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

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 shall see God.” Matthew 5:8

“O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. Matthew 12:34

“A Clean Heart”

“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. 11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.” Psalms 51:10-11

When we wisely join in fellowship, life with fellow truth seekers, such will assist the work of God who is quickening us to honestly admit, repent afresh and confess any sin God brings to light. Anyone else ever camped out on Psalms 51—the prayer of repentance and confession of the man after God’s own heart, David?

“Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. 13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.” Psalms 51:12-13

The New Testament believer is to ever examine himself to see whether or not he is in the faith.

“Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” 2 Corinthians 13:5

“If”

“But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.” Deuteronomy 4:29

Prayer: Father, in Jesus’ name, here and now if never before, I submit my life to You—to Your Lordship. From this moment forth I will serve You. Jesus You are the Master of my life from now on. I love You Jesus. Please use me for Your glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

"He that Loveth Pureness of Heart" [podcast]

IS YOUR HEART PURE BEFORE THE ALMIGHTY BELOVED? DO I truly love “pureness of heart”? “HE THAT LOVETH PURENESS OF HEART, for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend.” Proverbs 22:11 Without a pure heart, obtained from seeking, worshiping, knowing, and obey God …. no one “shall see God.” Not one. “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” Matthew 5:8 If you or I have every word of the Bible memorized and die today with a heart that is defiled with sin, we’d bust hell wide open – and be trapped there […]

When the Heart Turns to the LORD the Blessings Begin! [podcast]

“And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.” John 3:19-21 “But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. 16 Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be […]

Having a Pure Heart Requires the Cross Life [podcast]

“Great Podcast. Thank you. When I think about Mat 5:8 I think of Psalm 24 3 “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 hungry and thirst […]

Abiding

God is Ready to Forgive and Plenteous in Mercy [podcast]

“For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.” Psalms 86:5

God is…

“good”
“ready to forgive”
“plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.”

“But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.” Psalms 86:15

Our LORD is…

“a God full of compassion”
“gracious”
“longsuffering”
“plenteous in mercy and truth”

“His Compassions Fail Not”

“Refusal to pray because of the guilt of your sins is like refusing to take you bath because you are dirty. Pray.” Augustine Mario

“This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. 22 It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:21-23

Notice that the prophet Jeremiah could have hope, knowing that God is merciful. Wow. Read that passage again above.

OTHER than blasphemy of the Holy Ghost, what sin did you or anyone else commit that is unforgiveable? None! Go to the throne of His grace to obtain mercy and grace, receive these gifts, let it go, and press forward (Hebrews 4:14-16; Philippians 3:13-14; Hebrews 9:14; 1 John 1:9, etc.). Divine Mercy by the Blood of the Lamb!

“Consideration of God’s mercies not only begets gratitude, but induces a large consecration to God of all we have and are. So that prayer, giving and consecration are all linked together inseparably.” EM Bounds

Bowels of Mercies [podcast]

“Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place. 15 For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: 16 To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things? 17 For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the […]

The Remission of Sins

Did the animal sacrifices of the Old Testament take away, remit sins? “For it is NOT POSSIBLE that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.” Hebrews 10:4 Read Hebrews chapters 8-10 to discover the infinite superiority of the New Covenant Jesus provided, ratified in His own precious blood, vs the Old Covenant. Those animal sacrifices merely prophetically prefigured the promised, coming Messiah. They were a mere shadow of the perfect sacrifice of the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ. “10:1 The law was only a shadow of the good things that were to come. It pointed forward […]

Busting Hell Wide Open while Believing You are "Blessed" [podcast]

Lots of People Claiming they are Blessed who aren’t ARE YOU TRULY BLESSED OR CURSED? IS GOD ANSWERING YOUR PRAYERS? IS THE LORD’S BLESSING TRULY ON YOUR LIFE? Be not deceived …. the promises of God are reserved exclusively for those who serve Christ ON HIS STATED TERMS (John 15:7). And, if you aren’t in His Word daily, you don’t even know those stated terms and conditions (John 14:21-23, etc.). Any person who is not born again and presently abiding obedient in Christ is kidding themselves to think God’s blessing is on their life (Galatians 6:7-8). You’re not blessed because […]

"Be Diligent that ye May be Found of Him in Peace, without Spot, and Blameless" [podcast]

“Them that look for him” “So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” Hebrews 9:28 WHO will Jesus return for? – “Them that look for him” Jesus is not coming back for everyone. He’s only coming back for “Them that look for him.” Am I in love with Jesus? Or, am I just religious? Am I an authentic disciple of Jesus or a self-serving counterfeit? The grace-enabled purifying of ourselves in light of His soon return: “And every man that […]

Abiding

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 for the righteousness of God! Matthew 5:6. And are living in a New Jerusalem state of mind!”

“Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” Matthew 5:8

“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” Proverbs 4:23

“Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.” 1 Timothy 6:12

“We either allow God to throw us into the fire of affliction, using His soap to cleanse, purify, and burn away the dross (impurities) and refine our character, or we will be thrown into the flames of eternal hell forever on the day of Judgment. Only the pure in heart will see God (Matthew 5:8). Better to burn now in the refiner’s fire so you don’t burn forever in the fire that will not be quenched!

Mark 9:49 “For every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt.”

“Everyone will be salted with fire in one of two ways: (1) either by fiery tribulation in this life, which comes to those who genuinely follow Jesus Christ (Luke 14:33-34; John 15:18-21), or (2) by the fire of hell in the next life, which comes to those who reject Jesus in this life (vv 47-48).” Life in the Spirit Study Bible.

We must endure hardships and remain faithful until the end of our lives! And who shall stand when He appears? Only those who endure until the end will be saved (Matthew 24:13). And receive final salvation!” Karen Cochran

Jesus, Founder and Perfecter of Our Faith
Hebrews 12

“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.”

“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. 18But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.” Galatians 5:17-18

“Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.” Proverbs 20:11

“Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” 2 Corinthians 13:5

“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 7:16-21

David, a man of God said to have a heart after the LORD, had fallen into gross sin and was in desperate danger and need of repentance and mercy from God. Here’s a portion of that prayer of repentance:

“Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. 4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. 5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. 6 Behold, thou desirest truth in parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. 7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiterthan snow. 8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.” Psalms 51:1-8

If your life is not all about CHRIST, you are in trouble. Stop. Re-turn afresh to the LORD. Declare JESUS CHRIST as the LORD, Savior, Master, First Love of your life in this world! Do it with force! Memorize Galatians 6:14.

“Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” Galatians 6:14

Only the “pure in heart … shall see God”, shall be with God.

“Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” Matthew 5:8

“Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.” Psalms 51:4

You must come clean, completely clean. Get honest or go to hell. You have a choice to make.

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

Genesis 3 – Adam blamed Eve and Eve blamed the serpent. Neither blamed themself.

“And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat. 13 And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.” Genesis 3:12-13

Nothing has changed.

“How few ingenuously confess their own sin! They see not their guilt. They are continually making excuses for their crimes; the strength and subtlety of the tempter, the natural weakness of their own minds, the unfavorable circumstances in which they were placed, etc., etc., are all pleaded as excuses for their sins, and thus the possibility of repentance is precluded; for till a man take his sin to himself, till he acknowledge that he alone is guilty, he cannot be humbled, and consequently cannot be saved. Reader, till thou accuse thyself, and thyself only, and feel that thou alone art responsible for all thy iniquities, there is no hope of thy salvation.” Adam Clarke

Of the four types of heart soil that the Word of God lands on, only the fourth is right with God and will be with Him eternally:

“in an honest and good heart”

“But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.” Luke 8:15

Prayer: Precious holy Father, please have mercy upon me for my sin of not putting You first, not honoring You. I repent, I return now to You Jesus and denounce self-idolatry and spiritual adultery. I love You supremely LORD. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

When the Heart Turns to the LORD the Blessings Begin! [podcast]

7 Sayings of Jesus on the Cross [podcast]

What Final Statements Did Jesus Make on the Cross and What Did They Mean? Our LORD Jesus Christ said 7 things while as He was offering His body and precious, sinless blood to buy us back to God. He was suffering for the sins of mankind and for no sin of His own (2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 7:26; 1 Peter 3:18). He was shedding His blood to Re-deem (buy us back) and that’s what Jesus did for “the whole world” when He died on the cross, was buried, and raised again from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:1-4; 1 John 2:2). […]