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]

Abiding

“But God, who is Rich in Mercy” [podcast]

Ephesians 2:1-10

“1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

Does "Abide" Mean that One Must Continue? Is Your Salvation Secure? [podcast]

Must one “abide” in Christ to the end after being saved in order to be in eternal glory with Christ, the Father, and their saints? Yes. “Abide in Christ” means to remain, dwell, or live in a continuous, intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. It’s about maintaining a close connection, relying on Him, and allowing His Word to shape one’s thoughts, will, and affections. Essentially, it’s about a life lived in constant communion with Christ.” Typically, like the false religionists of Christ’s day, they put aside the WORD of God to keep their heretical tradition. In others words, they made their […]

Made Nigh by the Blood of Christ [podcast]

“But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.” Ephesians 2:13 By the blood of Jesus, we are made one with the Father, Son, and body of Christ! Ephesians 2, 4 Only Jesus could have satisfied the claims of the Father’s justice to redeem, to forgiven men – and He did just that – when He shed His perfect, precious, sinless blood on Calvary’s cruel cross for our sins. “It is finished” means the price to bring us back to God, to forgive us, is now “paid in full” (John […]

Abiding

God Blesses those who Read His Word [book]

God Blesses those who Read His Word

“Blessed is he that readeth” Revelation 1:3

“Seek ye out of the book of the LORD, and READ.” Isaiah 34:16

“Rightly dividing the word of truth”

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

YES God’s people are to “study” His Word and how else to do such than to begin by “READING” His words? 2 Timothy 2:15

“Till I come, give attendance to READING, to exhortation, to doctrine.” 1 Timothy 4:13

“Blessed is he that READETH ….” Revelation 1:3

Years ago I found that if I don’t get up early to read God’s Word and spend quality moments in prayer first and foremost, it will never happen. God must be put first and this requires ruthless discipline.

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

Reading all of God’s Word is the priority of every astute follower of Jesus.

There’s no way to learn God’s Word other than reading it yourself (2 Timothy 2:15). God gave you His Word in tangible format in order for you to learn of Him, from Him, and by Him. Those who leave it to others to teach them God’s Word are self-deceived and will be misled by those they depend on to teach them the Bible.

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

O the beauty of doing things God’s way. When things are done our LORD’s way, His blessings ensue! Blessings will chase you down! Are you putting GOD first in your life, truly, literally?

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

“The joy and rejoicing of mine heart”

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

GOD’S WORD

Saints, in order that some may be encouraged, below, let’s talk about our current personal Bible reading…..

“Presently, I am in 1 Kings, reading all the way through the Bible again, and also reading through Revelation backwards. Personally I like to read several chapters every morning to begin the day and like to include OT, Poetic books, and New Testament chapter readings….. along with pouring over passages like 1 Cor 13; Phil 2:3-5; Col. 3:1-4, 12-14;” Todd

“In 1 Thessalonians reading through the Bible.” Jason

“I am reading Mark.” Michele

“Philippians—Paul’s letter in prison—and joy.” Joe

“I Been Reading James And 1st And 2nd Peter This Week.” Connie

“Working my way through 1 Sam (ch 14 finished now) Psalms 77 and John chapter 4 finished. Trying to read through in 6 months. I enjoy listening (KJB on YouTube) while I read also.” Nathan

“Reading 1 and 2 Corinthians. That’s the Scripture portion that my current CD covers at night. Listening to the whole KJB on CD and set it to repeat while I’m sleeping.” Debbie

The Blessings of Bible Reading [podcast]

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The Real R.E.D. Alert

THE REAL R.E.D. Alert ….Saint of Christ, are you in God’s Word richly and daily, being reminded of His blessed truths? (Colossians 3:16; Acts 2:42) If so, then you are to be putting His children in remembrance of these truths as we look together for His soon return. When we do this, we are considered “a good minister of Jesus Christ.” “If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.” 1 Timothy 4:6 Where to Look Jesus […]

IS DOUBTING YOUR SALVATION ALWAYS A BAD THING? [podcast]

Making Sure We are Truly Saved While We Still Can Obviously, the assurance of salvation should concern each and every one of us. “For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.” 1 Corinthians 11:31-32 Notice “if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.” Note that those who honestly assess and amend their ways in the LORD will not be judged with the wicked. Those who don’t, will be. They will fall away and not […]

Articles

When God Says to STOP PRAYING! [podcast]

Reconciling with God and other Saints

“He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law (the Word), even his prayer shall be abomination.” Proverbs 28:9

Those who do not love God enough to seek Him in the Word, to learn, and to obey Him, will not be heard by Him.

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

In general, because God is “Holy, holy, holy,” when there is sin, God will not answer prayers – until the sinner repents and reconciles with the LORD and any person involved as needed (Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8; Proverbs 28:9, etc.).

“And the LORD said unto Joshua, Get thee up; wherefore liest thou thus upon thy face? 11 Israel hath sinned …” Joshua 7:10-11

In other words, God said to Joshua “Why are you seeking My face, praying to me, talking to me, when there is sin in the camp? Get the sin our of the camp and then you can approach Me in prayer.”

STOP PRAYING AND LEAVE IT!

God is not going to bless our lives unless we are willing to sincerely admit our sins, repent and confess them, and make amends (restitution) with anyone we’ve harmed. In the divine economy, there’s no such thing as being right with God when you’ve done another person wrong, haven’t repented, and haven’t made amends for what you’ve done. Such a person will be outside of the will and blessings of God until he makes things right with God and man.

God is not hearing the prayers or worship of any person who has done someone else wrong and refuses to make restitution (Matthew 5:23-24).

“Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath aught against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; FIRST be reconciled to thy brother, and THEN come and offer thy gift.” Matthew 5:23-24

God will not answer the prayer of any person who does not honor and obey His Word and if a person has an outstanding offense He wants them to clear up these matters (Proverbs 28:9, 13).

Here Jesus gave us the instruction to stop praying! What!? Someone may be thinking “Todd, are you being sacrilegious now!? What is your problem brother!?” Keep reading okay.

“If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:” Psalms 66:18

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

According to the Son of God, just when (if ever) should the believer stop praying? When he remembers that a brother has “aught against” him. Yes, I know this may raise eyebrows to say that Jesus told us to stop praying, but He certainly did. That’s what we read of His very words in Matthew 5.

He instructs us not to wait for the other person to come to you. Go to them and make peace. Work things out so that neither of your relationships with God will be in any way hindered. Forgive. Seek restitution and forgiveness. The Christian life is all about relationship – vertically first and them horizontally.

Jesus is saying here: “Stop praying or doing any form of worship until you have first done all you can possibly do to make peace with that person you had strife or misunderstanding with, offended, or wounded – the person that still has aught against you, whose heart isn’t yet clear in the matter. Your prayers and any form of supposed worship will not be honored in Heaven until you take care of this matter. Since I am holy I require certain things of you and one of them is that you do your best to keep unity with others, especially My people. Remember how I told you to love one another and to treat others as you wish to be treated? I love you and want clear communion with you and am simply not going to allow you to have a clear conscience until you work things out with that other person who has aught against you. Remember that though I love you, I care about others as much as I care about you. Get that human relationship right first and then come and seek My face in worship and we shall commune.”

God forgives us through Christ’s perfect sacrifice and as we choose to give it out to others! WHO might you have aught against in your heart today beloved?

As a believer, the LORD holds me personally accountable to facilitate reconciliation and peace in others when there is a rift and no matter whose fault it is (Matt. 5:23-24).

First and foremost we must realize that when we sin it is against the One who is “holy, holy, holy” (Isa. 6:3; Rev. 4:8). After that fact, we at times sin against or offend men (James 3:1). So, when we have wrongly offended someone who is created in the image of God, we should first confess that sin to the LORD and then do whatever it takes within our power to make it right with the person.

“Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it. 28 Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.” Proverbs 3:27-28

“Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. 26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: 27 Neither give place to the devil.” Ephesians 4:25-27

Child of God, are you aware of anyone who might be upset with you for something you have done or they thought you did? Is anyone offended at you?

This writer is no stranger to wronging people, but is learning to follow this simple truth in Matthew 5, making sure to openly and transparently facilitate healing in those I have brought hurt to or who are offended at me for any legitimate reason.

Granted, we are going to offend people at times when it is not our fault. I am not talking about that. I am talking about when it is our fault or the situation is questionable or a close call.

Have you been offended? Have you ever found yourself in a situation where someone else held the key to your closure, your healing? Think back in your life: Have you ever needed someone else’s help in getting free in your heart from something concerning a situation?

Jesus called the divine Person of the Holy Spirit “the Comforter” (Jn. 14:26; 15:26; 16:7). God is all-powerful and can help us walk through a heart-rending ordeal where another person has hurt us and is unwilling to partake of the healing process according to the Word/instructions of the LORD. This He can and will do, yet He holds that other person responsible for doing their part – “Leave there thy gift before the altar – FIRST be reconciled to thy brother.”

Those made righteous by the blood of Christ are to do all in their power to facilitate healing in others.

“If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.” Romans 12:18

Jesus Christ came to make captives free and such freedom is the desire of all who follow Him. They desire also to see people set free and do their part when it is in the power of their hand to help (Prov. 3:27).

“Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2

When need be, we are to work hard to make sure God’s peace abides among the saints.

“Endeavouring (working hard) to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Ephesians 4:3

“Endeavouring” – it’s hard work at times to keep unity in the body. Have you noticed that things happen that need attention, patience, humility, admission where wrong has been done, etc.?

It is our personal responsibility to keep schisms out of Christ’s body as much as it is in our power.

“That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.” 1 Corinthians 12:25-27

The LORD promises us that He commands His precious peace where brethren dwell together in unity.

“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there (in the unity of believers) the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.” Psalms 133:1-3

The person who is truly born again cares for the body of Christ. Peace among the saints is where God’s blessing abides.

“We know that we have passed from death unto life (we know we are saved), BECAUSE we love the brethren.” 1 John 3:14

Without love we are nothing (1 Cor. 13). Divine love, authentically demonstrated in our lives, is the earmark fruit of the Heaven-bound disciple. There are no exceptions – “He that loveth not knoweth not God” (1 Jn. 4:8). If such charitable love does not presently appear in our lives, we should consider going before the throne of grace and making things right with God (repentance). The genuinely born again person is filled with God’s love and teachable in the precepts of the LORD. When he discovers a previously unknown (to him) truth, he swiftly hearkens and obeys. Remember, God’s eternal kingdom and the terms for entrance into it are based on the LORD’s terms and not any individual’s. Either we meet the terms and conditions or we shall be found without (Matt. 7:21-23; Lk. 6:46-49; 13:24-30; 1 Jn. 2:3-5; Rev. 2-3).

“We know that we have passed from death unto life (we know we are saved – been brought from spiritual death to spiritual life), BECAUSE we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” 1 John 3:14-16

Child of God, do you have a key that would help another get free? If you possess the key that would assist in obtaining their freedom, the LORD holds you personally responsible to use it to help unlock that person’s heart and assist in their returning to a heart that is right with God, free from anything that hinders that relationship.

“Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath.” Ephesians 4:26

Don’t let the sun go down upon that which you can do to cause reconciliation in Christ’s body for which He bled. Leave your prayer closet and any and all worship and go get things right with that person the LORD may be placing on your heart. You will be glad you obeyed the LORD in this.

You see, if we truly have an intimate and saving relationship with Christ, we realize that nothing could be more important to us – and others. Knowing Jesus is everything. Armed with this knowledge and moved upon by the Holy Spirit, we are to be compelled to help others in their relationship with Jesus in any way we possibly can.

PRAYER: Father in Heaven, thank You for sending Your only begotten Son Jesus to live and die for me – for all of my many sins. This moment, I turn my life to Thee O God – asking Your merciful forgiveness on my sin of departing from You. Right this instant I ask You to please be my first love LORD Jesus! Bless this heart with sensitivity and a deep conviction for Your truth. Please allow this heart to have godly conviction! Please bless this life You graciously gave lift others to You and help them in any and every way I have opportunity. I am all Yours and You are all mine my LORD. Quicken my heart in any matter that You wish me to make amends with another person. Right now I now humble myself under Your mighty hand and ask You to use me to help facilitate peace between You and others Jesus, and in Your body. Please bless Your body to live in Your love, and Your truth and in peace with You and one another. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

For a topical study of deeper proportions on this subject, see The Blood of Jesus.

If you truly desire to know more about how to really know the LORD, go here: Born Again: What is It?

PEACE with GOD

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