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Am I becoming a disciple? Am I Christ’s daily disciple? (Luke 9:23-24)

Am I merely becoming a better church member, going through the motions and programs of my local social club-like fellowship, yet never learning the Bible and becoming a true disciple of Jesus? Am I learning to truly walk with the LORD Jesus as His disciple, making His Gospel known to others in need of His forgiveness? 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 Church. Please don’t take this in a negative way – I am merely stating this so that we can re-evaluate our lives according to the pattern of Scripture which is what we will all be judged by (John 12:48; Rom. 2:16). It must be known that men wane from the truth as they go on in traditions and in building their own kingdoms and lose sight of the Word of God. Did not our Lord tell us that traditions make His Word void? (See Mark 7:13; Col. 2:8)

Is the extent of my “Christianity” attending church services 2-3 times weekly?

The Church revealed in Acts obeyed God by being baptized in the Holy Ghost, preached Christ and saw God save multitudes. They cast out devils, went from house to house fellowshipping with each other, turned the world upside down, openly upbraided sinners, had dreams and visions, prayed in tongues as the Holy Spirit gave them utterance, prayed constantly and consequently walked in the power of God……… Beware: A fresh reading of the book of Acts could change your life, especially if you will acknowledge that the same God who moved then is alive and well today, working among His people (Mark 16:15-20).

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 which does not resemble the New Testament Christianity recorded in Scripture. New Testament Christianity was all about loving God and obeying the Great Commission – to reach the lost. Here’s a taste:

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

Notice here that there was a Church-wide effort to evangelize the unsaved – “they.” Beloved, each and every one who is born again will give account to God on the Day of Judgment as to what he did with the command of Jesus to “Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15).

What are you doing to reach lost souls? Are you with Christ or against Him (Matt. 12:30)? Are you ashamed of Him?

Any local church or organization which does not have the lost at heart by reaching out with the Gospel, is simply NOT a work of God. This type church is one that is seeking merely to maintain its own existence instead of being a New Testament salvation station that is a beacon to its world for Christ – like the early believers and all true disciples today.

Absolutely NOTHING can stir a congregation of true believers like new souls being saved. When you start to reach out, you will wonder why you didn’t do this so much earlier and sorrow for the time that was lost. Nothing stimulates the life of a Christian like personal evangelism. Growth is inevitable.

Regardless of whether the local Church I attend is zealous to reach the unsaved or not, I, as one who has been redeemed, have a mandate to do such.

“Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;” Psalms 107:2

I must never allow my sinful nature nor the enemies of the Lord, to hinder my evangelism. People must be reached with the Good News at all costs. I must be relentless in my pursuit of precious lost souls who need to hear about God’s love in Christ. Their whole eternity rides upon my obedience. I must refuse to live this life unto myself, and choose daily to live unto my Lord.

“And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.” 2 Corinthians 5:15 

The local group that is faithful to the LORD will be a harbor for the hurting and a lighthouse beaming out the Good News of the Light of the world. The true believer is one who has a net (plan) that he throws to catch men. As he follows Christ, He is becoming more and more a fisher of men (Mark 1:17).

“And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.” Mark 1:17

Note the Lord’s statement “Come ye after me, and I will make you to become (process) fishers of men.” It is clear from this divine and definitive mandate, that as we follow the Savior, we will be made to become fishers of men. Like the novice fisherman who is learning how to approach his prey (catch), I must continue to learn of the Lord as to how to reach lost souls He died to save. I must lay up His Law and Gospel in my memory and heart to be ready to give an answer to all whom I am privileged to speak about His love.

“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:” 1 Peter 3:15

“Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15

Beloved, God has given His very own Son to redeem you. You are not your own, but now His who bought you with the price of His very own blood (1 Cor. 6:19-20). Why then do we hesitate to tell another who needs to know about His love? All fear must be cast off.

“God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7

Eternal souls are in the balance.

“Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.” Joel 3:14

His love in us will “cast out fear” (1 Jn. 4:18) and compel us to win the lost before it is too late.

“For the love of Christ constraineth (compels) us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.” 2 Corinthians 5:14-15

Am I going to be held accountable for telling others?

“If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small. If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain; If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?” Proverbs 24:10-12

Beloved of God, if our Lord has stirred your soul and you are truly ready to embark upon the obedience and adventure of personal evangelism, pray the following prayer to God your Heavenly Father, aloud and from your heart:

YOUR PRAYER: O God, forgive my selfishness in this life. Cleanse me of the sin of self-idolatry and therefore of neglecting the lost souls You died and rose again to save. Quicken me to reach them with your eternal truth before it’s too late. Please make my heart to smell the smoke and feel the flames of hell which are ready to engulf every single lost soul I will come into contact with this day. Grant me a vision of hell. Stir Your compassion in me. Make me to be bold in communicating and declaring Your Word to those who need to hear today. Open up doors for the ministry of Your Word today and please open the hearts of those You’d have Your people communicate with. By Your leading and grace, I choose to enter those open doors and share your Gospel. Thank You for dying for me and rising from the dead – I love You my precious Lord Jesus.

Friend, I am praying for you and your personal evangelism. May our God grant you eternal fruit as you publish His Word to your world (John 4:35; Psalms 68:11).

“The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it.” Psalms 68:11

Remember, one plants, another waters, and God brings the increase (1 Cor. 3:6). There can be no “increase” without first the planting and watering that we are called to do.

“How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?” Romans 10:14

God’s Word always accomplishes that which He pleases and never returns to Him void (Isaiah 55:11).

“…he that winneth souls is wise.” Proverbs 11:30

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Articles

The Daily Cross in Prayer [podcast]


Prayer is inseparably connected with knowing God (John 17:3).

(Excerpt from the book I Die Daily)

“My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.” Psalms 5:3

Let’s isolate and dismantle these words of God a bit. Under the direct inspiration of the Holy Spirit, David says to the LORD:

  • That He (God) would hear his (David’s) “voice”
  • That “in the morning” the Psalmist would arise and seek God in prayer
  • Deliberately “in the morning,” he would “direct” his prayer and praying to the LORD – “in the morning … I will look up”

From this passage, we see that David planned or scheduled, in an intentional and calculated fashion, to meet with the LORD every morning. The phrase “in the morning” appears twice in this inspired transmission of the Holy Ghost. The man whose heart panted after the LORD – to behold His precious beauty – declared that he would “direct” (point) his prayer upward to the LORD “in the morning.” (Ps. 5:3; 27:4; Acts 13:22) Communing with the LORD was priority to David, and therefore occupied first place in his daily life. He sought the LORD firstly as he arose from sleep, and before he went forth into his day.

Jesus commanded that if any person will come after Him – truly follow Him – he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Him (Luke. 9:23-24). There is no place that the cross applies more than in daily prayer. The moment one arises, he will choose either to seek God or dwell upon self-sentiments and such. He will seek Christ, or he will seek his own salvation or rescue from his troubles. We all make a “daily” choice:

“… choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24:15

No different from those covenant saints the LORD spoke to in this important passage, those whom we dwell among are serving self – the flesh – and yet we are called upon by the LORD to “choose” to daily serve Him rather than self. We are called to “be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Holding forth the word of life.” (Phil. 2:15-16)

The LORD is calling us to purposefully declare Him as the LORD and Master of our lives, and this we do by making the premeditated decision to seek Him daily in prayer communion. Like Joshua, the way we “choose” to “serve” God must be premeditated, deliberate, daily, and in practicality. Daily, early morning, first fruit prayer is all three of these. It is the fruit of the crucified life – the life that is dead to self and in whom Christ dwells and reigns. – “Ye are dead and your life is hid with Christ in God.” (Col. 3:3)

To those who seek God and not their own devices, there are many benefits (Ps. 68:19).

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

The precious peace of the “Prince of Peace” rules and reigns and makes sound the hearts of those who deny self’s ability to overcome and solve issues and problems, and instead earnestly and diligently rely upon God’s power to do such for them (Isa. 9:6; 26:3).

“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength.” Isaiah 26:3-4

As we fix our whole being upon Jesus Christ, our thoughts will be upward to His “glorious high throne,” which is “the place of our sanctuary.” (Jer. 17:12)

God is calling each of His saints to give his whole being to Christ, and to those things that “are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Php. 4:8).

So, according to Philippians 4:6-8, saints are to rely upon the LORD and not self by submitting all their requests in prayer to Him who is their Source, and to think upon those things of Christ which are “true … honest … just … pure … lovely … of good report … if there be any virtue … if there be any praise.” It is upon “these things” that we are instructed to “think on.” (Phil. 4:8)

God’s thoughts are infinitely higher than ours, and yet it is not until we become truly “crucified with Christ” that we are going to be ruled by His thoughts and peace (Isa. 55:8-9; Gal. 2:20; Phil. 4:6-7).

Changing the way one thinks is being done by millions of people who are not regenerated (not born again). New age and religious teachers hold this thought transformation teaching closely. Anyone can change the way they think for self-serving reasons – to stop smoking, to visualize and earn more money, to have more self-esteem, etc. However, hell still awaits all who are not born again, and that takes facing the living God and Judge in repentance for sin and placing all faith in Jesus Christ, the only Savior (Acts 4:12; 1 Tim. 2:5). The only renewing of the mind and thoughts that brings glory to Jesus Christ, is that which begins with one casting his whole being upon the LORD afresh – presenting himself a “living sacrifice … unto God.” Let’s look at Romans 12:

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:1-2

Those who are presenting their bodies to the LORD as “living sacrifice(s)” are infused and enabled by His grace to keep their minds or thoughts stayed (fixed) upon the LORD and not self, as they look for Jesus’ soon return (Col. 3:1-4). They trust Christ and not their own strength, reasoning, whims, philosophies, or wisdom. As they give themselves over to Christ and His infinite divine power, and become weak in self and self’s abilities, Jesus’ power raises them up to trust Him and rely upon Him alone – to rest the weight of their whole beings in Him who is able. They first declare that they are not able, and that only “God is able.” (Eph. 3:20; 2 Cor. 9:8) These are they who have and are finding out in a personal way that there really is nothing impossible with the LORD!

“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

Abraham trusted God. He is our human example of a man who walked with God – by faith believing that God would raise up that to which he died. Concerning the promise of a son being born to him and his aged wife, the Bible records these words from the LORD to His servant Abraham:

“Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.” Genesis 18:14

If God can and will split the Red Sea for His people, and cause a 100-year-old man and his 90-year-old wife to have a child, what in your life can’t He do? (Gen. 17:17)

Here’s yet another question posed to our hearts from the LORD:

“Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?” Jeremiah 32:27

God requires that we die to self-will, self-help, and self-esteem, and lay our lives in His holy, perfect, and more-than-sufficient hands. He can then work in us and in our lives – raising up His holy standard and power to glorify Himself in and through His children. Nothing will be impossible for the LORD to perform in the lives of those who deny themselves and, like Abraham, trust God to raise up His solutions, answers, and blessings to bring Himself glory.

“(As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth (makes alive) the dead, and (God) calleth those things which be not as though they were.” Romans 4:17

God called forth Isaac out of Abraham’s loins when it was an otherwise impossibility in the natural. In your life, beloved, “Is there anything too hard for the LORD?” (Gen. 18:14)

Our connection with God is all about relationship, and the quality of that relationship is exemplified in our prayer lives – or lack thereof. If a person is pursuing the LORD, he has a prayer life. He lays down his own desires and life and seeks God’s life. This is perhaps in no other scrutiny seen more clearly than in the value he assigns to his prayer life, and the heart affections and time he is willing to invest in it.

In Psalms 63, the Psalmist captures the life of the person who truly has a heart after God.

“O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary. Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name. My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips: When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches. Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice. My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.” Psalms 63:1-8

The following is an excerpt from My Utmost for His Highest, by Oswald Chambers:

“’At that day ye shall ask in My name.’ John 16:26.  We are too much given to thinking of the Cross as something we have to get through; we get through it only in order to get into it. The Cross stands for one thing only for us – a complete and entire and absolute identification with the Lord Jesus Christ, and there is nothing in which this identification is realized more than in prayer.

‘Your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask Him.’ Then why ask? The idea of prayer is not in order to get answers from God; prayer is perfect and complete oneness with God. If we pray because we want answers, we will get huffed with God. The answers come every time, but not always in the way we expect, and our spiritual huff shows a refusal to identify ourselves with Our Lord in prayer. We are not here to prove God answers prayer; we are here to be living monuments of God’s grace.

‘I say not that I will pray the Father for you: for the Father Himself loveth you.’ Have you reached such an intimacy with God that the Lord Jesus Christ’s life of prayer is the only explanation of your life of prayer? Has Our Lord’s vicarious life become your vital life? ‘At that day’ you will be so identified with Jesus that there will be no distinction.

When prayer seems to be unanswered, beware of trying to fix the blame on someone else. That is always a snare of Satan. You will find there is a reason which is a deep instruction to you, not to anyone else.”

PRAYER: Father, please bless this life to honor You and Your will first and foremost in this life You have granted, by my being authentically crucified with Christ. Please unite my heart to fear Your holy name and to number with wisdom this short time on this earth as a gift from You. I love You, Jesus, and thank You for dying for my sins and for the resurrection power of the Holy Ghost You placed in us upon salvation, and the infilling of the Holy Spirit. You must increase but I must decrease. This moment, if never before, I declare and deliberately decide to place You first daily in my life – I am crucified with Christ. Early will I seek Thee. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Capture Points

  • Discuss Psalms 5:3 along with Mark 1:35 and the importance of daily and first fruits prayer in the life of every disciple of Jesus.
  • Transcribe onto an index card and discuss Romans 12:1-2 (KJB recommended).
  • Write out on an index card Mark 10:27: “And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.” (KJB)

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Abiding

The Joy of God’s Word [podcast]


“Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.” Jeremiah 15:16

“Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.” Psalms 119:89

“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.” Isaiah 55:11

PRAYER: Heavenly Father please match and exceed every trial You allow me to go through with Your joy! For You said that the joy of the LORD is my strength! In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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Current Events and the Name of Jesus Christ [podcast]


“And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14  If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.” John 14:13-14

IF we are praying God’s WORD in the name of JESUS CHRIST…. in His bless-ed humility, God is answering!

I don’t think we begin to realize the power that is in the name of Jesus Christ – and available exclusively to those who are HIS.

Memorize the word of our LORD Jesus recorded in John 14:13-14.

“I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” Luke 13:3

One commentator notes: “The universal fascination with knowing what is going on in the world has ancient roots. Knowing that Jesus is a well-known rabbi, some ask for his take on the hot news of the day. “There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices” (Luke 13:1). Pilate, the governor, has executed some Jews while they were in the act of offering their sacrifices, mingling their blood with the animal blood. Jewish sentiment is likely strongly against Pilate, although some seem to be critical of the people who have suffered. Maybe they deserved it.”

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Jesus Christ

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