“My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those that are pleasing in his sight. And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.” 1 John 3:18-24
Dare we insinuate or vainly imagine that even one person in all of history who doesn’t choose to love the LORD Jesus will be in His holy Heaven?
Who is it that determines if someone loves God or doesn’t love Him? Us? Or the Almighty? If a person doesn’t love God, is he saved from hell?
Who did the very Door to Heaven tell us loves Him and who did He tell us does not love Him?
“And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.” 1 John 2:3-5
According to the clear and overwhelming testimony of Holy Scripture, the proof of truly loving Jesus and knowing we are “in him” is obedience to Him. Right?
Notice the last words of this passage – “hereby (by this) know we that we are in him.” There is a very important truth in this statement. “Hereby” simply means “by this.” It is by allowing His love to be perfected or matured in us while keeping His commandments that we have a clear conscience and know of a surety that “we are in him.”
The Bible reveals to us that there are those who have a “form (outward show/observance) of godliness” and yet are in reality “lovers of their own selves…lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God…denying the power (authority) thereof” and “from such turn away….these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.” (2 Tim. 3:1-8)
Some pastors foolishly spend much of their time trying to convince people’s conscience against itself. These deluded men seek to comfort people who are living in the sin of self love, denying Christ first place in their personal lives, which is idolatry – “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” (Exod. 20:3) Some leaders even misuse Scripture to teach people to love themselves, something the Bible shows to be Luciferic (Isa. 14:12-15).
The unchanging God requires that a man who will follow Him “deny himself.” (Lk. 9:23) God’s holy Word is void of any statement that men are to love themselves or build their own self-esteem or sense of well being. The LORD does such in those who authentically love Him in deed and in truth. These misled leaders spend much of their time seeking to comfort people who have not or will not repent and fall afresh upon the mercy of the one, true God who is Judge of all. When an individual is not loving and obeying the LORD in his personal life, there is a divinely-incurred shame of the human conscience that is designed to minister/transmit guilt and discomfort in order to lead that person to Christ in repentance – which assures the washing away of sins and the cleansing and comforting of the conscience (Acts 3:19, 9:31; Heb. 9:14; 1 Jn. 1:9). This is the LORD’s way of blessing and assuring His beloved people and any other way is a counterfeit that only leads to false hope and destitution.
Did not our LORD tell us that the Holy Spirit has been sent to “reprove the world…of sin?” (Jn. 16:8) Is not the LORD greater than our hearts? Does He not desire to bring us to full repentance?
“Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient (better) for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter (the divine Person of the Holy Spirit) will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove (convince) the world of sin, and ofrighteousness, and of judgment.” John 16:7-8
The Holy Spirit convinces the hearts of men that they are either in “sin” or in His “righteousness”, and of “judgment” to come.
The second ministry of the Holy Ghost listed here is what I want us to look at. He actually convinces the human conscience of those who love and are in obedience to God that they are in His “righteousness” or in right-standing with Him.
There is the truth that the LORD who is “greater than our hearts” and “knoweth all things”, is present for us to turn to him and be comforted with clean and assured conscience, yet this too is tied to obedience to Him.
“For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.” 1 John 3:20-22
This inspired passage informs us that because we “do those things that are pleasing in his sight” we can have “confidence toward God” and receive “whatsoever we ask” of Him. The first thing He would lead us to ask and receive of Him is forgiveness for the sin of worshipping at the altar of self – idolatry. This we have done in lieu of loving Him with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength. We are in desperate need of His forgiveness (Matt. 22:37-39). Help us Jesus! Grant Your gift of repentance to our impoverished hearts O LORD!
As you read the following passage, the words of our precious LORD, please perceive the love of the Savior. This is the purest love letter this man has ever read. See the depth of tenderness and profound grace in these gracious words proceeding from the One who was about to give His sinless life for your precious soul.
“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, thereye may be also.…If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me.” John 14:1-3, 14-24
Losing One’s Life – Gaining God’s
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.” John 12:24-26
When we love Him enough to seek His face and die to self, being consumed in His love, He promised here that His presence will fill our lives (Jn. 14:15-23). Jesus told us He and the Father would come and make their abode (dwelling place) in the one who loves Him in truth. Christ also told us:
“Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.” Luke 17:33
“He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.” John 12:25
The individual chooses to either crucify the flesh out of his life so Christ can live, or the self-life will crucify Christ out of that person! Some entity is reigning in each of our lives today. Is it God or us? See Romans 6:16.
When we love self instead of Jesus, we lose our place with the LORD and forfeit all of the rich blessings He has designed for us, including the grace and power to live holy instead of in sin (Rom. 8:12-14).
“Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me.” John 14:23-24
“Love” is the key. Who do we really love? The answer to this question can be seen in whom we obey in this body.
“Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?” Romans 6:16
Overcoming sin is all about who we really love. Those who really love Him will really obey Him. Though they stumble at times, they will bounce back and resiliently walk with Him (Ps. 51). These are they who truly have a heart after the LORD. Like David who sinned, they delight to willfully repent and return to Jesus, their first love.
“O Israel, return unto the LORD thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity. Take with you words, and turn to the LORD: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so will we render the calves of our lips.…Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? prudent, and he shall know them? for the ways of the LORD are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein.” Hosea 14:1-2, 9
The divine system has been intentionally set up to disqualify any person who does not truly love the LORD. An obedient life is the only ironclad earmark fruit of those who genuinely know and love the LORD.
“For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.” 1 Corinthians 11:19
In God’s kingdom everything works through faith, love, and relationship, and not rote, mechanical obedience (Gal. 5:16). God’s economy operates by heart-intensive, spontaneous and volitional love. The delighting and willing obedience of the individual is required (Deut. 30:19-20; Ps. 37:4; 40:8; Isa. 1:18-20). Heart participation is what the LORD desires (Ps. 34:18; 51:17).
The LORD is always faithful to draw and yet has granted each person the option to accept or reject His offer of salvation which includes a life of faith – “The just shall live by faith.” (Heb. 10:38)
According to the biblical revelation, either we have a heart that is “engaged” in faith and love with the One we claim to know, or, we – like the Pharisees of Christ’s day – have a mere outward form of knowing Him and are not pleasing to His heart (Matt. 23).
Of His covenant people who were in a backslidden condition, the LORD said:
“…I will cause him to draw near, and he shall approach unto me: for who is this that engaged his heart to approach unto me? saith the LORD.” Jeremiah 30:21
Notice the question He asks to us here – “who is this that engaged his heart to approach unto me? saith the LORD.” I must ask myself: Are the affections of my heart engaged in love toward my Savior?
“Ye that love the LORD, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.” Psalms 97:10
When I live in sin, I am considering myself more important than the One who made me. This is the epitome of self-idolatry and always leads to spiritual death. When we love the LORD in truth, we “hate evil” and are preserved as His “saints” and delivered from the “hand of the wicked” one.
“When Ephraim (Israel) spake trembling (humble, broken), he exalted himself in Israel; but when he offended in Baal, he died. And now they sin more and more, and have made them molten images of their silver, and idols according to their own understanding, all of it the work of the craftsmen: they say of them, Let the men that sacrifice kiss the calves…O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself; but in me is thine help.” Hosea 13:1-2, 9
When we tremble before the LORD in brokenness and humility, He exalts us to the state of vital relationship with Him. Yet, idolatry of self or anything else brings spiritual death.
“13:2 THEY SIN MORE AND MORE.
-
- The Israelites suffered spiritual death when they turned to Baal worship; they in turn engaged in ever-increasing sin and idolatry. Kissing the golden calves was a picture of the false worship of the LORD that they had mixed with their worship of idols. The threefold picture of dew, chaff, and smoke (v. 3) emphasized that God’s judgment would soon come and the people would disappear. Those who try to pervert the worship of the LORD by allegiance to the ways of the world make their worship worthless, and they cannot expect God to help them.” Donald Stamps, Life in the Spirit Study Bible, p. 1291
Submitting to God – Resisting Satan
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” James 4:7-10
As we draw nigh to God, He draws close to us with His presence and deliverance from sinful living. Truly loving God is the key.
Is it not a myth to believe that obedience without love glorifies God? (Joel 2:13; Mk. 7:7-8) Is it not also self-deception to believe we love God while we live in disobedience? (James 1:22; 1 Jn. 2:3-5)
Will He not remove our taste for sin as we delight in knowing and loving Him? Will that intimacy we have with Him not cause us to begin to hate the sins we once partook of?
Watch closely the sequence of events that expire when the LORD draws His people to come to fresh repentance and graciously restores them:
“O Israel, return unto the LORD thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity. Take with you words, and turn to the LORD: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so will we render the calves of our lips. Asshur (false gods) shall not save us; we will not ride upon horses: neither will we say any more to the work of our hands, Ye are our gods: for in thee the fatherless findeth mercy. I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him…Ephraim (Israel) shall say, What have I to do any more with idols?” Hosea 14:1-4, 8
When we “return” to our God in repentance, He restores our hearts and we reflect upon our past sins and say – “What have I to do any more with idols?” It’s like we in brokenness after being brought back to a sound relationship with Christ, say “Whew LORD, thank You so much for granting me a new heart – a heart of flesh – and taking away the stony heart that was a result of my sin! What was I thinking to live in sin against my holy LORD! Father, thank You so much for restoring me! I love You Jesus!”
The following passage is another which wreaks of the graciousness and restorative love of our LORD and His affect upon our hearts as we continue to return to and abide in Him:
“Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them…Then shall ye remember your own evil ways, and your doings thatwere not good, and shall loathe yourselves in your own sight for your iniquities and for your abominations…” Ezekiel 36:25-27, 31
Please catch verse 31 here in Ezekiel 36 – “Then shall ye remember your own evil ways, and your doings that were not good, and shall loathe yourselves in your own sight for your iniquities and for your abominations.”
Jesus speaks to the believers at Ephesus and to us today:
“Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.” Revelation 2:4-5
Beloved, it all boils down to love. Who do I love? Self? Jesus? If I love self, I will serve self. If I love Jesus I will serve Jesus. Holy Father, we beg You to grant us the beauty of Your love and the beauty of Your holiness!
PRAYER: Jesus I love You. I love You more than my self-comfort, gratification and pleasure. Manifest Your life to me LORD. Deliver me from the iniquities that currently prevent me from fully pleasing You. Break every yoke LORD and make me free to love and serve You freely and entirely! In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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The Victory of the Cross [podcast]
“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. 11 For we which live are alway
delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life
also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal
flesh. 12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you.”
2 Corinthians 4:10-12
Many feel hopeless, like they can never overcome the flesh.
Yet, we know that God is able to bring the victory He
ordained in our lives through the crucified life He
commanded that we walk in. “For ye are dead, and your life
is hid with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3).
Powerful ministry that bears fruit for the glory of God only
comes out of the cross life with Christ whereby you are dead
and buried and Christ is raising you up by His grace, and His
power is filling, propelling and flowing through your life to
minister His truth and love to others (2 Corinthians 4:10-12).
As we consent to our own death and burial, Jesus raises us
upward in HIS divine strength. Divine empowerment in the
life of the disciple of Jesus comes from His resurrection grace
working in our lives as we consent to our own dying—death
and burial. Death and burial precede God raising us up. God
cannot raise us up if we aren’t dead and buried. This cross
concept is at the center of our walk with Jesus, whose death,
burial and resurrection are enacted in our own lives daily
(Romans 6).
“The cross is the answer to loving Jesus more. Your flesh is enmity (hatred) against God. It is the enemy of God and lives in rebellion against Him. It will not submit (Romans 8:7-8.) And unless the carnal mind is crucified this rebellion and hatred towards God lives inside you and will be in a constant war with your flesh and the Spirit of God. The are the polar opposites! One is light and the other is darkness. The darkness (flesh) must go to the cross to be dead and buried so Jesus can breath into you His newness of life. Romans 6. Then we can begin to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, and mind. And with the Love of the Lord we can love our neighbor as ourselves. Matthew 22:37-40.” Karen Cochran
Prayer: Father, in Jesus’ name, I am here and now crucified
with Christ. I am dead and my life is hidden with Christ in God.
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Abiding
Supplying Saints and Sinners with Heavenly Sustenance
HIS TRUTH IS MARCHING ON – THROUGH HIS PEOPLE
“The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it.” Psalms 68:11
THERE is no time to waste – Jesus is coming. We must get the Word of God into the hearts of people, in every way, via any and all communication mediums available to us today. And this is the fulfillment of Matthew 24:14 – “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” Let’s roll saints!
“We are labourers TOGETHER with God.” 1 Corinthians 3:9
The graphic below is for the order I just placed with the publisher for a fresh supply of the ministry books.
This ministry outreach, ministering God’s Word to thousands daily, is a vehicle for our LORD’s Word. What’s needed is more disciples who will monthly support it, who will put fuel in the tank in order to propel it forward to reach more and more people with the Gospel of our LORD Jesus. Will you answer that call?
“But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. 8 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: 9 (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. 10 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;) 11 Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.” 2 Corinthians 9:6-11
Does it make sense to put a percentage of our earnings into a 401K (or other earthly investment) and not force feed a portion off the top, with a cheerful heart to Christ’s eternal kingdom work? (Read Proverbs 3:9-10; 2 Corinthians 9:6-11)
“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
It has been wisely concluded from what Jesus taught, that:
“The way we spend our money is a direct reflection of the priorities of our hearts.”
Is God truly first in your life? (Proverbs 3:9-10; Matthew 6:33, etc.).
There are no rich men, there is no religious or otherwise organization supporting this Gospel ministry outreach. Just regular people who know and love Jesus and the whole counsel of His truth and are growing in His grace daily with the other members of His remnant body (2 Peter 1:2; 3:18). There are monthly bills that only get paid by having the actual, the literal money in the account. In turn God turns that giving of earthly money to HIS work into heavenly treasure for all who give (Luke 16:9-11; Acts 20:35). These expenses are incurred by pushing the Word of God to the hearts and minds of the people and available to be paid and that’s God’s opportunity placed in YOUR lap to supply. In response, what is the LORD going to do? (Matthew 6:19-21; 2 Corinthians 9:6-11; Philippians 4:17, etc.)
“And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations. 10 He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. 11 If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?” Luke 16:9-11
When Jesus says here to “Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness …,” what does He mean? This writer would like to encourage the reader to delve into this passage, to pray that the LORD will open the eyes of your understanding concerning what He seeks to communicate to your heart.
Of this passage, the Believer’s Bible Commentary notes:
“16:9 We should make friends for ourselves by means of unrighteous mammon. That is, we should use money and other material things in such a way as to win souls for Christ and thus form friendships that will endure throughout eternity. Pierson stated it clearly:
‘Money can be used to buy Bibles, books, tracts and thus, indirectly, the souls of men. Thus what was material and temporal becomes immortal, becomes non-material, spiritual and eternal. Here is a man who has 100. He may spend it all on a banquet or an evening party, in which case the next day there is nothing to show for it. On the other hand, he invests in Bibles … It buys … copies of the Word of God. These he judiciously sows as seed of the kingdom, and that seed springs up into a harvest, not of Bibles but of souls. Out of the unrighteous, he has made immortal friends, who when he fails, receive him into everlasting habitations.’
This then is the teaching of our Lord. By the wise investment of material possessions, we can have part in the eternal blessing of men and women. We can make sure that when we arrive at the gates of heaven, there will be a welcoming committee of those who were saved through our sacrificial giving and prayers. These people will thank us saying, ‘It was you who invited me here.’”
“They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. 6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed (God’s Word), shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves (eternal harvest, reward) with him.” Psalms 126:5-6
Christ’s Kingdom and His Gift to us to Participate, is Practical
Will you choose to part with temporal money to reap eternal, unending, irrevocable benefits?
An order has been placed for 20 more of the ministry books from the publisher ($125). The plan is to order this supply monthly for the next 3 months – and hand them out, person-to-person. Face-to-face, person-to-person gifting people on a daily basis, usually after they’ve received ministry, is a super-charged transfer of heavenly blessing (Philippians 1:19). As you know if you’ve read any of the ministry’s books, they are Christ-centered, Scripture-rich original Gospel volumes. Holy Scripture is on each page and put in bold print. In the rear of each book is the way to make peace with God. It leads them right to Jesus via and beginning with the biblical truth that we have “all sinned” against our God (Romans 3).
If you wish, feel free to help fund this part of the ministry exploits currently transpiring to get God’s Word in the hearts of more and more people.
“So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11
The glorious Gospel of our LORD Jesus is communicated, disseminated, and received via His Word.
“But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his GRACE, 16 To reveal his Son in me, that I might PREACH him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:” Galatians 1:15-16
As we can all witness, there are so many hungry souls wandering about in this fallen world who desire to receive the Word of God. The personal touch, contact is powerful – as it was when our LORD directed beloved Philip to minister to the Ethiopian eunuch whom our LORD consequently saves (Acts 8:26-40). And some, many and actually most of the people being reached are our beloved brethren who are looking for sustenance. I meet them each and every week. They are hungering and thirsting after His righteousness. Let’s be there for them saints.
Perhaps this can spread to where we are able to drop ship a supply books to some of the ministries this outreach supplies and has for years. If each of us does our simple part, great blessings will result.
Lately I’ve been handing out lots of the Moments with Our Master devotional books. People love them……. This week I had a lengthy breakfast meeting with a rich young ruler type young man. He articulated that all of his earthly success has left him empty in this world. It was a Scripture-rich time. Garrett gladly received a copy of the Moments devotional book and said “Let’s do this again.” His heart was filled with joy during and after that fellowship. He told me that in the past, as he walked with the LORD daily, his life was so much better. With a large smile he said “Man, I’d just walk down the street like I was floating 2 feet off the ground, filled with the joy and love of Jesus, sharing it with others.” Garrett texted me back the next morning with this:
“Appreciate you giving me that book. It’s convenient to use in the mornings.” Garrett
So, as we can witness, this Scripture-rich devotional book is the launching place for this man to seek and walk with the LORD. As usual, all of the ministry’s materials constantly exhort the readers/listeners to get into God’s Word daily for themselves (2 Timothy 2:15).
I know you’ll agree that the Garrett’s of our world matter to our LORD and we are the very “ambassadors” Christ has sent to bless them (2 Corinthians 5:20)! We are the delivery personnel of Heaven – handing out to people the treasure of Christ!
Just a few days ago, I gave 1 copy each to a young couple who I’ve become friends with at the gym (18 years old each). They were happy to receive this gift. First, as I like to do, I asked them if they like to read. One of them said they were currently “searching for something to read.” As usual when giving them the books, I opened one copy of the books and showed them that “there’s one devotional for each day of the year, all on one page. It begins with a Scripture, a few words, and a prayer at the end.” This way they see just how simple it is – and gives them a track to run on, a foundation to build their day upon. EVERY searching person is looking for this very thing. Their lives are meaningless, empty, and lacking the presence of the LORD. This is where we come in saints. As usual, I like to share with them that “This is a great way to begin the day.”
After qualifying the situation by asking people “Do you like to read?” I then ask them if I can give them a book and the answer is always a “Yes.” I then go fetch a book and gift them with it.
The season must now end where the Great Commission work of our LORD is shorted. Let’s fuel up and fill the Gospel war chest saints. It’s right under out noses – as God has placed it there! Let us each do our part (John 4:36; 1 Samuel 30:24).
Anyone who wishes to jump in and begin underwriting the kingdom opportunity cost for this is welcome.
Earthly expenses to do ministry, the most important and only eternal work in the earth, is the kingdom opportunity lying right in front of each of us (Matthew 6:19-21).
“May God empower us through the Holy Ghost to bring not a few guests to the wedding banquet; as we walk in the Spirit with the love of Christ flowing in and through our daily lives, and as we sow in tears; knowing that we shall reap with joy: because He that promised is faithful. To God be the glory in Jesus Name, Amen.” Jon Crane
Let’s review:
“They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. 6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” Psalms 125:5-6
YOU cannot do it. I certainly can’t do anything without Christ.
“I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” John 15:5
Surrender, right? Yes.
Jesus Christ is LORD. He’s our coming King.
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Abiding
LIE OF THE AGES: From the Garden to Glory [podcast]
Excerpt from the book Lie of the Ages
The First Lie and the Fall of Man
“Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.” ~ Genesis 3:1-5
Have you ever wondered what the first lie ever told was? Who told it? Why was it told? What was the result of it? Can the fruit be seen and felt today? Can its effects be traced throughout history and even into the future?
According to the Genesis account, the Garden of Eden was the sanctuary of the Most High, where He communed with the first man and woman He had made in His very own image. The Garden was a sinless, guiltless sanctuary of unimaginable relational bliss between the LORD Almighty and the man and woman. The Garden of Eden was the place of pure truth and love—a place where lies were not even suspected.
Enter Satan.
Enter the lie.
Enter the seduction.
Enter no fear of God.
Enter stolen restraint.
Enter sin.
Enter the fall of man.
Enter alienation from the Creator.
Garden Scene—The First Lie
Do you think this first lie may hold some insight into the work of Satan and his war against God and His treasured people today?
“And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die…(Now here’s what the woman said:) But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. (Now here’s what Satan said:) And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die.” ~ Genesis 2:16-17; 3:3-4
In the book of origins (Genesis) where every major biblical doctrine is rooted (has its beginning), there can be found the keys and answers to life. Mankind’s Maker, his beginning, his ultimate enemy, temptation, sin, the resulting fall, and the redemption of man are revealed in the first chapters of this all-important first book of the Holy Bible.
Perhaps there could be no greater occupation than for the student of Scripture to undertake, pour over, pray over, and dismantle the first three chapters of the book of Genesis. In this endeavor, he will gain insight into the origins and purpose of creation, pitfalls facing mankind, divine restoration, and the keys to living a victorious life in harmony with his Creator.
Sin entered the human experience through the temptation and fall of the first man (Rom. 5). By this the enemy gained a foothold and has warred with that sole creation made in the image of the Maker Himself. But it is sin that is man’s problem, not circumstance or self-esteem nor any other diagnosis. “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (See Jer. 17:9.)
Someone has wisely stated: “The heart of the human problem is the problem of the human heart.”
From the very beginning, Satan has tempted man to believe that breaking the commandment of His Maker was not to be feared or avoided and could not harm him. The temptation for man is if he is going to determine truth on his own terms and how it fits his own lifestyle, or repent and humbly accept and obey what God says.
Cain was a religionist. He refused relationship with the LORD because he chose to do things his own way instead of God’s (Gen. 4:1-7). In his pride, Cain wanted to make up his own rules – he was lawless. Religion is where men have created a god in their own image and follow those teachings which render obedience to that false god. The most deceptive and evil form of religion is that which is close to the truth and uses Bible Scriptures out of context to make up that doctrine which circumvents obedience to the plain truth of God. (See Jesus rebuke the Pharisees in Matt. 23.)
Who are we going to believe and trust? Whose report will you believe? Since the LORD and the devil stated something in direct opposition to each other, we know that one of them is a liar. As He gave the first man and woman the option, so the LORD gives us the choice to trust and obey Him or not to obey Him. Each of us will decide who it is that is going to be a liar in our hearts—the Almighty, or Satan.
God said (Gen. 2:17): “But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof THOU SHALT SURELY DIE.”
Satan said (Gen. 3:4): “And the serpent said unto the woman, YE SHALL NOT SURELY DIE.”
The lie of the ages began in the very cradle of creation. The aim of the enemy of all souls was the first man and woman who were uniquely created in the image of the One who made all things. Adam and Eve were the subjects of Satan’s deadly lie—the first lie ever told. Apparently, this cunning enemy understood that if he could cause the man and woman to take things into their own hands and violate the instruction of their Maker, they would be ushered out of His Garden (presence) and forfeit their place with Him.
Mankind’s enemy led him to believe that he could violate the instruction of his holy Maker and still remain within His approval. Like Adam and Eve, it is readily observed that men naturally internalize this philosophy as “I can sin with no fear of consequences.” Is it possible that this lie is still leading men and women to believe that they “shall not surely die” if they live in direct opposition to the LORD?
Concerning this most insidious and destructive lie of the serpent, the Life in the Spirit Study Bible states:
“‘YE SHALL NOT SURELY DIE’…The first lie proposed by Satan was a form of antinomianism (lawlessness), denying the judgment of death for sin and apostasy. One of the basic sins of humankind is unbelief in God’s word. It is believing that somehow God does not really mean what He says about salvation, righteousness, sin, judgment, and death. Satan’s most persistent lie is that unrepentant, deliberate sin and rebellion against God will not necessarily bring separation from God and eternal condemnation.”
As he did with the first man and woman, the adversary tells us “Ye shall not surely die” (Gen. 3:4).
Escaping the judgment of a holy God has long been the vain imagination of depraved men, fueled by the enemy of all righteousness who has come “to steal, and to kill, and to destroy” (Jn. 10:10).
“Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.” ~ Ecclesiastes 8:11
“Wherefore doth the wicked contemn God? he hath said in his heart, Thou wilt not require it.” ~ Psalms 10:13
Question: “Wherefore doth the wicked contemn God?
Answer: “He hath said in his heart, Thou wilt not require it.”
The hearts of those who are not in fellowship with the LORD say “The LORD will not ‘require it’ of me. He will not bring me into accountability for my life in this world. After all, He has not done anything to me for my wrongdoing thus far. I am okay in my sins; God will just overlook them.”
Lucifer’s lure capitalizes on the sinful nature of men, preying upon his desire to be his own god, controlling his own destiny. Somehow, according to this revelation and others, it is within man’s makeup to believe that because his Creator is not presently executing tangible judgment for his sin, he believes that God is not going to judge him at all. So, unregenerate man goes on sinning with reckless abandon, not realizing that that Great and Terrible Day of Judgment lies just ahead.
The first man and woman bought into the first lie that claims there is no consequence for violating the command of the one true God. Such self-deception is no new thing. Since the first man and woman, people have sought to define right and wrong on their own terms instead of simply acknowledging what the LORD says. As the first couple found out, it is a losing endeavor to determine truth by how it fits one’s lifestyle instead of by God’s non-negotiable counsel given us in His Word (Jn. 17:17; Rom. 3:3-4; 2 Tim. 3:16). Defining truth on one’s own terms is buying into the lie of the ages presented to every man by the evil one who “walketh about seeking whom he may devour” (1 Pet. 5:8).
When men seek to redefine truth on their own terms, they unwittingly create a god in their own image—one who accepts them in their sins with no judgment. They then migrate to pastors and teachers who will tickle their itching ears with smooth messages void of the full-counsel revelation of Holy Scripture (Jer. 5:30-31; 2 Tim. 4:2-4).
After Adam and Eve, it was their son Cain who sought to make up his own way to God on his own terms. He failed. To Cain and to all who seek through religion, whether self-styled or organized, the Almighty would ask: “If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door” (Gen. 4:7).
The LORD says to Cain “If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted?” This simply means “If you will do things the way I prescribed, will I not fully accept you as I did your brother Abel?” Cain hardened his heart and refused to do things God’s way by offering the type of sacrifice God requires. Due to his own choice to rebel against the Most High he became so filled with the enemy that he killed his own brother (Gen. 4).
This is a classic example of how the enemy led this man Cain to believe that he could make up his own rules, violating the holy Creator and still escape His just judgment. Like Cain, millions of faithful religionists today have a mere formula of godliness while denying the power of a truly surrendered life to the one true God who sent His only begotten Son as the only sacrifice for the sins of men (2 Timothy 3:5).
When he was able to successfully persuade the first man to violate the command of the LORD, Satan gained access to authority over the man by the sin of the man (Isaiah 59:1-2; Ephesians 4:27; James 4:7). Jesus re-gained that authority for His highest and prized creation and all those who come into relationship with Him experience the abundant blessings that come along with being saved by His precious blood (Jn. 10:10; Rom. 5:17; 1 Pet. 1:18-19).
“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
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” ~ John 3:16-17
PRAYER: Father in Heaven, please unite my heart to fear Thy name and keep it from falling prey to this same lie that led to Adam and Eve’s fall. Quicken my heart in the fear of the LORD. Please teach me that there are many harsh consequences for disobeying You, by not doing what You say, by sinning against You. Convict my heart of sin, and I beg You to make my conscience extremely sensitive to Your conviction and leading. Change my heart, O LORD. Grant me a heart of flesh that delights to live in Your presence and do Your perfect will. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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