WHAT is Jesus
Looking at
in Your Life?
GOD sees what you leave behind, what you keep in store for your “safety”, what percentage you keep, the waste. Read Luke 12, 16.
WHAT did Jesus mean when He said that the woman who gave all, a mere two mites, gave the most? HOW could she possibly have given more than those who gave thousands when all she gave was a mere two mites which equal less than a penny in today’s economy?
Jesus Never Changes because He is Divine and Eternal Perfection
Read this account carefully:
“And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. 42 And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. 43 And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: 44 For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.” Mark 12:41-44
If Jesus were to walk into your life today, do you know where the Bible says He would sit in order to observe your giving behavior or lack thereof? Read Mark 12:35, 41-44.
WWJS = WHERE Would Jesus Sit?
WWJD? Have you ever wondered what Jesus would do if He walked into a gathering of His people today? If Jesus came in the flesh to visit the place you gather with His people this week, where would He sit? What would He look for?
WWJS? Where Would Jesus Sit? When the saints gathered, where did Jesus choose to station Himself? Where did Jesus sit in the gathering of saints? Does the Bible answer this intriguing and important question? Read Mark 12:35, 41-44.
From this biblical account, now we know that if our Savior visited our worship gathering, Jesus would sit and watch how people give – what heart posture and the % out of which they possessed (2 Corinthians 9:6-11). He’s watching for these things as He peers into our individual personal lives. He’s unchanging and is watching exactly how we are stewarding what He’s given us!
Do we really believe that Gospel ministries would be running on empty, barely existing, about to go under, if God’s people were rightly stewarding the money He is giving them and for which they shall give full account to Him?
IS JESUS WATCHING? WHERE exactly would Jesus position Himself today if He walked into a gathering of those who claim to know Him? Is He not watching our every move and motive? Yes, since we know Jesus is divine, He’s perfection, He never changes and by this we know He is sitting at His Father’s right hand watching how we are using the thing’s He entrusted to us in this brief life (Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 12:2; 13:8, etc.).
If Jesus came, where would He choose to sit and what would He choose to do? Exciting question isn’t it? The following text reveals the insightful answers to these important questions:
“And Jesus … taught in the temple … And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.” Mark 12:35, 41-42
In Mark 12:35, 41-44, we see here that Jesus taught amongst the people and then He sat down and watched how each person gave into that work of His kingdom which He had just taught them. Christ’s kingdom work always concerns and is centered in the the teaching, the preaching of His Word to feed His beloved sheep (Matthew 4:23; 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; Colossians 3:16, etc.). Giving to the LORD out of that which He’s given to us is a divine command and how we give is always a direct reflection of the priorities of our hearts and reveals where our faith truly is (Matthew 6:19-21).
How we worship God, the reality of our love for Him, is always seen in our giving.
“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Mathew 6:21
As we give out of that which the LORD is giving us, our hearts are continuously cleansed of worldly greed and redirected, anchored in Him, in our relationship with Him and the treasure He is laying up for us in Heaven. Our continual giving perpetually affirms our worship of the Giver of all we have and our rejection of covetousness, of of greed for the mammon of this fleeting sinful world.
“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
THE BIBLE informs us that Jesus came into a gathering of people who were worshiping or feigning to worship God (READ MARK 12:35, 41-44). WHERE did the unchanging Son of God sit? WHAT did He observe?
Jesus is teaching. Are you learning? Are you personally obeying the Son of God? Where did Christ choose to sit when the Son of God walked into a gathering of worshippers? – “Jesus sat over against the treasury.” The “treasury” is the place where people gave or didn’t give their monies. Jesus notices who gives and who doesn’t give. Among those who give, the LORD looks at their heart, whether they are “cheerful giver(s)” and the percentage they give out of what He’s put into their temporary possession on this earth and for which they shall give account (2 Cor. 9:7).
As was the case with the rich religionists of Christ’s day, so today, some give lots of money but it’s a small percentage of what they have, what they temporarily possess. God looks at 2 things concerning our lives, our giving:
1. The heart (2 Corinthians 9:7), and
2. The percentage (Mark 12:35, 41-44)
Do you think God observes those who don’t give out of that which He has given them? Of course He sees.
What did Jesus do while observing those giving? Among the many things that were going on, which of the people’s activities did our LORD choose to observe? “Jesus…beheld how the people cast money into the treasury.”
What was transpiring as people decided how they were going to steward their monies? “…many that were rich cast in much. And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.”
What was Christ’s judgment of this matter? What was His conclusion concerning the “rich” who “cast in much” and the “poor widow” who gave all she had? Here it is: “And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want (lack) did cast in all that she had, even all her living.” Mark 12:43-44
The rich tipped God out of their discretionary income, while the “poor widow” gave all. Jesus was pleased in her and not with them. The monies they retained instead of using it for the LORD’s work would be used as a testimony against them on that Great and Terrible Day of His Holy Judgment (James 5:1-6).
When we give we should remember that the widow with a mere 2 mites (less than one penny) was heralded by Jesus for giving the most – because she gave all (Mark 12:41-44).
Suzanne Carcabasis Ramos writes: “Jesus sat by the treasury and watched what people gave to the work of God. He witnessed rich people give and the poor widow who gave all that she had and Jesus told the disciples that even though the rich gave, they didn’t give all that they had like she did but rather only a mere small percentage. God has always blessed me for giving. He has been faithful to me and made ways for me when there wasn’t a way to pay something and I know that was Him blessing me for giving. But I don’t give to receive. I give because God commands that of me and out of a cheerful heart of worshipful thanksgiving for all that He’s done!”
Cable TV, soft drinks, movies, candy items, junk food and drinks, cars, houses, etc. are luxury items. These things aren’t necessarily sinful, yet God looks at how we steward the monies and possessions He gives us. If we have nothing to give to Christ’s work, perhaps it is because we have sold ourselves to the things of this fleeting world by deciding to allot monies to fund things that do not bring glory to God. So, when we have nothing to give, is that okay? Should we not put Him first by allotting the first portion to Him (Prov. 3:9-10)? Does He not promise to take care of us and are there not numerous promises in His Word to those who are generous givers? (Ps. 112:7; Prov. 3:9-10; 11:25; 2 Cor. 9:6-10, etc.) Are we not idolaters for not putting Him first but instead putting ourselves first? Does our spending not tell the story of who we are truly serving? (Matthew 6:19-24)
Is it a Sin to Give the Opportunity of Stewardship?
Is it a sin for people doing God’s work to give the ongoing opportunity for others to give/donate? No. – “And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.” (Mark 12:41-44) Jesus watched people giving and how they gave. He never rebuked the idea of coffers, only the misuse of them such as when He drove out the money changers (Matthew 21; John 2). Did Jesus in any way rebuke the heads of the temple for offering an opportunity to the people to give by having set up “the treasury”? Yes or no please? The answer is a resounding No!
Concerning those who slandered Paul for offering opportunity for people to give, he answered them thoroughly in 1 Corinthians 9:1-14. In verse 3 he says: “Mine answer to them that do examine me is this …” The English work “examine” here comes from the Greek work anakrino and means to scrutinize, interrogate, judge in the negative sense. Christ’s apostle then proceeds to explode the greed mongers’ idea that men who do the most important work (of Christ) in the earth are not worthy to be compensated so they can stay on the post the LORD placed them on.
The great apostle was questioned by critics on this very issue. Most likely, those critics were self-serving, greedy wolves who were jealous that Paul was being supported by the people of God whom he was faithfully feeding, which is exactly what God has ordained (Galatians 6:6-8). The apostle then set forth the landmark precedent establishing that true Gospel workers are “worthy of their hire” for doing the infinitely most important work in the earth. Read 1 Corinthians 9:1-14 and 1 Timothy 5:17-18.
When people are serving mammon and not God they react viciously to any teaching on biblical stewardship. When they see a donate button opportunity they grab their wallet and hold it tightly closed. Why? Because greed is their god and God’s not interested in their money anyway because he sees their hearts. The greedy, covetous apostate is an idolater and wants no part of what the LORD says of stewardship for which we all shall be judged (Matthew 25:40-46; Mark 12:41-44; Luke 16:19-31; Ephesians 5:5-7, etc.). The Bible tells us that a “covetous man … is an idolater” and has no “inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.” (Ephesians 5:5-7)
It’s simple, when people are full of greed they do not want anyone speaking what the Word of God clearly establishes and states concerning stewardship. There are over 2,500 Bible verses on stewardship and the way we steward our resources points to who we really are, where are hearts really are, and where we are headed (Matthew 6:19-24; 25:40-46; Luke 16:19-31). Whether rebels like it or not, stewardship is part of the whole counsel of God and must be preached in obedience to the LORD and with no fear of mere sinful men. | Diminishing or Divine Blessings?
Giving is worship and it is foundational to the true Church fulfilling the law of Christ which is to bear the burdens of each other in His love (Acts 4:32-35; 1 Cor. 16:1-3; Gal. 6:2; Phil. 4:10-19). The love offerings of God’s people are essential to the ministering to and building up of the saints by those called and set apart for such a work (1 Cor. 9:1-14; Eph. 4:11-12). Revenues given to the work of the ministry are of paramount importance for those who labor in the Word and doctrine and in the watching over the souls of the saints (1 Tim.5:17-18; Heb. 13:17). These who are called out to serve are to give themselves “continually to prayer and to the ministry of the Word” and whenever they have to stop doing this divine calling to try to get money to pay even their basic necessities, the work of the LORD is hindered (Acts 6:4). – “Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.” (1 Cor. 9:14) – “No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.” (2 Tim. 2:2)
God “so loved” that He “gave.” (Jn. 3:16) It is our privilege to give of what God has given to us to steward (1 Chron. 29:14). Make no mistake: It is the giver who is most blessed when he gives, not the recipient – and the LORD will reward the liberal (generous) soul for eternity for what he joyfully chooses to give to His people and work in this brief life! Wow! (see Prov. 11:24-25; Matt. 6:19-20; 10:42; Acts 20:35; 2 Cor. 9:6-10)
“All things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee” 1 Chronicles 29:14
Those who don’t give of their finances to our lord’s people and work, seem to be lacking the proof that they have given their heart, their life to Christ.
Recently, a close friend and dear brother in Christ gave one of his vehicles to a true widowed sister in Christ (also a close friend of mine). He released from his possession that which would bless another member of the body of Christ and in such set himself free from that excess possession and put it to use for the LORD. He will receive untold eternal benefit from this charitable act from a joyful heart (Matt. 10:42; 2 Cor. 9:6-10; etc.).
“There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.“ Proverbs 11:24-25
“Continue to help me starve out my enemy’s workers (Jesus’ servants He has called out)! Keep spending all your money on yourself!” ~ Satan, your friend and self-serving co-laborer
Believers don’t give an order the get and yet that doesn’t change the divine promises of God’s blessings specifically to those who give (Proverbs 3:9-10; Malachi 3:8-12; Matthew 6:19-21; 2 Corinthians 9:6-11, etc.).
There is great joy in kingdom giving and when the LORD’s people open their hands generously they send forth (invest in) eternal blessings. The LORD promised to replenish and eternally reward such worship-filled obedience (Proverbs 3:9-10; 11:24-26; Matthew 6:19-21; 2 Corinthians 9:6-11, etc.).
“But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.” 2 Corinthians 9:6-11
Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and is watching what we do with what He has blessed us with. He promised to bless us as we give generously of what He places in our temporary care, participating in His Gospel program, namely to share with and build up the saints (Prov. 3:9-10; Mal. 3:10-11; Acts 4:32-35; 2 Cor. 9:6-10). The needs of those believers around us and Christ-centered ministries are to be supported financially by those who are able and fed by their preaching of His pure Word (1 Cor. 9:1-14; Gal. 6:6).
Those who are divinely called-out to preach the eternal Gospel and watch for the souls of the saints, perform the most important work in the earth. Yet their fruitfulness and ours (individually) is greatly enhanced or limited by the choice of the surrounding saints who either give or do not give. Eternal blessings await those who partner with the LORD and His body in supplying the needs of the saints and the building of His body (Matt. 16:18; 2 Cor. 5:18-20).
“Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.” Proverbs 3:9-10
Beloved, this not a commercial to get money for this ministry. Forgive me if it appears that way. Someone must say these things to help God’s people see the truth. Please search out genuine Gospel ministries and help fund them. Give to those believers around you who are in lack. Jesus is coming and true believers are preferring others ABOVE themselves as this is the very “mind of Christ.” (Philippians 2:3-5)
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Giving, Stewardship | Was Judas Jesus’ Treasurer? If So, What Does that Tell Us?
Support | STORE | Podcasts | The Return of Christ | Stewardship | Where to Give and Where Not to Give | Fruit Abounding to Your Account! | Consider Your Ways [podcast] | Consider and Build [podcast] | Holes in Your Money Bags? [podcast] | Dollar Dialogue | Jesus Sat Over Against The Treasury [podcast]




Abiding
“Them that Seduce You” 1 John 2:26 [podcast]

From the book I Die Daily
“Them that Seduce You” 1 John 2:26
“He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.” Matthew 27:42
“Come down from the cross” is the cry of the enemy of all souls. Here he inspired God-less men to tempt Christ to not complete the work of redemption. In the same way, today, God-less pulpiteers and writers say nothing of the daily cross Christ commanded to be taken up by any person who would follow Him (Luke 9:23-24). These are the very “enemies of the cross of Christ” Paul warned us about (Philippians 3:18-19). Of this phenomenon, a disciple writes:
“Satan works both angles. First, he tried to keep Jesus (and us as His body) from going to or staying on the cross. On the other hand, he puts us on the cross as per what he did through Judas, the high priests of Judaism, and Pilate, and the Romans. Satan is somewhat schizophrenic as to this. But 1 Corinthians 2:8 is making the point that had he, the main prince and his underling princes, if they had known what they were doing (defeating themselves as a house divided), they would never have crucified the Lord of Glory. Satan’s house is a house divided against itself and is therefore laid waste by his own forces just as Jesus stated in Matthew 12. Peter himself reviled Jesus when Christ told him He would be going to the cross. Jesus attributed that work to Satan.”
When Peter, being used of Satan spoke, the Son of God turned, and said to Peter…
“Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men. Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” Matthew 16:23-26
Here Jesus spoke not only of the necessity of His own redeeming cross, but also of the daily cross to be taken up by each and every one of those who would follow Him. This should forever underscore and cement in our understanding the necessity of the daily cross.
One preacher wrote:
“Galatians 2:20 says, ‘I am crucified with Christ,’ and Romans 6:5 says, ‘For if we have been planted (united) together in the likeness of His death.’ These are both in the Greek perfect verb tense.
This indicates a past event WITH CONTINUING EFFECTS. So, it could literally say ‘I have been and continue to be crucified with Christ’ and ‘For if we have been and continue to be planted ….’ Romans 8:36, 2 Corinthians 4:10, and 1 Corinthians 15:31 clearly speak of a daily death with Christ.
Ephesians 4:22-24 talks of a continual putting off (death) of the old man, as does 2 Corinthians 4:16. Martin Luther taught of a daily Spirit baptism and called it ‘dying upward.’ These people who teach otherwise resist the daily cross. This is the error of triumphalism.
As we appropriate the finished work daily, we become more
and more what we already are. We possess our possessions.
Compare Colossians 3:3 with Colossians 3:5.
Let’s take the advice above and put together verses 3 and 5
of Colossians 3: “For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ
in God … Mortify therefore your members which are upon the
earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil
concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry.”
T. Austin-Sparks stated the following:
We have not to die; we are dead. What we have to do is to
accept our death … In baptism … we simply step in there and
say, ‘That position which God has settled with reference to
me is the one which I now accept, and I testify here in this
way to the fact that I have accepted God’s position for me,
namely, that in the Cross I have been brought to an end.’
The true disciple is always “delivered unto death for Jesus’
sake” (2 Cor. 4:11.) He has “crucified the flesh with the
affections and lusts” (Gal. 5:24). He is daily putting to death
“the deeds of the body” and being “raised up” by the power of
the same Holy Spirit “that raised up Christ from the dead”
(Rom. 8:11, 13). He rejoices in “Christ Jesus” and has “no
confidence in the flesh” (Philippians 3:3).
“I die daily … Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake … that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. So then death worketh in us, but life in you.” 1 Corinthians 15:31; 2 Corinthians
4:10-12
Concerning the raising up process of the Gospel of God, T. Austin-Sparks wrote:
“The unalterable basis of an open heaven is a grave, and a
crisis at which you come to an end of your own self-life. It is
the crisis of real experiential identification with Christ in His
death.”
Though we entered into His death upon initial salvation, accepting and experiencing that death is still a daily choice, an individual decision to be made on an ongoing basis. One’s choice to continue to persevere, following Christ as He clearly prescribed, will determine his eternal destination (Luke 9:62; 19:13; 21:19; Romans 6:16; Galatians 6:7-9).
The insidious circumventing of the cross can come in many clandestine ways that are masked with pious outer garb. Today, while refusing to utter the full counsel of the One they claim to be representing, smiling and charismatic men stand in sheep’s clothing, promising heavenly life to those who live in sin. They only prosper due to the volitional biblical illiteracy of the masses. Ignorance of the truth is a choice with eternal consequences (Hosea 4:6; Matthew 22:29; 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12).
Many like to hide behind works they do in and surrounding their local church home. They relish singing in the choir, ushering, doing drama or being a part of the technical team, helping in various ways, or even preaching a message, and yet the life of Christ is not manifesting in their personal lives as they go out into their world daily. His light in them is not bright enough to shine into the darkened hearts of men through personal evangelism. They have been steeped in a mere formula of godliness that does not manifest the evidential fruit of one who is truly in Christ, radiant by His glory, and flourishing in His life. A. W. Tozer wrote:
Another substitute for discipleship is: Our Lord referred to
this when He reproached the Pharisees for their habit of
tithing mint and anise and cumin while at the same time
omitting the weightier matters of the Law such as justice,
mercy and faith. Literalism manifests itself among us in
many ways, but it can always be identified in that it lives by
the letter of the Word while ignoring its spirit. It habitually
fails to apprehend the inward meaning of Christ’s words,
and contents itself with external compliance with the text.
If Christ commands baptism, for instance, it finds
fulfillment in the act of water baptism, but the radical
meaning of the act as explained in Romans 6 is completely
overlooked. It reads the Scriptures regularly, contributes
consistently to religious work, attends church every Sunday
and otherwise carries on the common duties of a Christian
and for this it is to be commended. Its tragic breakdown is
its failure to comprehend the Lordship of Christ, the
believer’s discipleship, separation from the world and the
crucifixion of the natural man.
Literalism attempts to build a holy temple upon the sandy
foundation of the religious self. It will suffer, sacrifice and
labor, but it will not die. It is Adam at his pious best, but it
has never denied self to take up the cross and follow Christ.”
Prayer—Forgive me, Lord, for trying to follow You without taking up that self-death instrument daily.
Yet another way the depraved heart, cloaked fully in a mere form of religion, seeks to circumvent the work of the cross, is by denying or ignoring that there is a cross to take up “daily.” The one whose theology is undergirded and poisoned with the unconditional eternal security lie, must resist all personal responsibility. He must take the line of least resistance. He is a moral coward, who while feigning to be walking in grace, has actually acquiesced to such a mythical position in order to avoid dying the death.
He refuses to buy into the truth of the Gospel when it threatens his own personal comfort zone he has built around himself, using half-truths and twisted and convoluted blends of philosophy, clichés, and Scripture. At all cost, he must remain intoxicated with the lie that he can do nothing to violate and fail the grace of God, and forfeit his place with God, which he erroneously believes is eternally secure—no matter what rebellion he may choose to commit against Him who is “Holy, holy, holy” (Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8). So, he must fight the truth violently using his keyboard, pulpit, or pen to defend his paper-thin position. He must at all costs make sure anyone he leads believes that “God requires nothing of him, that salvation is of the LORD, and there is absolutely never any personal responsibility placed upon the individual recipient of salvation.”
What a tragic, fraudulent lie this deceiver is casting upon those naïve enough to give him ear! The bowels of hell have been nourished by millions who have bought this lie and have descended into the gaping and inescapable abyss (Isaiah 5:14). God forbid that anyone under the care of the “grace” deceiver be burdened with the slightest incentive or motivation to live holy, because in his evil theology, God Himself is no longer holy and just and doesn’t punish sin in His own people. Using whatever deceptive means and even Scripture-twisting, the deceiver will do away with all thought of personal responsibility from among his flock. He further seeks to lull them asleep with himself, as they bask in the lukewarmness of hell-bound Laodicea and those “at ease in Zion,” refusing to hear and hearken to the severe warning to turn back to the LORD—“Repent” and “Woe to them” (Amos 6:1; Revelation 3:14-21).
Circumventing Schemes
In order to accomplish keeping his flock asleep, the beguiler must only acknowledge the positional cross, while seeking to deny the experiential or daily cross Christ commanded His followers to take up (Matthew 10:38-39; Mark 8:34-39; Luke 9:23-24). Those who deny the “daily” cross Christ commanded, deny Christ (Mark 8:34-38). To deny His words is to deny Him (Mark 8:38; John 8:47; 14:21). Those who do not teach Christ’s command to deny self and take up the cross daily, hold a position of lawlessness; such are false teachers, “ungodly men” who are “turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness (a license for sin)” (Romans 6:1-2, 15; Jude 3-4). We are to “earnestly contend” against them and the heresies they spread.
Concerning the “remnant” which is a descriptive word defining the only people to be eternally with Christ, Isaiah 37:31 says: “And the remnant that is escaped of the house of Judah shall again take root downward, and bear fruit upward.” No one can “bear fruit upward” unless he is willing to humble himself “under the mighty hand of God.”
“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:” 1 Peter 5:6
The Last Days
God’s Word forewarns us that only a few among those once righteous will be in Heaven. “And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?” (1 Peter 4:18).
With all the popular last days type books in print, it is regrettable that few of them if any deal with readiness as the Scriptures present it. The human authors seem to completely overlook such an essential truth, because they have been schooled in this cross-denying way themselves. They completely overlook Christ’s severe words of warning in Luke 21:34-36. The typical modern church posture is that if one has at some moment in the past received Christ, he is forever and indelibly secure for Heaven no matter what, with no possibility of losing out with God. Is this what the Bible teaches us?
Great tribulation is coming, such as has never been experienced upon the earth. “For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be” (Matthew 24:21).
We are told by the Son of God that only those with the oil of God in their vessels will be admitted into the marriage feast of the Lamb (Matthew 25:1-13). Only those who are intently connected with Jesus Christ, foregoing the things that would hinder their relationship with Him, will “escape all these things that shall come to pass.”
“And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.” Luke 21:34-36
He told us that if we will overcome and be with Him, we must “be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.” By this we know that some shall not “escape.”
The LORD Jesus beckoned those who would follow Him to the end, to be waiting and ready for His imminent and pending return:
“Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning. And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through. Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.” Luke 12:35-40
The enduring saints must discern keenly, and the only way to do such is to fully repent, love Him personally and supremely, and cast off all worldly ties that draw us from the Bridegroom (Revelation 3:14-18).
In order to escape this promised and epidemic onslaught of the enemy of God, one must be daily “crucified with Christ,” being separate from iniquity and abiding in Christ (John 15:1-6; Galatians 2:20). It is only in being “dead” that we are “hid with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3). It is only in experiencing His “death” that His “life” can work in us and through us to others (2 Corinthians 4:10-12). It is only in taking “root downward” that He will raise us up to “bear fruit upward” (Isaiah 37:31).
As was prophesied, the enemy’s seduction of souls is in full swing and ever-increasing as the time of the return of Jesus draws nigh:
Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them.
Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the
devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because
he knoweth that he hath but a short time. Revelation 12:12
In the above passage, those who are already safe with Him in Heaven are told to “rejoice,” while those who remain upon the earth in this last hour are solemnly warned to beware because “the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.” Perhaps there would yet remain among us some who are still ignorant of the devices of the enemy, and not so sure about the activities he is perpetrating among the remnant. Listen closely to what Jesus says concerning the final days which we are now living in:
These things have I written unto you concerning them that
seduce you (this is John’s inspired reason for writing to us). But
the anointing which ye have received of him abideth (remains)
in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same
anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie,
These things have I written unto you concerning them that
seduce you (this is John’s inspired reason for writing to us). But
the anointing which ye have received of him abideth (remains)
in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same
anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie,
and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. And now,
little children, abide (remain) in him; that, when he shall
appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before
him at his coming. If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that
every one that doeth righteousness is born of him. Behold, what
manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we
should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth
us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons
of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we
know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we
shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him
(the hope of Christ’s soon return) purifieth himself, even as he
is pure. 1 John 2:26-3:3
According to these Holy Spirit inspired words penned by John the apostle, there are “many deceivers” seeking to “seduce you” (1 John 2:26; 2 John 7-11). One of the most insidious ways these wolves, who “lie in wait to deceive,” operate, is by refraining from preaching the true Gospel which includes the taking up of the daily cross (Matthew 16:24-27; Luke 9:23-24). If one will be safe in heavenly glory, never to suffer another iota of pain for all the eternal future, he must stay clear of the “many deceivers” who have answered the call of evil, and are sent forth to “deceive” those who would be prey due to:
• Having a lack of knowledge—not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God (Hosea 4:6; Matthew 22:29)
• Not watching and praying (Matthew 26:41)
• Not submitting to God (James 4:7)
• Not being crucified with Christ (Galatians 2:20)
• Not being “dead” and having their lives “hid with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3)
• Not having their affections set upon things above (Colossians 3:1-4)
• Minding earthly things (Philippians 3:18-19)
There is abundant proof that so many today vainly believe they can have the benefits of the cross without the responsibility of the cross. They want the crown but not the cross. They are self-serving (“whose god is their belly”) and so desire to feel secure by trusting that because Christ died and was buried and rose again, they are safe.
As was long ago foretold, many in this deceived generation are trusting in Christ’s atoning death without their own personal participation. They call Him “Lord, Lord,” but in the end will hear the horrific words of termination, “Depart from me” (Matthew 7:21-23.) From His blessed presence they will be forever alienated, vanquished into “the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:11-15).
“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. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity (lawlessness).” Matthew 7:21-23
So many who claim the name of Christ conveniently ignore what Jesus said about taking up the cross and following Him to the end. In the riveting words listed in the above passage, did Jesus not tell us that only “he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven” will be allowed into His Heaven? The daily denial of self, taking up the cross, and following Him is at the heart of the Gospel Jesus gave us.
According to the Son of God, overcomers will be allowed into Heaven and no one else (Revelation 2-3).
Readiness test:
• Are you daily taking up your cross? (Matthew 16:24-25)
• Do you daily deny yourself so that Christ can reign in your mortal body? (Luke 9:23-24; 2 Corinthians 4:11-12)
• Are you following Christ in the way He prescribed? (Matthew 7:21; John 8:47; 1 John 2:3-6)
• Are you purifying your life of all that offends God? (Acts 15:9; 2 Corinthians 7:1; 1 John 3:3)
• Are you coming out from this sinful world system and the apostate religious system? (2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1; 1 John 2:14-17)
• In obedience to the LORD, are you remaining clear of any and all wolves, who preach or pen a cross-less gospel? (2 Corinthians. 11:2-5; Philippians 3:18-19)
• Are you learning yet more and more to hate this sinful and rebellious world system, lest you become the enemy of God? (James 4:4; 1 John 2:15-17)
• Are you daily in the Word so the Word is getting into you and washing your heart and mind of all that is not according to the mind of Christ? (Psalms 119:9, 11; Proverbs 4:4, 21; Jeremiah 15:16; John 15:3; Ephesians 5:26)
• Are you keeping your lamp full by daily communion with Jesus? (Matthew 25:1-13; 1 John 1:3-9)
• Are you abstaining from fleshly lusts and departing from all iniquity? (2 Timothy 2:19; 1 Peter 2:11)
• Are you overcoming the wiles of the enemy who seeks to seduce you from self-denial? (1 John 2:26-3:3)
• Are you watching and praying, so as to be blessed to take up your cross daily and not be seduced from essential obedience in following Christ? (Matthew 26:41; Luke 12:35-40)
• Are you watching and praying so as to escape all sin and remain ever ready for Christ’s soon appearing? (Proverbs 8:34; Matthew 26:41; Luke 21:34 -36)
• Are you calling others to come to the Fountain of living waters from which all life flows, and in which all blessings abide? (Revelation 22:17)
In this late hour, may God bless each of us—His children—to be in fellowship with those who are embracing instead of evading the daily cross, and who “call on the Lord out of a pure heart” (2 Timothy 2:22).
As we were long ago forewarned, the “great wrath” of the one who “knoweth that he hath but a short (brief) time” has “come down” upon us through an epidemic of apostate leaders, who like the deceivers of old, erroneously promise His eternal life to those who refuse to take up their crosses to follow Him (Jeremiah 23:17; Amos 9:10; 2 Peter 2; Jude 3-4). Beware! “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ” (Colossians 2:8).
PRAYER: Jesus, please deeply quicken Your holy fear in my inner most being. From this instant forward, I look fervently for Your soon return. Heavenly Father, I beg You to unite my heart to fear Thy name and make ultra-sensitive my conscience—to be so easily convicted upon the slightest thought that varies from Your holy will. Into Your hands, I now commend my spirit. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Capture Points
• Read and discuss Matthew 27:43 and how it applied to Christ when He was on the cross, and how this same temptation applies to the believer in his daily walk with Jesus.
• Transcribe 1 Peter 4:18 on an index card and discuss. (KJB recommended)
• Read and discuss Luke 12:35-40. (KJB recommended)
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Abiding
GOD is Greater than all Sin [podcast]

“For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)” Romans 5:17
GOD is greater than all sin.
“Through Jesus we now have an abundance of grace and His gift of righteousness reining over our lives instead of sin and death brought to His through Adam’s sin! Hallelujah.” Karen Cochran
So if God is greater than all sin, WHY do some Christians still struggle with sin?
Great question
“And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.” Mark 10:27
Our sin is never God’s fault but always our own fault.
“Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: 14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” James 1:13-15
It’s only possible to overcome sin by way of Christ and Christ mandates us, you be crucified with Him (Luke 9:23-24; Romans 6; Galatians 2:20, etc.).
Jesus requires surrender to overcome (John 3:30). As long as there is sin, there is Satan – he has foothold in our lives. Satan is giving place, has control over anyone who has not repent, is not walking with Jesus, abiding in Christ, in the crucified life.
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7
When we “Submit … to God” Satan must then “flee” from us because he has no more legal right to us – because to “Submit” is to repent and confess all sin.
“Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. 5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. 6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.” 1 John 3:4-6
Instead of denying the Bible truth of a bent toward sin, we must deny self, take up the cross and follow Jesus. As we do we are empowered by His grace, His divine ability, enablement to live fruitfully to His eternal glory.
“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from ALL iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. 15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.” Titus 2:11-15
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Articles
Mission Mexico Part 24

“Thank you for sharing all these stories of what our loving Lord Jesus is doing in the hearts of the Mexican people. Reminds me of Acts 15:12 when Paul and Barnabas declared to the early Christian believers all the miracles and wonders God was doing through them, showing them God’s power and love for all the brethren! It wasn’t so they would be praised but to give glory to the Lord. Just as I see in all these testimonies. It’s all about Jesus!” Karen Cochran | Mission Mexico
****Saints, when you click LIKE, when you comment and subscribe to the ministry youtube channel, it helps make the videos more visible to more people. Thanks. Please do. Takes seconds.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3VoGjTBzho
We cannot help everyone and yet, we can be the world of help to the people God blesses us to serve!
*****
JUST IN:
“I am Chaplain to a little over 600 detainees who are waiting for the courts to move them to the next step. Most of these detainees are Hispanic, Spanish speakers and I get the privilege to be their pastor for a few months or sometimes a couple years. Someone put your book ‘Authentic’ on my book cart yesterday so I grabbed it to preview it before I left it there. A breath of fresh air indeed; thank you for this book . Furthermore, looking through your website thank you for all you do among the Hispanic people.” Jay
If you would like to read the Authentic book (English or Spanish), hit reply and send me your mailing address.
“For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.” Hebrews 6:10
*** We just now placed an order for 10 Authentic books in Spanish and 1 of each of the other Spanish books the ministry has. This will help with His ministering! Jesus is coming.
Here was Jay’s follow up email:
“Thank you for that quick reply!
I myself lived in Mexico a while back but now, I pastor in a little Border town called Quemado Texas and serve full time at this federal detention facility. That would be great, thank you.”
Our Mailing address is:
The Eagle Pass Detention Facility
Care of Chaplain Lentz
410 S. Bibb
P.O. Box 849
Eagle Pass, Tx. 78852
Where are you in Mexico?
Bendiciones”
Jay Lentz jlentz@geogroup.com
Thank you for praying for the people of Mexico to be saved.
These are three of the people who received our LORD’s Gospel today who were all blessed to know you would be lifting them in prayer. God is able. Colossians 4:12 anyone? Thank you for pausing to lift them in prayer – that they will be convicted of their sin and repent and be saved.
This is Elvita. She is a very dear lady and was in need and received help. Thank God and thank you to those who are praying and supporting. She was hungry and blessed with a delicious meal from a local vendor and also a medical bill was paid for her. You are making these things happen to the glory of the LORD.
“WE are labourers TOGETHER with God.” 1 Corinthians 3:9
Elvita came asking for help but was turned away by some…
I was able to catch her before she got too far and asked if she were hungry and she said yes. I put my arm around her and began ministering Jesus to her and to her needs. Brought her to a dear lady who serves food and she fixed a nutritious delicious plate of food for Elvita. All organic.
Lots of internationals in Mexico.
Had a long talk with Singh today. He’s searching.
He received the Gospel and so we know what Isaiah 55:11 says right?
Thank you for pausing to lift this man in prayer.
This man is saved.
Carlos was edified and built up in Christ.
Other than him ordering a coke it was a great fellowship haha.
When asked if he’d like several Christian people in the USA praying for him, he excitedly answered in the affirmative.
Thank you for pausing to pray for our brother (Colossians 4:12)
He is in need of being water baptized.
Working on that.
Carlos left with a stack of JESUS tracts to distribute.
Prayed with Jorge to be Saved. God knows.
Another divine appointment. Crossing paths with Jorge, a dentist, was nothing less then a God-ordained collision where Christ was glorified to save beloved Jorge.
Jorge was warmly greeted and thoroughly ministered to, the Word, and asked if he’d like to repent and receive Christ and be forgiven of all his sins by the precious blood of Christ, right now. He answered in the affirmative and he prayed aloud to the LORD the prayer of repentance and faith in Christ on the back of the JESUS tract ! Discipleship ensued. And as usual I informed Jorge that you would be lifting him in prayer as we celebrated his being brought by Jesus into HIS eternal kingdom. Also, Jorge needs more clients for his dentist office and I shared with him that we would also be lifting that in prayer.
This was a first:
Obed was sitting on a street curb with his head down. I approached him from behind, putting my arm across his back in a warm gesture of God’s love. Obed was very receptive from the start. Saints, when someone consents, when they verbally agree to receive prayer, they open themselves up to the LORD, to Heaven’s blessings. Well, such is the case with Obed. When I saw Obed, I noticed immediately that he had a Bible in his hand. Obed had the Word of our God preached to Him in Spanish and gladly received the JESUS tract. He was told that it’s about about relationship with Jesus, not religion. That’s all he possessed and also a willing heart. When asked, Obed said yes, that he wanted Christian people in the USA to pray for him. Boom. YOU, yes YOU hold the most important kingdom position – and that is bringing this bless-ed soul in prayer before God. Unleash the power of the name of Jesus in your prayer for this precious man. He wants it!!!! He wants Jesus. Oh and Obed was hungry and thirsty and given a warm fresh delicious meal and cold bottled water from a nearby local vendor.
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