Abiding

Is Your Pastor Teaching You to Overcome All 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]

“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

What did Paul mean by “these promises”? It was those things, including the conditions, he had just penned of:

“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” 2 Corinthians 6:14-18

“I want freedom FROM my sin!! Otherwise, what is the point of the gospel? If it were possible to be saved and remain in our sins, then we would never see Jesus face to face.

Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man will see the Lord: -Hebrews 12:14

Who would want to be redeemed and yet never for all eternity see their Redeemer!?

O, what a fool we must look to the world when we try to pass off salvation and remaining in sin, hand in hand.” Jon Crane

*Note, the question is whether or not your pastor is teaching this biblical doctrine at hand. This should not ever involve anyone self-righteously brow beating you. You, as an individual, must choose to truly serve God via the crucified life, etc. No one else can do that for you.

Can God’s people be “made free from sinning”?

In response to being convicted of his sin, one man, professing believer, said “I need to be strong.”

No.

It’s the cross that is needed in your daily, personal life. When we are WEAK (dead and buried, crucified) then we are strong in HIS resurrection strength. When we are weak in self, we are dependent upon the LORD wholly. Take close note of the cross in this following passage:

“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness (crucified). Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the (resurrection) power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, THEN am I strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

“We are weak in our flesh. Matthew 26:41. Sin weakens us. It leads to death. Spiritual separation from God. In this life and eternally. We are only strong in the power of His might. Ephesians 6: 10. Our flesh must die. So we can walk in the newness of life as we are made alive through Jesus Christ! Romans 6.” Karen Cochran

Read prayerfully Romans 6 each morning. Memorize Galatians 2:20 KJB. God will never raise up anyone who is not first dead and buried.

“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 (the cross message). 18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. 19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. 20 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. 21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. 22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. 23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:17-23

You will never hear an eternal security wolf teaching anything about overcoming all sin.

ALL who peddle Satan’s “Ye shall NOT surely die” lie are “accursed” false teachers who are preaching “another gospel” (Genesis 2:17; 3:4; Galatians 1:6-9).

No different than what Satan told the first man and woman, which led to their fall into sin, this same lie is leading millions to “fall away” after being saved (Genesis 2:17; 3:4; Luke 8:13; 1 Timothy 4:1). Jude warns us specifically of these “ungodly men” who are “turning the (saving) grace of our God into lasciviousness” which is a license to sin (Jude 3-4). Eternal security, once saved always saved, and perseverance of the saints are all doctrines of devils (2 Peter 2:20-22; Romans 11:20-22, etc.).

“What arrogance to think you can continue to live in sin and God will welcome you with open arms! God does not have to accept any of us! We all deserve hell. When we stand before Him he has every right to throw us into the fiery furnace. I continue to ask Jesus if He knows me! Because if He doesn’t He will say depart from me I never knew you. Matthew 7: 22-23. We can say Lord, Lord all we want, but those are just words if He does not know us! Terrifying reality! Eternity hangs in the balance! Fight the good fight of faith and fight for your eternal souls. 1 Timothy 6:12. Don’t just assume you will be given a place in eternity with Jesus! None of us are secure until He says well done good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of the Lord. Matthew 25:21.” Karen Cochran

“When I think of the cross I see Grace! Grace is a gift of God. Ephesians 2:8. An unearned and undeserved gift. We deserve Hell. The cornerstone of our salvation is Christ and His grace. When we continue to live in sin we cheapen God’s grace. Make it null and void. Frustrate it. Galatians 2:21. Otherwise Christ died in vain!” Karen Cochran

The cross is the only solution the Savior gave us for “true holiness” (Ephesians 4:24).

“All you need to do is read Romans 6 and see we are to not live in sin but in the Spirit! Read Romans 6 everyday until it sinks way down deep into your heart! We are to be servants of holiness and righteousness! And to not serve sin! Serving sin leads to death! Walking in the newness of Life is walking in our new nature!” Karen Cochran

Romans 6 is a cross chapter. In fact one could rightly call it “the cross chapter.”

Chosen to be Holy as He is Holy – and God always enables what He establishes or mandates.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. 7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;” Ephesians 1:3-7

“Oh taste and see that the Lord is good. Who brought us from darkness into His marvelous light. All praise goes to our Lord who chose us before the foundation of the world. And made us accepted in the beloved. Thank you Jesus that you would consider using us as we are not highly educated but just simple country folks who love You.” Karen Cochran

“Not caring about hidden sin!? Have they never read Hosea? Proverbs? Psalms? 2 John 11?? To wink at sin, one’s own or another is to tread very dangerously in opposition of the Holy Spirit that sanctified them (Romans. 1:28-2:11; Hebrews. 10:26-33). What a fearful thing to treat God’s holiness with such little respect.” Jon Crane

Lots of pastors believe and even state things like “well, we all sin every day.” Basically it’s the laissez-faire lukewarm attitude…..yes and the same frauds claim to believe in saving grace but only for Heaven, not for empowering the born-again abiding saints to overcome sin (Romans 6:16).

False leaders today have people trained to look for little coping band-aids, things that profit their immediate situation yet squander their present and future state. The false leaders today can be known by their messages which coddle their prey in their sin, never calling them to true repentance, to the cross, to a holy, separated life, etc. The result is that these people want nothing to do with a Bible message, a message that is truly Bible-intensive, and this is exactly why these shallow dwellers are “Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” (2 Timothy 3:7).

Christ’s Remnant Body is Living Organically

THE ORGANIC (no additives) remnant body of Christ walks in God’s truth and love daily – no matter where they are on HIS planet (John 13:35; Ephesians 4:15, etc.). Their lives are sanctified always – not just on Sunday mornings. They belong to one church – the body of Christ which is bought by His precious blood (1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 7:23). They love ALL the brethren of Christ – not just the folk that show up in an “official” so-called “church building” (1 John 4:7-8; 5:1).

A close friend of mine once said, the definition of a hypocrite is “someone who is just not quite themselves on Sunday mornings.”

YOUR PRAYER: Father in Jesus’ name, please make us Your authentic disciples. Purify our hearts and cleanse our lives of every trace of fakery. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

“Matthew 12: 34 Our outer appearance should match our inner self. Impossible for an evil heart to produce good fruit. Your words should match how you live. The fruits of Christ only come from a pure and honest heart. Otherwise your fruit is rotten because your inside is corrupted in sin and filth. By their fruits you will know them (Matthew 7:20).” Karen Cochran

IF a pastor/preacher is not preaching the crucified life, he is preaching “another gospel” and such proves that he is “accursed” and is not living the cross life (Luke 9:23-24; 2 Corinthians 11:3-5; Galatians 1:6-9; 2:20, etc.). This means he’s one of “the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things” (Philippians 3:18-19).

SCATHING REBUKE TO AN OSAS WOLF

Angelo writes:

“Ya that’s right. God starts it and we finish it. What Lord Jesus did was not enough. We have become co-saviors. Hebrews 10:12 ….look I’m not trying to be rude but there’s no more time for games. You have been deceived by that garbage. Wake up. The Lord Jesus said it is finished meaning debt paid in full. Done deal ! The only thing we bring to the table is the sin that gets forgiven. Period! No where does mention that we are required to be faithful to Him.”

REPLY:

Angelo is an OSAS heretic. God told on him in advance – “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. 4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ” (Jude 3-4).

So is it okay for you to be faithful to your wife? Yes. If you commit adultery on her your marriage covenant is broken. If you commit spiritual adultery on God, you are separated from Him in your sin (Exodus 20:3-5; Ezekiel 14:3; Revelation 21:8).

So I’ve been deceived by believing God holds me personally responsible to actually participate in the relationship I have with Him and not just trying to use Him to get me out of Hell?

Yes we bring our sin to the table initially but then Jesus saves us, regenerates, makes us His new creatures, temples of His Holy Ghost, and empowers us to please Him. – “having no part dark” in us (Luke 11:36). You apparently truly do not believe in God’s grace which divinely enables His people to overcome all sin, making them ready for Christ’s return (Titus 1:16; 2:11-14). You are peddling half truths and are a false teacher.

Let me quote a few verses those like you intentionally run from and hide from the people because you love your darkness rather than light:

“So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:33

“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

“Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:” Hebrews 12:14

“But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:15-16

Ah yes, HE initiates. We don’t find Him. He finds us (John 12:32; 1 John 4:10, 19-20). No, WE don’t finish it – HE finishes it as we “abide” continue in Christ – on HIS stated terms – the daily cross, crucified life (Luke 9:23-24). Those who don’t “abide” in/with Christ to the end will be cast into the fires of Hell. That’s what Jesus taught – “IF a man abide (remain) not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned” (John 15:6). Jesus was speaking to HIS own as He was when He declared – “And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved,” and “But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved” (Matthew 10:22; 24:13). Apparently you are a cross-less wolf, a coward who makes excuse for instead confessing sin, and misleading others in the same. Paul spoke of you – (Philippians 3:18-19; Proverbs 28:13). You are preaching a false gospel and evade anything in God’s Word that requires you to truly repent, deny yourself, take up the cross – be truly crucified with Christ …. and follow, obey Jesus – because you do not truly love Him. Jesus says “IF ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15), and “Ye are my friends, IF ye do whatsoever I command you” (John 15:14). If you don’t love Him, He says don’t bother obeying me. Obeying Jesus is the expression of one’s love for Him – not to earn His justification. Repent now, sinner. This is why you gullibly bought into and peddle the pre-trib rapture, OSAS/eternal security heresies. – “(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things)” (Philippians 3:18-19 …..)

“Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. 4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.” Jude 3-4

“He that committeth sin is of the devil”

“He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.” 1 John 3:8

Why did Jesus come?

“the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.” 1 John 3:8

Read 1 John 3 each morning this week.

Any person who has been saved and is not overcoming sin simply has chosen to love self more than the Savior. They are 100% full blown rebels who could care less about anyone but self. The flames of eternal damnation shall never cease to feed upon their helpless conscious souls.

ALL who attempt to cover instead of admit and confess their sin are outside of Christ. They are lost souls. And doesn’t this account for the vast majority of those claiming to be saved by Christ today? Yes. They love their lies their false prophets feed them (Jeremiah 5:31). Read Jeremiah 5-7 and 2 Timothy 3.

Recently, I spoke with a faithful “church member” who also, flippantly spoke of having “many vices and sins.” Sadly, there was no sense of conviction of this sin.

Are you going to attempt to cover or conquer all sin?

“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” Proverbs 28:13

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

YOUR PRAYER: Father in Heaven, You are holy. Please forgive my vile, evil, rebellious and disobedient wicked heart and how I have made myself an idol and committed the sin of spiritual adultery against You. I come to You now in the name of Jesus Christ, asking You to forgive me, to break me, to unite my heart to fear Thy name. Please grant that this heart be an heart of flesh, removing the stony places and multiplying Your enabling and empowering grace to grant this, Your mere servant, Your power to overcome all sin, all that defiles me in Your holy eyes. Do that deeper work dear LORD. Please cause my heart to never depart from You. Teach me the crucified, the cross life you mandated me to walk in dear LORD. Please help me to love You more, to love You supremely. In Jesus’ name.

Can the Saint of Christ be "without Spot" before God? [podcast]

May God bless us in Honoring His Word…. and Exposing Satan’s Lies Can Christ’s saints can be “without spot”? If so, how? Heaven bound disciples of Jesus never make excuse for, never cover their sin! No, they confess all sin in true repentance. Reading Romans 6 each morning this week will be a blessing to your life. Paramount to all things in Christ’s kingdom, His people must understand that “without FAITH it is impossible to please him” (Hebrews 11:6). Being saved and abiding, remaining in Christ is first by faith, and that true saving faith will always manifest in the […]

The Myth of Eternal Security [podcast]

“For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee.” Psalms 73:27 BAD NEWS FOR CROSS-LESS COUNTERFEITS WHO HIDE BEHIND THE “ETERNAL SECURITY” SHAM: YOU WILL BE ETERNALLY SECURE WHEN AND IF YOU ARE WITH JESUS IN ETERNITY, NOT BEFORE! Can’t leave Christ after He saves you? Think again… dear one who continues to search for a way to justify your sin, for not truly repenting and laying down your life in this fleeting sinful world and overcoming (Luke 9:23-24; 14:27, 33; 17:33; 19:27; Titus 2:11-14; , etc.). All […]

Can a True Believer Overcome All Sin? [podcast]

Yes. In the church world, there’s an abundance of talk about sin and it comes with the notion, the inflection, the false assumption that somehow, born again believers are relegated to sinning, as if there’s no other choice. Is that true? Is this the biblical perspective? What I want us to do is make sure we are looking at the whole of Scripture and be blessed to gain a godly confidence that our Savior provided a perfect salvation that includes more than just the initial washing away of our sins. This “great grace” that He provided in His “so […]

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 […]

The Cross Imperative [podcast]

The cross is not about self effort but rather self denial. “He must increase, but I must decrease.” John 3:30 Dear LORD Jesus, please take all of me. Have Your way in this life. “not my will, but thine, be done.” Luke 22:42 The cross, the blood of Christ’s cross is what He commanded we take up daily in order to follow Him (Colossians 1:20; Luke 9:23-24). The divine economy is a cross economy and that is the only way one can truly walk with the LORD, pleasing Him in all things. Pouring over the words of 2 Corinthians 4:10-12 is […]

Abiding

“David Encouraged Himself in the LORD his God” [podcast]

“And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, … but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.” 1 Samuel 30:6

Gathering from several commentaries on this passage, one source notes the following:

“Faced with the devastating loss of Ziklag and a mutinous army threatening to stone him, David found supernatural resilience. Rather than yielding to panic or despair, he actively turned his focus away from the overwhelming crisis and strengthened his faith directly in God.

Key Context and Lessons

- The Crisis: Amalekite raiders had burned the city and captured all the women and children, including David’s own wives.
- The Breaking Point: His loyal men were now grieving and broken, turning their deep anguish into violent anger against their leader.
- The Shift: David did not look to his men, his own strength, or his circumstances for hope. He preached truth to his own soul, drawing on his past history with God’s faithfulness and inquiring of the Lord for his next steps.

Practical Takeaways

- Self-Talk: When no one else is around to lift you up, you must learn to speak God’s promises to your own heart.
- Refocusing: Encouraging yourself in the Lord means anchoring your identity and security in His unchanging character rather than shifting public opinion.
- Actionable Faith: David’s inward strengthening immediately led to outward action—he sought God’s direction and pursued the enemy, resulting in complete victory and restoration.”

“Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.” Acts 14:22

“In the world ye shall have tribulation”

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

During seasons of great stress, this man after God’s own heart sought the LORD. This time only served as a blessing, hastening David to the feet of Christ. Beloved David gave us the most amazing Scriptures concerning seeking God.

“My soul followeth hard after thee.” Psalms 63:8

“As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. 2 My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?” Psalms 42:1-2

“One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.” Psalms 27:4

“When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.” Psalms 27:8

Prayer: Father in Heaven, in the name of Jesus, please grant me, Your mere servant, to be possessed with a heart after You dear LORD. I love You Jesus. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Having a Pure Heart Requires the Cross Life [podcast]

“Great Podcast. Thank you. When I think about Matthew 5:8 I think of Psalm 24:3-4, ‘Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place? 4 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.’ Who is worthy to stand in God’s holy presence? Only those who are living holy and righteous lives! Those disciples who are free from pride and sin and are maintaining inner purity. With no idolatry, hypocrisy and deceit in their hearts! They are hungry and thirst […]

The Importance of Pureness of Heart [podcast]

“He that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend.” Proverbs 22:11 With pureness of heart, our words shall issue forth with grace and seasoning and be more readily received by those who hear. “Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.” Colossians 4:6 David’s Prayer “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.” Psalms 19:14 “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they […]

Purifying Ourselves even as He is Pure [podcast]

Ready or Not – Jesus is Coming “And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.” 1 John 3:3 Here’s how you know if you are ready to meet Jesus—whether by dying or His soon return. The context of the Bible verse above is the return of Jesus and being ready for it (1 John 2:24-3:3). Those who live for Christ long to see Him and look expectantly for His soon return. This world is not their home. “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all […]

Abiding

10 Clues Your Love for God has Waxed Cold [podcast]

The wise virgin saints are keeping their lamps full of divine oil, they are taking personal responsibility for their own spiritual state with Christ the great and soon coming Bridegroom. Read Matthew 25:1-13.

“The Love of Many Shall Wax Cold”

“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. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” Matthew 24:10-14

Did you notice in verse 14 that those who hot for Jesus are participating in the preaching of His Word to the end of the earth (Mark 16:15).

Anyone not devouring God’s Word daily is falling away, is not enduring to the end, is choosing the let their love for Jesus wax cold, and on the wrong, the losing end of this prophecy Jesus gave here on record in Matthew 24:10-14.

“I will spue (vomit, reject) thee out of my mouth”

“So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. 17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:” Revelation 3:16-17

Praying God will help you love Him more (Matthew 22:37-40). It really all boils down to WHO we love most. THAT is exactly who we are serving (Romans 6:16).

Loving God is everything as far as what’s in our control – because it’s a choice, daily, and will determine if one remains in Christ to the end.

“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. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” Matthew 22:37-40

“Thou hast left thy first love”

“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

1. When you are choosing not to spend quality time with God in prayer each and every morning… When you are choosing not to spend quality time with God in His Word each and every morning (Luke 9:23-24; 1 Chronicles 16:11).

2. When your love for God’s people is being reduced instead of increased (Philippians 2:12-13; 1 John 5:1) Marks of the True Christian …. “Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. 10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; 11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;” (Romans 12:9-11) See John 13:35.

“And it was told him by certain which said, Thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to see thee. 21 And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it.” Luke 8:20-21

“We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.” 1 John 3:14

“Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.” 1 John 5:1

Reading 1 Corinthians 13 today will refresh your heart and mind on the divine importance placed upon LOVE.

3. You are not denying self and not taking up the cross daily (Luke 9:23-24; 19:27; Galatians 2:20; Colossians 3:3, etc.).

4. You aren’t communicating the light of truth to others because you no longer seek or fear the LORD and so His divine virtue isn’t teeming in and flowing out of you. Your cup no longer runs over but instead is running empty (Psalms 23). You have a lampshade over the light and are not letting His light shine in and through your life and words… “Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.” (Isaiah 58:1)

5. You live in fear instead of faith and the joy of being with Jesus (Luke 21:28; 1 John 4:16-18; Proverbs 28:1; Psalms 2:11).

6. You preach promises and not conditions…following the apostate modern church and you don’t preach the cardinal doctrines of the original Gospel which we are commanded to “earnest contend for.” (Jude 3) You begin meditating on and living by trends instead of truth (Jeremiah 9:3; 2 Timothy 4:2-4; Philippians 4:8; Romans 12:1-2).

7. You have little or no true fellowship with other born- again Bible believing disciples of Jesus as is defined in God’s Word and not by the modern church world (Acts 2:42).

The Word of God is to run rich, to be abundant among God’s people … “In all wisdom” and “all in the name of the Lord Jesus” … “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” (Colossians 3:16-17)

8. You know you are backsliding when your main thrust and identity become politics, not the work of the Gospel. YOU are a blood bought disciple of Jesus, not a conservative. You are a Bible believing follower of Christ (Luke 9:62; Galatians 6:14).

9. When you love this world…..When you spend more time and money on hobbies and the things of this fleeting world than you do on attending to knowing, walking with the LORD and preparing to be used of Him (Mark 4:17-19; 1 John 2:15; James 4:4).

10. When you spend more money on trash and trinkets then helping the work of the One you claim to love and the poor. You know you are backslidden when you are not obeying God with what He’s placing in your temporal possession. He shall bring you into full account for this.

Regrettably, people will give their money to any and every pleasure under the sun but make excuses when the opportunity to support the work of the One they claim to love and serve. The Holy Spirit foretold that in the final days before the return of Jesus, there would be those with a mere “form of godliness”, “men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous,” and “lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God.” (2 Timothy 3:1-7) According to the LORD, one of the main ways to measure our true love for Him or lack thereof, is by peering into our personal stewardship of the resources He’s placed into our temporary possession. Luke 12 and 16 offer a plethora of divine wisdom and warning concerning the judgment to come, the judgment we shall endure in giving account for our stewardship in this life.

The clear proof that God is working in our lives, that we are truly following Jesus, is that we are becoming less and less vested in this fleeting, fallen world (James 4:4; 1 John 2:15-17). And that we, our good works, our giving are more and more invested in eternity – in the eternal kingdom of Christ, laying up treasures in Heaven, sending them before us, relinquishing the things of this world for the glory of God – putting them to work for the eternal Gospel of Christ – for saints to be fed and equipped and the lost to hear the Word of God (Matt. 6:19-21).

“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.” Matthew 6:19-24

To underscore the importance of stewardship, we should realize that 16 of our LORD’s 38 parables involved stewardship. Those who now do not wish to face and confront this truth, are apparently those who are in the most need of hearing it.

PRAYER: Father I come to You now in the name of Jesus Christ. Please cause my conscience to be super sensitive to Your conviction, Your leading, and to evade all that defiles me in Your holy eyes, sin. Here and now I submit my life afresh to You dear LORD. You must increase but I must decrease. I am crucified with Christ and thank You for conforming me to His holy image. I am all Yours LORD and thank You that You are all mine. I love You Jesus. Please make me one with You and the Father and with Your beloved body. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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Abiding

David’s Farewell Prayer [podcast]

“For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” Romans 15:13

May God bless His people, in their times of tribulations, to find comfort, guidance, with Holy Scripture, and may they find His peace during seasons and transitions.

The most famous biblical farewell is Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer in John 17:1–26, where He commits His disciples into the Father’s care before departing.

Classic Farewell Blessings

The Aaronic Blessing (Numbers 6:24–26): “The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: 25 The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: 26 The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.”
The Pauline Benediction (2 Corinthians 13:14): “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.”
God’s Promise (Jeremiah 29:11): “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.”

At the end of his life, David prayed to God for His kingdom and people. One source notes the following:

“King David’s life is defined by extreme highs and devastating lows. Rising from a humble shepherd to an unbeatable warrior-king who established Jerusalem, he suffered catastrophic personal failures, including his adultery with Bathsheba, the murder of Uriah, and tragic family calamity that culminated in his son Absalom’s rebellion.”

At the end of his life on earth, David, the man after God’s own heart, prayed.

Of this magnificent kingdom prayer of David, one source notes the following:

“King David’s famous prayer in 1 Chronicles 29 (King James Version) is a profound declaration of God’s absolute sovereignty, majesty, and ownership of all creation. Spoken near the end of his life, it serves as a prayer of thanksgiving and dedication for the materials gathered to build the Temple.

Summary of Key Verses (1 Chronicles 29:10-19 KJV)

- Verses 10-13: David blesses God, declaring His greatness, power, and glory. He affirms that God owns all things in heaven and earth, including riches and honor.
- Verses 14-16: David expresses humility, noting that all gifts come from God and that human life is short and temporary.
- Verses 17-19: He prays for the people’s continued devotion and asks for Solomon to have a “perfect heart” to keep God’s commandments and build the temple.”

1 Chronicles 29

David Prays in the Assembly

10 Wherefore David blessed the LORD before all the congregation: and David said, Blessed be thou, LORD God of Israel our father, for ever and ever.

11 Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all.

12 Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all.

13 Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name.

14 But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee.

15 For we are strangers before thee, and sojourners, as were all our fathers: our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding.

16 O LORD our God, all this store that we have prepared to build thee an house for thine holy name cometh of thine hand, and is all thine own.

17 I know also, my God, that thou triest the heart, and hast pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of mine heart I have willingly offered all these things: and now have I seen with joy thy people, which are present here, to offer willingly unto thee.

18 O LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, our fathers, keep this for ever in the imagination of the thoughts of the heart of thy people, and prepare their heart unto thee:

19 And give unto Solomon my son a perfect heart, to keep thy commandments, thy testimonies, and thy statutes, and to do all these things, and to build the palace, for the which I have made provision.

20 And David said to all the congregation, Now bless the LORD your God. And all the congregation blessed the LORD God of their fathers, and bowed down their heads, and worshipped the LORD, and the king.

21 And they sacrificed sacrifices unto the LORD, and offered burnt offerings unto the LORD, on the morrow after that day, even a thousand bullocks, a thousand rams, and a thousand lambs, with their drink offerings, and sacrifices in abundance for all Israel:”

Ephesians | Galatians Outline | Grounded in Grace |

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