Loving God in Truth

Paula White Exposed [video]

THAT’s My King! Pastor Lockridge [video]

Powerful Prayers from Children-This Will Shake You [video]

The Fear of the LORD is to Hate Evil: Pride, and Arrogancy #shorts [video]

“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.

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.

Support | STORE | | Podcasts |

Top 12 Missing Essential Doctrines in the Modern Church World! [podcast]

Repentance and Fruit

Loving not our Lives unto the Death [podcast]

“THAT REPENTANCE AND REMISSION OF SINS SHOULD BE PREACHED” [podcast]

Articles

Gospel Action in Mexico Part 37

UPDATE – DELIVERED FOOD TODAY; – I purchased numerous food items for Clara and her boys today. Traversing difficult terrain to deliver the goods God supplied through your faithful giving left me with a sidewall puncture. A sidewall puncture cannot be patched and replacement was quoted at $274. Settled for a used tire. In this challenge came opportunity.

God used the punctured tire for me to meet a wayward man. Jose has spent time in the USA and has family there. His wife is presently in Colorado; he expressed strain on his family. Jose received God’s Word preached to him and the JESUS tract and said “You know what?, my wife is also a Christian.” Wow. So, his beloved wife is praying for him to be saved and God answered her prayer in part by connecting me with him. This opportunity is because of your support for this ministry. Can we please pray for Jose and his family?

I am continuing to learn to assert Romans 8:28-29 into everything.

— 28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose. 29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate [to be] conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Can anyone relate?

Mark is encouraging me in helping more people, one person/family at a time. Your prayers and giving are more than important, it is essential.

I found out Clara was in need again and was moved upon by the LORD to get her and her 3 sons some food. Her whole monthly money needed to sustain her, and her boys is about $350. The house she rents is $120 per month. I will leave it there.

It is amazing how much further our contributions go in Mexico, how much more it’s multiplied. A little bit of money and ministry here goes a long way to bless and expand Christ’s kingdom! …and to give hope to the hopeless.

We continue to pray for a few more saints to assert themselves into this opportunity. God is able, amen! All I can do is let these things be known. I am blessed by your support as I am encouraged by the fruitfulness of Mission Mexico both in the reach of the spiritual needs and the physical needs of God’s children. You are responding to Jesus’ instructions in Matthew 6:19-21

—19 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.

Clara’s Cry Video was featured recently. Click here.

Please lift a prayer in Jesus’ name for the fruitfulness and supply of our LORD work here with Mission Mexico. God be praised. Multitudes being reached daily with Jesus Christ’s bless-ed Gospel – spoken to them and given in print in the JESUS tract in Spanish.

BELOVED ANTONIO came by again tonight to get something to eat. I warmly received and welcomed him. Had him sit down and rest with fresh water to drink while his delicious meal was cooking. When he left I broke down while hugging him and letting him know you are lifting him in prayer and that God loves him. I played the Spanish Bible audio of Scripture to him while I was cooking so the Word would be planted in his heart…. WHO wants to cry out with me to our LORD for this young man? WHO wants to seek God for a complete change in his precious life? Salvation and good employment/work, etc. Let it not be that he could ever say that “No man cared for my soul.” – “I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul.” (Psalms 142:4) Jesus is coming saints. Let us pour out His love to the hurting. Jesus Christ died for this beloved young man! Mission Mexico is rolling! “WE are labourers TOGETHER with God.” (1 Corinthians 3:9) This is what it’s all about dear saints. Jump in. God will bless.

“The LORD upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down.” Psalms 145:14

Mission Mexico!

Beloved brother in Christ Cesar spent the last 14 days with his beloved mother before she passed. Mark and I went to visit Cesar the day after his mother passed. Mark and I agreed that Cesar was ministering to us. We went to comfort him and he ministered to us! Whew! You are invited to lift our beloved brother Cesar in prayer.

Oh and Cesar too about 50-60 JESUS tracts to distribute.

The plans are to be spending more time fellowshipping with Cesar again soon.

Months ago, I handed Cesar a JESUS tract and we begin to talk and he shared that he is a born again disciple of Jesus. Yesterday, with tears in his eyes, Cesar shared his testimony of Jesus’ salvation of his life 24 years ago. This is a beloved brother in our LORD Jesus for certain. Unpretentious.

As is so often the case, we gave this man a JESUS tract and spoke the Word to him. A few moments later here he is hungrily reading about His Make and King, and Savior Jesus.

Saints we are supporting a missionary in the Philippines and am thanking the LORD for your prayers and supply to our LORD’s Gospel work …..

Anyone wish to pause and lift this man to our LORD in prayer? When ministered to, Victor asked questions. He searching. God is able.

Thank you for praying for the beautiful people of this country. More Mission Mexico coverage here.

Remember brother Justin (from Australia) whom God miraculously saved here in Mexico? He is very grateful that you are lifting him in prayer. Praying for Christ’s saints is an essential (Colossians 4:12). Today Justin sent this:

“I was reading the book of John and the woman at the well last night, contemplating how some plant seeds to be harvested by others (John 4). Just being grateful to serve the Lord without needing to see results. Bless you. You certainty planted some seeds with me. I’ll check out Titus! Thank you brother. I am working out my salvation with fear and trembling, for sure, and I wouldn’t be doing it so much harder now without your support.” Justin B.

UPDATE ON BROTHER JUSTIN B.

Thank you for lifting in prayer our brother Justin B. (Australian) here in Mexico. He was saved just a few months ago here. Here’s the latest from our brother. Please pray the Word for him. John 15; Colossians 4:12

“I am good, brother. I am back in the slipstream of the Word. Felt like I had to experience the desert of doubt to come out with more clarity. Though, ultimately, trust in God is not necessarily clear. Getting confident in God with that “cloud of unknowing.”

Daily brother. It’s my clarion call/prayer now. Diminish me but increase my faith. Purify my heart, Lord, so I may glorify Your name. Thank you for showing me the way and keeping faith in me, brother.” Justin B.

Do we recall how Jesus told Peter “And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: 32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.” (Luke 22:31-32)

Here’s the post where the account of Jesus saving Justin is contained.

Jesus Saved Justin [podcast]

This is beloved David (pictured above) who received extensive ministry of God’s love and Word. Please lift up David, Daniel, and Justin. Colossians 4:12.

Omar was invited to have you pray for him. He readily agreed and is glad to know you are lifting him to our LORD in prayer. Jesus told us He desires to save Omar (1 Timothy 2:4).

“My Dear Brother, I will continue to lift Clara and those precious children in prayer; for I know firsthand the hardship of raising 3 little ones alone in this selfish world. I am thankful to the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY for sending strangers into my life during my time of despair and brokenness. Thank you brother for being a good steward with the gifts that the people of God send into the Lord’s Ministry. May the Lord God bless and keep you all the days of your life.” Jacquie

Support Mission Mexico here. Takes seconds.

“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10

Mission Mexico – See more here.

Download. Read. Print out your supply of the JESUS tract – English and Spanish.

Abiding

Seeking the Will of God [podcast]

“Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his face continually.” 1 Chronicles 16:11

Maturity in Christ is seen in those who unrelentingly seek His face! 1 Chronicles 16:11

YOU are either going to clearly prove you love God by perpetually flooding your heart and mind with the Word, prayer, and praises of our LORD Jesus Christ…. or you absolutely will fall away (Luke 8:13; 1 Timothy 4:1-2, etc.).

“One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple.” Psalms 27:4

“When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek.” Psalms 27:8

“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” James 1:5

“Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.” Jeremiah 33:3

Notice that those not seeking the LORD today, are forsaking Him.

“if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.” 1 Chronicles 28:9

“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” Romans 8:14

YOUR PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please forgive my sins afresh. I have had other gods before You and so have committed the sin of idolatry and spiritual adultery. Please wash me afresh with Your blood dear LORD Jesus. Create in me a clean heart, an heart of flesh and remove the stony places. Please help me to sense Your leading and impressions. You are my Great Shepherd and I am Your sheep. Fill me with Your Holy Ghost dear LORD and please use me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

"NEVER take a Vacation from God" [podcast]

God’s Word teaches us to be diligent in knowing and following Christ – even when the word diligent is not used. “Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his face continually.” 1 Chronicles 16:11 Make the deliberate decision to “set… “Now set your heart and your soul to seek the Lord your God; arise therefore, and build ye the sanctuary of the Lord God, to bring the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and the holy vessels of God, into the house that is to be built to the name of the Lord.” 1 Chronicles 22:19 “Don’t you EVER take a vacation from God!” said my first […]

What is our Highest Priority as we see Christ's Return Nearing? [podcast]

What’s most important? How do we want Christ to find us when He splits the eastern sky? “And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:62 “Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.” Hebrews 10:38 “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:58 “And he […]

Apostasy

Beware of the Manipulating Monsters: Spiritual Identity Theft [podcast]

Instead of fostering a deeper love for CHRIST in their hearers, local churches have diverted that loyalty, the faith of their hearers to themselves (1 Corinthians 29-2:5). This is “the spirit of antichrist” at work (1 John 2:18; 4:1-3). Anti in “antichrist” means “in place of” and the vast majority of local churches seek to replace Christ with themselves – to intercept the heart affections of their audience from loving Jesus Christ supremely – to rob Him of His glory for their own self-serving agenda! Beware! This was Paul’s warning of Colossians 1-2. Christ alone is the Supreme Creator, Sustainer, Reconciler, Redeemer, and Savior! Pour prayerfully over Colossians 1 and 2 this week beloved of God.

“…do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.” Galatians 1:10

You cannot and won’t please everyone and such should not be your goal. Please God beloved and in NON-essentials, make your own decisions – void of the undue, unwarranted interference of others! (Read Romans 14.) Some people are operating in witchcraft and don’t realize it. They haven’t repented and learned how to mind their own business. And, so many live under the witchcraft of pleasing family and friends and the whims of others. If that’s you, you are not yet free but you can be. Seek the LORD in special prayer. Repent afresh and ask God to strip off every trace of witchcraft and control over your life. Ask Him to establish your life in His love and truth and all fear shall be vanquished from your life! See 1 John 4:16-18.

Note: Anything that is not specifically named as a sin in the Bible, is a NON-essential and that means that God gives YOU the liberty to conduct yourself as you see fit. Read and get to know Romans 14. | Learning to Mind Our Own Business

Those who insidiously seek to position themselves, to maneuver things to manipulate you, are fully arrogant and that’s why they believe THEY know better than God and you concerning your life, your decisions, your ministry, your direction, etc.. Beware. These are the very enemies of Christ. Like snakes in the grass, people like this are insidiously operating in witchcraft and as sure for hell as if they were already there (Galatians 5:19-21). Beware.

Untold scores of men, all of which had a calling from God, have allowed wicked manipulators to derail, destroy, and waste their lives. Beware.

Beware of those with an agenda….. an agenda that is not God’s agenda/will. With Jesus our LORD, the true disciple declares to God – “NOT my will, but thine be done” (Luke 22:42). All of the unsaved are under the control of Satan, the enemy of all souls.

“And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:” Ephesians 2:1-2

Most if not all of us have realized that there are lots of manipulators around us who vie for the control of our lives, who attempt to push their agenda, their personal will on us. Solidifying our identity in Christ, becoming increasingly rooted and grounded in Him, is essential to be kept from such witchcraft. The aim, the stated will of God, is to root and ground every one of His saints ever more deeply into Christ. Pour prayerfully, meticulously over Colossians 1 and 2 beloved, and ask the LORD to root your heart and life deeper into Christ in whom alone you are “complete.” Ask the Father that your constitution, your innermost identity would be Christ and Christ alone! (Read Galatians 2:20; 6:14; 1 Corinthians 2:2, etc.)

“But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” Galatians 6:14

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

Satan is behind every attempt to derail God’s people from walking in His perfect will. Spiritual warfare. In light of the desire to get God’s Word into the hearts of the people, Paul requests prayer to be “delivered from unreasonable and wicked men.”

“Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: 2 And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith. 3 But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.” 2 Thessalonians 3:1-3

Escaping the Witchcraft, the Manipulation

ANY person participating in the work of Satan is a child of the devil. Satan’s work is “to steal, to kill, and to destroy” (John 10:10). Any questions? Any activity, operation, or plan to steal the freedom or money or anything from another, is the work of Satan himself. So is to killing or destroying people or property unjustly.

May the LORD continue to increase His discernment in us – in order to see the enemy working through people from afar. Once we’ve allowed them in, they are within striking distance, right? Yes. See Matthew 7:6.

“And I find more bitter than death the woman, whose heart is snares and nets, and her hands as bands: whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her.” Ecclesiastes 7:26

Did you see that? Did you see in Ecclesiastes 7:26 how those who obey God will escape the seduction and the clutches of manipulating people?

A careful reading, study, and meditation upon the words of this verse above, will yield important truths concerning spiritual warfare and overcoming through Christ.

“Witchcraft” is a soul damning sin – which means that any person operating in this sin is outside of Christ and as sure for hell as if they were already there (Galatians 5:19-21). Eternal security/once saved always saved is a lie from hell.

Any person who seeks to usurp authority over another person (his will and decisions, etc.) is operating by his own agenda and not the LORD’s. Such a person is rebellious and self-willed and therefore seeks to exert their witchcraft over the lives, the decisions, the will of others.

“And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, 25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.” 2 Timothy 2:24-26

Remember how manipulating Delilah was as she sought to manipulate and derail Samson? Read Judges 16.

There are many examples of manipulation in the Word of God, beginning in the Garden of Eden.

In the Scripture below, notice the interaction with Paul and the false prophet, Elymas. All interference of the Gospel is from Satan. Below is but one example. This man sought to exercise control over Paul and the deputy and how the LORD judged him:

Barnabas and Saul on Cyprus

Act 13:4 So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.
Act 13:5 And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister.
Act 13:6 And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus:
Act 13:7 Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God.
Act 13:8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith.
Act 13:9 Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him,
Act 13:10 And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?
Act 13:11 And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand.
Act 13:12 Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.

THE DEEDS AND DOCTRINE OF THE NICOLAITANS (Part 1)

(Excerpt from the Deceivers and False Prophets Among Us book) “But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes (means conquer the laity), which I also hate…So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate.” Revelation 2:6, 15 Some years ago, after being found and apprehended by God, and saved by the grace of Jesus, I lived in a city where there was a cartel of eight volatile and controlling pastors. These men organized and operated a control ring where they tracked church attendants and their movements and dealings. This intelligence system was […]

Learning to Mind Our Own Business [video]

Hint: If something is not specifically named as a sin in God’s Word, leave others alone about it. MYOB, right? (Mind Your Own Business) “Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.” Romans 14:4 You know you are in need of true repentance when you focus on the faults of others and yet spend no time praying sincerely to God for them. “If we would judge” WHO? Read closely: “For if we would judge ourselves, we should not […]

Witchcraft Among Us [podcast]

Those who have control issues simply have not given the control of their own lives over to the LORD and therefore operate in the witchcraft of controlling others – something that God forbids as they usurp HIS place in the lives of others. True repentance needed and to denounce the sin of self-idolatry, spiritual adultery, and witchcraft. Undue control over others is “witchcraft” which is a soul damning sin (Galatians 5:19-21). God has not called us to control others or even seek to but rather allow them the freedom to grow in His grace as they work out their own […]

Ministers who Operate in Witchcraft [podcast]

Attempting to exercise control over another person is witchcraft and it’s always perpetrated by those who don’t even have their own life in order. Jesus calls them hypocrites and if they don’t repent, they are 100% guaranteed to be in hell (Matthew 7:2-5). “Witchcraft” is a soul damning sin (Galatians 5:19-21). All “sorcerers” are as sure for hell and the lake of fire as if they were already there! A sorcerer is anyone who uses drugs or anything else in order to control another person – to kill them, to manipulate them, etc. “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and […]