Abiding

Jesus Defines Salvation by Ron Smith

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]

Jesus stands before those who knew Him best.

As He addresses His Disciples…He defines SALVATION:

Matthew 10:22, 34-39 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved…..34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. 35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. 36 And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household. 37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. 39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.

Jesus did not hesitate to make CLEAR that SALVATION would be MUCH more than some simplistic moment in time where a man repeats the “Sinner’s Prayer” and tries to do his best in life.

No…SALVATION can NEVER be measured by the BEGINNING of the race.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 27 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.

We NEVER win the RACE simply because we START it…we WIN because we FINISH it.

Philippians 3:8-14 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. 12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 13 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, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Paul KNEW his SALVATION had not yet been “attained”…not yet “apprehended”…and…therefore…he continued to “press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

Paul knew…in SPITE of GRACE…that DISCIPLESHIP required ENDURANCE…and…without it…he would not be found “in Christ.”

You doubt that assessment…that teaching?

Read Paul’s own words:

Philippians 3:10-12 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. 12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.

You see…Scripture does NOT focus on how we BEGIN…on some MOMENT where we FELT BAD about our SINS and we repeated a “Sinner’s Prayer”…it focuses on how we END…how we ENDURE the TEMPTATIONS of life…how we OVERCOME the “weight which doth so easily beset us.”

Hebrews 12:1-4 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 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. 3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. 4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.

You see…in Paul’s revelation here we discover that there WILL be those who START the race…but…they do not “endure until the end”…never FINISHING…never crossing the FINISH LINE.

ONLY those who ENDURE…those who OVERCOME sin…those who OVERCOME the LIE that says we do not have to live in OBEDIENCE to God…are those who will gain ETERNAL LIFE.

I…like Paul…have not yet “attained”…not yet “apprehended”…and my RACE continues.

Therefore:

“…but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

Am I SAVED today?

Yes.

But…the question is:

Will I be saved when my time comes? Will I RUN with ENDURANCE the RACE that is set before me…crossing the FINISH LINE?

When Jesus appeared to John on the Isle of Patmos…His words would ring out with the call to ENDURE.

Seven churches…ALL having STARTED the RACE…yet…only TWO having FAITHFULLY remained in the race.

Of the SEVEN…FIVE were in DANGER of LOSING the RACE due to DISQUALIFICATION.

Ephesus…Pergamos…Thyatira…Sardis…Laodicea:

To each the Lord speaks…and to each He cries “Repent!”

What had gone wrong? How did those who BEGAN the race end up in DANGER of never FINISHING the race?

Scripture gives us that answer:

Ephesus

Revelation 2:4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

Pergamos

Revelation 2:14-15 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. 15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate.

Thyatira

Revelation 2:20-23 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. 21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. 22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. 23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.

Sardis

Revelation 3:1b I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.

Laodicea

Revelation 3:15-17 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16 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:

Folks…no one remained SAVED simply because they were “added to the Church daily” on a day when they heard Jesus or Peter or Paul…or any OTHER Disciple…preach a SERMON…resulting in those same soon-to-be “church members” having FAITH and then FOLLOWING Jesus.

Not ONE.

That is the VERY reason Jesus appeared to John…telling him to “Write.”

And…Jesus would make it CLEAR with words similar to these…in EACH and EVERY case:

“Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.” (Revelation 3:3)

The question is NOT:

Are you saved today?…

…the question is:

Will those of us who are saved TODAY remain FAITHFUL…OVERCOMING sin…ENDURING ’til the END?

You see:

GRACE is the LIFE PRESERVER thrown to us by FAITH…but…we CANNOT jump OVERBOARD once we WERE saved and expect to CLAIM we are STILL saved!

Many will DROWN in the SEA of FALSE GRACE…believing they can DIVE back INTO the RAGING SEA of SIN with some GUARANTEE they will end up back on the LIFEBOAT.

The “Modern Church” has LONG ignored the call to ENDURE…to OVERCOME…to FINISH the RACE.

Be SURE of what I now say…for it is TRUTH:

Being RESCUED from the SEWER does NOT give you some form of IMMUNITY from TOXIC microbes if you CHOOSE to DIVE back IN.

In the same way…being SAVED from your SINS does not give you IMMUNITY if you once again dive into sin.

That is NOT the definition of GRACE.

When we are “saved by grace through faith”…Jesus says:

“Go and sin no more.”…

…not…

“Go and live as you wish! You now have gained an IMMUNITY to SIN!”

Church…hear me:

We have MIS-DEFINED…and REDEFINED…Biblical GRACE.

Being saved TODAY does NOT guarantee our salvation TOMORROW!

Remember THIS parable spoken by Jesus?

Read it…and DISCERN its TRUTH:

Matthew 25:1-13 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. 2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: 4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. 6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. 7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. 9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. 10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. 11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. 12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. 13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

Will we ENDURE?

Will we OVERCOME?

SALVATION awaits those who FINISH the RACE…not those who simply BEGIN the race.

Yet…today…in churches EVERYWHERE…people stress the BEGINNING of the race…not the END…much less the ENDURANCE needed to even COMPLETE it.

And…it is then cries of “Grace!” become an EXCUSE for lives lived in DISOBEDIENCE…as UNHOLY “Christians” fill TEMPLES of COMPLACENCY…and FALSE DOCTRINE is most often IGNORED due to the DECEPTION of “an ENCOURAGING word.”

Folks…let me be CRYSTAL clear:

It is NOT enough to GET saved…we must STAY saved!

Only by GRACE through FAITH can we BE saved…but…ONCE saved…God requires OBEDIENCE.

Anything LESS is a life lived in DECEPTION…NOT a life lived “in Christ.”

GETTING saved does not equate to STAYING saved.

Folks…here is not only TRUTH…it is COMMON SENSE:

The very reason Satan and his demonic army fights AGAINST us is because we CAN be DEFEATED…because we CAN give IN to TEMPTATION…we CAN be DECEIVED.

Satan is NOT so STUPID as to waste his ENERGY and MAN-POWER on those he CANNOT ever WIN!

Trust me:

We ALL can FALL!

Look at the words of Peter…spoken to BELIEVERS:

2 Peter 3:14-18 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. 15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; 16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. 17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. 18 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.

“Lest ye also” WHAT?

“Lest ye also…FALL.”

“Fall” from WHAT?

“Lest ye also…fall from your own STEADFASTNESS.”

To be STEADFAST means to be SURE…ESTABLISHED…STEADY…FIRM…IMMOVABLE…COMMITTED…

…FAITHFUL.

Under the direction of God…Peter writes to BELIEVERS about the POSSIBILITY of FALLING…saying even though we are faithful NOW…we STILL could ONE day be found UNFAITHFUL.

And…LOOK what Peter says could CAUSE this:

FALSE DOCTRINE…as those that are “unlearned and unstable” USE Scripture ITSELF to DENY the very TRUTHS of Scripture…CLEARLY noted as Peter states:

“As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.” (Verse 16)

In his first letter…Peter had also addressed the issue…noting that SALVATION is “ready to be revealed” for those who ENDURE “manifold temptations.”

1 Peter 1:3-9 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: 9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

The POINT?

The RACE is not WON until the RACE is COMPLETE.

And…MANY who BEGIN the RACE by GRACE through FAITH will not FINISH the RACE…simply because they FALSELY believe their SALVATION is SECURE no matter HOW disobedient they BECOME.

How? Why?

Because they were taught a MOMENT of salvation instead of a LIFE of salvation.

Did you GET that?

Folks…my Mom died January 19, 2017…and my Mom is SAVED…having ENDURED the TEMPTATIONS of this life…now being present with the Lord.

Me?

I am SAVED by GRACE through FAITH…but…I have MUCH more LEFT to ENDURE.

I have NOT yet “made it!”

Be sure…I WILL “make it” IF…IF…IF I will ENDURE…doing so until the very END.

If I FAIL to ENDURE…if I FAIL to remain FAITHFUL to the Lord…if I FAIL to live in OBEDIENCE to Him?

Without ENDURANCE…without taking that “way of escape” when I am TEMPTED…I WILL hear the Lord say “I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” (Matthew 7:23)

THAT is the TRUTH as found in God’s Word.

Period.

You STILL doubt that TRUTH?

Notice again the story of the ten virgins:

Note this truth:

All TEN had oil in their lamps. The problem came when FIVE virgins failed to MAINTAIN the oil in their lamps.

Jesus WAS painting a picture of those saved by GRACE…those FILLED with the Spirit…yet they FAILED to MAINTAIN their RELATIONSHIP with God.

I have taught this principle…this TRUTH…before…but I repeat it here again:

Why does Scripture mention being BAPTIZED in the Spirit AND being FILLED with the Spirit?

In my 57+ years…I have OFTEN heard it taught that BAPTISM and FILLING were INTERCHANGEABLE words.

They are not.

You see…these two work TOGETHER…and they are fully noted in the Book of Acts:

Acts 2:1-2 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

The ROOM was filled…thus IMMERSING the Disciples in the PRESENCE of the Holy One.

In Scripture…BAPTISM is ALWAYS an IMMERSION.

So…first the Disciples were IMMERSED in His PRESENCE…then they were FILLED with the Spirit:

Acts 2:3-4 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Now…all of this did NOT occur simply to allow people to speak in TONGUES.

So…why DID it happen?

The first answer is simple…as Jesus CLEARLY answered that question in Acts 1:8:

“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”

But…Jesus was ALSO teaching the Disciples a POWERFUL lesson…one that would help them MAINTAIN their SALVATION.

Remember:

BAPTISM is an IMMERSION process…as we are BAPTIZED…SURROUNDED by…the Holy Spirit.

But…being FILLED is an INWARD work…and…according to Scripture…THAT process must be MAINTAINED.

Within the New Testament we find that truth played out REPEATEDLY.

But WHY? WHY is being FILLED so CRUCIAL?

I say it as I have said it before:

Imagine an AQUARIUM of water. Now…imagine taking an empty plastic water bottle…a bottle with the cap tightly secured…and placing it in the aquarium.

Having done so…imagine trying to SUBMERGE the water bottle just as it is.

What would happen?

The water bottle would IMMEDIATELY pop back up out of the water…only able to float on the SURFACE.

What would it take to allow the water bottle to be IMMERSED in the water?

The water bottle would have to be FILLED with WATER.

You see…we CANNOT remain IMMERSED in the Spirit if we fail to remain FILLED with the Spirit.

But…WHY is remaining IMMERSED in the Spirit so CRUCIAL to our SALVATION…to our “Christian walk?”

Let me answer that question this way:

Imagine with me a HURRICANE bearing down on the East Coast of the United States.

As the raging storm begins its trek toward Norfolk, Virginia…the SHIPS raise ANCHOR to ride out the STORM at SEA.

Timing is everything.

If the SHIPS fail to SAIL at the proper time…they will be tossed to and fro by the WINDS and WAVES stirred up by the STORM.

You see…SHIPS are more VULNERABLE during a STORM than their Naval COUNTERPARTS:

Submarines.

A SHIP in the MIDST of a STORM is in DANGER…and it can be SWAMPED by the WIND and WAVES.

But…a SUBMARINE can dive DEEP during the STORM…and…no matter HOW strong the WINDS and WAVES may be…the STORM has LITTLE to NO EFFECT on the VESSEL.

Though it REMAINS in the MIDDLE of the STORM…it often cannot even feel the EFFECTS of the storm.

THAT is why we MUST be FILLED with the Spirit…NOT so we can “speak in tongues”…but that we can remain IMMERSED in Christ…no matter the “category” of the STORM!

So…why is all of this SO IMPORTANT?

Just as Jesus KNEW the DANGERS His Disciples would face when He GAVE His INSTRUCTIONS to them to “tarry” in Jerusalem…

…Jesus ALSO knows that in this day and age of FALSE TEACHING…FALSE DOCTRINE…FALSE PROPHETS…HIRELINGS…and WOLVES…

…and…

…in this day and age of FALSE “grace”…FALSE “love”…and FALSE “salvation”…

…that “Christians” would DENY any call to ENDURE.

Jesus knew SOME would QUIT the race right after STARTING the race…simply because they repeated a “Sinner’s Prayer.”

Is that TRULY all there is to it…a “Sinner’s Prayer?”

Not…in…the…least.

BEING saved is just the BEGINNING…STAYING saved is FINISHING the RACE!

And…before someone without WISDOM cries “You promote a works-based salvation!”…let me be clear:

We are SAVED by GRACE through FAITH…but…once FORGIVEN…once CLEANSED…then we must remain PURE before God.

(Questions? Feel free to read Paul’s teaching on this in Romans…as Romans 6:15 says “What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.”)

It means IF we FAIL…IF we FALL…IF we SIN…we do not IGNORE that sin…nor EXCUSE that sin…by crying “It’s ok! I am under grace!”

Trust me…UNREPENTED sin becomes a HABIT…and HABITS become ADDICTIONS…and ADDICTIONS are PROOF that we FAILED to take that “way of escape” OFFERED by God.

It is like traveling on I-666…KNOWING we should EXIT this ROAD…but we simply drive on…NEVER bothering to take ANY of the EXITS the Lord has PROVIDED.

Be sure:

OBEDIENCE to God is NEVER defined as “works” in Scripture…and ANY definition of GRACE that DENIES the need for OBEDIENCE to God is a LIE.

And…ANY gospel that denies our need to ENDURE the trials and temptations of life…to remain FAITHFUL to God…is ALSO a lie.

If we are to be TRULY saved…we are called to ENDURE.

You see…we ONLY receive the CROWN of LIFE when we FINISH the RACE.

So…are you SAVED?

I pray you ARE.

Will you REMAIN saved?

I pray you WILL.

Is this post LONG?

You bet it is.

So is LIFE…so be willing to ENDURE.

Fresh Start with God

Can You Forfeit Salvation by Living in Sin? [podcast]

Loving not our Lives unto the Death [podcast]

Articles

Is Romans 7 Before or After Paul’s Salvation?

“The truth is that while Christ dwells in the believer’s new nature, He has strong competition from the believer’s old nature. The warfare between the old and the new goes on continually in most believers.” AW Tozer

The law of God is “holy, and just, and good.” (Romans 7:12)

The holy law of God and the depraved nature of fallen mankind could not be further apart – the righteousness of God inherent in His law vs the “old man,” the iniquitous fallen nature of mankind (Ephesians 4:22; Colossians 3:9).

Nothing but a caustic reaction, explosion could be the result of the 2 colliding (Romans 7). One or the other must reign.

“For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.” Galatians 5:17

In what tense did the great apostle speak in when addressing this “old man” that wars against the Spirit in us?

“O WRETCHed man that I am! (presently) who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” Romans 7:24

Paul’s flesh was and our flesh is a constant reminder of the ever momentary need for the cross, burial, and resurrection grace of Jesus (Romans 6:3-10; 8:11; 2 Corinthians 4:10-12; Galatians 2:20, etc.). Read Romans chapters 6-7 each morning this week.

It really is true that Jesus “saved a wretch like me” when He mercifully saved me.

“For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.” Romans 7:18

No, the apostle wasn’t admitting to living in sin but rather that that “old man” – the flesh – was present and must be crucified with Christ daily. Is that not exactly what Jesus taught?

“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

I believe Romans 7 applies to both before and after one is saved …. Because if the saved person departs from the daily cross walk, that same “old man” will take center stage. “O wretch man that I AM (present)” (Romans 7:18) ….. we are born again children of God, saints of the Most High and yet that potential to evil, that “old man” must be crucified and “put off” by the daily cross so the “new man” can reign with Christ in this life and eternity. What Paul calls the “old man” must be “put off” and so we can conclude that there IS an “old man” to be “put off” otherwise no such instruction would have been given. We are not to deny the “old man” – the sinful bent – but rather to crucify it (Romans 6; Ephesians 4:22; Colossians 3:9).

Charles Pray writes: “So many want to hide their sins, especially those who like to appear Holy on the outside while inside they are dark, unholy ministers of the flesh. They have become a product of their own desires. Dear Lord, please bring them back to their first Love–Jesus! Amen.”

Saints, we cannot possibly begin to appreciate this “so great salvation” that is Christ until we understand how lost, helpless, and alienated we were in our sin (Ephesians 2:1-10; Hebrews 2:3). We must study to understand the biblical doctrine of inherent sin, fallen mankind, and the holiness of God …. in order to begin to be able to appreciate the redemption that is in Jesus Christ.

What to “Put Off” and What to “Put On”

“That ye put off concerning the former conversation THE OLD MAN, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24 And that ye put on THE NEW MAN, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” Ephesians 4:22-24

“Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off THE OLD MAN with his deeds; 10 And have put on THE NEW MAN, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:” Colossians 3:9-10

“When we embrace the crucified life we are given overflowing rivers of new life! New life is breathed into us. Walking in the flesh only makes our soul sick with sin! And sin kills and destroys! (Romans 6:23). Rotting us from the inside out! But the way of the cross brings life to our flesh! (Proverbs 3:8, 4:22). Our flesh meaning our whole spirit, soul and body. 1 Thessalonians 5:23. We cannot be a whole person until we are completely given over to the Lord! And this can only happen through the cross. When we are dead and buried and raised up in the newness of life Jesus offers us, then the joy of the Lord will fill our hearts!” Karen Cochran

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Just like fake news TV, wolves only give you a small part of the whole story – in order to manipulate you! Half truths kill!

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There are two parts of the cross—the atoning death Jesus alone accomplished on the cross— “It is finished,” and the cross He commanded us to take up daily as we are “crucified WITH” Him. In this second part of the cross, we have died to our old nature and buried it so that we can partake of Christ’s divine nature, as He raises us upward in His grace and power into full victory and fruitfulness in pleasing Him. His divine power which works in us keeps us from the things that displease Him, which He calls sin (John 19:30; Romans 6-8; Galatians […]

Though None Go with Me, Still I Will Follow

Feel Alone Sometimes? The lady who was most instrumental in leading me to Christ, who invited me to the meeting where I was saved, later departed from Christ. The man who preached that night when the LORD saved my wretched soul also departed from Christ, committing heinous crimes. So, who saves us saints? CHRIST! Why would we ever blame our dear LORD and Savior for what mere sinful men do? We must continue to choose God – to love Him with all our being, heart, mind, spirit, and strength. “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God […]

A Stranger will they not Follow [podcast]

“Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.” 1 Corinthians 7:23 To hear the voice of God, simply read HIS Word. So many today in the false flake “prophetic” movement talk about “hearing the voice of God” repeatedly and yet the WORD is never mentioned! Delusion! Run! “And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. 5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.” John 10:4-5 IF you are […]

Abiding

“I Desire Fruit that May Abound to Your Account” [podcast]

“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 Heaven and not wasting it on this fleeting life, is the command and the wisdom of God.

“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.” 1 Chronicles 29:14

To some I would say:

“So let me get this straight…. you attributed your own earnings for your whole life to yourself and so now, how dare someone suggest you allow other saints to help fund God’s work, to lay up treasure in Heaven …..”

“But as his part is that goeth down to the battle, so shall his part be that tarrieth by the stuff: they shall part alike.” 1 Samuel 30:24

Some seem to take offense to anyone receiving help from God’s people… which is 100% selfish and pride filled…. in more than one way:

1. The work is expanded with greater funding;

2. God’s people are laying up treasure in Heaven when they choose to give.

This all seems to indicate that you are far too involved in the “ministry” you are doing. It’s all about you, not Christ.

Think about how Jesus and Paul and John had numerous “fellowhelpers to the truth.” Every member was free and able to function fully in our LORD’s work.

“We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.” 3 John 8

Apparently some bogusly believe, pretend to be more righteous than Jesus and the apostle Paul by denying love offerings to do the work of God.

These men are actually preventing God’s people from laying up treasure in heaven and acting self-righteous about it.

Apparently you seek to be the hero who serves yourself in many ways instead of Christ and others and therefore you wish all of your labor be attributed to your own account in Heaven. Philippians 4:17 says: “Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.”

We give the Gospel “without charge”…. and yet that does not in any way negate all that the Bible says about giving and laying up treasure in Heaven: “What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel” (1 Corinthians 9:18). This would mean that he doesn’t ask for money and yet that doesn’t mean he didn’t receive such help nor that what he taught in verses 1-14 are negated.

Regrettably, there are men doing ministry who are babes in understanding this Bible 101 doctrine of giving, of stewardship.

Isn’t it time we get out of the way and let those sitting on the bench get on the field, participate, lay up treasure in Heaven?

Do we not understand how Christ told us His kingdom works…. that when we give, it connects our hearts closer to Christ and His work? See Matthew 6:21.

Following our heretical beliefs instead of the Bible on this topic of stewardship would have thus far resulted in the deprivation of so very many beloved needy people here in Mexico. It would have cheated them out of many blessings…. food and the Word, salvation, etc.

Remember, such as was the case with the few loaves and fishes. Jesus takes what we give to Him, to His work, and multiplies it. Do the math. John 6. Five thousand men were fed out of 5 loaves and 2 fishes and yet there was much food (more than they began with) left over, surplus (2 Corinthians 9:8; Ephesians 3:20).

“Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten.” John 6:13

Regrettably, we have novices who are abandoning the truth of God due to others perverting it….(2 Corinthians 2:17).

Are they making excuse for not giving?

The LORD “giveth us richly all things to enjoy.”

Every good and every perfect gift on this earth is from God and is a mere foretaste of glory divine!

“The living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy.” 1 Timothy 6:17

Does God’s Word not warn us that God’s people are to “behold” both “the goodness and the SEVERITY of God” lest we be “cut off”?

“Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.” Romans 11:22

LORD, we thank You now for EVERY good and perfect blessing You alone have provided—beginning with the ultimate, the unspeakable, the unfathomable gift of Your only begotten Son who died, was buried, and raised again from the dead to justify us (Romans 4:25)! We love You LORD Jesus!

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” James 1:17

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Giving and Lordship [podcast]

The Harvest is Plentiful, the Laborers Few “And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. 36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. 37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; 38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.” Matthew 9:35-39 […]

Filling "Your Account" in Heaven! [podcast]

Might you choose to pray as did the apostles? – “Increase our faith” (Luke 17:5). Not only should we ask God to “Increase our faith” but also to teach us to be faithful to Him. God will bless those who are faithful to Him – those who are loyal and serve Him obediently through thick or thin, in riches or poverty, through sunshine or rain. “Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me.” Psalms 101:6 Does this verse above remind us […]

What Did Paul mean by Double Honour? [podcast]

It’s actually sickening to see how some, out of their own darkened and corrupted hearts, want to starve out the God-called elders from carrying out their divinely-ordained duties to feed and equip the flock and to watch for their souls. Some people are so deep in darkness and therefore blinded that they don’t realize that the work that they do in this world to earn money is not even important compared to the paramount divine work of an elder that God has prepared, sent forth, and is diligently feeding His blood-bought flock. “Remember them which have the rule […]