Power, Love, a Sound Mind, and Divine Wisdom

Paula White Exposed [video]

THAT’s My King! Pastor Lockridge [video]

Powerful Prayers from Children-This Will Shake You [video]

The Fear of the LORD is to Hate Evil: Pride, and Arrogancy #shorts [video]

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;” 2 Timothy 1:7-8

Notice in the passage above how “power” and “love” and a “sound mind” are coupled with not slandering or receiving and joining in with the persecution of a brother or sister in Christ – no matter what they are going through at this time, no matter the season. In this season, the apostles penned these words while in prison.

“Three commands to Timothy:
1.    Be not ashamed of the gospel (2Ti_1:8; 2Ti_2:15; 2 Tim. 15; Rom_1:16; Luk_9:26)
2.    Be not ashamed of gospel preachers (2Ti_1:8, 2Ti_1:16; Luk_9:26)
3.    Be a partaker of the afflictions of the gospel (2Ti_1:8; 2Ti_4:5; Col_1:24)” Dake

“Be thou partaker of the afflictions of the Gospel – No parent could love a child better than Paul loved Timothy; and, behold! he who could wish him nothing but what was great, honorable, and good, wishes him to be a partaker of the afflictions of the Gospel! Because, to suffer for Christ, and suffer with Christ, was the highest glory to which any human being in this state could arrive. The royal way to the crown of glory, is by the cross of Christ.” Adam Clarke

“1:8 Timothy is told that he should not be ashamed. In verse 12, Paul states that he is not ashamed. Finally, in verse 16, we read that Onesiphorus was not ashamed. It was a day when preaching the gospel was a crime. Those who sought to witness publicly for their Lord and Savior were persecuted. But this should not daunt Timothy. He should not be ashamed of the gospel, even though it involves suffering. Neither should he be ashamed of the Apostle Paul in prison. Already some of the Christians had turned their backs on him. Doubtless they feared that to identify themselves with him would invite persecution and possibly death. Timothy was exhorted to take his share of the sufferings that accompany the gospel and to bear it according to the power of God. He should not try to avoid any disgrace that might be connected with it, but rather join with Paul in enduring such disgrace.” Believer’s Bible Commentary

May God bless each of us to walk in the wisdom of the whole counsel of His Word (James 1:5; Proverbs 8; James 3:17-18, etc.).

“But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.” James 3:17-18

Here the great apostle of Christ is in jail where he wrote this from. And, obviously some were using his jail sentence against him. So, Paul tells his understudy Timothy, not to be ashamed of him because he’s being persecuted.

The Bible tells us that when we walk in God’s love through intimate union with Christ, even “a multitude” of the sins of others will be covered.

“But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. 8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:7-8

Receiving and Showing His Bless-ed Mercy

“Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. 2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:1-2

Let’s Pray: Father, please make me whole from the inside out, as You alone can do, in Jesus’ name (1 Thessalonians 5:23). Please use me to restore instead of condemning those who fall, undergirding them in prayer and any aide You mercifully allow me to render to help them. Thank You Father that Your compassions fail not but rather are new every morning, and great in Thy faithfulness. Otherwise I’d be the one in the lowest of hell! I love You Jesus. In Jesus’ name, amen.

The iniquitous sinful nature in us, the “old man”, tends toward joining in on slander, projecting our own darkness on others, instead of coming to their aid, to their side, to help them, to lift them up as did our LORD when He left the glories of His Father to come and reach us in our low, sinful state (Philippians 2; Colossians 3:8-10).

“Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. 2 But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. 3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?” Romans 2:1-3

Somehow we seem to forget that while Jesus was literally dying for OUR sins on that cross, He prayerfully cried to the Father “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34)

God didn’t forgive us for any inherent goodness in us – because we have none (Isaiah 64:6; Romans 3:10; 7:18, 24). Solely on the basis of Christ’s perfect blood sacrifice and His sheer divine mercy has God forgiven us! – “even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”

“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. 30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:29-32

The most basic teaching of Christ, of Christianity, is to forgive others as God has forgiven us on the behalf of Christ, of His perfect merciful sacrifice for we ourselves – the most needy of all!

All who do not freely forgive others, do not get it – have no clue of the Gospel of our LORD Jesus Christ and why He came (Luke 9:56; 19:10; John 3:17). They are in darkness and cannot possibly see even a glimpse of just how wicked they are in the eyes of a holy God.

“And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. 26 But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.” Mark 11:25-26

All those in the light of Christ the Light of the world, freely, swiftly, quickly, eagerly forgive others. They hold no grudges, something that specifically prevent any rebel from entering glory (James 5:7-9).

Father, please tenderize our hardened hearts. Grant us to have all stony places removed and for our hearts to be hearts of flesh – soft, pliable, repentant, and worshipfully obedient to Your every desire and command. In Jesus’ name.

Case in Point

“Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.” 1 Timothy 5:19

Note closely in the above verse, that we are not to receive any accusation against one of Christ’s elders (or any believer for that matter) without at least two actual WITNESSES. Did you catch that? Not two spreaders of slander but two people who actually WITNESSED the supposed matter/violation. Do you see the difference?

You see, we all know that one person, one devil, can accuse a brother or sister of something and then other pawns can spread the mere fabricated lie. Those are not witnesses. Those are simply people who are spreading a lie.

A man who is an elder received vicious slanderous accusations about another brother (who is a preacher). When he in “concern” contacted me about that brother, I refused his cause against that brother and told him that I have no evidence or sense that such is true about that brother and outrightly stand with that brother and against this fabricated slander. And, I stated to him that I supposed that those slanderous things came from Satan’s very children (namely jezebels). My concern then became about this accusing “elder” who would dare buy into such fabricated slander. Red flags. Paul the apostle of Christ, who was persecuted unto prison (chained down behind bars), said to Timothy:

“Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;” 2 Timothy 1:8

The next time we hear slander about a known brother or sister, like something that they did in the past (SUPPOSEDLY), let us remember the verse above and memorize it and the address of it. Let us also be filled with joy that the brother or sister being persecuted by slander must be making a great impact for Christ and against the kingdom of hell!!!!!

Now THAT’S how we need to field these things. Is this not the kingdom perspective?!

Our concern actually needs to be about ourselves if we are never slandered or maligned, lied about or persecuted in any way. According to Jesus, if we are not being assaulted, we are not “blessed” according to His divine definition and should be greatly concerned and driven to fall afresh on His mercy at the foot of the cross before it’s too late.

“Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you FALSELY, for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” Matthew 5:10-12

Okay, someone may say, “WAIT, what if what people are saying about that person is TRUE?!??!!!”

Reply: DID God’s plan to crucify His only begotten Son not include forgiveness AT and AFTER He saved an individual?

If you for a moment believe a Christian can’t be forgiven of any and all sin, you have elevated sin above the blood of Christ’s cross and are in serious trouble spiritually.

If a man stands solid on both feet in divine truth and publicly declares it, you can know of a certainty that such a man of God WILL ABSOLUTELY WITHOUT FAIL be assaulted by “evil men” and jezebels. Remember God’s prophet Elijah and how jezebel fumed in hatred over him and swore to take his life? (1 Kings 18-19)

In fact, gentlemen, if we aren’t being lied about, assaulted, shunned, and horrifically slandered, we may wish to examine our own lives – their root in Christ and subsequent fruitfulness.

Question: Who needs to be worried?

Answer: NOT the fruitful, persecuted true disciples of Jesus but rather those who are not being fruitful and therefore attacked.

“Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.” Luke 6:26

“And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.” Matthew 10:22

Of course, not all sinners will hate us. Yet, the point is, if we receive no persecution, including those which Jesus specifically cites, what does that tell us of our lack of union with He who was persecuted unto crucifixion?

The Revelation 12:10 phrase “accuser of the brethren (Satan)” fits well here and that’s because these are true disciples of Jesus being falsely accused, not the wolves of Satan. Usually that verse is taken out of context to cover for and defend absolute wolves who pose as Christ’s ministers while misleading and damning many (2 Corinthians 11:12-15). May we study God’s Word for ourselves and thereby gain a biblical clue!

Who did Jesus say is blessed? Listen to the Lamb:

“And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God. 21 Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh. 22 Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake. 23 Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets. 24 But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation. 25 Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep. 26 Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.” Luke 6:21-26

From our LORD’s teaching here and elsewhere, conversely those who should fear for their eternal souls: are not poor in spirit, are full and not charitable to others (givers), not hated, not separated by joined with apostates and sinners, not reproached, whose names aren’t ridiculed and mocked, laughing and having no troubles due to truly following Christ.

—– Prayer: Father, in the name of Jesus, grant my heart to be clean of all self-righteousness and an evil eye and that You would allow Your love in me to overlook the multitude of sins in others. Bless me to know that no one on this planet is less worthy of Your sheer mercy, saving than myself. Grant that my heart be broken, humble, and set upon serving You and others. You have not given Your people the spirit of fear but rather of power, love and a sound mind. Bless me to never be ashamed of your beloved saints as they suffer slanderous persecution and imprisonment in this brief journey leading up to our eternity with You! Instead, use me to pray for aid, and comfort them in any way possible! Thank You this moment LORD, for multiplying Your wisdom to my heart and life, in Jesus’ holy name, amen.

More on Persecution here. | More on Self-Righteousness Here.

LET’S LEARN GOD’S WORD TOGETHER – ONE TRUTH AT A TIME: This message was sent out to each person who is on the Moments for My Master e-mail devotional list. In supplementation to your personal daily study of God’s Word, we would love to add you and have the privilege of nourishing your heart with God’s Word (Jn. 5:39; 1 Tim. 4:6, 16; Heb. 5:11-14; 1 Pet. 2:2). Sign up here.

Aren’t You Glad God is the Judge and Not Man? [podcast]

Have you been Attacked “Without a Cause”?

Should We Listen to Everyone’s Opinion of Us? [podcast]

Abiding

Following the Faith of Abraham [podcast]

“There failed not ought of any good thing which the LORD had spoken unto the house of Israel; ALL came to pass.” Joshua 21:45

The LORD Keeps His Promises to His People

God could trust Abraham:

“For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.” Genesis 18:19

Of Abraham who lived by faith, the LORD says “For I know him” and if we love God, like Abraham, we are known of the LORD also.

“But if any man love God, the same is known of him.” 1 Corinthians 8:3

Does the unchanging God ever tell His people to leave where they are and go to another place? Yes.

“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: 2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: 3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. 4 So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him…” Genesis 12:1-4

Abraham met the condition and God fulfilled His promise. Could the LORD have blessed Abraham had Abraham not trusted and obeyed Him?

“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

“The key is to say ‘Here I am.’ Abraham responded 3 times to God in Gen 22, when God called His name. It was an immediate response of obedience. Did he know exactly why God was calling him? No! It was the posture of his heart. Because of his faithful obedience the Lord knew Abraham was a God fearing man, who only cared about doing God’s will.” Karen Cochran

“And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness.” Genesis 15:6

“And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.” James 2:23

“I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. 7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. 8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. 9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.” 1 Corinthians 3:6-9

“By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.” Hebrews 11:8

“And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.” Luke 17:5

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please forgive my unbelief, which is a sin. Please wash this heart afresh in Your precious blood dear LORD Jesus. Fill my heart with faith, with love, joy, and peace. Please order my every step and be glorified in this life You gave. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

"Though He Slay Me, Yet will I Trust in Him" [podcast]

DO WE have the “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him” spirit and disposition of the beloved Job? “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.” Job 13:15 Going though a season of testing and trials and yet not worshipping God through it all, is a waste. Personally I had to learn this the hard way. God has been so wonderfully gracious! “But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, […]

Are You a "A FAITHFUL MESSENGER" of the LORD? [podcast]

The faithfulness of God is where we begin …. every word in the Bible. His Word oozes with His faithfulness. He was faithful to us “while we yet sinners” (Romans 5:6-8), to forgive us our sins (1 John 1:9). ruling over cities – see Luke 19 See examples of faithfulness to God in Hebrews 11: “he pleased God” “By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.” Hebrews 11:5 “But whoso looketh into the perfect […]

Abiding

The Flesh will Never be Reformed it Must be Crucified [podcast]

The Divine Prescription is Clear and there are No Shortcuts

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

The law brings repentance, salvation while thereafter the crucified life, the cross keeps us from that sin which once separated us from the LORD, who now has saved us (Psalms 19:7; Romans 6).

There are lots of people peddling the lie of “self care” which is ultimately nothing more than absolute selfishness. Pure evil. We need SAVIOR care! Such “self-care” only perpetuates the prey, the victim, in their misery. The only way to deal with the wicked iniquitous nature, is to crucify it, not pamper it (Luke 9:23-24). It’s your time to get into God’s Word and follow Jesus (KJB). Repent, deny yourself, lay down your life and serve God and others, not yourself. Loving your wicked self IS your problem and so all “self care” is accomplishing is to make your problem bigger, to fortify the evil within (Galatians 5:16-24). Crucifying that evil by the power of the Holy Spirit who is then raising your upward in His grace, glory, and power, is the divine prescription (Romans 8:13; Colossians 3:3, etc.). Read Philippians 2:3-5 each morning this week. Jesus commands you to love God. Worship God. Obey God (Matthew 22:37-39).

All whom Jesus has saved make a decision every day, including this day. All who were initially saved and yet aren’t searching out and taking up the cross daily, prove they do not love Him, even though they may claim such. Each of us prove who we really love by who reigns in our lives, and by who dies. See Matthew 6:24.

“Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?” Romans 6:16

WHO we yield ourselves to today, proves who we truly love – either the Savior or self.

“But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:” 2 Corinthians 1:9

We must declare and establish “the sentence of death in ourselves” so that our trust is in God who raised Christ from the dead and raises up all of His saints as they are crucified with Christ.

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20

Tired of sinful self and wanting it out of your way? Here’s the divine prescription: “But I keep under (subdue) 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).

The fact that Jesus is coming back for a church, a people who are holy, let us peer into what the Bible tells us concerning overcoming the flesh, sin (Romans 6-8).

Jesus never said to try or try harder. no, Jesus says you must die to follow Him (Luke 9:23-24; John 12:23-25, etc.).

Jesus is sanctifying and cleansing by His Word a people, a church “a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish” (Ephesians 5:25-27).

Times of fasting and prayer are doing yourself a favor and not God. Yes. You are crucifying self, getting self out of God’s way so that Christ is reigning in your life in place of sinful self! This should be viewed with absolute delight! (See Psalms 37:4; Hosea 6:6; Matthew 9:13, etc..) You are crying, you are driving a stake in the ground and declaring: “LORD, You must increase but I must decrease!” (See John 3:30.) That’s the “daily” operation of the cross God has ordained to be transpiring in our lives (Luke 9:23-24; 2 Corinthians 4:10-12; Galatians 2:20, etc.).

What’s your plan for a special time of fasting and prayer this week? There’s no mystery – you will not overcome the flesh, sin, without being crucified with Christ and there’s no better way than fasting and prayer. It’s the most direct route to being dead, buried, and raised up in the victory Christ alone can grant. Lay it all down, now. Memorize Colossians 3:3 and walk it out.

We simply can’t know just how deep we are buried in pride until we begin to obey God in fasting and prayer. Isaiah 58

Overcoming the flesh, walking in victory requires continually delighting in the LORD, worshipping Him “in spirit and in truth” (John 4:23-24).

“Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.” 1 Chronicles 16:11

HOW many of us know that the flesh is never going to behave itself, never going to be tamed …. until it’s slain by the cross, crucified?

The flesh IS going to rage, be bent toward and do evil. That’s a given (Romans 7). This is why the cross, the crucifying of the “old man” and putting on “the new man” are essential to God bringing the victory in our lives! (Romans 6-8; Ephesians 4:23-25; Colossians 3:5-10, etc.)

Doesn’t the fact that our flesh does not like the cross, only confirm the need for it? What are the “works of the flesh” that will separate a once saved Christian from God? (Galatians 5:16-21) Though it’s never heard in the apostate modern church world, Jesus commanded the cross in the life of each and every person who would follow Him (Luke 9:23-24). The fact that our flesh hates the cross in no way changes God and what He said concerning the severity in which we are to deal with the flesh, with sin – and the eternal damnation that awaits all who don’t crucify the deeds of the body (Mark 9:42-49; Romans 6; 2 Corinthians 7:1; 1 Peter 1:15-16; Revelation 21:8, 27, etc.). When’s the last time you read the words of Jesus recorded in Mark 9:42-49 and took Jesus at His Word? IF you truly love Him, you will obey Him (John 14:15).

God fully expects for His people to induce, to participate in the crucifixion of our flesh, putting the self-life to death (Isaiah 58; Matthew 6:16; 1 Corinthians 9:27; Galatians 2:20, etc.).

Holiness is not the way to Christ but rather Christ is the way to holiness. Abiding in Christ IS abiding holy – in the divine definition of holy. The key is that holiness is NOT the way to God but rather Christ is the way to holiness, His way, His definition – which is the daily cross (Luke 9:23-24). Abiding fellowship with Christ, on HIS terms, is holiness – being set apart to the LORD, in the LORD (Psalms 4:3; John 15).

Sin is man’s master until Christ is man’s Master (Matthew 6:24).

No one overcomes by accident. Those who love the LORD, truly, not just in mere profession, will seek Him diligently and obey Him and therefore are brought into His victory by Him (Matthew 7:21; 22:37-39; Titus 1:16; 1 John 2:3-6; Revelation 2-3, etc.). The disciple must truly repent and cease all excuses for the sin that displeases God and walk as “MORE than conquerors through him that loved us” (Romans 8:1, 5-6, 13-14; 37, etc.).

Jesus came from Heaven to earth and successfully confronted evil, sin, death, and the devil by going to the cross and defeating them! Read Colossians 2:14-15; Hebrews 2:14-15 and 1 John 3:8. In Christ, with Christ, we defeat death by dying, laying down our lives (Hebrews 2:14-15). And Jesus, who conquered death, hell, sin, Satan, and the grave, sends us to the cross – co-death with Him to defeat all of our sin and Satan also (Luke 9:23-24; Romans 6; 8:29, 37; 2 Corinthians 4:10-12, etc.). His precious blood alone atoned for our sins positionally, and yet to enforce that victory in defeating sin and Satan in our daily lives, Jesus prescribed to us the cross life (the practical).

The only thing we can do about this reality – about the iniquitous fleshly nature – is to crucify it (Galatians 5:16-24). There can be no negotiation.

“Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:11

The one way to master sin is bow to Heaven’s Master and let Him master sin! The cross.

BECAUSE JESUS CHRIST ROSE AGAIN, ALL WHO ARE BORN AGAIN IN HIM ARE RAISED UP SPIRITUALLY IN THIS LIFE TO OVERCOME ALL SIN, SATAN, AND THE WORLD, AND WILL SOON be RAISED UP INTO ETERNAL GLORY WITH HEAVEN’S KING.

Rhetorical Question: What’s your fasting and prayer plan beloved? Your answer to this important, prompting question is before you and your LORD….

“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. 2 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

You are not serious about overcoming sin if you’re not yet setting apart regular times of fasting and prayer. The fact that you don’t want to fast is the clear proof that you need to fast. Currently, your flesh is in control! Once you are broken, you will delight in, you will look forward to those times of regular fasting! Read Isaiah 58. | The Amazing Benefits of Fasting and Prayer

Times of Fasting and prayer get YOU out of the way so Jesus can reign supreme! Isaiah 58

“For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” Romans 8:13-14

“He must increase but I must decrease.” John 3:30

FASTING IS STARVING THE FLESH AND FEEDING THE SPIRIT IN ORDER TO BE BROUGHT BY THE LORD INTO FULL ONENESS WITH HIM AND THE FATHER, AND INTO THE COMPLETE VICTORY AND FRUITFULNESS HE’S ORDAINED YOU TO WALK IN (ISAIAH 58).

Read Romans 6-8.

I am not a good person. Neither are you. “There is none righteous, no, not one” (Romans 3:10). Admit it. The Bible and our own failing experience in this life clearly reveal such to be the case. The sooner we become HONEST with that which is more than obvious, announcing freely and transparently that there is “no good thing” in us except CHRIST, the sooner God will begin a fresh, deeper work in us! See Romans 7:18, 24—the cross!

“For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.” Romans 7:18

“Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;” Colossians 3:9

The SINNER, the vile wretch I must first and foremost confront, is myself! See Job 19:28; Rom 7:18, 24; Ps 39:4-5 and Eccl 7:20. It’s essential to begin to understand the flesh, the fallen man, the iniquitous old man, in order to realize what we’ve been saved from and what must be crucified daily. The cross is God’s solution, His prescription to “put off the old man with his deeds.”

“That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;” Ephesians 4:22

The cross subdues the flesh, it separates us from being held captive to the dictates of the old man, the carnal fallen nature.

The Root of the Matter is in Me! | The Daily Cross

Either Crucify the Flesh or it will Crucify Christ out of Your Life [podcast]

Fight the temptation or die the death? Where’s the victory come from? The Cross – something counterfeits intentionally evade (Philippians 3:18-19). The cross is how we know who is real and who is fake. Refusing to take up the cross means one has denied Christ. This would account for the vast majority of men in ministry today. They are cross-less. The only people who are truly following Christ are those who are doing it HIS way – and His stated way is the cross, the crucified life (Luke 9:23-24). There is no other way to follow Jesus. If we don’t […]

To the Flesh we must declare “Shut up and die!” [podcast]

There can be no mercy on the flesh. As opposed to making excuse for the fallen nature in us, we must declare war on it – by the cross (Romans 6:1-23; 8:12-13, etc.). Jesus never said to try. Jesus says you must die to follow Him (Luke 9:23-24; John 12:23-25, etc.). The flesh cannot be cast out, like a devil. It must be daily crucified, put to death (Luke 9:23-24; Romans 6, etc.). The Holy Spirit alone can crucify the deeds of the body and this only happens as we are dead and buried with Christ. Read Romans 6 […]

Sin: Man’s Core Problem [podcast]

People don’t have a “mental health” problem, they have a SIN problem and sin is what gives way, gives full access to Satan! “When people hear voices telling them to harm themselves or others, that’s not a chemical imbalance, it’s demon possession.” Rachel Gould “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” Jeremiah 17:9 Jesus taught us that man’s sin comes out of his “desperately wicked” heart (Jer17:9; Mark 7:20-23). The devil and his agents have created a million ways to divert us from stopping our lives, getting honest, taking personal responsibility, humbling ourselves, […]

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Gospel Preached at Funeral of a Decorated United States Marine Officer in Mexico [podcast]

This past Sunday, here in beautiful Mexico, a saint’s temporal body was laid to rest. Brother Mark and I were given the opportunity, asked to speak to the whole group.

Our LORD Jesus’ Gospel was preached and everyone there was invited to repent and receive Christ before it’s too late—because Jesus died for them to be forgiven and receive eternal life, and that hell is forever (Revelation 22:17). Oh, the funeral attendees were also informed that “purgatory” is a lie, and that when they die, they will be going to Heaven or hell.

After a bit, an interpreter helped, joined in, and so every attendee heard the Gospel in their language—Spanish or English.

Trevor and Trish are the couple’s names. The way brother Mark met Trish, the now widow was 100% a miracle. Two weeks ago, we were invited to this couple’s home and spent the afternoon with them. Little did we know that the husband would pass shortly thereafter. God knew and orchestrated the events according to His perfect will.

Saints, thank you for your prayers for sister Trish.

After the people disbanded, several came and asked us about further fellowship. The preaching of God’s Word ignited them. A breakfast group fellowship had recently already begun to form, so they were invited.

Life springs out of death – “Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die” (1 Corinthians 15:36).

Christ’s economy is a cross economy. Here we see that very thing where out of one of His saint’s death and burial, the life of Jesus is at work, raising up others. Life springs out of death (2 Corinthians 4:10-12).

“Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.” Psalms 116:15

“And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.” Revelation 14:13

God is so very good, saints. See Psalm 86.

Here’s comfort from “the God of all comfort” for each of you, concerning losing loved ones, namely born again loved ones! You can be assured that they are with Christ and the Father and protected from ANY and ALL danger, forever! See 2 Corinthians 1:2-5, also Revelation 21:4.

“The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come. 2 He shall enter into peace: they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness.” Isaiah 57:1-2

Interestingly, the LORD brought together 4 United States Marines/Marine vets in Mexico to bring this to pass….

“Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.” Revelation 16:15

The Brevity of Life in this World

“Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.” James 4:14

We all face death and judgment, and the Good News is that Christ’s perfect sacrifice, as we humbly appropriate it, means we are forgiven and will avert the judgment of eternal damnation.

“And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:” Hebrews 9:27

Our Prayer with Isaiah for God to Prepare and Send Us

It’s the “Here am I; send me” LORD prayer in action! (Isaiah 6:8)

Child of God, are you ready, today, to lift your heart and hands to your Maker and dare to declare this prayer to Him? – “Here am I; send me!”

If you dare to freshly surrender the life God gave you and cry out to Him, get ready beloved for the fruit-bearing adventure of your life! Remember that Abraham was in Haran (means barren, dry, fruit-less) until he was instructed by God to get up and leave. That’s when the promised blessings began to unfold in his life. See the end of Genesis 11 and thereafter.

When you cry out to Him with the prophet Isaiah, the LORD is going to hear, answer, and do things that are utterly miraculous.

“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

Just “Go” and watch God! (Mark 16:15). Your life is never more richly blessed by God than when you live by faith, when you surrender afresh and ask Him to take all of you, to prepare and use you.

Isaiah's Call and Commission [podcast]

What did the LORD reveal of Himself to Isaiah? What was the result in Isaiah’s life and ours? When the LORD appeared to him, the prophet Isaiah was shown his own depravity, his own wicked heart, his own unpreparedness. What was his response and how does this relate to us? Are you ready this day to say “Jesus please prepare and use me mightily for Your eternal glory! I love You LORD. I am all Yours! Please do Your deeper work in this life You gave!”? One must be prepared by God to be used by God. “If a man therefore […]

LORD, Prepare Me! [podcast]

“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8 for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” Matthew 7:7-8 “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.” John 14:21 “Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will […]

Mission Mexico Part 46 [podcast]

Recorded about a week ago: Much has happened since then! Your Love for God is Changing Lives Saints! Clara’s new rental. Brother Allan ministering in the Philippines. Many being reached daily in Mexico. And much more….. Happening now. In progress. Talking to Clara by text right now….. delivered the rent and deposit today. | Clara’s Cry Recently, when bringing more food to Clara and her 3 boys, food from God’s love in and through you, I noticed that her 3 boys were quite dirty and was moved. They were actually filthy. Clara is by nature a very quiet person. So I […]