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Preparation and Prayer to be Used of God

“Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?” Proverbs 15:11

The eternal souls of men for whom Christ died lie in the balance between Heaven and hell. God the Father sent Christ for us and for them and Christ has sent us to reach them. This is what we call the Great Commission.

“As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.” John 20:21

Just what is the Great Commission? The Great Commission is a co-mission between our LORD Jesus Christ and His people — on a mission to win sinners to His eternal kingdom. Christ’s Great Commission includes not only the winning of lost souls but thereafter also to teach the Word of God to all men, especially to those Christ saves into His kingdom (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-20).

Someone, to some extent, obeyed Christ’s commission and this is how you and I were saved. “But just what was Christ’s mission in the first place?” someone might rightly ask.

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

“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

It would be utterly impossible to truly know and follow Jesus and not want to see other souls saved. It’s impossible to know Christ and not reach out to others to know Him. With this in mind, how many today do we see who claim to know Him and yet have no heart for participation in reaching lost souls for whom He bled to save?

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. 31 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. 15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. 16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.” John 15:13-16

If I truly possess saving faith, I will be actively seeking to save the lost for whom my Master died, and commanded me to “Go” reach (Mark 16:15).

What Excuse Shall Stand?

“A converter has to be alive to convert others. Dead people don’t have the chance to convert others!” Samina Lloyd

At the root, it is due to the wicked, soul-damning sin of self-idolatry that Christ and His work are neglected today. Such is the fruit of a Hell bound life of idolatry (Revelation 21:8).

Some complain of not having enough money to win souls.

“I can be rich without money.” David Livingstone

Some complain and excuse themselves from preaching Christ’s Gospel.

“Fever seems to forbid; but I shall work for the glory of
Christ’s kingdom—fever or no fever.” David Livingstone

Some in this wicked generation balk and murmur at what they consider a sacrifice—such as giving up a futile pleasure.

“People talk of the sacrifice I have made in spending so much of my life in Africa . . . It is emphatically no sacrifice. Say rather it is a privilege.” David Livingstone

Ask Yourself

Is the extent of my “Christianity” attending church services two to three times weekly? Is this what Jesus commanded of His people, of me in the Gospels? Is this God’s purpose for me on earth? Is this what we see in the book of Acts where the history of the early New Testament Church is recorded? A fresh reading of this book will reveal that the so-called “Christianity” we see today in America has little resemblance to that of the early believers.

Want to see just how many frauds, wolves in sheep’s clothing we have today in the modern church world? Here you go:

Think about how many times in churches the pastor is heard repeatedly instructing the people to ….

  1. Join the church.
  2. Go to a new members class.
  3. Join the choir.
  4. Be an usher.
  5. Give to a building fund or some other frivolous project.
  6. Attend “church” every Sunday.
  7. etc.

Yet let’s compare. How many times do we hear pastors say:

  1. Follow Jesus. In order to follow Christ, He commands you to deny self, take up the cross, and follow Him daily (Luke 9:23-24; 14:27).
  2. Repentance is an absolute original Gospel essential (Luke 13:3; Acts 17:30).
  3. Jesus warns that if you are ashamed of Him, He will be ashamed of you (Luke 12:8-9).

I am merely stating this so that we can reevaluate our lives according to the command and pattern recorded in Scripture which is what we will all be judged by in the end (John12:48; Romans 2:16). We should recognize, as most Christians already do, that men tend to wane from the truth as they go on in traditions and in building their own kingdoms and lose sight of the LORD Himself and His precious precepts. Their organizations, their church business, their books, their programs, and their agendas take precedence over our LORD’s simple instructions to preach the Gospel. Were we not warned of this, especially concerning this final hour?

“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.” 1 Timothy 4:1

Those saved today must be taught what God’s Word says or they will very likely be swept away in the strong current of the false church and waste their lives feeding that beast and miss the call of God to participate in evangelizing lost souls, and helping believers learn His Word.

Did not our LORD tell us that traditions make His Word void? See Mark 7:13; Colossians. 2:8). The true disciple of Jesus must follow Him and He told us He is “the truth.” (John 14:6). To follow the truth is to reject following mere man’s religious tradition.

The Church revealed in the book of Acts obeyed God by being baptized in the Holy Ghost, preaching Christ, and they saw our LORD save multitudes (Mark 16:15-20). They cast out devils, went from house to house fellowshipping with each other, turned the world upside down, openly upbraided sinners when the Holy Spirit quickened, had dreams and visions, prayed in tongues as the Holy Spirit gave them utterance, prayed constantly and consequently walked in the power of God, etc. Is this not the fulfillment of what our LORD
sent us, His people, to do?

“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 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. 19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. 20 And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.” Mark 16:15-20

As Satan himself would have it, most of the new versions of the Bible, which come from corrupt manuscripts and were concocted by greedy, God-less men and women, either cast doubt upon or altogether remove this explosive Great Commission passage spoken by the Son of God in commissioning His people. Should we be surprised that the enemy of Christ and all souls would strategically attack this passage? Read it again in light of this question.
Many today sit back and wish for a “move of God” and they wait in vain. The LORD is waiting on them to render simple obedience, beginning with the obedience of humbly asking Him to use them. Those who are doing so are experiencing exploits being done by Christ through the simple obedience of His people just as He promised here in giving His Great Commission command to His Church.

Beware: A fresh reading of the book of Acts could change your life, especially if you will acknowledge that the same God – there’s only one – who moved then, is alive and well today, working among His people (Mark16:15-20; Hebrews 13:8). This may result in putting you on fire for Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, and living a true New Testament life – an adventure like no other! As an individual who will soon stand before the Almighty to be judged for what I did and did not do in my earthly life, I must remove myself from every trace of modern day religion, lukewarmness, and apostasy. I must reject all that does not resemble the New Testament Christianity recorded in Scripture. New Testament Christianity was all about loving God and preaching Christ and the Law in obeying the Great Commission – to edify the saints and reach the lost.

Here’s a taste:

“Therefore they that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word.” Acts 8:4

Notice here that there was a Church-wide effort to evangelize the unsaved – “they.” Persecution had hit Jerusalem and many of the believers were “scattered abroad” which means dispersed throughout the world, out from Jerusalem. Jesus foresaw this. Just before Pentecost when He filled His people with the Holy Ghost, Jesus said:

“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” Acts 1:8

“Yes Jesus! Prepare me to be sanitary, holy, sanctified, cleansed and purified! Breaking and stripping anything out of me that is not of you! There is no other way to become a vessel of honor fit for the Master’s use!” Karen Cochran

YOUR PRAYER: Holy Father, thank You for finding and saving me into Your eternal family. Please wash my sins away afresh in the precious blood of Jesus here and now and please fill me with Your Holy Ghost. Prepare and use me dear LORD. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

JESUS Tract Print-Ready PDF Free here.

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Abiding

“They that are Christ’s” [podcast]


“And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.” Galatians 5:24

We “fight” by dying and not by rising up:

“Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life” (1 Timothy 6:12).

When we die downward, Christ, who is “the resurrection and the life” raises our lives upward, in His infinite divine power to glorify Him (John 11:25). This is exactly how our LORD Jesus conquered death, hell, and the grave!

“Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;” Hebrews 2:14

You may be wondering why you haven’t overcome sin. Here’s how to overcome sin – and beware of those not preaching this cross! (Luke 9:23-24; Romans 6; 1 Corinthians 2:2; Galatians 2:20; 5:34, etc.).

“He that is dead (crucified with Christ) is freed from sin.” Romans 6:7

Read that again!

No one is “freed from sin” until they are “dead” – crucified with Christ.

The truly God-fearing man realizes his utter need for the grace of Christ. He realizes that he must continue, to abide in Christ, to “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life” (1 Timothy 6:12). He views salvation as a present reality and responsibility—to remain in an intimate, abiding relationship with Christ (John 15:1-16); Colossians 2:6-7).

Those who don’t walk in the cross lifestyle, will revert to type— sinful type.

The authentic disciple builds his whole life around the Bible, the cross and the throne of God (Jeremiah 17:12; Hebrews 4:14-16).

WHEN our love for God is supreme, we will daily seek Him.

When we are hungering and thirsting after His righteousness, He is filling us with His overcoming, victorious grace (Matthew 5:6).

“But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” 1 Corinthians 9:27

WHATEVER you do, never get away from the cross message – the crucified life Jesus calls every one who will be His to.

Many fancy their devotion to very intelligent men in ministry and yet, only God knows what’s in their hearts. Having mega intellectual knowledge, understanding and the ability to articulate, in no way means a man is crucified with Christ. And if he’s not “crucified with Christ” he’s not overcoming sin – which means he’s living in sin.

“He that is dead (crucified with Christ) is freed from sin.” Romans 6:7

The Only Solution to Man’s Sin [podcast]

Prayer: I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live, yet not I but Christ that liveth in me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Moments with Our Master [book] 365 Day Devotional book available at the STORE page and amazon. English and Spanish.

The Only Solution to Man’s Sin [podcast]

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Abiding

The LORD Desires to Completely CLEAR You!

The LORD Desires to Completely CLEAR You!

The reason God gave His only begotten Son was to clear you of all your sin in His regeneration, to bring you into His eternal family for fellowship with Him.

“That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.” John 17:21

“That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.” 1 John 1:3

When God clears a man at the moment of salvation or thereafter, so should we! When any man truly repents there will be definite fruit to prove it. When one obeys sound biblical doctrine the result will always be that he will bring forth fruit to demonstrate he truly repented, and is cleared by the LORD and must be cleared by us. After the fornicator in the church of Corinth repented, he was cleared and the LORD, through Paul, instructed the believers in that assembly to forgive, clear, and love him.

“So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow. 8 Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him.” 2 Corinthians 2:7-8

Remember this from the prodigal son parable our LORD taught us?

“I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance … 10  Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.” Luke 15:7, 10

When someone returns to the LORD from sin, regardless of their past, with or without Christ, there is great celebration in Heaven and should be also among the saints of Christ on the earth.

A fresh reading of Luke 15 is highly recommended where Jesus gives us 3 parables to teach the restorative love of God!

WATCH THIS: When we repent we openly renounce and are clear…. God is good.

Godly Sorrow brings the blessings of God and a clearing of past sin.

“Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. 10  For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. 11 For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what CLEARING OF YOURSELVES, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be CLEAR in this matter.” 2 Corinthians 7:11

Example: Remember how the fornicator in 1 Corinthians 5 was turned over to Satan and then repented and God cleared Him? Read 2 Corinthians 2 for the “CLEARING.” In this verse above, Paul is addressing this very issue and the sorrow, diligent obedience, and consequent “CLEARING” the Corinthian saints experienced. First they allowed the fornicator to function in their midst whereas Paul had to come in and instruct them to turn the transgressor over to Satan (1 Corinthians 5). Then, as a result, the backslider repented.

“He says, what clearing of yourselves. This does not mean that they tried to justify or excuse themselves, but rather that by taking resolute action, they tried to clear themselves of any further guilt or blame in the matter. Their change in attitude led to this change in action. What indignation may refer to their attitude toward the sinner because of the reproach he brought on the name of Christ. But more probably it refers to their attitude toward themselves for ever having allowed such a thing to go on for so long without taking action on it. Paul then adds: In all things you ‘ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.’ Of course, we are not to understand by this that they were never to blame, but simply that they had done everything they could to take the proper action and to act as they should have acted in the first place.” William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary

“Clearing of yourselves – From either sharing in, or approving of, his sin. Indignation – That ye had not immediately corrected the offender. Fear – Of God’s displeasure, or lest I should come with a rod. Vehement desire – To see me again. Zeal – For the glory of God, and the soul of that sinner. Yea, revenge – Ye took a kind of holy revenge upon yourselves, being scarce able to forgive yourselves. In all things ye – As a church. Have approved yourselves to be pure – That is, free from blame, since ye received my letter.” John Wesley

“In all things, etc. – In the whole of your conduct in this affair since ye have received my letter, ye have approved yourselves to be clear, ἁγνους; not only to be clear of contumacy and obstinate persistence in your former conduct, but to have done all in the compass of your power to rectify the abuses which had crept in among you. The Corinthians were not clear, i.e. innocent or void of blame in the fact, but they were clear of all blame in their endeavors to remove the evil.” Adam Clarke

The Corinthian saints repented, obeyed God by turning the unrepentant sinner in their midst over to Satan, and were then forgiven and cleared of their sin of allowing the un-repentant fornicator to remain in their company (1 Corinthians 5; 2 Corinthians 2 and 7).

Today, is the LORD showing you something in your life that you must turn back over to Satan where it came from –  to rid your heart, your life of a sin?

Interestingly, this 2 Corinthians 7 chapter begins with this:

“Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” 2 Corinthians 7:1

When we simply agree with the LORD, His Word, and turn to Him afresh and away from what He calls sin, confessing it to Him for what it is, He will immediately forgive us and promises to grant us a clearing, a clear conscience.

“Now the end (chief purpose) of the commandment (written Word) is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:” 1 Timothy 1:5

The LORD made it clear that He intends for His children to be possessed with a clear conscience which is a gift He alone provided through the perfect sacrifice of His only begotten Son.

“How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” Hebrews 9:14

“A disciplined conscience is a man’s best friend. It may not be his most amiable, but it is his most faithful monitor.” Austin Phelps

Have you ever had a past sin nag you for many years after you committed and even confessed and were forgiven for it?

WHEN we DO what is right, then and only then do we have the bless-ed confirmation of a clear conscience. AND, doing what’s right begins with re-turning, turning afresh to our LORD and confessing all sin.

“God is greater than our heart”

“My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. 19  And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. 20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. 21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.” 1 John 3:18-21 

In fellowshipping with other men who serve our LORD, I’ve often heard them say how that sins they committed in the past still bother them in a hindering way. Yet, we know that God knows all these things and “is greater than our heart” and provided a complete salvation through the blood of His only begotten Son!

“WHEN HE HAD BY HIMSELF purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.” Hebrews 1:3 

Even though 90% of today’s pastors prove themselves to be false by never mentioning this, we must never ever lose sight of the truth that God is “Holy, holy, holy” and He commands us to “Be ye holy; for I am holy” (Isaiah 6:3; 1 Peter 1:15-16; Revelation 4:8).

“But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:15-16

Are we presently allowing sin in our own lives, including keeping company with someone who claims to be Christ’s and yet is living in sin? Are you in need of doing an inventory check on your current friends – namely those who name Jesus as their Savior? Read this unchanging divine truth and note the many specific sins listed here:

“I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: 10 Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. 11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. 12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? 13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.” 1 Corinthians 5:9-13

When we truly repent and obey the counsel, the Word of God, only then will we be cleared in conscience and before God and His people. True repentance always, without exception, brings forth a changed life – a life set apart to the LORD (Matthew 3:7-10; Luke 19:1-10).

The fact that our LORD is correcting us today clearly proves how much He loves us. When the LORD points out our sin, it’s because He loves us, He wants us to repent, to return to Him, agree with Him, and depart from that sin. This is all so He can clear us!

“As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.” Revelation 3:19

Refreshing Always Follows Fresh Repentance

“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;” Acts 3:19

“For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.” Hebrews 8:12

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9

Read 1 Corinthians 5, 2 Corinthians 2 and 7.

Yes, we’ve all been hurt by others and we have also hurt others, right? Let’s take accountability for our own evil and watch what God does. Blaming others without taking the blame due to us is a deep, endless ditch.

This morning I prayed “LORD, if I have angered or hurt someone, anyone, please let it be revealed so that amends can be made, in Jesus’ name, amen Father.”

In this passage below, our LORD is addressing being easily angered as well as making amends when we intentionally or unintentionally have harmed another.

“But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. 23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; 24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. 25 Agree with thine adversary quickly…” Matthew 5:22-25

PRAYER: My Father in Heaven, I come to You now on the sole basis of the holy name and blood of Your only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. Here and now I ask You LORD to convict, grant repentance, and complete clearing of any and all sin in my life. Please sanctify my life dear LORD. LORD Jesus thank You for dying on that cross, shedding Your precious blood for all my sins. Please bless me with a oneness with You and the Father and a clear conscience. Be glorified in my life dear LORD. I love You LORD Jesus. Amen.

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Abiding

Risen with Christ [podcast]

Resurrection Grace (below)


“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
2  Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
3  For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
4  When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
5  Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
6  For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:
7  In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.” Colossians 3:1-7

 

Those who teach that unholy people will be in glory are false teachers:

“And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” Revelation 21:27  

Charles Pray writes: “Father, please help us Lord to turn from our wicked ways and let You come into our hearts so we may have eternal life with You in Your kingdom. Time is running out for the hour is late when soon no one will be able to be saved or able to call upon the name of the Lord. Burden our hearts Lord for all those who still do not know you as Lord and Savior in their lives. Let us become the light we are called to be in this darkened world so others will come to know and receive your Son Jesus as Savior in their life. Amen!”

Colossians | Seeking God!

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