Abiding

IS ALL DISAGREEMENT BETWEEN CHRISTIANS A SIN? [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]

IS ALL DISAGREEMENT A SIN?
What Saith the Scriptures?

Kingdom Truth to Help You Walk in God’s Peace in Your Kingdom Relationships

Is there room for disagreement within the body of Christ? Yes, yet only on things not doctrinally essential. Not with doctrinal essentials, and yet as far as wisdom concerning direction, real time decisions, disagreement is acceptable. Everyone doesn’t have to see everything the same way as far as non-essentials are concerned.

Do we recall how Paul and Barnabas strongly disagreed concerning John Mark?

Paul and Barnabas Separate

“And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do. 37 And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark. 38 But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work. 39 And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus; 40 And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God. 41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.” Acts 15:36-41

John Mark was the son of Mary, at whose house the members of Christ prayed when Peter was jailed and about to be martyred. They prayed fervently and God sent His angel to free Peter (Acts 12:12).

John Mark was born again. Otherwise, Paul and Barnabas would never have brought him with them to minister our LORD’s Gospel. John Mark had on their first journey with them, departed before their ministry mission was accomplished (Acts 15:38). Paul saw this past departure one way, and Barnabas another. Which of these men of God were in sin? Neither.

John Mark was the nephew of Barnabas and so Barnabas perhaps knew the weaknesses of his family, considering wisely that John Mark was a young man with much growing to do. And Barnabas had faith that young John Mark would come around, would correct his errant ways and mature. Sure enough, Barnabas was correct. Years later Paul said:

“Only Luke is with me. Take Mark (John Mark), and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.” 2 Timothy 4:11

Paul now sees John Mark as “profitable to me for the ministry.”

John Mark had matured, he’d received correction and was growing in Christ and now ready, prepared to be involved in the ministry. He was now a much more mature, equipped man. Barnabas’ compassion greatly assisted this. John Mark was obviously willing and diligent in his repentance and life in Christ.

“But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. 21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.” 2 Timothy 2:20-21

Paul now honored the work of God in Barnabas, an elder, who no doubt had been greatly instrumental in the maturing of beloved younger John Mark. Isn’t that what true elders of Christ do – mature and equip the saints “for the work of the ministry”? Yes! See Ephesians 4:11-16.

“4:11 The beloved Doctor Luke was the only one who maintained contact with Paul in Rome. How much it must have meant to the apostle to have the spiritual encouragement and professional skill of this great man of God!

And how thankful we can be for the latter part of verse 11! It holds encouragement to all of us who have failed the Lord in our service that He will yet give us another opportunity to go forth for Him. Mark went with Paul and Barnabas on their First Missionary Journey, but then left them at Perga to return home. When it came time to go out on the Second Missionary Journey, Paul did not want to bring Mark along because of the young man’s previous retreat. When Barnabas insisted that Mark should accompany them, the matter was resolved by Paul’s leaving for Syria and Cilicia with Silas, while Barnabas and Mark went to Cyprus. Later on, Paul and Mark were reconciled, and here the apostle specifically asks for Mark as one who is useful to him for ministry.” Believer’s Bible Commentary

One lesson we can learn here is to allow others the freedom of their own opinion concerning non-essentials (Romans 14). If something is not specifically cited as a sin in the Bible, keep learning and consider it a non-essential. See Romans 14 and the 17 soul damning sins Paul lists in Galatians 5:19-21. Just because your personal view is currently negative concerning a certain view or practice, doesn’t make it something GOD calls a sin.

Have you ever seen yourself acting, deliberating more like Paul in some cases and in others more like Barnabas? Is there room for both? Yes. Notice the Bible never hints, never once indicates that Paul was wrong for seeing things the way he viewed them in this situation. Neither was Barnabas wrong.

The blessing of Barnabas arises out of this relationship with his nephew. Barnabas’ name means “The son of consolation.” He lived up to his name. Barnabas was a compassionate man and who was a real helper to the members of Christ’s body.

His name first emerges in the last two verses of Acts 4.

“And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, 37 Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.” Acts 4:36-37

“4:36, 37 These verses are an introductory link with chapter 5. The generosity of Barnabas is set forth in striking contrast to the hypocrisy of Ananias. As a Levite, Joses … named Barnabas would not ordinarily have owned land. The Lord was to be the portion of the Levites. How or why he obtained the land, we do not know. But we do know that the law of love worked so powerfully in the life of this Son of Encouragement that he sold the land and laid the money at the apostles’ feet.” Believer’s Bible Commentary

Barnabas’ name means the son of consolation. He was a compassionate consoler. Think about how Barnabas advocated, stood in the gap for John Mark. What a blessing when someone stands up for you, comes to your defense! Do you feel consoled? Yes. Do you want others to be consoled by your legitimate defense of them? Have you ever needed a second chance? Who is it that you could advocate for, could come to the defense of? Isn’t this what the beloved Barnabas did in the case of John Mark? Yes. See Acts 15:36-41. How far do you think Barnabas’ consolation to John Mark went in the heart of the younger saint, John Mark?

Perhaps some of our relationships over the years, can be seen through the lens of how Barnabas and Paul, neither who was wrong. Yet they separated, God giving them each others to minister with.

Giving preference, giving room for other members of Christ’s body to grow in His grace …… we see exercised through Barnabas (2 Peter 3:18).

WHO among us has ever needed a second chance? Who among us has been in the need of a beloved Barnabas, a consoler, one who would nurse us to health and victory? WHO has ever been super encouraged that someone believed in them, believed to the best, believed by their faith in God, that you were coming forth, were going to be tried and come forth as purified gold? See Job 23:10.

“But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. Job 23:10

Also, we know that Paul controlled no one, unlike some of the warlocks and witches of the modern church world (1 Corinthians 16:12; 2 Corinthians 1:24). All who dare seek to exercise undue, unwarranted, ungodly control over any child of God, any sheep of Christ’s pasture, is under divine condemnation (Revelation 2:6, 15).

“…with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them.” Ezekiel 34:4

Read Jeremiah 23 and Ezekiel 34. Woah!

Jesus has singlehandedly saved us individually and is the owner of His sheep, each one of them. HE leads them and any man who dares unduly interfere will pay (John 10).

What if someone like the young John Mark, who was lacking maturity in your past re-enters your life? Will you hold them in contempt for past errors, sins, lack of maturity? Have you not needed, and do you not still have great need of growing in the grace of Christ? See 2 Peter 3:18. This disciple has infinite need of growing in our LORD’s grace.

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

How do you wish for people to view you? By your past or present? How do you desire other members of Jesus’ body to see you? To see you now, now that God has significantly matured you, now after the cross has begun to take center stage in your daily life and now you are more conformed to the image of Christ – now that much tribulation has come your way and God brought you through it all into a much more matured state? (Romans 8:28-29; James 1:2-4; 1 Peter 1:5-8; 5:10, etc.)

Anyone else here ever shake your head at the thought, the remembrance of the dumb things you did in your past, in your earlier days after being born again? Or is that just this fool?

God be praised afresh, here and now, for His great mercy!

“And Solomon said unto God, Thou hast shewed great mercy unto David my father, and hast made me to reign in his stead.” 2 Chronicles 1:8

Read that again and scan your memory of the beloved king David – how he enters our view as a shepherd boy, faithfully worshipping God in the privacy of a pasture, guiding the sheep. Then this great worshipper emerges as a warrior to take out Israel’s chief enemy, the giant from Gath (Goliath). David is appointed by the LORD to be king of Israel. He wins many battles and then loses the battle to lust and commits adultery with Bathsheba, then has her husband murdered. He then suffers the loss of their baby (2 Samuel 11-12). God then, after the ups and downs of David, in the New Testament Scriptures, says this of the beloved David: “I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will” (Acts 13:22).

How many of us want the LORD to say, in the end “THAT is a daughter, a son ‘after mine own heart”? How would you like to hear the Almighty speak your name and say, “I have found ______ the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will”?

Are you getting a bit happier to begin to increasingly realize that it’s how we FINISH more than about how we started?

“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, ¹⁴I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14

Perhaps we could surmise that part of the fight Paul had to fight in fighting the good fight of faith, was to forget his own past sins, mistakes, failures, rebellion.

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:7-8

YOUR PRAYER: Merciful heavenly Father, I love You. Here and now, I come before Your holy presence in the name of my LORD Jesus, praising and thanking You afresh for Your great mercy upon my many sins, disobedience, rebellion, self-idolatry, and pride. Please wash me, wash my life afresh by the precious blood of Your only begotten Son, my LORD and Savior Jesus Christ. Bless this life to be from here forward settled at Thy holy feet dear LORD. In Jesus’ name. Amen LORD. I love You.

Top 12 Missing Essential Doctrines in the Modern Church World! [podcast]

DOES THIS SOUND LIKE YOUR “CHURCH” OR FAVORITE PREACHER? It’s real simple… if they are not preaching the cardinal doctrines of the original Gospel given to us in the New Testament, they are preaching “another gospel” and are “accursed.” (Galatians 1:6-9). “For MANY DECEIVERS ARE ENTERED INTO THE WORLD, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. 8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. 9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, […]

Liberty in Non-Essentials: Receive Ye One Another [podcast]

“Let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart.” Zechariah 7:10 Get gone the guile. Crucify it. “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.” Colossians 3:12-14 The divine command to “love one another” appears 13 times in God’s word. “Greater love hath no man […]

Is the Crucified Life Essential for Going to Heaven? [podcast]

WHO among us, after being saved, can remain free from sin without the cross, the crucified life? Not one of us. Read and believe, embrace every word of Romans 6 carefully. Please don’t rush. “But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” 1 Corinthians 9:27 Paul was clearly declaring here that he would be “castaway” into Hell if he didn’t keep under his body which means live the crucified life – without which no man can overcome sin. IF there […]

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Fulfilling Your Calling [podcast]

“And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.” Colossians 4:17

MINISTRY which pleases God is simply helping people know and grow in Christ for themselves – by the cross life and getting into HIS Word for themselves so they can follow HIM, not you! True ministry fosters in the hearers faith in God, not the preacher or local church organization! Read 1 Corinthians 2:1-5; 2 Corinthians 1:9; 3:5; 4:5.

Your communications and ministry are fed and fueled by your personal daily study and knowledge of God’s Word (Proverbs 22:17-21; 2 Timothy 2:15).

Ephesians 4:1-14

“I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, 2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. 7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. 8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. 9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting (equipping, maturing) of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;” Ephesians 4:1-14

Ephesians | Galatians Outline | Grounded in Grace | 100’s of Christ-centered, Scripture-rich podcasts for your edification in Christ. |

The Warnings of the Book of Jude [podcast]

“Reformed Theology“, is just a fancy way of saying ‘We know better than Paul, the old testament prophets, even David! And the very apostles who walked with Jesus must be unlearned men or liars.’ Nay, I will not say such a thing of my LORD and Saviour, Christ Jesus. Let God be true, and >every< man a liar.” Jonathan Crane It’s “ungodly men” who mislead the gullible with the eternal security heresy, and the heretical doctrines and system of calvinism. Jude warned us of just that, as did the prophets (Jude 3-4; Jeremiah 23:17, etc.). Then Jude reminds us of […]

Out of the Mouth of Babes - "What is Love?" Hilarious. Revealing. [podcast]

What these precious children say will have you laughing and perhaps crying. Our LORD Jesus, the greatest Servant says: “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13 This “greater love” of our Creator, Jesus Christ, was busy blessing each of us in our mother’s womb. Reading 1 Corinthians 13 today will refresh your heart and mind on the divine importance placed upon LOVE. Share. Recently it occurred to me…. That the younger the child, the less corrupted they are by this world and the closer they are to […]

Chosen, Called, Cleansed, Consecrated, Commissioned [podcast]

The LORD’s Vision to His Servant Isaiah and how it Relates to each of Us When the LORD revealed Himself more fully to the man Isaiah, the response of Isaiah is something we should behold and be taught by, learn from. “Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts. 6 Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which […]

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Swept Away in the “Strong Delusion” [podcast]

Recorded at a fellowship in Houston, Texas

God Himself personally sends a “strong delusion” to all who do not love His truth so that they WILL believe lies. He greases their pole to hell. That’s how personally He takes it when people call Him a liar by not believing His Word.

“Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10 and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12 that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12

“Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” Colossians 2:8

Notice “of God” and “NOT of God”

“He that is OF GOD heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are NOT OF GOD.” John 8:47

How do We Know Who is "of God" and Who is "Not of God"? [podcast]

Scripture vs Subjectivity/Human Reasoning “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” Colossians 2:8 There are many people pretending to be representing Christ. Many pretend to speak for God but how do we know who is truly “of God” and who is “not of God”? Jesus gave us the answer to this important question because He desires His people to be protected by proper discernment. He has warned us repeatedly to “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but […]

Return and Discern [podcast]

THE LORD IS DOING A WORK TODAY IN THE HEARTS OF HIS PEOPLE – BLESSING US TO BE POOR IN SPIRIT, HUNGERING FOR MORE OF HIM, AND PURE IN HEART (Matthew 5:3, 6, 8 ). It’s all in spite of our own failings and sin and because of His great mercies which are renewed every morning – GREAT is His faithfulness (Lamentation 3:22-23). Discernment is only granted by God when we truly repent which means we lay down our lives in this fleeting world and follow Jesus for real (2 Corinthians 3:16-18). WHEN we earnestly seek the face of the […]

The Essential Doctrine of Repentance

The Biblical Statement on the Essential Doctrine and Necessity of Repentance – in Life and in the Dispensing of the Original Gospel Message. Though nearly never heard in today’s apostate modern church world, according to Christ’s unchanging original Gospel, repentance is an absolute necessity. Karen Cochran observes: “It doesn’t seem the word repent is part of the Christian’s vocabulary! In the modern church, it’s all about God accepting you the way you are without any requirements to repent and die to self.” Note that in modern churches, “Christian” radio, media, books, the word “repent” is rarely if ever heard. Yet […]

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Dead, Buried, and Raised Up Daily [podcast]

The concept of a “daily cross life” with Jesus is the way of living that involves submitting ourselves to Christ daily, perpetually, and living in sacrificial service to God and His kingdom (Matthew 6:33). This is based on the Bible verse Luke 9:23, which says, “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. 24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it” (Luke 9:23-24).

In short, the cross gets you, me, out of the way so Christ can reign. Selah.

“But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:57

How do we walk in victory after Jesus saves us? By participating in the daily cross life.

“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. 24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.” Luke 9:23-24

HOW could we possibly, vainly believe we are going to overcome the sins that prevent us from eternal glory without the daily crucified life? Not going to happen.

The cross is essential—the crucified life. Read Romans 6 in prayer each morning.

Death and burial must precede resurrection. There will be no resurrection in your personal life—no divine raising you up out of sin and into victory—until you lay down your life, until you die.

The Bible says we have been FOOLS:

“Thou fool, that which thou sowest (plant) is not quickened (made alive), except it die:” 1 Corinthians 15:36

How could we have ever believed that God is going to raise us upward into His victory, out of sin, until we died? I can tell you why—it’s because we weren’t honestly studying and obeying His Word for ourself but rather following false teachers (Philippians 3:18-19).

“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. 2 Corinthians 4:10-11

“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.

12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 13 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.” Romans 8:11-13

The original Gospel is a cross Gospel. Any gospel that does not have the cross front and center, is “another gospel,” a false gospel (Galatians 1:6-9). Reading Romans 6 prayerfully each morning is a blessing.

YOUR PRAYER: Holy Father, I love You and thank You for sending Your only begotten Son to die for my sins and the sins of the whole world. We are not worthy but You bought us with the very life blood of Christ, back to Yourself from a life of sin, to be Your sons and daughters. Please forgive all my sins afresh LORD. Into Your holy, mighty hands I now submit my spirit. Bless this life to be crucified with You dear LORD. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Resurrection Grace [podcast]

NOTHING – NO MAN, NO DEVIL CAN STOP THIS! Just as no man, no devil could possibly stop the resurrection of Christ, no entity or army can stop the resurrection life of Christ in His saints, as they submit to their own death and burial. Resurrection follows! “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 […]

Victory Over the Iniquities that Currently Drive You [podcast]

“Too many Christians blame their flesh on Satan and try casting it out. Never works. That’s why they don’t grow! Must crucify the flesh!” Karen Cochran Recently, a brother in Christ was pushing the fact that Genesis 6:5, 12, use the phrase “only evil continually” pertaining to mankind, all men. REPLY: Ask for yourself the important question: WHY did Jesus come to the earth? And from this moment forward, allow the Bible to answer that question …. Look for the Bible answer…… Why Jesus came to die for us and make us new creatures in Christ whereby OLD THINGS ARE […]

Cons and Crooks who Do Not Preach the Cross [podcast]

“For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:18 Those who do not preach the cross prove that they believe the cross is “foolishness.” The know that many will leave if they were to preach the crucified life. And they are in it for the money, the acceptance of mere men, not Christ. Make no mistake, the Holy Ghost through Paul warned us specifically about this generation of counterfeits, these “evil men and seducers” who “wax worse and worse.” (2 Timothy 3:13) […]