have with Him, and how out of it is borne the good fruit of His ministry in and through our life.

Being rooted in that oneness, the abiding relationship with Christ, is all-important to our relationship with Him and the Father. As his student, His disciple, may the reader be encouraged to pour prayerfully over these truths captured, and given to us in John, chapters 15 and 17.

Isaiah 43

“But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. 2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. 3 For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee. 4 Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life. 5 Fear not: for I am with thee … “

Prayer: Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus, please make me one with You. Please deeply root and establish my life in an abiding fellowship with You dear LORD.

Moments with Our Master [book] 365 Day Devotional book available at STORE and amazon. English and Spanish.

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“Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.” Philippians 4:17 Did you realize that as a born again disciple of Jesus, that you have an “account” in Heaven? “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Matthew 6:19-21 Laying up treasure in […]

"For I Know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no Good Thing" [podcast]

The Key to Truly Appreciating the Saving Mercy of God Jesus, I want to be Yours, with no doubt and no matter what it takes! Please teach me Thy way dear LORD! Until the realization of the depth of my own poverty before God begins to set in, I will continue to trust in self. The poverty must be realized by the person before he can experience the blessing of the prize of Christ and His “so great salvation” (Hebrews 2:3). “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will […]

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The One Essential to Victory [podcast]

Victory is at hand!! This message is at the heart of the original Gospel message Christ and that His apostles gave. Yet, this is seldom if ever heard today. Victory awaits you!!!!! God desires to give it to you!!!! You be careful though saint. Be not deceived. Get this truth in your heart and life and God will raise you upward to the victory that brings Him glory and where you belong. Paul said that there are many “enemies of the cross of Christ.” (Phil. 3:18-19) Discover who they are and what is divinely required for you to be blessed with victory in this life and in eternity with Christ!

Raised Up | I Die Daily

The Victory is in Jesus [podcast]

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The Key to Total Victory! [podcast]

The One Essential of Victory (below) Victory in Jesus (below) IF GOD IS NOT IMPORTANT ENOUGH TO YOU TO SEARCH, STUDY, READ, KNOW AND MEMORIZE IS WORD, WHAT DOES THAT REVEAL? Want to know Jesus more intimately? Get into God’s Word. Want to get delivered? Get into God’s Word. Want absolute victory? Be a fervent daily student of God’s Word. Want to be on fire for Jesus? Make God’s Word your highest priority. Want absolute victory over Satan? Get into God’s Word. Want to learn the daily cross? Get into God’s Word. Desire to please God in all your […]

Speaking His Truth in Love [podcast]

“But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:” Ephesians 4:15 Growing up in Christ involves and leads to His children “speaking the truth in love.” Not one or the other but rather BOTH – truth and love, “speaking the truth in love.” (Ephesians 4:15) A person of truth never speaks with respect to how mere men will respond nor merely for their enrichment. No, he speaks the words, the truth of God, unashamed, boldly. His desire is to please the LORD, not men (Ephesians 4:15; Galatians 1:10). Ephesians […]