The LORD Delights
in those who Trust in His Mercy
and not their own Merit-less, Sinful State
As an eternal memorial of the mercy of God in Christ, Jesus showed mercy to a man who was likely a lifelong criminal sinner.
After rebuking the other thief for his unbelief, the penitent thief on the cross next to Jesus asked our LORD to remember him.
“And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. 43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:42-43
So, if the Son of God freely forgave and took to glory the repentant, seeking criminal next to Him on the cross, why would anyone believe He’s changed? Who is it that would deny that Christ would and is doing the same today?
“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” Hebrews 13:8
WHEN you see people get arrested… it’s likely that God is setting them apart so He can save, so He can transform them. Pray for them. Jail is death and burial…. which must precede resurrection. Jesus is coming and eternity is all that matters!
—- We all get various spam emails and see ads for many things, including background checks. NEVER MIND mere man’s “background checks” … How does our background check out with Him? Isn’t that all that matters? The Almighty has the full version of the “background check” of our whole lives – including every thought and motive of our hearts (Proverbs 15:3; Hebrews 4:13). And He’s the only Judge before whom we shall all stand to give account ….. WHO do you fear? … David cried “Let my sentence (verdict) come forth from thy presence; let thine eyes behold the things that are equal.”(Psalms 17:2) In other words David was only concerned about how the LORD viewed him and had no concern for what mere sinful men thought or said about him. ….. The apostle Paul wrote:
“Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. 34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.” Romans 8:33-37
“The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.” Psalms 147:11
According to Psalms 147:11, just WHO did your Maker and Judge say that He takes “pleasure in”?
- “them that fear him”
- “those that hope in his mercy”
Those who truly fear God will repent to be saved and will continually repent as needed (2 Corinthians 7:9-10; 12:21, etc.). “Repent” is the very first word of the Gospel (Matthew 3:2; 4:17; Luke 13:3, 5; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 17:30, etc.).
UNTIL, as an individual, you begin to realize just how wicked you really are, you will never begin to appreciate what our KING and Savior did on that cross!
Concerning your initial thoughts when you see that mug shot, examine yourself for a moment by answering the following questions:
- Do you hold out mercy and understanding for yourself while harshly judging others in your attitude, never knowing the shoes they walk in?
- Do you understand that Jesus promised that His children will be accused of “all manner of evil against” them “falsely” and instructed them to “rejoice” when this happens? (Matthew 5:10-12) Do you rejoice at persecutions?
- Do you know that Psalms 17:2 says our “sentence” ultimately comes from the LORD and not mere men?
Holding out mercy for others is important. Having a mercy-filled disposition is godly.
NO MATTER how hurt or mad you may currently be with someone, remember, Jesus died to save that person and is not willing that such a person perish (Luke 9:56; John 3:17; 2 Peter 3:9).
“Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.” Matthew 5:7
Bible Hint: God says that if you want mercy, you must show mercy. In many cases, in eternity, things will reverse completely as the Bible teaches. Many of those in positions of authority in this brief life will be in hell for eternity (Ezek. 21:26; Lk. 16:19-31; Rev. 5:10; 20:4, 6, etc.). Many who are judges today and send people to prison, will themselves be submitted irrevocably and eternally to the prison of fire by the Judge of their eternal souls. as As they sat in their high seats (benches) and hundreds and even thousands of times sent souls to jail, they themselves ignored their own need to repent before a holy God and Judge against whom they has grossly sinned.
The fires of eternal damnation shall forever feed upon the hopeless souls who leave this earth without having received and walked in (to the end) the mercy of the Almighty which He offers all men through His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ.
THE SINS THAT SHOULD CONCERN US MOST ARE OUR OWN SINS! why then do we wrongly judge others in our attitudes when the one who needs Jesus most is us? To his friends who wrongly judged him, Job said: “But ye should say, Why persecute we him, seeing the root of the matter is found in me?” (Job 19:28)
Hell’s Mug Shots are Forever!
“And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” Hebrews 9:27
The Bible establishes the inherent sinfulness of all men and that would include you, my friend.
“As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one … For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:10, 23
May the only final law enforcement Judge who sits atop the Highest throne in the supreme court of the Universe show us our own mug shot today – the fact that we ourselves are completely guilty of sinning against Him and that we are in utter need of the One who came and bled that we might be forgiven.
The Bible establishes that the whole world – every human being, without exception – is “guilty before God.” (Romans 3:19)
Those whose mug shots we often see of those caught for their sinful activities and whose sins are made public are just like you – sinners! Just because our sins aren’t known to the mass public does not make them any less a violation to the holiness of our Maker and Judge. If you have ever stolen anything, lusted or hated in your heart, you are no less a sinner than the mug shot guy or girl. The only difference here is that they have been caught and are in jail for a temporary time in this brief life. When you die your doom or bliss is sealed. Don’t wait friend – turn to the Good Shepherd today. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.” (Acts 16:31)
“Some men’s sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after.” 1 Timothy 5:24
God sees/knows ALL sins. He knows ALL of the sins you have committed in your heart and then those you committed in action. Nothing escapes Him.
Do you realize that if you die in sin that you will spend eternity in the lake of fire?
“And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20:15
Will your mug shot be forever posted for all to see as you sizzle in the flames of eternal damnation?
Getting Off the High Horse
Here’s a Bible passage to prayerfully each morning this week:
“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; 7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3:5-7
The LORD delights in His people and wants them to see things the way He sees them (Romans 12:2). His first desire is to restore and show mercy and He does so when the sinner repents.
All is recorded in Heaven (Hebrews 4:13). God sees ALL your sins and will pull the curtains back and roll the tape of your life on Judgment Day. Every single thought and deed of your life is on file with God. He made provision to remove and desires to forgive all. If you die without His forgiveness, you will face the Almighty on Judgment Day in the Supreme Court of the Universe as a guilty sinner who refused to be pardoned. In trembling ruins you will stand shameful and without excuse before a holy God.
Put your own face in that mug shot! Admit to your own sins! Own up to your vile thoughts, meditations, lusts, adulteries, fornications of heart! And then begin praying for God to show mercy on others as He has shown upon your own filthy soul! Beg Him for a pure heart so that you can see Him! (Matthew 5:8; Proverbs 20:9)
Why do you self-righteously and arrogantly boast as if you have no need for divine mercy this very hour?
“Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?” Proverbs 20:9
If you will be in Heaven eternally, you had better get in touch with your infinite need for divine mercy (Matthew 5:20; 21:31).
Let’s ask: Where are “the eyes of the LORD”? – “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.” Proverbs 15:3
What does God behold? – “beholding the evil and the good.” Proverbs 15:3
What did Jesus tell us is going to be “covered”? – “nothing.”
“Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known. “ Matthew 10:26
Word to the wise – You better get off that high horse or the flames of eternal damnation shall forever feed upon your helpless, conscious corpse!
It’s time to dismount from the high horse of pride and mount the lowly donkey of humility. God is going to eternally bless the lowly, humble souls who live to celebrate His Majestic, blessed only begotten Son who bled for our sins. Don’t miss this eternal celebration and bliss!
“And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.” Matthew 23:12
“Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” James 4:10
Back to the Mug Shots….
The thieves on the crosses that flanked our blessed Savior were mug shot criminals! What is your view of them? What is your view of mug shot criminals today?
When is the last time you lifted the mug shot person in prayer? What about the flashy story on TV about some evildoer? Did you pray for them?
What is your very first thought concerning mug shots you see in print in your mail box or on TV or the internet?
Firstly, it’s time to get a clue! Do you know how many false arrests go on in this nation? Staggering! Do you know how many false imprisonments go on in our injustice system? Staggering! Do you know that many Christians are in jail right now serving sentences as a result of persecutions and false evidence fabricated against them in order to jail them? Many of the LORD’s most blessed patriarchs of Christ were jailed! Joseph, several of the prophets, John the Baptist, Paul, etc.
God does not forget people in this earth’s jails but he does forget those who left the earth outside of a relationship with Christ – those who chose to “forget” Him. They will forever be vanquished into the fires of damnation (Psalms 9:17; 50:22).
Concerning this matter, Mark McIntosh writes:
“Sometimes it’s BETTER to be in a PRISON and be found by JESUS and TRULY REPENT of our SINS than to be free in a world where your SOUL is in BONDAGE and hell is pending! Repent and BE FREE INDEED …. in jail, prison or in society … it doesn’t matter where … AMEN?”
But just what if that next person in a mug shot you see is truly guilty? Are they beyond God’s hand to redeem and forgive? Is God’s hand shortened? (Isaiah 59:1-2) Is God’s Word lying when it tells us that Jesus is alive and well at His blessed Father’s right hand and able to save from the uttermost to the uttermost? (Hebrews 7:24-25) Where is your faith? Repent of such evil thinking that is emanating from an uncircumcised heart! (Mark 7:20-23)
Think like a disciple of Christ, friend. Memorize Romans 12:1-2 today!
Are you still so very blinded by your own sin that you join the depraved hearts of the world’s sinners in condemning criminals? The reality is, that in the “Holy, holy, holy” eyes of the Almighty, you are in need of no less mercy that the vilest of criminals in this fleeting life (Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8).
What did Jesus do to the two criminals who were at each of His blessed sides while He hung for YOUR sins? He gave both of them the full privilege to be saved into His eternal kingdom of bliss and praise God one of them received Him!
“And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. 43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:42-43
Looking for Mercy!
“Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: 7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.” Isaiah 55:6-7
Do you realize that gutter prostitutes and the vilest of criminals in this world have a better chance at going to Heaven than self-righteous religious people who pastor churches, cast out devils, speak with tongues, serve in their church, sing in the choir, go on missionary trips, and do many wonderful works in Christ’s name?
The Son of God says to the religious leaders of His day:
“Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots (whores, prostitutes) go into the kingdom of God before you.” Matthew 21:31
Who did the LORD tell us will receive the full strength of undiluted judgment upon their own heads?
“For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against (triumphs over) judgment.” James 2:13
Did you catch what James says here?
Read it again and answer this:
- Who will receive to themselves “judgment WITHOUT mercy”? – Those who “shewed no mercy” to others in their thoughts and out of their mouths!
Some self-righteous soul may still be saying “But, but, but that criminal did this or that…” … Jesus died for unholy criminals like you and me! He found and saved your wretched soul didn’t He? Does He love that mug shot soul any less?
My advice to you is to genuinely surrender to Christ, to die to self completely, to cry out to Him to break you to the core of your being. Then, you will cease sitting in the seat of the scornful, and truly be able to be used of Him. Get low or to hell you also will go (Psalm 1). Whatever you do, read Psalm 51 and take special note to every word this time!
God’s Word tells us that those who will be saved are “looking for the MERCY of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” They do not stand in their own self-righteous, filthy, sinful rags but rather they stand looking to the LORD for His blessed mercy!
“Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the MERCY of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” Jude 1:21
Just what are believers to be “looking for” in light of the fact that we shall all meet our Maker soon? – “mercy”!
Live and Preach this – The Pharisee and the Publican
“And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: 10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. 12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. 13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” Luke 18:9-14
The only one of these two guys who was justified and ready to survive the holy wrath and judgment of God was the one who cried from his needy heart “God be merciful to ME a sinner.” (Luke 18:13)
If you are being convicted by the truth and the Holy Ghost of God, it’s time to repent and truly turn to the LORD and be broken, crying out to the LORD for His mercy upon your own wretched, self-righteous and evil heart before it’s too late.
Read Psalm 51 and beg the LORD to forgive you as you cry out to Him to search YOU, to cleanse YOU … it’s only “THEN” that He can use you.
“Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the Lord, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.” Hosea 10:12
Just because the mass public doesn’t know about YOUR sins doesn’t mean that your sins are hidden! The LORD saw your evil thoughts, lust, covetousness, and hatred! God saw you do it! What shall you do?
***We must make sure we are walking in the “true holiness” that is only possible by the mercy of God shown to us through Jesus Christ (Ephesians 4:23-25). Please beware of the false holiness that is being taught all around us. True or Feigned Holiness?
Be Ye Kind One to Another, Tenderhearted, Forgiving One Another [podcast]
God will Soon Gather His Children Together in His House! [podcast]
Abiding
Weeping Men Win Men [podcast]
“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 (harvest, eternal reward) with him.” Psalms 126:5-6
“The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.” Psalms 34:18
“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.” Psalms 51:17
“Blessed are the poor in spirit (desperate for God): for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:3
“Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.” Matthew 5:4
The words “mourn” and “mourning” appear 96 times in God’s Word. Ever heard a message on it?
“Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” James 4:9-10
“Excellent message/podcast! Thank you. Makes me think of Matthew 5:4 “Blessed are those who mourn: for they shall be comforted.” We mourn as God shows us our evil wicked flesh. And see how much we are not like Him. As He begins to transform us into the image of Christ, all of the sudden, we begin to be filled with the compassion of Christ. And we see through the eyes of Jesus that the lost are without a shepherd! And need Jesus. Anyone who calls themselves a Christian and has not died to self will never have the eyes of Christ because they are still looking through the lens of self.” Karen Cochran
“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Matthew 5:6
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16
“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10
“Sowing in tears suggests a time of hardship or distress, possibly due to famine, exile, or personal trials. The imagery of sowing is often used in Scripture to represent the act of investing or laboring in faith, even when circumstances are difficult. This can be connected to the Israelites’ return from Babylonian exile, a period marked by sorrow and uncertainty. The tears symbolize the pain and suffering endured during such times, yet they also imply hope and trust in God’s promises. The act of sowing, despite tears, indicates faith in a future harvest, a theme echoed in Galatians 6:9, which encourages perseverance in doing good.
will reap with shouts of joy
Reaping with joy signifies the fulfillment of God’s promises and the reward for faithful endurance. The transformation from tears to joy highlights the redemptive power of God, who turns mourning into dancing (Psalm 30:11). This phrase assures believers that their labor and suffering are not in vain, as God will ultimately bring about a joyful harvest. The joy of reaping is not just personal but communal, reflecting the collective celebration of God’s people when His promises are realized. This concept is seen in the return of the exiles to Jerusalem, where their restoration was marked by joy and thanksgiving. The imagery also points to the eschatological hope found in Revelation 21:4, where God wipes away every tear, and eternal joy is established. The phrase can be seen as a type of Christ, who endured the cross for the joy set before Him (Hebrews 12:2), illustrating the ultimate sowing in tears and reaping in joy.”
“Psalms 126:5
They that sow in tears shall reap in joy – This is either a maxim which they gather from their own history, or it is a fact which they are now witnessing. We see the benefit of humbling ourselves under the mighty hand of God; we have now a sweet return for our bitter tears. Or, We have sown in tears; now we reap in joy. We are restored after a long and afflicting captivity to our own country, to peace, and to happiness.” Adam Clarke
“126:5, 6 The first year after their return would be especially difficult. There would be no crops to harvest right away. They would have to make a fresh start by planting their crops and waiting for harvest time. It would be a period of austerity, of doling out the meager food supplies as frugally as possible.
There would be a certain sorrow or frustration about sowing the seed for that first crop. Here is a farmer whose barrel of grain is low. He can use the grain to feed his family now or he can sow most of it in hope of an abundant supply in days to come. He decides to sow it, but as he dips his hand into his apron and scatters the seed over the plowed land, his tears fall into the apron. He is thinking of his wife and children, of the skimpy bowls of porridge, of how sacrificially they will have to live in the days till harvest. He feels as if he is taking food out of their mouths.
But a cheering word goes out to the returned exiles:
He who continually goes forth weeping, bearing seed for sowing, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. So they go forth and sow the seed. Their present anguish will be more than compensated by the joy of bringing their sheaves of ripened grain to the barn.
The principle applies also, of course, in the spiritual realm. Those who live sacrificially for the spread of the gospel may endure present privation, but what is that compared to the joy of seeing souls saved and in heaven worshiping the Lamb of God forever and forever?
It is true also in the matter of soul winning. Someone has wisely said, ‘Winners of souls are first weepers for souls.’ So our prayer should be:
Let me look on the crowd as my Savior did,
Till my eyes with tears grow dim.
Let me view with pity the wandering sheep
And love them for love of Him.”
—Author unknown” Believer’s Bible Commentary
“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.” Proverbs 11:30
“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
You are the LORD’s—”Ye are bought with a price”
“What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Many who were bought by the precious blood of Jesus are now serving mere men – they are serving men who are building their own kingdom instead of Christ’s kingdom.
“Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.” 1 Corinthians 7:23
JESUS did not come and die on the cross and rise again from the dead to make you a “good church member” or so you could squander your one life on politics. “Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:60). If you are not actively seeking His face for and participating in executing His Great Commission mandate, you are out of the will of God (Matthew 28; 18-20; Mark 16:15-20; Luke 24:47; Book of Acts). Read that again. Share.
All who committed to Christ are absolutely committed to His stated will—the Great Commission.
“Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:60
Jesus repeatedly declares to us the commission He’s sent us on and for which we shall all give personal account.
“Go thou and preach the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:60
All who committed to Christ are absolutely committed to His stated will—the Great Commission.
Those who have forgotten, and are not obeying Christ’s Great Commission command, clearly reveal that they have forgotten and departed from Christ. Matthew 7:21
“And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. 4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.” Daniel 12:3-4
“It seems the remnant is sensing the urgency of responding to God’s call as they see the hour is late. They are seeing the need to invest in things that are lasting and eternal not temporal. Satan knowing his time is short is coming down with great fury and wrath and will manifest himself with great intensity (Revelation 12:12). As we are beginning to see, Satan wants to take as many souls with him into the eternal flames as possible. Be awakened to the Great Commission that the Lord has called us to (Matthew 28:18-20). Win souls to Jesus so they can be in Glory with Him forever and not burning in the eternal flames of fire from which there is no escape.” Karen Cochran
The Harvest Is Plentiful, the Laborers Few
“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’ compassion that HE puts in us immediately causes them to respond to Him… endears them to Him as their hearts are crying out for Him and His mercy. Amen.
ARE THOSE not engrossed in the Great Commission mandate of Jesus, wasting their one life on earth? Read that again and repent. Obey God. Read the end of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Then Acts. Now.
Let’s roll saints! Ministry updates.
“People are more sold out and supporting politics than surrendering to Jesus Christ and supporting sharing the Gospel. Temporal over eternal is wrong every time.” Dana Phyllis Carter
IF you are not participating in the the “Father’s business,” the Great Commission, it’s because you are full of your self, evil hearted, self-centered….. and in need of true repentance before it’s too late—which will always bring forth the fruit of obedience, of good works, of Great Commission action (Matthew 3:7-10). Repent now and when you do, for real, you are going to scamper, hasten, to fervently seek the face of the Almighty and be all about HIS business, not your own. The reason you’ve been doing your own business and not His, is because you do not know Him (Matthew 7:21). The Great Commission mandate is seen here Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-20; Luke 2:49; 24:47, 49; Book of Acts.
When God matters to you, when you love Him, truly, His work, His mission matters to you.
IF you claim to be saved and aren’t doing YOUR part in the Great Commission…. it’s time to repent. Anyone not doing the mission of Christ is lukewarm at best.
The true remnant body of Christ is about the “Father’s business” of edifying the saints and winning the lost—not their own or any other business. While on earth Jesus said “I must be about my Father’s business” and those who are truly following Him are doing the same (Luke 2:49).
May all who are godly pray for increase in order to increase Christ’s kingdom and not their own standard of living in this fleeting sinful world but rather their standard of giving to His work so others can be saved and the saints of Christ equipped, nourished, fed, fruitful and blessed (2 Corinthians 9:6-11; Ephesians 4:28).
“But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.” Deuteronomy 8:18
The Great Commission is the Father’s Business and all who are known of Christ are participating. Notice how if you are truly a member of Christ’s bride, you are busy about HIS business—“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” (Revlation 22:17).
All of God’s people are LOSERS …. We lose, we give up our own lives in this world to gain HIS—resurrection life now and forever.
As God is stripping us through the daily cross life, the persecutions, the fruit-bearing resurrection victory is going to transpire in our lives!
“As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.” Romans 8:36-37
“I welcome His stripping. Throw me in the fire of affliction dear Lord. Because the more of His resurrection life is breathed into you the more you want!” Karen Cochran
The Great Commission: Jesus is Holding YOU Accountable to participate with the other members of His remnant body.
Weeping Men also Protect Others, Protect Christ’s Body
Here’s the passage—please read this carefully:
“(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) 20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.” Philippians 3:18-21
The 3 Ways God’s People Participate in Christ’s Great Commission
1. Praying for Christ’s labourers (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 6:1-21; 2 Corinthians 9:6-11; Philippians 2:25; 4:16-20).
YOUR PRAYER
Father, in Jesus’ name, please grant Your people that heart of flesh to be “moved with compassion” upon those who do not yet have You as their Great Shepherd. Break me dear LORD, please. Use me for Your glory in this last hour as we are on the precipice of Your return dear LORD, Master Jesus! In Jesus’ name.
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Book of Psalms | Alexander Scourby [video]
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Abiding
“Lord, I Believe; Help Thou Mine Unbelief” [podcast]
“Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. 24 And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.” Mark 9:23-24
God wants us to depend on HIM, not self. What a prayer from this father who was seeking Jesus for his possessed, embattled son!
“And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.” Mark 9:24
Now that is a great prayer for us today—“Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.” Mark 9:24
Is this not kin to the prayer Christ’s disciples prayed to Him—“And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith” (Luke 17:5) ?
Some ask “Lord, how can I increase MY faith?”
Read that again.
It’s not how I can increase my faith! No. That is all self-centered. We pray as did the apostles, “Lord, Increase our faith.” In other words, You do it please dear LORD!
There are two ways the Word prescribes that we walk in more faith:
Asking for it (Luke 17:5)
Reading and heeding the Word for it—“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17).
“9:24 The father expressed the paradox of faith and unbelief experienced by God’s people in all ages. ‘Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!’ We want to believe, yet find ourselves filled with doubt. We hate this inward, unreasonable contradiction, yet seem to fight it in vain.” Believer’s Bible Commentary
Another person commenting on this text writes:
“Help thou mine unbelief – That is, assist me against it. Give me a power to believe.”
“[Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief] A prayer that all can pray with great profit.” Dake
“VII. The profession of faith which the poor man made hereupon (Mrk_9:24); He cried out, ‘Lord, I believe; I am fully persuaded both of thy power and of thy pity; my cure shall not be prevented by the want of faith; Lord, I believe.’ He adds a prayer for grace to enable him more firmly to rely upon the assurances he had of the ability and willingness of Christ to save; Help thou my unbelief. Note, 1. Even those who through grace can say, Lord, I believe, have reason to complain of their unbelief; that they cannot so readily apply to themselves, and their own case, the word of Christ as they should, no so cheerfully depend upon it. 2. Those that complain of unbelief, must look up to Christ for grace to help them against it, and his grace shall be sufficient for them. ‘Help mine unbelief, help me to a pardon for it, help me with power against it; help out what is wanting in my faith with thy grace, the strength of which is perfected in our weakness.’ Matthew Henry
Learning to trust and depend upon our LORD:
“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. 8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.” James 1:5-8
“I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” John 15:5
“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
“And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.” Mark 10:27
“All it takes is a mustard seed of faith to move mountains. Meaning even the smallest of faith can do miracles. It is belief in God not in self that matters. Mark 11:22 says ‘Have faith in God.’ He will provide the increase. Even the disciples prayed for more faith! And we know them to be men of great faith!” Karen Cochran
LET’S PRAY: Holy Father, we come to You now, because we know You are our Source for all blessings and answered prayer. Yet, we lack faith and ask You now to “Increase our faith” and to “help thou mine unbelief.” Please fill in dear LORD where we lack, where we are weak. We know You are all powerful, loving, and desire to and are ready to answer our prayers. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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