(excerpt from the book Deceivers and False Prophets Among Us)
Greedy Gold Grubbers who Prey on Gullible Dupes
PAUL warned us that there are “MANY” who twist God’s Word in order to profit off of the people of God (2 Corinthians 2:17). Peter told us the same thing when he warned of those who “through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you.” (2 Peter 2:1-3). In the beginning and end of His ministry our LORD Jesus cleared the temple to express the divine mandate of holiness among those who name the name of Christ (Matthew 21; John 2). Discern biblically (Acts 17:11; 1 John 4:1). Are you funding a fraud?
“But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers AMONG you, who privily (secretly) shall bring in DAMNABLE HERESIES (lies that damn the soul to hell), even denying the Lord that bought them (apostates in leadership positions), and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And MANY shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned (fictitious) words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not…beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children.” 2 Peter 2:1-3, 14
The Spirit of the LORD speaks through His apostle here and reveals some details about the operation of “false prophets” and “false teachers” who are presently “among the people.” Let’s look a bit closer at this chapter dedicated to the exposure of the deceivers who operate in our midst. 2 Peter 2 teaches us that:
- These beguilers are “among the people”
- Their presence and the need to discern them is definite – “there SHALL be false teachers AMONG you”
- They secretly and charismatically introduce/slip in deadly falsehood – “who privily (secretly) shall bring in DAMNABLE HERESIES”
- They deny Christ by denying the truth He gave us in His words – “even denying the Lord that bought them”
- They are going to reap destruction now and in eternity if they don’t repent before it’s too late – “and bring upon themselves swift destruction”
- These are very well-liked, accepted, and affluent leaders, made popular by the desire of the masses to be financially rich in this life while throwing their eternity to the wind – “And MANY shall follow their pernicious ways”
- These men twist the Word of God for their own purposes – “by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of”
- The Holy Spirit shows us their motive and goal – “And through covetousness shall they with feigned (fictitious) words make merchandise of you”
- Certain and eternal judgment is coming – “whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not”
- These false prophets prey upon the unlearned who are not grounded in God’s Word – “beguiling unstable souls”
- Again their greedy motive is identified – “an heart they have exercised with covetous practices”
- These men are in the ministry for money. Some hide this fact better than others which makes them all the more deceptive and deadly.
- The LORD makes no excuse for these men. He calls them – “cursed children”
In vivid detail, the Holy Spirit warns us here of how “false prophets” and “false teachers among you,” would seek to “make merchandise of you.” The term “make merchandise of you” refers to the exploitation of people perpetrated by deceivers for their own self gain. It means that they will make money off you or draw money out of you, through deceptive practices. This could also be called “fleecing the flock.” Such extortion is accomplished through deceptive persuasions, heretical teachings, testimonial claims and exaggerated stories. The phrase “feigned words” in this text is very important. This is the method of deceivers to garner money from people. The word “feigned” means “plastic, artificial, fictitious, or simulated.”
Any preacher who is tickling your ears with the old recycled, worn out word of faith heresies is merely regurgitating what he’s learned from his wolf handlers, puppet masters. He has no life in God’s Word for himself and never has. He’s a counterfeit doing “ministry” for his own self-serving purposes as he leads others to attempt to use God to get what THEY want. There is no cross in this greed-driven, self-worshipping false gospel. These are “enemies of the cross of Christ.” (Philippians 3:18-19)
The idea that someone has to give something (like money) to get God to bless them is the message of greedy wolves who deny Christ by saying His sacrifice was not enough to bless His people fully! They are making merchandise of gullible, biblically-illiterate people. God provided the perfect salvation through His perfect, sinless, only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. Christ Lives to Provide what He died to Purchase
Of course, this does not in any way negate the divine promises to those who give.
By design of our Creator, words are the basic building block and communication link of humans. We use them to communicate with one another. Deceivers also use words to communicate, but they use them for a different purpose – to manipulate the minds of people in order to obtain their desire. “Feigned words” are the keys that open the doors to the treasure chests of people’s monies. Deceivers know this and carefully craft their words to manipulate (influence) and beguile “unstable souls.” (2 Pet. 2:14)
Stable souls who are learning sound doctrine and have a sound heart and mind see these “false prophets” and “false teachers” in our midst for who they really are and refuse to fund their evil enterprises (2 Jn. 10-11). Whether we want to face it or not, each of us know personalities in the ministry whom we think are true to the LORD and yet they aren’t. In our judgment/discernment, we are forced to decide if we are going to be faithful and true to our LORD and His Word or personalities of mere men who come to us in the name of the LORD, but without the true knowledge of Him. So, the LORD warned us that it would be “through covetousness” using “feigned words” that “false prophets” and “false teachers” would extort monies from unsuspecting souls. It is through their deluding and manipulating measures, and systems of communications that they are “beguiling unstable souls,” extorting from them ill-gotten revenues (2 Pet. 2:14).
In their messages (written or spoken), these men reduce all blessings to a monetary or physical level. Yet, one must begin to look upon their teaching to truly begin to see who these men are and what they may be intentionally leaving out of their messages. The doctrines that are deliberately left out of their teachings (i.e., the need for personal holiness, sin of covetousness and greed, and the denial of the self-life) must be accounted for. Those who woefully do not know the Word, simply do not know what is being left out of His full counsel, so they go on being beguiled. This is exactly how deceivers are successful in systematically farming their audiences. They prey upon ignorant, unlearned souls. Those who withhold biblical truths are dangerous to your spiritual health. The money-mongers in our midst intentionally withhold the hard truths of God’s Word in order to manipulate people for their own purposes. They pick and choose points from God’s Word so as to posture people just where they want them in order to lure them to give the largest amount of money. This is beguiling and evil manipulation. When there was the misuse of ministry among the Jewish religious leaders of Christ’s day, He violently went through the temple, dumping their money coffers and upending their tables saying, “Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house and house of merchandise.” (Jn. 2:16)
It should be noted that Jesus cleansed the temple of extortion and the thieves in the beginning and at the end of His ministry on earth (Jn. 2:13-17; Matt. 21:12-16). This He did to establish His zeal and mandate for holiness upon all who will follow Him in spirit and in truth. Great judgment is coming. God will once again cleanse from among His people, all hirelings who chose to serve mammon instead of Him, especially those who utilized their ministry positions to do such.
“…false prophets…false teachers….And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.” 2 Peter 2:1-3
Here the LORD promises us that “judgment” and “damnation” await all unrepentant thieves, namely those who operate in the ministry. Be aware that there are super-subtle, more creative ways that monies are being misused (paramount to thievery) in the church world today. Of course there is the intentionional laundering, but there are also those fruitless and frivolous things that are being done to misuse the LORD’s resources. I insert a question here for pondering: If there are five dimensions or gifts of eldership under the New Covenant (Eph. 4:11-12), then why is only one (pastor) of those five offices handling virtually all of the money given for the kingdom to grow? Why does it seem that the pastors share little or none of the finances with the other four? (apostles, prophets, evangelists and teachers) In light of the message of Ephesians 4:11-13, does this seem equitable and conducive to the full maturing of the members of the body of Christ? In today’s church-building-intensive world, there are numerous subtle schemes being used to siphon revenues out of the masses. When one takes personal responsibility to know God’s truth for himself, he will be aware, armed, equipped, and ready to discern. Therefore, he will be much less at the mercy of the enemy whose manipulating systems are utilized by the numerous smooth-talking false prophets and teachers in our day (Ps. 17:4; Hos. 4:6; Matt. 22:29).
Greed Frenzy
“…for every one from the least even unto the greatest is given to covetousness, from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely.” Jeremiah 8:10
These beguilers only exist because the people want to hear smooth things and things that tickle the sinful ears of their uncircumcised hearts which are bent upon serving their own sinful appetites. These people are paying to be pampered with smooth words and told they can live in the deadly sin of compromise and still go to God’s holy Heaven. Their carefully selected preachers of a new age, self-serving gospel are in place to further feed and comfort their already overfed bellies. Anyone not crucified to the sinful nature and pursuing God with a whole heart is dangling over the fires of eternal damnation by a spider thread. The Bible tells us that our central and foremost blessings are “spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.” (Eph. 1:3)
All “blessings” that are truly blessings from God begin with the “spiritual.” “Christ” and the magnificent salvation He alone wrought for us are the ultimate blessings for those apprehended by His love (saved; born again.) Beguiling seducers seek to “with feigned (fictitious) words make merchandise of you.” (2 Pet. 2:14)
Learn so you can discern.
Getting hold of and personally possessing the knowledge of the text at hand will help prevent our souls from being lured in by beguilers:
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love.” Ephesians 1:3-4
We whom He has so graciously “blessed” with all “spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ” have been “chosen in him before the foundation of the world” for the divinely-ordained purpose of being “holy and without blame before him in love.” (Eph. 1:3-4)
The messages of the false teachers and prophets are not toward Christ or His holiness, nor do they promote in the hearts of their hearers the fear of the LORD. Instead, they germinate and promote the “damnable” sins of greed and covetousness (Eph. 5:5-7).
These beguilers of unstable, unlearned souls preach a prosperity message apart from the cross of Christ which does not exist in the economy of the Almighty. When a person dies, the sum total of his net riches, when laid in the balance of His perfect justice, will be what of Christ his heart possesses.
Rich in Good Works
Paul addresses those in the body of Christ who are “rich in this world,” charging them to “be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God” (1 Tim. 6:17). The words God directs towards those who are “rich in this world” are frightening. Just when you covet to be rich in this life, beloved, you may want to count it a blessing that you are not, based on the temptations such power brings. Those rich in this world’s goods and monetary wealth are in a dangerous position. Jesus warned:
“It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.” Mark 10:25
In acknowledging His full counsel, let us also consider that Christ in addition told us in this passage that though it were nearly impossible for a rich man to enter Heaven, “with God all things are possible.” (Mk. 10:27)
James addresses the rich:
“Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you. Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days. Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth. Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter. Ye have condemned and killed the just; and he doth not resist you.” James 5:1-6
Tell me when you have ever heard the “prosperity” teachers take their audience line upon line through these texts! It seems obvious that they purposely evade these incriminating texts because it brings about the fear of God in the hearts of the hearers instead of a giving atmosphere where they reap large dividends of filthy lucre (ill-gotten gain). Be not deceived, they are clearly after monetary gain, not your well-being in God. Obviously, being rich in earthly wealth in itself is not sin, yet being rich in good works with those resources is essential to remaining in the LORD. There are numerous passages that address the need for God’s people to stay clear of covetousness, which would prevent one from the eternal kingdom of God (Mk. 10:25; Eph. 5:3-7; 1 Tim. 6; James 2, 5).
The apostle Paul sternly warned those in the body of Christ, that no “covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them.” (Eph. 5:5-7) What could be plainer? Believers are to be “rich in good works.”
“Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.” 1 Timothy 6:17-19
Leading people to covet or pursue earthly riches is the message of false prophets and completely contrary to what Christ and His apostles taught (2 Pet. 2). Covetous and greed are deadly sins of idolatry. Anyone who dies in such rebellion, regardless of their past experience with the LORD, is going to spend eternity in hell (Eph. 5:5-9). Ephesians 5:5-7 is surely another Bible text deceivers purposely avoid. Ever heard this text preached?
“For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.” Ephesians 5:5-6
Jesus, in essence, taught us to empty our storehouses to build His house/kingdom in the hearts of men), so that the lure of earthly riches would not possess our hearts. His desire is that we would lay up treasure that is eternal, instead of feeding the iniquity of covetousness (Hag. 1; Lk. 12:13-40).
Less Is More
Less is more! Are you free? Is it not true, my friend, that the more we have in our possession, the more we worry that it will be taken away? Do the false teachers and false prophets tell us this simple reality? Never a mention. There have been some rich people, successful businessmen, who gave it all up to spend the rest of their days doing direct ministry. Every one of them will tell you how much more blessed they are now and how miserable they were on the hamster wheel of greed.
“…remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35
- “He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose.” ~ Jim Elliott
Some invest in this fleeting world like it will be here forever, when the LORD told us over and over that THIS LIFE AND WORLD AS WE NOW KNOW IT IS ALL GETTING READY TO PASS AWAY! (See Lk. 12; 1 Tim. 6; 1 Jn. 2:15-17)
Those leaders who are true to the Son of God possess and teach this revelation of Scripture. In the fear of the LORD, the believer, true to His Master, seeks His face perpetually for His holiness (Ps. 51). This would include the purging of all greed and covetousness from his heart. This is what he has called every one of His people to. To deny such is to deny Christ.
“Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” 2 Timothy 2:19
“But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:15-16
As His blood-purchased children, we should personally resolve to “depart from iniquity,” to be possessed by His “spirit of holiness,” to be conformed to Christ’s holy image (2 Tim. 2:19; Rom. 1:4; 8:29). One can only be drawn in by beguilers and seduced into coveting this world’s riches, if he refuses to seek the LORD to purge this sinful iniquity from his heart (2 Tim. 4:2-4). All those who love this world and the things herein, do not have the love of the Father in them, but instead, have made themselves the enemies of God (James 4:4; 1 Tim. 2:15-17). Un-purged lusts give way to deception. Knowing and living out God’s Word guarantees escape from such deception and the bondage brought upon all who enter into these sins. All who do not possess a love and obedience for divine truth, will be ensnared, overcome and captured by the enemy of all souls (2 Thess. 2:10-12).
Smooth Operators
Beguilers operate very smoothly and their deception is not detected by most. Many people do not know the Word of God and therefore they do not know or even begin to realize what is being left out of the messages they are hearing (fear of God, holiness). Smooth operating manipulators don’t convey the privilege and blessing of giving solely for the glory and love of God.
“Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.” Matthew 22:29
To allow this type of covetous deception is to blatantly disobey the LORD who bought us, and to actually fight against Him. All those who do not purge their hearts of love for this world and things in it, covetousness and greed, will be ensnared and ultimately damned (Eph. 3:5-7; 2 Tim. 4:2-4) for not loving the LORD supremely.
Donald Stamps, in the Life In the Spirit Study Bible writes:
- “The false teachers will commercialize the Gospel, being experts in greed and in getting money from believers to enhance their ministries and affluent lifestyles. Believers must be aware that one of the chief methods of false ministers is to use “feigned words” to tell impressive stories that are not true, or to give exaggerated statistics in order to inspire God’s people to give money. They glorify themselves and enhance their ministries with these fabricated stories (2 Corinthians 2:17). Thus, the unwary and sincere child of God becomes an object of exploitation. Because these ministers defile God’s truth and people with greed and deceit, they are assigned to doom and destruction.” (p. 1995)
These “false prophets…teachers” know that if they can get you to believe that what they are doing is truly “a move of God,” they can appeal to your emotions and you will give money to their ministry. This is exactly why they always say things like “this is God” or “this is a move of God” or “this is the anointing” or “Do you feel it?” Of course they say this – they are God’s special children and whatever they do is of God, right? Ever notice how all the “anointing” always revolves around them? How convenient! This is done in order to continue to direct attention to themselves for personal power and gain. Instead of truly exalting our LORD and Savior, they elevate themselves. They embellish themselves with the glory due only the Almighty (Ex. 34:14; 1 Cor. 1:29, 31). Our LORD told us plainly that when the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, came to live inside of every believer of the New Testament era, He would direct attention toward Jesus, not Himself or mere men:
“Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come. He shall glorify me….” John 16:13-14
The temptation or test of false prophets can be treacherous at times (Deut. 13:3-4). Beware, beloved, our LORD is coming. While He will protect those who truly continue to love Him supremely, He will not protect those who do not love His truth (2 Thess. 2:9-12), and He is also going to harshly reward all deceivers with eternal damnation.
“The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished.” 2 Peter 2:9
The temptation to esteem earthly riches above heavenly riches, is the ploy of the father of lies which he propagates via his false prophets and teachers and their messages.
MESSAGE TO THOSE WHO LOVE THIS WORLD AND THE THINGS OF THIS WORLD AND HAVE SAT THEMSELVES UNDER A “PROSPERITY PREACHER” WHO IS ALWAYS TALKING ABOUT HOW TO GET MORE MONEY: In order to continue serving the purposes of Satan, make sure you continue to give your monies to the false prophets so they can keep building bigger piles of sticks and bricks while refusing to build the body of Christ by preaching the whole Word of God and winning the lost for which Christ came and died. Keep funding their temporal temples and fattening the bellies of the deceivers who refuse to hear the cry of people in need that sit right under their lying noses every Sunday morning. If you want to serve Satan, there could be no more effective way to do so than this.
Jesus Cleansed the Temple
As an eternal memorial of His righteous and holy judgment against thieving and deceitful monetary practices, the Son of God cleansed the temple at the very opening and closing of His ministry on earth (Matt. 21:12-17; Jn. 2:12-17). He violently overthrew the deceitful practices of those in leadership who were making merchandise of those who came to seek the LORD. Such deceit is a sure way of coming under His condemnation.
“And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence (get them out of here); make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise. And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up (ignited His holy wrath).” John 2:16-17
As soon as these things were removed, His power, praise, prosperity and healing blessings were reinstated among His people (Matt. 21:12-17). Jesus stated:
“It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.” Matthew 21:13
The unchanging God feels no different today than He did then concerning greed mongers and their deceitful practices in His name and among His people. Such deceivers are in the cross-hairs of His scope of holy judgment. As Christ cleansed the temple in His hour in the flesh, He desires to cleanse our hearts of all greed for fleeting gain, which has prevented in us the holy hunger for the true and eternal riches that only He can grant.
Blinded by Greed
“But if thine eye (heart’s focus) be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness! No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” Matthew 6:23-24
Covetousness and greed are sins of the heart and must be crucified. Many in the modern church spotlight today are simply running after greed to establish and build their own kingdom, and they therefore have been spiritually blinded. Many of them do not even realize this. These men are building their own kingdoms in the guise of building Christ’s. Jesus told us that He came to seek and to save that which was lost and sent His people forth to do the same. The Master builder Himself held no such ideal as becoming entrenched in this fleeting world, but rather to seek out each and every soul possible to become His and enjoy the forever world of Heaven, the place He is preparing for us (Jn. 14:1-6). This scenario in which men, who have hijacked His Church, use more subtle ways to make merchandise of others. All the greed and covetousness that underlies the latest building programs and expansion agendas of many kinds are mere expressions of a self-serving vision. This in part defines how they “make merchandise of you.” These men are exploiting God’s people for their own purposes. All this is done using Scripture, testimonials, stories, and various persuasions, to help people to give, give, give, to causes which are not governed by a clear understanding of the biblical revelation of what Christ came to do, and how such is to be accomplished. Many a vision today does not align with what Christ reveals in His Word as His kingdom purpose. These have forfeited the hearing ear and seeing eye to hear and see God’s Holy Spirit of truth and His direction. These are blind leaders who are leading their followers into the ditch of spiritual darkness.
“Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.” Matthew 15:14
There were those among the church at Laodicea who had this world’s goods and yet were weighed in the balance spiritually and found wanting – to the point of being rejected. Jesus told these self-deluded people:
“Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and [that] the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.” Revelation 3:17-19
So, we see that it is possible to be rich in this world’s goods and under the judgment of God while thinking we are doing well. The LORD is calling us all to repent of our previous mindset and see things the way He sees them – to see riches the way He defines them, not the world’s way. When we get this understanding from Him, we will be able to discern those among us who would make merchandise of us. In effect, the charlatans of our day say through their message, “Sacrifice your money so we can spend it on our own vision.”
Seducing spirits are working through these men to garner monies that belong in the hands of true ministers of the LORD who truly do His work – building up His body, not merely physical orifices. Ministers and people whose hearts are steeped in the love of self wallow in greed and covetousness and are doomed to eternal destruction.
“Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core… Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever… walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling [words], having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage. But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.” Jude 11, 13, 16-18
“For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them.” Ephesians 5:5-7
Many of these ministers claim that God has called them to emphasize a “prosperity” message which the Bible defines as covetous.
“Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children.” 2 Peter 2:14
The greed-inspiring, covetous message they teach does not align with the message of the prophets or apostles, other than being the message of the false prophets exposed in God’s Word. Since these beguilers have not fled their idolatry and covetousness, they therefore reduce their “prosperity” message to the same. Being consumed with self-gain, they do not follow Jesus in seeking to save the lost; instead they view the lost as an opportunity to make themselves rich misusing and misapplying a portion of Proverbs 13:22 which reads; “…the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.” All judgment, holiness, taking up the cross, the eminent return of Christ, hell, etc. has long been purposely deleted from their messages. Such biblical truth is intentionally omitted due to its effect upon the people they seek to further lure into greed and keep in deception. The more greedy the people, the more they will give to get, and the richer these men become.
“Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul.” 1 Peter 2:11
Those who have the love of God in them flee the sins that would defile their souls in the eyes of God, looking for pasture among God-fearing under-shepherds who truly serve the LORD and preach His full counsel, disregarding what men think (Eph. 5:25-27). When confronted with criticism about their practices, some of these covetous leaders in our midst further attempt to insulate themselves from exposé by using as a shield (out of context) the Old Testament verse “Touch not mine anointed and do my prophets no harm.” (1 Chron. 16:22) God was speaking about His true prophets here, so the greed-mongers who would use this verse to their own advantage are excluded. They privately interpret this text, not regarding that the LORD was speaking about His people as a whole, of which they are not (Ps 105). These “false teachers,” identified by their teachings and practices, are doomed for destruction, so how could they be His (2 Pet. 2-3)? Therefore we can conclude that “mine anointed” simply does not include them. Even more subtle than the one who seduces souls in a flashy way for self-gain are those who write the books that are astoundingly the best sellers among Christians today. They use little Scripture and when they do, many times it is used out of context, to perpetuate their own agenda and not aligned with the whole of Holy Scripture. Does this not also qualify for making merchandise of God’s people?
Refusal to Disclose the Full Counsel of the Lord
The premise of the “false prophets” and “false teachers” will appear to the un-discerning to be a legitimate work of God. Only those who truly know the LORD and His Word will be able to escape such deceptions as are in our midst and increasing exponentially in this last hour. Those who seek to extort revenues from their audiences intentionally withhold the hard truths of God’s Word in order to manipulate people for their own purposes. These pick the things from God’s Word that they choose to emphasize so they can posture people just where they want them to be in order to cause them to give the most amount of money to their coffers. Paul charged Timothy to “Preach the Word.” (2 Tim. 4:2) “The Word” pertains to the whole of God’s written Word, embodied in the “holy scriptures.” (2 Tim. 3:15-17) Perhaps it can be concluded that those in leadership positions who refuse to instruct in the full counsel of the LORD are either not mature and fully orbed in the Word themselves, or are purposely withholding the fullness of what God has stated in His Word (Acts 20:20, 27). May the LORD make all of His children to love and seek out the full counsel of His precious Word and endeavor to hold forth His words of life.
PRAYER: Holy Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, please remove all covetousness and greed from my heart. Please replace these sinful traits of covetousness and greed with Your love in liberal giving of my life and resources to others and for the furtherance of Your kingdom. Grant my heart and mind to have discernment concerning those who would deceive and fleece Your people, that I may be kept from furthering the cause of evil against Your holy name and the body of Christ. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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Articles
Off The Chain! Mood Drugs Exposed [podcast]
“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
In his prayer of repentance, the sweet psalmist of Israel, the beloved David, cried “Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit” (Psalms 51:12).
“I took these drugs for 20+ years and they are dangerous, highly addictive and can do lasting damage. They cure nothing and in many cases cause more long term problems. Depression is absolutely demonic in my experience. GOD is the only answer. Thank you for speaking the truth on this. I’ve found SO many are deceived and blinded by the world system and claim there’s nothing wrong with psych drugs and that God gave man the wisdom to create these. Total nonsense. Anti anxiety meds slow brain activity and are definitely linked to dementia.” Jen G
“I am really enjoying your podcasts and I really hate pills (drugs) as they create more health problems. I am learning every day how I have been deceived. It’s really quite shocking. Its the side effects to these awful medicine that concern me. That is why there so many people with Alzheimer’s and dementia might be the cause and then e additives and chemicals that the farmers spray. Devils cocktail seem like. I am going organic. I am so glad that I am getting washed by the Word. Amen.” Penny
Carol Burke writes:
“Romans 8:15 says ‘For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.’ Fear is a spirit that torments man to terrorize him internally, to not permit the fruit of the Holy Spirit to manifest internally to set men free. Thank You Lord! We need not fear as one that is in bondage to his master! I am no longer a slave but a son! Drugs is bondage!”
Mood Drug Madness is the Prophesied Antichrist Sorcery, Witchcraft Wielded Over all Who aren’t Truly In Christ (Revelation 18:23).
“…for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.” Revelation 18:23
Getting Honest is the First Step Toward Total Victory
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” Jeremiah 17:9
Jesus taught us that man’s sin comes out of his “desperately wicked” heart (Jer. 17:9; Mark 7:20-23).
The devil and his agents have created a million ways to divert us from stopping our lives, getting honest, taking personal responsibility, humbling ourselves, admitting our sins against God, and repenting.
“When David took his sin to God in Psalm 51 he took 100 percent responsibility! He did not blame Bathsheba and did not seek therapy or medications. He took his heart to God. Repented and pleaded with the Lord to forgive and cleanse him. And the Lord restored to him the joy of his salvation. David was truly broken before God. And the only answer he sought was the Lord.” Karen Cochran
MESSAGE RECEIVED:
“There are legitimate diseases and drugs. This is rather broad. You break your leg you go to the doctor don’t you? Same for mental, mood problems, right? I wouldn’t argue against scripture… but I also couldn’t believe you are the judge of every person who is medically assisted. Not every illness is miraculously healed. We live in a fallen world.”
REPLY:
You are using human reasoning so I will not answer this question. Drugging demons and depression is a cheap counterfeit and a mere band aid. It has never nor ever will result in curing the root. Jesus alone can make the heart right, not doctors. Where did Jesus or any of His apostles prescribe a drug, especially for someone’s mental state? Memorize Colossians 2:8-10.
We are complete in Christ who is our Salvation and He did a perfect work and lives to provide what He died to purchase (1 Thessalonians 5:23; Hebrews 4:14-16; 7:24-26). | Christ Lives to Provide What He Died to Purchase
Drugs dull and numb the mind and put a person in an altered state, not to mention that they are also proven to damage the internal organ. This numbing of the mind is of diabolical design in order to lead rebels into eternal damnation.
What does 2 Timothy 1:7 say? Devils have legal right to the minds of every person who has not truly repented and is not currently abiding in Christ. Sin gives an open door, legal right to Satan. Memorize James 4:7. Notice when the demon possessed maniac at Gadara had those demons cast out by Jesus…. what happened? What was his mental state, his mood?
‘And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and IN HIS RIGHT MIND: and they were afraid.’ Mark 5:15
Jesus didn’t prescribe a drug and we are to do what He did and not to do what He didn’t do. In fact He specifically commanded us to do such:
‘And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;’ Mark 16:17
Are those who take mood drugs, drugging demons?
This message in no way declares that every human malady is healed miraculously. This post does absolutely challenge with the Bible the idea of drugging our minds to effect our mood, our spiritual or psychological state. I am judging you as being biblical illiterate (John 7:24; 8:47) and certainly put no trust in your mere human reasoning or mind. Show us all one place in the Bible where Jesus, His apostles, or prophets ever prescribed a drug for a person’s mental, spiritual, psychological state? Waiting…. you gave no Scripture so apparently your trust is in something else other than God’s Word. You would do well to get into the Word.
Are you blessed or cursed?
‘Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.’ Jeremiah 17:5
Luke was a physician. God provides them. Yet the LORD is a Jealous God who is the only Soul-ution for our spirit, soul, and body (2 Chronicles 16:12). Drugging ourselves for our mental, spiritual, psychological state is something the LORD supplies through the fruit of the Spirit – love, joy, peace, etc. (Galatians 5:22-23).
The battle that rages is a spiritual battle. We shall suffer such attacks in the flesh as long as we are on earth and so submitting ourselves afresh in prayer to the LORD as you did is essential in the victory. Memorizing James 4:7 is amazing!!!
To say one needs a drug for his mood is to say Jesus didn’t do a complete work (2 Timothy 1:7). WHAT are the 9 dimensions of the ‘fruit of the Spirit’ which are born and alive in every truly abiding saint of Christ? (See Galatians 5:22-23.) There is no such thing as a disciple of Jesus, blessed with the fruit of the Holy Spirit – love, joy, peace – that takes a drug for their mood. They don’t need such a cheap demonic counterfeit.
Psalm 51 – after we seek the LORD in true repentance, He cleanses us, and restores unto us ‘the joy of thy salvation’ which is a whole, complete salvation – spirit, soul, mind, body (1 Thessalonians 5:23).
So if a Christian is taking a mood drug, are they trusting Christ or the drug?
‘And Asa in the thirty and ninth year of his reign was diseased in his feet, until his disease was exceeding great: yet in his disease he sought not to the LORD, but to the physicians.’ 2 Chronicles 16:12
So, will we trust the Great Physician or the worlds physicians?
The sin of unbelief (Hebrews 3-4).
‘How oft did they provoke him in the wilderness, and grieve him in the desert! 41 Yea, they turned back and tempted God, and LIMITED THE HOLY ONE OF ISRAEL. 42 They remembered not his hand, nor the day when he delivered them from the enemy.’ Psalms 78:40-42
There are so very many people who claim to be Christ’s yet they don’t listen to Christ – His written Word. No, they have no time to revel in ‘ALL things that pertain to life and godliness’ found in the ‘exceeding great and precious promises’ of the Word of God (2 Peter 1:3-4). Yet, these same people do spend endless energy and time listening to and obeying this fallen world’s mere human ‘experts.’ Sad. Telling. Bad fruit. Spiritual adultery. Hell awaits.
‘Thou shalt have no other gods before me.’ Exodus 20:3
Limiting God is a sin. Unbelief. ‘Yea, they turned back and tempted God, and LIMITED THE HOLY ONE OF ISRAEL’ (Psalms 78:41).
Are we forgetting the benefits the LORD provided in His perfect salvation?
‘Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:’ Psalms 103:2
We live in a drug-crazed, drug-dependent world. Isn’t using a drug for our mental, psychological, and spiritual state not an indictment upon our glorious LORD God who gave His only begotten Son for our redemption, our wholeness, our salvation? When He saves us we are born again and the divine Holy Spirit dwells in us, His temples (1 Corinthians 3:16). We are new creatures in Christ and yet by gullibly allowing a mere man to prescribe a drug, we forfeit the blessing of God (2 Corinthians 5:17-18). Repentance needed for ‘an evil heart of unbelief’ (Hebrews 3:12-15). God doesn’t band aid things, He heals and makes whole to the root. Dare we accuse the Almighty of shorting us, of the sacrifice of His Son not being enough, not providing a complete salvation?
“Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise.” Jeremiah 17:14
A mood drug is a band aid for the unrepentant – not the divine solution.
Got depression? Are you seeking the LORD in true repentance whereby He will grant you great joy? (Psalms 51; 2 Timothy 1:7)
Sin is the Root of all of Man’s Problems: Drugs are Never the Solution
Depression is merely the result of sin, of living in sin. Period. No stupid medicine has or ever will solve such. Only Jesus can and did solve man’s sin dilemma. Surrendering in repentant to the Savior is sin’s solution and all the evil it brings such as depression (Romans 6:23).
“Die to self! My depression left once I fully surrendered to the Lord my wicked self! Depression is all the result of you trying to do it in your own strength! And being stuck in self! Humbly surrender to God and He will lift you up out of the horrible pit (which is what depression is), the miry clay (despair) and set your feet upon the rock of Jesus! Then He will put a new song in your heart! A song of praise and thanksgiving to the Lord! (Psalm 40:2-3). The joy of the Lord will be your strength! (Nehemiah 8:10). Alleluia!” Karen Cochran
David had sinned grossly. He cried out to the LORD in sincere repentance. What happened that restored ‘the JOY of thy salvation’ to this man after God’s own heart? Can anyone find a mood drug in this divine prescription or anywhere in God’s Word?
‘Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. 9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. 11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. 12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.’ Psalms 51:8-12
Upon authentic repentance, David was restored to the joy of the LORD and upheld, uplifted by the Holy Spirit of God.
Those who refuse to truly repent and lay down their lives in this fleeting world are subjected and relegated to dependence on the world’s cheap substitutes which never get to the root of the issue but rather only mask it with a band aid. Until they see this for the sin it is, the sin of unbelief – out of ‘an evil heart of unbelief’ -they shall remain unstable, unsound, and in bondage to a drug (Hebrews 3:12-15).
THOSE WHO FOLLOW JESUS DON’T NEED AN ANTIDEPRESSANT BECAUSE THEY ARE FULL OF THE JOY OF THE LORD.
‘For the joy of the LORD is your strength.’ Nehemiah 8:10
The true born again disciple of Jesus, abiding daily in Him, is full of His divine ‘Love, JOY, peace…’ (Galatians 5:22-23) Such an authentic follower of Jesus doesn’t walk in ‘the counsel of the ungodly’ but rather in the counsel, the Word of God ‘and in his law doth he meditate day and night’ (Psalms 1). The joy of the LORD is our strength and abides and remains in His abiding disciples – so they have need of nothing, no counterfeit, no cheap substitute for what God provides!
‘These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.’ John 15:11
Never Underestimate the Power of Jesus!
As you read this fascinating story of maniacal demon possession, to solve this problem, ask what solution Jesus provided. Did the Son of God prescribe a drug, send someone to the doctor, or cast out the devils?
“And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes. And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains: Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him. And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones. But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him, And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not. For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit. And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many. And he besought him much that he would not send them away out of the country. Now there was there nigh unto the mountains a great herd of swine feeding. And all the devils besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them. And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea, (they were about two thousand;) and were choked in the sea. And they that fed the swine fled, and told it in the city, and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that was done. And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid. And they that saw it told them how it befell to him that was possessed with the devil, and also concerning the swine. And they began to pray him to depart out of their coasts. And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him. Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee. And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.” Mark 5:1-20
Here was a demon possessed maniac who was so overcome by the devil that he terrorized the whole town of Gadara, cried aloud, stripped himself, cut himself, and broke the chains that held him bound – until Jesus broke his chain! He was then off the chain – completely set free and “sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind” (Mk. 5:15).
The power of God changed this man’s life as it is changing lives today around the world. Jesus set this bound soul free from all those devils that had taken residence inside him and gave this man a sound mind! God be praised! God will take off the chain that binds every soul that hears and obeys His Gospel.
This once demon possessed maniacal man was now restored by Heaven’s King who came “to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:10).
“The thief (Satan) cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” John 10:10
WHEN we see humanity being stolen from, robbed, killed, destroyed, through sin and Satan, we must see through the eyes of Jesus, His Word.
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Ephesians 6:12
EVERY person we deal with, is a precious soul Jesus created and died for. Their outer shell might be very ugly, destroyed, nasty…. yet they are an eternal soul Jesus died and was raised again to save.
Father, please help us see Your truth, reality via Your kingdom eyes. Open our eyes that we might see as You see. In Jesus’ name LORD.
How did our LORD deal with the maniac at Gadara? He did not condemn, He cured!
Jesus came to save, to set men free from sin and Satan! We are His hands and feet in the earth!
God is Greater than all Falsehood
“Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God. For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar…” Romans 3:3-4
While in a retail location (car dealership) I was quickened by the Spirit to minister to a certain man in his 20’s. As I moved toward him, I saw what looked like an open Bible on his work station desk so I asked about it and he said “No, this is a Quran.” I said “Oh okay” and never slowed down or broke stride (by God’s grace) to worry about what diversionary tactic the enemy was using against this precious soul. So, immediately, with a hand of compassion on his shoulder, looked him in the eye and began to lovingly tell Him how much Jesus loved Him and died for his sins and that Christ was the only Person in history who foretold His own death, burial, and resurrection, and then accomplished it all, rising from the dead after dying on that cross on Calvary’s hill. I told him how that He is alive right now and forevermore to save to the uttermost! I shared with this man that only Jesus Christ bares nailed-scarred hands and feet to prove He is the very Son of God and paid the only price that propitiates (atones) for our sins, satisfying the claims of the Father’s justice. By this point this man’s eyes were filled with tears. The Holy Spirit was touching his searching heart which can never be filled or satisfied by anything but Christ, the Prince of peace, whose love and truth is communicated in and through His Word.
“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
The tears in this man’s eyes, emanating from his broken soul, can be a reminder to our understanding that God made all souls and that He can and will find and touch anyone He chooses through His Word, Spirit, and servants! (See Ezek. 18:4.) Never believe a lie or system of lies to be greater than the power of your God! The Jehovah Witness, Mormon, Islamic, Catholic religions are merely man-made religions and unlike the Gospel, have no power to redeem! The divine Person of the Holy Ghost is only behind and confirming the true Gospel with signs following, the greatest sign being the new birth in the hearts of men! (See Mk. 16:15-20; Jn. 3:3, 7; Tit. 3:5-6.) Only the Person and Gospel of Jesus Christ transforms lives completely – from the inside out! Only God can grant the new birth!
Could there possibly be any message in the world greater or more powerful than the one given by the One who made all things?
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” Romans 1:16
“Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?” Jeremiah 23:29
Only God can truly change a life from the inside out! Only Jesus can turn a heart of stone into a heart of flesh! (See Ezek. 36:25-27.) The Gospel is superior to any other system of religion. Nothing compares to the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ that has saved and sanctified millions of precious souls the world over and is still marching on across the nations, one heart at a time. Fear not – “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world” (1 Jn. 4:4). Saints, let us simply and obediently communicate God’s truth in love and watch Jesus work to save! – “I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase” (1 Cor. 3:6). He has promised to bless as you obey!
Jesus Never Fails!
Didn’t Jesus reach into your own hardened and wretched soul, interrupting your life of sin and save you?! If so, is He not able to do the same in others? Didn’t He tell us that His infinitely mighty arm is not shorted or hindered and that His ear is not closed and that He is able to save to the uttermost? (See Isa. 59:1-2; Heb. 7:24-26.) Let’s look at these words in Hebrews 7 – makes me want to shout with joy at the depth of divine revelation of His love and grace evident in this passage:
“But this man (Jesus), because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens.” Hebrews 7:24-26
Christ came in the volume of the book of which it is written to break the chains of sin and Satan and lies!
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.” Luke 4:18
Why Did Jesus Come?
“This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.” 1 Timothy 1:15
“For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.” 1 John 3:8
There is only ONE Glorious Gospel Revealing One Unique Savior!
“But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.” 2 Corinthians 4:3-7
The glorious Gospel of Jesus can go into the depths of the soul, convict, draw and save! Heavenly Father please forgive our unbelief and increase our faith, in Jesus’ name!
I must say that I was pleasantly surprised at the way Jesus touched the heart of this searching soul who was looking at someone else other than to the LORD for answers. His understanding had been diverted. My surprised response perhaps underscores the unbelief in my heart. God forgive me for counting the lies of Satan greater than the stone-crushing, devil-exterminating power of God’s eternal truth (Jer. 23:29). Never prejudge – just obey because “to obey is better than sacrifice” (1 Sam. 15:22). Always know that God’s Word never returns to Him void but always accomplishes that which He desires (Isa. 55:11).
In this late hour Christ is opening eyes and shattering the chains of darkness that bind so many – no matter what flavor of deception the enemy has used to blind them. The Holy Spirit and Word of God will break through to those who choose to have ears to hear. O LORD let the Gospel be heard from those whom He has found and redeemed – “Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy” (Ps. 107:2). Father please open doors for the ministry of Your Word. Open hearts and redeem souls Jesus! Our LORD Jesus came “To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me” (Acts 26:18).
JESUS came to make captives free. SATAN’s agents seek to put you in bondage! (Luke 4:18; John 10:10; Galatians 2:4-5; 5:1)
As the demon-possessed maniac at Gadara experienced, to those who hear, repent, and believe, Christ, the power of God, is the chain–breaking, shackle-shattering Savior and LORD!
“For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:18
“Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place. For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life.” 2 Corinthians 2:14-16
As we are blessed to communicate God’s love and Word, He is going to deliver souls and take people off the chain the enemy has bound them with!
“It is a spiritual issue. Was in my room reading then started getting all these thoughts to kill myself. It started getting louder I knew this was a demonic attack and I was being tested! I thought I was losing my mind but Jesus came through and protected me! Showed me what he was trying to show me through a fiery trial. It’s all spiritual! I’ve never had thoughts like that in my entire life. No explanation. Praise Jesus!!” Nicole
Do you think that if some believer had gotten to this searching man first and gave him a Bible and communicated the Gospel, that it would have prevented the deception of a foreign religion from encroaching upon his precious soul?
“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.” Mark 16:15-20
MESSAGE RECEIVED:
“So what are you saying people shouldn’t take antidepressants when they have a lack of serotonin in their brain which is why you take antidepressants?”
REPLY:
Is that the real answer? WHO gave that diagnosis? WHERE is our trust? Is GOD not enough to heal that supposed ailment if it’s true in the first place? Remember, doctors have to come up with a “diagnosis” in order to prescribe a drug. That’s how they make their money.
MESSAGE RECEIVED:
“Have you ever suffered with a mental illness?”
REPLY:
Is it real? Is the issue material or spiritual? That’s where so many have bought the lie from the world’s doctors instead of going to the Word of God. It’s time to cease making excuse, repent, get into the Word and obey God. HE alone is our Salvation and will bring perfect wholeness just as we see Him doing in the Gospels (1 Thessalonians 5:23). This is a spiritual issue and James 4:7 gives the divine solution to shutting Satan out:
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7
PRAYER: Glorious LORD Jesus, please forgive my evil heart of unbelief and grant my heart a fresh start this moment! I repent now of all the idolatry, and spiritual adultery, evil unbelief, and how I’ve not trusted You but rather mere men. Thank You for Your infinite power and desire to redeem men and thank You for finding and saving me dear LORD. I love You LORD Jesus and thank You so much that You had no beginning and have no end and have always been and ever live to make intercession for the souls of men who will come to You for Your salvation which includes their spirit, soul, and body. Your salvation is complete and provides for the whole person of those You redeem. Please make me whole – spirit, soul, and body. Grant a sound heart and sound mind and body. As Your people fervently await Your soon return, please open up doors to joyfully communicate Your eternal Gospel to others! In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
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Abiding
Bride of Heaven vs Harlot from Hell [podcast]
How Do We Know, Right Now, Who will be Seated at the at the Table, at the Great Supper of the Lamb? (Matthew 22; Revelation 19)
The remnant, those who will be present at the Great Supper of the Lamb in Heaven, are ALREADY feasting at the banqueting table of His Word. All others whom Jesus has saved in the past, are not fueled or flourishing but are rather famishing, fainting, and falling away.
The “little flock” of Christ desires to be with Him both now and forever, not just forever (Luke 12:32). They’ve been born again and present “abide” in/with the Savior (John 15:1-6).
No good man wants an arrangement but rather a marriage with a virtuous, faithful wife. He rightly desires a beloved wife in holy matrimony, not a whore to shack up with! Those who espouse OSAS are spiritual adulterers, whore mongers. They want a quick fix, an illicit affair that requires no commitment, carries no requirements.
The God fearing wife has set aside all else to serve her husband (1 Peter 3:1-7). She is not sidetracked nor does she waiver in her love and duty to her man. And this is what the true bride of Christ is doing today – setting aside the distractions and pursuits of this fleeting world and are seated at the feet of Jesus, waiting upon Him (1 John 2:14-17).
Her life is all about Him, not herself.
The heart of a true under shepherd is heard in these words from Christ’s apostle Paul: “I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.”
“For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. 3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.” 2 Corinthians 11:2-4
It’s the adulterous heart, the heart where Jesus is not truly the “first love,” the highest priority, that migrates to this sin-justifying system of theology called “eternal security” (Revelation 2:4-5). Jesus’ teaching concerning the five foolish virgins who were espoused to the Bridegroom (Jesus), and were later shut out of His bridal chamber, is clear proof that all who begin with Christ will not be with Him eternally (Matthew 25:1-13). Jesus invented the term “fall away” and told us that some who initially believe will later “fall away”—they will not “endure to the end” with Him (Luke 8:12-13; Matthew 10:22; 24:13). So, someone’s lying and it’s not the Son of God. Why would He use such words as “fall away” if these things weren’t possible, if it weren’t essential to “endure to the end” to be “saved”?
Paul says we, the saints of Christ on earth, are “espoused” to Christ the Bridegroom – engaged, not married (2 Corinthians 11:2-4).
With no exception, ALL wise virgin believers are in the Word daily. They commune with the Bridegroom and He fills them daily with His heavenly virtue, oil (Matthew 25:1-13).
Just because one is “espoused” to Jesus, that is, engaged to the Bridegroom of Heaven, doesn’t mean they will ultimately be married to Him as is proven in Christ’s parable of the 10 virgins where only 5 made it into the eternal bridal chamber with the bridegroom (Matthew 25:1-13). They other 5 were shut out for treating the engagement/espousal as a mere arrangement.
The most elaborate, the most grandiose dinner awaits the saints of Christ! Words cannot possibly express the grandeur of Christ’s welcoming dinner…. a celebration to end all others – the beginning, the inaugural celebration of eternity with Christ and His saints of all ages.
The foolish virgins are making excuse for sins (Proverbs 28:13a. The wise virgins are hastening to repentance (Matthew 25:1-13; Ephesians 5:25-27; 1 John 3:3; Revelation 19:7-10).
“Revelation 19:7-9: We are to ‘bear the image of the heavenly.’ (1 Cor 15:49).Our sinful nature crucified, sanctified, dead and buried, and then we take on the heavenly glorified nature of Christ! Our whole spirit, soul and body is being transformed more and more into the image of Jesus! (1 Thesolonians 5:23). We must be fully clothed in righteousness and holiness to enter the marriage supper of the Lamb! This is the only way to be accounted worthy! And not have our names blotted out of the book of life.” Karen Cochran
“Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour.” Proverbs 14:9
Mocking at sin relates to any lax or crass attitude toward what He that is Holy declares to be sin – which separates men from God. There’s is divine grace and favor on all who are honest, repent, and forsake sin.
“Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and HIS WIFE HATH MADE HERSELF READY. 8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. 9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.” Revelation 19:7-9
WHAT’s the use of talking about end times and the events of these final days if we aren’t even going to be “READY” when Jesus does return?
“Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.” Luke 12:40
Read the passage below as to exactly, specifically what Bride Jesus will return for and please explain how a person who genuinely got saved and now is living in sin is going to be Christ’s Bride eternally:
“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” Ephesians 5:25-27
“Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. 14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.” 2 Peter 3:12-13
As the husband and wife require their intimate personal time together for relations, so the bride of Christ must have her individual, set apart time of intimacy with the Bridegroom, Jesus. This is biblical imagery (Matthew 25:1-13; Ephesians 5:25-30; Revelation 19:7-9).
Christ’s bride that He will soon return for is holy and holy means set apart. Christ’s Heaven-bound disciples are known by their fervent loyalty to their Master, Jesus. Sweet fellowship with Christ is at the cornerstone of their schedule. The LORD is their undisputed priority. Having a daily, set apart time with Christ is essential of the infusion of Heaven’s nutrient-rich substance, to remaining in an abiding relationship with the Bridegroom (Psalms 27:4, 8; Matthew 5:6, etc.).
Drinking from the well of Heaven daily is the mainstay duty and practice of every true wise virgin believer (Matthew 25:1-13). Their relationship with their Bridegroom is their most important occupation. He’s absolutely first. Jesus is not a second class citizen in their life (Revelation 2:4-5).
Do we remember how Paul spoke of a man and wife coming together and how if they don’t, if they neglect intimacy, they will be tempted to migrate to someone else other than their mate? (1 Corinthians 7:1-5)
“Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. 2 Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. 3 Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband. 4 The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife. 5 Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.” 1 Corinthians 7:1-5
Are we, are you rendering “due benevolence” to your LORD and Savior, the Bridegroom of Heaven? If not, you are being drawn away to another lover, a false god, an altar of idol worship.
You are Cordially Invited to this Great Supper of and with the Lamb of God
“And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” Revelation 22:17
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Articles
Answered Prayer? WHY?
WHY Does God Answer Prayer?
On What Basis Does Our Access
to Him Come?
Salvation is in Christ alone. And so is answered prayer (John 14:6).
We don’t cross our fingers or knock on wood. That’s nothing but a bunch of false hope, luck, witchcraft. God’s people pray to the Father in the name of Jesus and God answers!
24 hour prayer? No. Where do we see the church doing 24 hours in the New Testament other than when Peter was locked up Acts 12? God answers prayers due to the name of Jesus, not because people pray around the clock…. sounds like works instead of faith which God requires, which pleases God (John 14:13-14; 16:23-24; Hebrews 11:6).
There’s no end to the phony gimmicks that Satan is using his human agents to use in replacing Jesus Christ from the center of salvation! There is no salvation without Jesus Christ! Read Colossians 2.
Man’s access to God is Jesus Christ, period (John 14:6; Acts 4:12; 1 Timothy 2:5, etc.). Anything added to this divine prescription makes it “another gospel”, a heretical false gospel (Galatians 1:6-9). Jesus Christ plus nothing equals salvation, access to God. There is none beside Him.
“Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.” Isaiah 45:22
God sent just One to die in our place, to forgive our sins and bring us to Himself!
“For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:” 1 Peter 3:18
Today we see SO much pride-filled witchcraft going on in the name of “prayer warriors” and special “intercessors”. Personally I am learning to stay clear of the “prayer warrior” terminology and those who claim they are such, etc. Seems to lift up us, the mere pray-ers, and not Him and leads to pride in people as they boast of themselves, that they get prayers answered or that their prayers and calling is more important than others. Nonsense! Prayers are answered on one basis – the blood, the cross, the name of Jesus Christ. Any and every child of God can pray in the name of Jesus and God will answer it based on the righteousness of His only begotten Son, not some “powerful prayer warrior” or self-appointed “intercessor” witch (John 14:13-14; 16:23-24).
Beware that in any “prayer group” all it takes is for just one of those members to introduce a sugar-coated stealth request or attitude and the whole group is influenced. The course and direction of that group will be off target from that time forward. This is why many a disciple has and is learning to keep things down to a simple minimum void of the “need” or false obligation to join in with any and every “prayer group” that comes along.
TODAY: Someone was circulating a request for Christians to come together at a certain time tonight to “visualize” something that pertained to our nation.
ANY time you see someone using the word “visualize”, or “visualization” it’s the devil! New Age, occultism that is in open denial of Jesus Christ, it’s antichrist. Satan’s whole job description is to STEAL, to kill, and to destroy (John 10:10). This is just another way he seeks to steal the glory from the only nail scarred risen LORD and Savior who alone paid the perfect price to bring men back to God! (Colossians 2:8-10, 18-19)
God answers HIS people’s prayer by His own blood that gave access to HIM, not us visualizing it, or quoting it enough times…. this robs the glory from Jesus Christ and gives it to men, sinners. ANTICHRIST!
Praying in Christ’s Kingdom is Definitive and Absolute
In Christ’s kingdom, praying is not a guessing game or a roll of the dice. Believers don’t need to “make a wish” because they have a God who answers all their prayers! The Almighty Himself beckons His children to simply “ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.”
“And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. 24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.” John 16:23-24
LET’S TALK ABOUT THE WITCHCRAFT!
I heard a “ministry” commercial beckoning people to send in their prayer requests so the false ministry could pray for those people in the “holy land.” As if that was going to be the reason God answered their prayers! Pure gimmick! Totally phony. WHY? WHY are prayers answered? Is it due to the geographic location on the earth from which prayer is made? Pure antichrist witchcraft! The NAME OF JESUS CHRIST is the only reason God saves and answers prayer! And you must know Him first of all!
If you are not born again, you are not yet a child of God. If you were saved in the past and yet are not praying in the name of Jesus, “the spirit of antichrist” has you (1 John 4:3). You are backslidden and in denial of Christ (Matthew 12:30; John 14:13-14; 16:23-24).
SOME are under the delusional myth that if 1,000 pray that God will answer prayer. Some erroneously believe that the more quantity of people who pray, the more God will answer. Not! Stop it now! Rid your mind of this…. here’s why…
“Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” Matthew 18:19-20
Two or more Jesus says…. makes no difference if it’s 2 or 2 million BECAUSE PRAYER IS ANSWERED BY FAITH IN AND DUE TO THE NAME OF JESUS, not the amount of people praying (John 14:13-14; 16:23-24).
“And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.” Acts 3:16
Answered prayer is just like salvation – it only comes in the name, the divine authority of Jesus Christ.
“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12
YOU have NO clue how much power is at your disposal …. if you simply abide and ASK …. in the ALMIGHTY name of Jesus….. WHATTTT DID HE SAY???? CAN YOU READ??????
SATAN is always trying to remove the worship of CHRIST (Colossians 2:8, 18-19). That’s his job, right? (John 10:10) We do not earn our place with God. Answered prayers from God are not by continuous intercession, fasting, and repentance! NO! While those things, namely repenting are essential, we must realize that all these things are gifts from God which came only by the perfect sacrifice of Christ. Over emphasizing anything else, even good things, is not holding up and exalting the HEAD, Christ but rather robbing the glory due His holy name alone (Colossians 2:18-19). Let’s read what Jesus said about our access to God, praying and the simplicity of it…. John 14:13-14; 16:23-24…. EVERY blessing of salvation comes exclusively through JESUS CHRIST.
When we pray in the name above all names, let us rest in the NAME of Jesus, the only reason why any prayer can be answered! Matthew 11:28-30 amen?
Repentance is a necessity. God requires it (Luke 13:3, etc.). And yet Christ alone paid the way with His own blood for us to be saved and receive all the blessings of God. Book of Hebrews!
PRAYER is ONLY answered by GOD through JESUS CHRIST – not “prayer bracelets,” a pagan rosary used by bead-counting pagans, mary, the phony pope of rome, or any other gimmick…. Repent of the witchcraft now or you will perish. PRAYER CHAIN? 24 Hour prayer (except for in extreme danger situations (Acts 12)? No. ALL FLESH! WHY is prayer answered? Because many are involved? No. Because we pray long? NO! Prayer is answered through CHRIST not a chain or the amount of people or time! This type stuff sounds holy on the surface yet is a ploy of the enemy to rob the glory from Christ.
NEVER formularize God or praying to Him. Many heresies are circulating which sound holy and yet are poisonous! Beware saints. We have access to God by faith and only and exclusively in the LORD JESUS CHRIST who perfectly won salvation for us on that cross in which He bled to redeem us!
The blessings of the kingdom of God are appropriated by faith via the perfect, finished work of Christ! Romans 4-5
Beware of the good luck charm shotgun praying methods men and devils seek to utilize. God set forth a simple, clear plan for His children to have their prayers answered by Him.
The biblical key we should behold is that whether there is one person or many praying, it’s only effective in the eyes of God if the emphasis is placed on JESUS CHRIST’s heavenly priesthood and not anything else. The erroneous idea perpetrated today is that because many people are praying in a “chain” the prayer will be answered. This is evil – seeking to rob the glory from Christ alone!
Justification and all the blessings of God are individually appropriated BY FAITH in the finished work of Christ which alone gives us access to the throne and blessings of God.
Jesus Christ is the only way of salvation and the only way for answered prayer for those who are authentically born again. The unsaved can pray till they faint and those prayers are not promised to be answered, except a sincere prayer of repentance and faith to be saved. How be be Saved
God the Father answers prayer and does miracles in the name of Jesus and on His perfect merit alone! (John 14:13-14; 16:23-24) Anything added is of Satan in order to draw attention from and steal the glory from Christ! (Colossians 2:18-19)
The biblical key to know is that all prayer is answered by the Father through Christ – and not by any fleshly endeavor such as seeing how many people we can get to pray for some situation – as if the name of JESUS CHRIST were not enough for God to answer our prayer! Read John 14:13-14; 16:23-24 afresh.
Jesus for Salvation
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6
No one can approach the Father for salvation or answered prayer but through the name above all names – the name of Jesus Christ.
“He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.” John 5:23
Ask the Father in Jesus’ Name for Answered Prayer
IS OUR FAITH in our own ability to accomplish a certain thing? OR is our faith in God through Christ? Simply ask Him saints…. here’s how ….
“And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.” John 14:13-14
DID GOD say He answers prayers if a lot of people are praying (un-biblical “prayer chain”) OR because an individual or 2 born again Christians pray in the name of Jesus????? (John 14:13-14; 16:23-24) Same principle: Did Jesus or His New Testament disciples have a rosary? No. Counting beads while praying pagan prayers is never going to get a prayer answered from God.
Of many of the prayers we see in Scripture, brother Charles Pray notes:
“Many of the prayers from the mighty men of God and Jesus Himself were prayers they made alone either on the mountain top or in the wilderness by themselves to God directly Amen. As we see in God’s Word, I also believe that worship to God includes corporate prayer and in all cases God is receiving all the Glory and honor only due to Jesus’ ultimate, perfect sacrifice.”
Launching a campaign to get “as many people as possible praying” in a so called “prayer chain” on a certain matter is never seen in the New Testament. The idea of this all by itself is saying that JESUS’ divine Person and perfect sacrifice was not enough to get God to answer our prayers. Read Hebrews. Prayer is a simple, humble request to God through Christ – the only reason we have access to God. Putting the emphasis on numbers of people we can get praying is stealing the glory from the nail scarred risen Savior who bled, was buried, and raised again to give each individual saint access to Him and the Father. Praying together is biblical but not seeing how many people we can ramp up.
“Prayer chains” or things like 24 hour prayer are no where in God’s Word – and take the emphasis off of Jesus, which is Satan’s design – to rob the Son of God of the glory due only to Him (Romans 11:36). Jesus’ blood is the only reason we have access to God – CHRIST’s perfect sacrifice. Take a close look at Colossians 2:18-19.
There doesn’t need to be a whole lot of people praying. No, there needs to be one or more praying with pure, sincere heart full of faith. Jesus promises He will answer when we pray to the Father in His holy name.
Did the LORD ever say anything like “Without working hard it is impossible to please Me.” No.
“But WITHOUT FAITH it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Hebrews 11:6
Are you living by faith or do you have “an EVIL heart of unbelief”?
“Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. 13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; 15 While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.” Hebrews 3:12-14 Fresh Start with God
SATAN’S job is to steal glory from Christ. Let’s not help him! Elevate Jesus, the only Head of HIS body (Colossians 2:18-19)
PRAYERS are answered by God only after one is truly born again and prays to the Father in Jesus’ name.
“And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. 24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name (on the basis of My authority): ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.” John 16:23-24
Learn this truth and “your joy” will “be full.” If you for a moment believe that your prayers can be answered by God based upon any goodness or performance of your own, you have been deceived.
Praying in Christ’s Kingdom is Definitive and Absolute
In Christ’s kingdom, praying is not a guessing game or a roll of the dice. Believers don’t need to “make a wish” because they have a God who answers all their prayers! The Almighty Himself beckons His children to simply “ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.”
Pray harder? No! Pray in faith out of a pure heart to the Father in the mighty name of Jesus Christ!
It’s time to cease complicating these simple truths the LORD gives us!
Jesus alone purchased you and your place with God. Prayerfully pour over this truth in Romans 4:4-5 and Titus 3:5-6.
In contrast to the good luck, shot in the dark, bead counting, prayer genie, new age occultic visualization, Christ-denying concoctions of the world’s cults, the Father promises and answers the prayers of His saints, ALL who trust Jesus Christ, His holy name alone, as the exclusive reason for all access to the one true and only God.
BEWARE OF THE GLORY-ROBBERS! Colossians 2:18-19
FIND one “prayer chain” in the Bible. Nowhere. The number of people doesn’t get a prayer answered, the NAME OF JESUS DOES!!!! (John 14:13-14; 16:23-24)
Isn’t the idea of a “prayer chain” paramount to the pagan, catholic rosary? Same devil behind it! It shuns Christ’s perfect sacrifice which exclusively gives us access to God! (Hebrews 4:14-16; 7:34-35; 10:19-21, etc.)
“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;” 1 Timothy 2:5
JESUS CHRIST alone bought our access to the Father with His own precious blood! (Hebrews 4:14-16; 7:24-26; 10:19-22) Trying to confess your sins to another sinner – a priest dressed up in a black costume, “Practicing His presence,” or saying a rosary, novena or any other type witchcraft is an occult, works-based, Christ-denying, glory-robbing, works-based, Christ-defying lying philosophy that contradicts Scripture. Repent sinner. Prayers are only answered by the Father in THE NAME OF JESUS!
“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” Romans 5:1-2
All of our own good works or righteousness is as putrid in the eyes of the Almighty as can be stated. The Bible puts it this way:
“But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” Isaiah 64:6
Attention: YOU are a sinner and nothing you could do could change that. Christ alone can justify you – by mercifully granting you HIS righteousness.
“But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation (atoning sacrifice) through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;” Romans 3:21-25
Here’s the only way to be saved, forgiven, and have God answer your prayers:
“For by grace (unmerited favor) are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9
Are you willing to admit the obvious – that you are a sinner in need of the Savior? If you are ready to make peace with your Maker, go here.
GOD is not a genie or slot machine. We don’t obey Him to get something from Him but because we are choosing to love and worship Him for who He is, the Almighty, supreme LORD our Redeemer!
Bead Counting Counterfeit
Here’s an obvious example of how Satan seeks to rob the glory from Christ by getting his prey focused on something, anything else but the nail-scarred, risen LORD and Savior:
SCAM ALERT: The catholic rosary is an antichrist scam – making people believe that praying and counting beads is going to get them to God or get their prayers answered. Being forgiven, being right with God, and answered prayer, comes exclusively – ONLY – by the LORD Jesus Christ! All else is a scam! The LORD continually warns us to “Beware of false prophets”! Any person who does not come to God in repentance and faith THROUGH CHRIST, will have their eternal soul scammed/cast into hell forever.
Long before the roman catholic cult arose, bead counting to earn favor from God has been around. It’s an ancient pagan practice.
Christ alone gets the glory for access to the Father and answered prayer – not you for all your 24 hour praying, bead-counting rosary praying, supposedly practicing His presence, or any other human effort.
“But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.” Matthew 6:7
Many today vainly believe that they shall be heard of God for something other than the blood and mercy of Jesus Christ. They believe they are earning their way to God and answered prayer by their own self effort of much praying, and other forms of asceticism (suffering to earn divine merit). This is paganism and shows they are not trusting the LORD but self.
“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Hebrews 11:6
“I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which thou hast shewed unto thy servant.” Genesis 32:10
“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;” Titus 3:5-6
“Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” Romans 4:4-5
Prayer is the divinely granted privilege of all who have truly been born again into Christ and His body. The precious precious blood of Jesus Christ alone purchased them to the Father in salvation and this includes every good blessing that accompanies salvation including answered prayer. Jesus says to His own to simply “Ask and it shall be given you” (Matthew 7:7) and “If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.” (John 14:13-14)
We have access to God through Christ alone – for salvation and prayer.
“Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; 21 And having an high priest over the house of God; 22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;).” Hebrews 10:19-23
Debbie Lord writes:
“We should always be reminded of what a precious gift prayer really is. Communing directly with the Father–Who was and is and always shall be, and the Great Lover of our souls, This communion made possible by and in the Name of His humble, obedient and beautiful only begotten Son, who overcame all temptation and sin and willingly shed His blood in tortuous sacrifice. The veil was torn at the moment of His death so we could be one in Him, our Lord and King, together with the Father.”
Yes, God requires our faith and obedience and such is vital to our relationship with Christ and answered prayer. Yet, first and foremost, we are brought into relationship with the Father through he merit of Christ Jesus alone and it’s through His holy, wonderful, Almighty name that our prayers are answered. Making Peace with God
“If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” John 15:7
Beloved, YOUR PRAYERS are not answered because you or your group is so special. Prayers are not answered by God due to any mere flesh or because someone stages themself to be this big “prayer warrior” or “intercessor.” Oh no! No, God has no respect of persons and you and your group are depraved, wretched, and “filthy rags” outside of the present mercy of Jesus Christ (Psalms 139:4-5; Isaiah 64:6; Romans 7:18). God does not answer prayer because any of us are so “wonderful” but rather because of the one and only “Wonderful Counselor”! (Isaiah 9:6-7) Prayers are not answered because someone pretends to have a more direct line to God! – “Ye are dead and your life is hid with Christ in God.” (Colossians 3:3) If you are hidden with Christ presently, you can have your prayers answered on Christ’s authority/Name alone! “ALL power (authority) in heaven and in earth” is given to Him, not you (Matthew 28:18-20). Jesus is the only direct line or access to the Father, period! Christ alone is the only reason you have access and salvation. When we get impressed with Jesus Christ, all mere men will pale and we shall then repent and put away the idols of our hearts (Ezekiel 14:3). God will share His glory with no mere man (Isaiah 42:8). Answered prayer is due to the perfection of Jesus Christ and let’s make sure that HE ALONE is receiving the glory for buying us back to the Father and making us one with Him. The blood of His cross bought us back to the Father (Colossians 1:20). It’s time to cease robbing the glory from the only One it’s due to – Jesus Christ! His blood alone accomplished such an otherwise impossible task! – “And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.” (John 14:13-14) When you pray in Jesus’ name, you are praying in His authority and upon HIS MERIT which is perfection! Now, JUST ASK HIM – ASK< ASK< ASK! What are you waiting for?
The title or calling for any mere man of a “prayer warrior” or special “intercessor” appears nowhere in the Bible and in my estimation seems to steal the glory from the One who bled to purchase our redemption and answered prayers. This title seems to place undue importance upon the pray-er (person praying) than upon the nail-scarred risen LORD and Savior, who alone made our salvation and access to God possible.
Those who are God’s are brought into relationship with Him through Christ alone. He hears their prayers. They have such privilege on the basis of the mighty, divine, glorious Name of Jesus Christ!
We are saved by Christ alone and the sheer mercy of the Father given to us due only to the sacrifice of His only begotten Son. We are redeemed and called to glorify His holy name alone!
“O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.” Psalms 34:3
“Let them praise thy great and terrible name; for it is holy.” Psalms 99:3
“Forasmuch as there is none like unto thee, O LORD; thou art great, and thy name is great in might.” Jeremiah 10:6
“O my God, incline thine ear, and hear; open thine eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by thy name: for we do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousnesses, but for thy great mercies.” Daniel 9:18
Jesus came and died, was buried, and rose again to share His Father’s love with all who will. Yet, Jesus will not, under and circumstance share his divine glory with any mere man.
“I am the Lord: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.” Isaiah 42:8
There’s only One to glory in – The only One in whom we have been granted “righteousness”:
“That no flesh should glory in his presence. 30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:29-31
Jesus Christ’s sinless, holy, divine blood won your access to God:
“Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:14-16
The Great Intercessor
“But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.” Galatians 4:4-5
When God could find no other to stand in the gap bridging the chasm that separated Him from fallen mankind, in the fullness of times, He sent His only begotten Son.
“And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.” Ezekiel 22:30
No one else was worthy or qualified to pay that ultimate ransom price. Jesus Christ alone came – with the help of no other mere man – and paid in full price for his redemption. Christ satisfied the claims of the Father’s justice to buy man back to Himself.
“God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; 3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high:” Hebrews 1:1-3
Christ now sits at His Father’s right hand, making intercession and mediation for all who will repent and receive Him.
“But this man (Jesus), because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. 25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. 26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens.” Hebrews 7:24-26
Your justification and salvation are because of Jesus Christ alone and not due to your own merit. In fact, you and I deserve only judgment for our sins yet through Christ we get justification! Fallen, Depraved Mankind
It is clear that our LORD wanted to be most remembered for the price He single-handedly paid for our sins:
“For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: 24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, this cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. 26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.” 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
Our access to God came at a very high price – the highest price that has ever or ever will be paid. When Jesus was dying on that cross to redeem us, He said “It is finished” which means that the price of our redemption had been “paid in full!” (John 19:30) Jesus was intent upon us remembering this price that He paid. He wants to be “crucified among you (us).” (Galatians 3:1)
LET’S LEARN GOD’S WORD TOGETHER – ONE TRUTH AT A TIME: This message was sent out to each person who is on the Moments for My Master e-mail devotional list. In supplementation to your personal daily study of God’s Word, we would love to add you and have the privilege of nourishing your heart with God’s Word (Jn. 5:39; 1 Tim. 4:6, 16; Heb. 5:11-14; 1 Pet. 2:2). Sign up here.
Feedback:
“This is powerful message. Thank you Christ. You are our Provider. He already knows what we have need of even before we pray. He answers us according to his Word. He has answered many of my prayers in the past and He will in the future when we seek Him and empty our selves of our selves. Then the answer comes . Flesh is as grass and it will wither away but the Spirit is eternal and so is His Word.” Carol B.
“This is just wonderful! I love reading these every day! I love where you said, “It’s time to cease robbing the glory from the only One it’s due to – Jesus Christ!” AMEN! He is to get ALL the glory! Going to share this one. 🙂 God bless!” Karen R.
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