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Martin Bobgan, PhD.

So . . . what do you think Jesus would say to pop singer Madonna? While former reporter and atheist, now assistant pastor at Willow Creek Community Church Lee Strobel admits he’s “not pretending to have divine revelation from God on what Jesus would say,” his book title, What Jesus Would Say, gives the impression he has a pretty good idea about what Jesus would say. But, we have to wonder what Jesus he’s talking about, because his Jesus sounds more like a pop-psych-pastor than God the Son. Strobel’s Jesus identifies Madonna’s problem as a self-esteem issue. Self-esteem? That’s because it’s easier to get someone to come to church if you identify one’s problem as low self-esteem instead of sin. And, contrary to what so many pastors-turned-pop-psychologist like Strobel would have you believe, the Bible says: “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves. . .” (2 Timothy 3:1,2).

Promise Keepers also promote self-esteem and self-love. The following is from Promise Keepers Newsletter, Winter, 1993:

Many Christian single men have fought the battle to build their own self-worth, self-esteem, and self-love. They have learned that it is impossible to have a healthy relationship with others while having an unhealthy relationship with one’s self. Jesus recognized this when He challenged us to love our neighbor as we would love ourself (Mark 12:31).
In their eagerness to embrace psychological teachings of the world, Promise Keepers shift the thrust of the verse and make it sound as if we are commanded to love ourselves. But Jesus gave two commandments: to love God and to love neighbor. Loving self was not a commandment, but rather the manner in which to follow the second commandment. In other words, loving self is the natural human propensity. The very statement of Jesus is built on the fact that people already love themselves (see also Ephesians 5:28,29).

Christianity is about a loving relationship with the Lord and about loving one another. Christ did not teach his disciples to love themselves, but rather assumed that they already did when he said: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself” (Luke 10:27). Just as we naturally care for ourselves and want what is good for ourselves, we are to care for others and want what is good for them.

An individual wrote to us and asked how Proverbs 19:8; Proverbs 8:35,36; and Proverbs 15:32 might relate to the idea that “we already love ourselves” and “don’t hate ourselves.”

Here is what we understand these verses to mean and how they do or do not relate to self-love and self-hatred. “He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good” (Proverbs 19:8). While everyone already loves himself, not all people are wise. While they may love to indulge themselves in foolishness, they do not care for their soul, their spiritual life; therefore the encouragement is to get wisdom and keep understanding. An analogy might be that we must eat to live, but those who eat unwisely do not properly care for their bodies. This verse does not refute “we already love ourselves.” Proverbs 8:35 continues that same theme regarding wisdom: “For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD.” These Proverbs offer two options:(1) finding God’s wisdom and thereby living a good or godly life, or (2) refusing God’s wisdom and losing the possibility for living a good life.

The next two verses speak warnings to those who choose option 2. “But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death” (Proverbs 8:36). Those of whom the verse speaks love themselves more than they love God, but in the long run they will destroy themselves. It is not that they actively “love death” or that they hate themselves.

It is that the arrogant self-indulgence of hating God and going one’s own way is spiritual death. The same is true for Proverbs 15:32, “He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.” It is not active self-hatred here but rather a warning that one’s soul is in jeopardy if one refuses the Lord’s instruction. The contrast is that those who “heareth reproof getteth understanding.”

The following is from our book Prophets of PsychoHeresy II regarding self-hatred:

    Now we are not saying that there are no individuals who genuinely think that they hate themselves. However, what they generally hate is something about themselves or their circumstances. They exhibit actual love for themselves in that they continue to spend most of their time concerned about themselves, even if it is with unhappy thoughts. They generally get to the point where they are unhappy about themselves because a discrepancy exists between their aspirations or desires and their performance or condition. This intensive hate is evidence of high self-interest.

The problem is always the self-focus with people who think they hate themselves or think they need to love themselves more.

In his book Life in the Spirit, Martyn Lloyd-Jones says:

    The real cause of failure,ultimately, in marriage is always self and the various manifestations of self. Of course that is the cause of trouble everywhere and in every realm. Self and selfishness are the greatest disrupting forces in the world. All the major problems confronting the world, whether you look at the matter from the standpoint of nations and statesmen, or from the standpoint of industry and social conditions, or from any other standpoint—all these troubles ultimately come back to self, to ‘my rights,’ to ‘what I want,’ and to ‘who is he?’ or ‘who is she?’ Self, with its horrid manifestations, always leads to trouble, because if two ‘selfs’ come into opposition there is bound to be a clash. Self always wants everything for it-self. That is true of my self, but it is equally true of your self. You at once have two autonomous powers, each deriving from self, and a clash is inevitable. Such clashes occur at every level, from two people right up to great communities and empires and nations.

Self-esteem teachings distort the Bible, reflect the world, and appeal to the natural man. The Bible teaches believers to esteem others better than self, to love one another as we already love ourselves, and to deny self daily.

(From PAL V3N2)

CALL and get on the FREE PsychoHeresy Awareness Newsletter, it’s great: 1-800-216-4696

PsychoHeresy Awareness Ministries, 4137 Primavera Road, Santa Barbara, CA 93110

http://psychoheresy-aware.org

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 with 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 for free email devotional HERE… The Moments with My Master email devotional is sent out for the edification of the body of Christ.

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Articles

Mission Mexico Part 29

Dios ama al pueblo de México. English: God loves the people of Mexico.

May God bless the glorious, bless-ed nation and people of Mexico, en El nombre de JesuCristo!!!!

And may the people of Mexico give God the glory be honoring the Son of God who is Jesus Christ – who died, was buried, and raised again from the dead for our justification! (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) Repent and believe the Gospel! (Acts 20:21)

Here in Mexico, over 5,000 Jesus tracts have been distributed with the spoken Word in Spanish.

JESUS CHRIST IS MINISTERING TO AND SAVING SOULS!!!!


Because you care, this beloved woman received ministry in the form of a warm delicious hot meal and cold water and JESUS tract, etc. And and so did the 3 young men whom I hired to feed her just what she wanted. They were all ministered to, extensively with the spoken Word and JESUS tracts. And they were each instructed to go home and repent and receive Jesus.


DEVELOPING BY WAY OF THE LORD. As you know, our God is so very good! (Psalm 86)

Remember this?

UPDATE: I went to see beloved Luis who received extensive ministry last week. Soon as he saw me he said “Put God first brother!” I said amen yes sir. He’s been reading the Bible verses Manuel and I are sending him. He told me that he saw Denzel Washington say “Put God first is all things!” That obviously hit home in Luis’ heart and it’s God’s truth (Matthew 6:33). Beware we parted he pointed at me with a big smile and said “Put God first!” Your prayers for Luis invited saints. Jesus is able! – “Ask and ye shall receive.” Matthew 7:7

As God would have it, kingdom connections.

“That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; ” Colossians 2:2

YESTERDAY: Manuel asked me to come have breakfast with him at his resuarant (that he and his wife own). The food was amazing. Gabriela came over to talk to us and we then realized that her and I had fellowshipped at one of the restuarants she manages. Manuel and Gabriela are friends and they fellowship often as she comes to eat at his restuarant. Our LORD put it on Manuel’s heart to fellowship yesterday and to see if we can work together – by putting his name and phone number on the back of the JESUS tracts that are being passed out here. 5,000 so far. More going out daily. Having Manuel’s contact information on the tracts will help people who can connect with him for further ministry, salvation, growing in Christ, etc.

Manuel told me that he is interested in us working together by putting his information on the back of the JESUS tracts so that the Spanish speaking Mexican people who receive these Gospel tracts can contact him to be saved or for fellowship if they are already saved. This will be amazing as there are so many hungry people here in Mexico. They are delighted to receive the love of God in the form of the spoken Word and the JESUS tract in Spanish.

Manuel is now connected with brother Vicente. Both of them have restaurants. Manuel is setting up a fellowship meeting with Vicente and myself…. also to work together with the influx of so many new people being evangelized. Both these men are part of local fellowships.


If you wish to help see the continuation of this ministry outreach to the people of Mexico, feel free to participate by supplying ……. Your prayers are being heard and answered by our LORD – for the fruitfulness and furtherance of this Gospel Mission to the beautiful people of Mexico who are overwhelmingly receptive to the Gospel of our LORD Jesus Christ. Please pray. Thank you. “God is able …”

“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,” Ephesians 3:20

Thanks for declaring with your prayer and support that the beloved souls of the Mexican people matter!!!! – because they do! Jesus is King and He’s coming saints!


Ministry books continue to go out weekly to the incarcerated.   Sending the Divine Light into “The Prison House” [podcast]


TODAY as I handed a Spanish language JESUS tract to one Mexican man and spoke God’s Word to him, another bless-ed man nearby looked at me with a “Please don’t leave me out” expression. This happens often. Of course he also received God’s Word in spoken and printed form. The hunger for God is beyond refreshing!

Jesus is King. | Mission Mexico



“And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” Matthew 24:14

Are you asking the LORD, like Isaiah, to prepare and send you? Jesus says “Go.”

See Isaiah 6 and Romans 10:14-15.

You have been lifting Julio in prayer. The LORD is answering those prayers. Julio and I have been communicating today and Vicente, a dear and strong brother in Christ, is taking over to help Julio with getting saved, prayer, and godly fellowship!!!! Several relationships are transpiring this way which is amazing since these men all speak the beautiful language of Spanish. Amen.

From Julio just now:

“I would like to ask you to pray for me, for my children, for my family, for my marriage, for my finances, and of course, that God gives me the wisdom to learn His word. Perfect, I’d be delighted to hear from Vicente. We’re actually looking for someone to support us. Thank you so much, Todd.” Julio

Saints, God is hearing the prayers of His saints in the name of Jesus Christ our LORD! (John 14:13-14)

There are at least 2 strong, Holy Ghost filled Mexican men of God’s Word who are now helping with the people who are being evangelized. They are both members of Bible believing fellowships.




The 3 Ways God’s People Participate in Christ’s Great Commission

1. Praying for Christ’s labourers (Matthew 9:35-38).

2. Witnessing, evangelizing, sowing and communicating the Word to the lost (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 8:11).

3. Supporting, supplying those of God’s people who are doing His Great Commission, preaching the Word (Matthew 6:19-21; 2 Corinthians 9:6-11; Philippians 2:25; 4:16-20).

PWS = Praying. Witnessing. Supporting.


Your prayers for these beloved people are being heard by our LORD. Col. 4:12 covers it all !!!! Here and now, YOU are being invited to pray. John 14:13-14


Cesar was given a JESUS tract and had the Word of God spoken to him. As he was listening to the Gospel his eyes welled up with tears. He was invited to repent and receive Jesus which he immediately desired and agreed to do. Cesar prayed in repentance and faith – confessing himself to have sinned against God and receiving Jesus as his LORD and Savior.

Jesus is saving souls saints. That’s why He came!

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

Please lift our new brother in Christ in prayer. Col 4:12; Ps 138:8

The LORD and Savior of Mission Mexico is Alive and Well



God commands men who are called to “preach the word” and to also “do the WORK of an evangelist.” 2 Timothy 4:2-5



UPDATE: Brothers Justin and Daniel are growing in our LORD’s grace 2 Peter 3:18 Thank you that you have and will continue to lift them in prayer. God is so good. Fruit that remains saint, amen! John 15:16



“Such amazing testimonials of what the Lord is doing in the humble people of Mexico! And also seems the Lord is bringing laborers into the harvest. Hallelujah.” Karen Cochran



Support | STORE | Podcasts | Jail/Prison Ministry | Mexico Mission here | Zambia Mission All Ministry Updates | The Greatest of these is Charity | Be Ready in the Morning [podcast] | The Sure Mercies of David [podcast] | That Repentance and Remission of Sins should be Preached [podcast] | At His Feet | Prepared to be Used of God  | Great Commission

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Angry Street Preacher Warning

“Ye Know not what Manner of spirit ye are of” [podcast]


“God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day.” Psalms 7:11

3 Things to behold in this verse:

1. “GOD judgeth the righteous,”
2. “and God is angry with the wicked every day.”

Read the verse above again and note that GOD didn’t tell you to be angry with the wicked.

The LORD alone is “Holy, holy, holy” and I am not, neither is any mere man (Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8).

“For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.” James 1:20

Memorize this verse of truth.

God is “THE JUDGE” not you.

“But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.” Psalms 75:7

The LORD is judging, weighing in the balance the disposition of His people toward the wicked for whom Jesus died.

Some of Jesus’ own 12, sought self-elevation via ministry…..

“Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest. 47 And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by him, 48 And said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great.” Luke 9:46-48 

In the very next chapter, after His disciples had returned…

The Return of the Seventy-Two

“And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. 18  And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. 19  Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. 20  Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.” Luke 10:17-20

We are Christ’s humble servants. We are not the Judge. He is.

“Then came to him the mother of Zebedee’s children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him. 21 And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom. 22 But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able. 23 And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.

24 And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren. 25 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. 26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; 27 and whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: 28 even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:20-28

But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. 9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. 10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. 11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.” Matthew 23:8-12

Evangelism Prep

They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. 6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” Psalms 126:5-6

Those who go forth planting the seed of the Word God with humble concern for those they minister to, will reap great rewards, “sheaves” which means harvest, now and eternally. They are humble servants of the LORD who were “moved with compassion” toward lost souls.

“And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem, 52  And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him. 53  And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem. 54  And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did? 55  But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. 56  For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.” Luke 9:51-56

Let’s peer into what things looked like when Jesus went to the streets to meet the people. Let’s comprehend how His disposition was and the actions of the Son of God.

“And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. 36 But when he saw the multitudes, HE WAS MOVED WITH COMPASSION ON THEM, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. 37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; 38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.” Matthew 9:35-38

Jesus was “moved with compassion” on the people. Sadly, today we have some street preachers who are moved with hatred toward the lost. John Wesley (1703 – 1791) also dealt with angry street preachers.

Paul and John Wesley and we today have these angry, hate-filled lost soul street preachers to deal with. And we have those who are “moved with compassion” to reach the lost with our LORD’s bless-ed Gospel and the way He approached sinners (Matthew 9:35-38).

“The greatest contenders for (the faith) are some of the proudest (pride-filled) and most uncharitable (hateful) men; but many of the firmest contenders for it (the faith) are eminently meek and lowly in heart; and, indeed, in all other respects also, (they are) truth followers of their lamb-like Lord.” John Wesley

“So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. 12 For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.” Isaiah 55:11-12

Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:” Philippians 2:3-5

God bless the true loving, God fearing preachers on the streets.

But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel; 13 so that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places; 14 and many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. 15 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: 16 the one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: 17 but the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel. 18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.” Philippians 1:12-18

Beware of the nasty street preachers.

Support | STORE | Podcasts | Jail/Prison MinistryMexico Mission here | Zambia Mission | All Ministry UpdatesThe Greatest of these is Charity | Be Ready in the Morning [podcast] | The Sure Mercies of David [podcast] | That Repentance and Remission of Sins should be Preached [podcast] | At His Feet | Prepared to be Used of God  | Great Commission

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Abiding

The Chosen are being Called and Prepared to “Go” [podcast]


Jesus didn’t say “stay.”

Jesus commanded us to “Go” ( Matthew 28:18-20).

“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” Mark 16:15

“They Desire a Better Country”

“Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country , and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee:” Genesis 12:1

“By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange COUNTRY, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:” Hebrews 11:9

“For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a COUNTRY.” Hebrews 11:14

“And truly, if they had been mindful of that COUNTRY from whence they came out, they might have had the opportunity to have returned.” Hebrews 11:15

“But now they desire a better COUNTRY, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he has prepared for them a city.” Hebrews 11:16

Billions lie unreached.

Ask of me, and I shall give  thee  the heathen  for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth  for thy possession.” Psalms 2:8

BE WARNED….

That if you dare ask God to prepare and use you, the adventure of serving as you are accomplishing His Great Commission is going to begin and gain steadily increasing traction and fruitfulness! Read John 15:1-16.

It all begins with a simple, sincere prayer, a request to God to use you and therefore begin now to prepare you.

“If a man therefore purges himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and met for the master’s use,  and prepared unto every good work.” 2 Timothy 2:21

The LORD can use us to the degree we’ve sought Him for and submitted to His strippings, purgings, His preparation.

“See, I have this day set thee over the nations and  over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down,  and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to  plant.” Jeremiah 1:10

God has a plan to remove that which does not belong in you and to establish what does.

  • “to root out”  (destructive)
  • “to pull down”  (destructive)
  • “to destroy”  (destructive)
  • “to throw down”  (destructive)
  • “to build”  (constructive)
  • “to plant”  (constructive)

When Jesus cleansed the temple, after rooting out the evil, He then installed the purity, prayer, praise, and power (Matthew 21; John 2).

God has His order. One thing comes before the other.

When you Go, that’s when you are going to Know!

“Christianity is not American and America does not define Christianity! We need to stop trying to merge the two together. Jesus died for people all over this world, and Christianity existed long before America was even a thought. I am a Christian who physically resides in the USA, but this world is not my home. I long for an eternal kingdom.” Gloria Sykes

When you obey Christ and “Go” there will be a harvest of souls some you will see and many you will not.

They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. 6 He that goeth forth and forth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves  with him .” Psalms 126:5-6

Thanking God and you for pausing to lift up the blessed saved souls to Jesus in PA. From Tom and Karen Cochran:

“God has opened up a door for us to minister in a nursing home. People in there are hungry. They have been stripped of their pride! They need help just to do everyday things we take for granted. Very few have family or friends who visit. All their material possessions are pretty much gone, and once put in a home they know this is probably where they will die. They have no hope. And that is why they are hungry! Jesus gives them hope! We have seen many completely changed by the gospel and power of Christ! Jesus saved one-hundred- and-five-year-old woman, and after she prayed she began to sing ‘Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so’!”

People are eternal. Are you investing in people, eternal souls?

Are you personally participating in, contributing your time, talents, and treasures into the Great Commission Jesus gave us? See the end of Matthew and Mark.

MESSAGE ON AMERICA:

“Lately I have been seeing many taking to the streets to preach the gospel and it is shocking to see the response of Americans. In their pride and arrogance they keep right on walking and don’t even look up. Too busy in their comfortable lives. Headed for the path of destruction and they could care less.”

REPLY:

Seems this is how America could, should be viewed: “And whoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet. 15 Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city” (Matthew 10:14-15).

Who are the people who are going to be with Jesus?

“These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are CALLED, and CHOSEN, and FAITHFUL.” Revelation 17:14

Luke 9:57-62

And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain  man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. 58 And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air  have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. 59 And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. 60 Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God. 61 And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home in my house .

Of this passage at the end of Luke 9, one writer notes the following:

“9:61 The third would-be disciple resembled the first in that he volunteered to follow Christ. He was like the second in that he uttered the contradiction, “Lord…me first.” He wanted first to say goodbye to his family. In itself, the request was reasonable and proper, but even the common civilities of life are wrong if they are placed ahead of prompt and complete obedience.

9:62 Jesus told him that once he put his hand to the plow of discipleship, he must not look back; otherwise he was not fit for the kingdom of God. Christ’s followers are not made of half-hearted stuff or dreamy sentimentality. No considerations of family or friends, although lawful in themselves, must be allowed to turn them aside from utter and complete abandonment to Him. ….

And so we have three cardinal hindrances to discipleship illustrated in the experience of these men:

1. Material comforts.
2. A job or an occupation.
3. Family and friends.

Christ must reign in the heart without a rival. All other loves and all other loyalties must be secondary.”

Matthew 9:35-38

The 3 Ways God’s People Participate in Christ’s Great Commission

1. Praying for Christ’s laborers (Matthew 9:35-38).

2. Witnessing, sowing and communicating the Word (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 8:11).

3. Supporting, supplying those of God’s people who are doing His Great Commission, preaching the Word (Matthew 6:19-21; 2 Corinthians 9:6-11; Philippians 2:25; 4:16-20).

“For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21

PRAYER: LORD, sanctify my life. This is YOUR life. Put me exactly where you want me on Your planet. Use this life dear LORD. In Jesus’ name.

Prepared to be Used of God  | Great Commission

Spanish Content on SafeGuardYourSoul

Support  |  STORE  |  Podcasts | Jail/Prison MinistryMexico Mission here | Zambia Mission  | All Ministry UpdatesThe Greatest of these is Charity  |  Be Ready in the Morning [podcast]  |  The Sure Mercies of David [podcast]  |  That Repentance and Remission of Sins should be Preached [podcast]  |  At His Feet  |  Prepared to be Used of God  | Great Commission

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