Abiding

Putting Your Past Behind You

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]

Forgetting the past…. Getting past the past …. Overcoming Your Past. Marching Forward.

No one can change their past, yet we can and are instructed to forget it!

Concerning our faithfulness to God, one writer penned this:

“The secret of being ‘faithful until death’ is to be faithful one day at a time. You can only live one day at a time; you can only be faithful one day at a time. So don’t worry about whether you were faithful yesterday or not, or whether you’re going to be faithful tomorrow. Just do your best to be faithful today. The Bible tells us to forget the past (Philippians 3:13), and tomorrow will take care of itself (Matthew 6:34)-or the Lord will take care of it. Just be faithful today. Don’t worry about your whole life! Don’t keep asking yourself, ‘Am I going to be faithful until the day I die, so I can be sure to get a crown of life?'”

“I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee.” Isaiah 44:22

AT THIS POINT, TODAY, RIGHT THIS MOMENT, it simply doesn’t matter who you were nor what you did in your past. If the LORD has saved you, you are a new creature in Christ and when you asked Him to forgive your sins, as you confessed them in true repentance, He did. They’re gone (Hebrews 8:12; 1 John 1:9). Today is the first day of the rest of your life! Jesus reigns supreme!

You simply cannot look back beloved of God. He’s taking you forward, into Him. You are no longer who you used to be. You have God’s Word on this (Philippians 3:13-14).

Not 1 person alive right now has a sinless past – before or after Jesus saved them.

Just keep “forgetting those things which are behind” and “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.” (Philippians 3:13-14)

“… let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2

The following is from Modern Day Ruth:

“I’m not turning back. I’m moving forward in the promises and blessings God has prepared for me. What I lost is behind me. I look over my shoulder only to remind myself of how far the Lord has brought me thru. That which I lost I will not return to because everything I have is entrusted in the hands of the Almighty. He restores and creates brand new blessings. The rubble of broken dreams are just a memorial of His Grace and Mercy that has brought me thru this far. As I continue to trust Him and follow His lead He reveals more of His presence and Glory. I am being transformed day by day. Though what I am praying for, standing for, dreaming and reaching for tarries- I will wait for it because it will come to pass. My tears, struggles and pains may not make sense now but I know the master Planner knows what He’s doing. I hear His voice; Listen intently to His instruction, “This is the way that you should go- Walk in it.” I savor and marvel at depth and layers of His beauty I see along the way of my journey. Here I find treasures in hidden places that have been laid up for the righteous. I glean wisdom in nearby fields. I see smiling faces of my Sisters and Brothers in Christ as they too are walking towards the horizon. God has truly been good to me. He is always faithful. Just when I think I can’t go on He sustains me and refreshes me and gives me His waters to drink and His bread to eat. He is taking me to my promise land. Written by Jenny Williams, A Modern Day Ruth, © 2013

✝️Isaiah 43:18 (KJV)
Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.”

We need only to concern ourselves with our relationship with the LORD today, living in the now, the present – not the past or future.

“Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” Matthew 6:34

Heavenly, Father, we now ask You to settle our spirits, help us to truly, wholly seek and trust You dear LORD – living in the present and not suspended in the past or future. In the name of Jesus, amen.

RECENTLY, during the night hours, it seems the Holy Spirit was impressing upon this heart how important it is for His people to abide in Christ, today, living unto Him in the moment, forgetting the things that are behind them, and pressing toward the mark for the high calling of God in Christ Jesus our LORD. Is this the biblical perspective? Yes. Matthew 6:33-34; John 15:1-6; Philippians 3:13-14. Your past has passed – good or bad, it’s over! Done. Praise Jesus that today is the first day of the rest of our lives and Jesus forgives all the sins of His abiding (therefore repentant) saints!

Today, someone is in need of declaring the divinely inspired words of Philippians 3:13-14 aloud before the LORD, yourself, and the devil. Do it. Severance, a cutting off awaits.

As he anticipated going to be with the LORD, Christ’s apostle Paul declared the following:

“For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:6-8

The late Charles Pray writes: “It’s not so much what we didn’t do in the past, the past is gone. Now, it’s what are we doing now with our LORD Jesus that really counts.”

ANYBODY praising God today for being ABLE to FORGET some things you did? Hello somebody! God will enable you to FORGET! He does!

“He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. 11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. 12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.” Psalms 103:10-12

God forgives the sins of His people – beginning with the moment He initially saves us. He intends to keep us cleansed and will do so as we confess any sin! (1 John 1:9)

“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

1 John 1:9 – reveals 2 promises to those in Christ who confess any sin we committed. When we confess, God is faithful to:

“forgive us our sins, and…
“to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

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

Not only sin but also past accomplishments can hinder us from presently abiding in Christ, right?

If we think about it for a moment, even the good things of our past can hinder us, due to the pride they may foster in us, leading to a lax, a lazy posture.

When he faced Goliath, David rehearsed past victories as he encouraged himself in the LORD as he called into remembrance the bear and lion he’d been empowered by God to slay (1 Samuel 17:34-37). Yet, this was at least in part, due to the ridicule of Saul. Yet, if we give undue accolades to ourselves for past victories, might we be prone to foster an undue pride in our hearts?

We must put our past in the past …. even the good stuff. Trashing the Trophies …. “this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-14)

The accuser of the brethren is Satan and he seeks to harass and to badger the people of God, haunting them about things God already forgave (Revelation 12:10). They must learn how to biblically navigate, to overcome by the blood of the LAMB, who washes us white as snow!

“And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. 11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. 12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.” Revelation 12:10-12

Biblical deliverance prescription: Speak out loud the divinely inspired words of Philippians 3:13-14. Declare them as if they are true for your life – because they are! Drive a stake in the ground!

Brother Joseph Blunk writes:

“Just because you were a sinner yesterday, doesn’t mean you have to continue to be a sinner today. Repent of who you were yesterday, and be who God has commanded you to be today! Yesterday is in the past and today is here. God’s mercies are new every morning, so seek Him while it is still called today! No one knows when their life will be over, and they’ll find themselves in front of God’s throne, so get right and STAY right with Him!”

You cannot change the past. You cannot undo what you did in the evil sense when you sinned against God and hurt others in doing so. But you can today realize that this is the first day of the rest of your life and forget those things which are behind, reaching forth unto those things which are before you and press toward the mark for the prize of the High Calling of God in Christ Jesus. Not only can you do this, this is actually the command of God for you to do. Prayerfully pore over and declare Philippians 3:13-14 till it becomes part of your life.

Do we not “give place to the devil” when we sulk in a sin God forgave the instant we confessed it?

“Neither give place to the devil.” Ephesians 4:27

Make no mistake: When we sin it is against a Holy, unchanging God and “the wages of sin is (still) death.” (Romans 6:23)

“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

Overcoming All Sin

“Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:41

While there is divine mercy to forgive our sins and grace to divinely enable us to overcome them, the consequences of sin are lasting. This is clear in the life of Moses and David and others throughout biblical history. David reaped horrid consequences on himself and his household after he committed adultery and had Uriah murdered. Staying in the Spirit and not the flesh, will prevent future sinning.

The only way to stay out of the flesh is to stay in the Spirit. Fighting the good fight of faith consists of diligently laboring daily in seeking God (Ephesians 6:12).

“For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.” Proverbs 24:16

True disciples who walk with God, like beloved David, know what it means to fall, to sin, to repent, to return to the LORD, and to be restored by the LORD. They therefore help you, they encourage, they admonish, and warn you to hasten to the throne of grace to obtain mercy and grace!

IF you choose to sin, it’s going to cost you (Romans 6:23). We must all reap what we sow (Galatians 6:7-8). Yet, the transgressor should run TO God, not AWAY from Him.

“My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:” 1 John 2:1

“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain MERCY, and find GRACE to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16

Saints, may our LORD help us to HELP other disciples who are in the same fight as we are in and help them in the LORD’s process of sanctification. Galatians 6:1-2; 2 Timothy 2:24-26

In some cases, there will be those who do not want to forgive your past. They live with a heart of hatred due to their own refusal to repent and seek the LORD continually.

THOSE who still think you are the same person you were in the past, prove that THEY are the same person they were in the past. They prove they are not growing in God’s grace themselves and are still the unrepentant person they were in the past! (Romans 2:1-3) Their projection of this darkness emanates from their own darkened heart.

The Drawings of God

When God convicts us it is to draw us to Himself (John 16:8; 12:32). He loves us and wants His glory reigning in our lives and this is always for our own good.

“The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.” Jeremiah 31:3

When our LORD draws us back to Himself, we are to return to Him in true repentance and “times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord” will be upon us.

“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

YOUR PRAYER: Holy Father, I come to You afresh, now in the name of Jesus Christ. Please forgive my sins by the precious blood of my LORD Jesus. Wash me clean dear LORD and remove the guilt from my conscience. Here and now I let the past go. I forget those things which are now behind me. I reach forth unto Thee dear LORD and what you have for me to do in this temporal world. I now press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. I love You LORD Jesus and thank You for everything You’ve given to this child of Yours to use for You glory and not my own. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

The Sins and Restoration of the Patriarchs [podcast]

Every Believer Must be Stripped

Wondering How God Views You in Your Weakness?

Victory Comes Little by Little [podcast]

“And the LORD thy God will put out those nations before thee by little and little: thou mayest not consume them at once, lest the beasts of the field increase upon thee.” Deuteronomy 7:22 “The Lord led me to pour over this scripture this morning. 2 Corinthians 3:18. ‘But we all, with open face beholding as a glass the Glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from Glory to Glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.’ ‘Open face’ here means not hiding, taking off the veil over our eyes and hearts and seeing ourselves for […]

The Sins and Restoration of the Patriarchs [podcast]

Abraham, Moses, and David – Their Sin and God’s Restoration! “For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.” Ecclesiastes 7:20 This fact doesn’t justify any sinning and yet, as the Word of God, must be factored in (Isaiah 28:16; Romans 6:1-2; 1 Corinthians 2:13; 2 Timothy 2:15). “Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?” Proverbs 20:9 Sinless perfectionism is a lie (1 John 1:7-2:2). “If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me: if I say, I am perfect, it shall also prove me […]

Returning to Christ as Our "First Love" [podcast]

“Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” Exodus 20:3 The LORD is a “Jealous” God. “For thou shalt worship no other god: for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God:” Exodus 34:14 If Jesus Christ is not genuinely the first love of our hearts, our lives, we are committing spiritual adultery on the Son of God. “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two […]

"A Land Flowing with Milk and Honey" [podcast]

DADDY’S IN THE HOUSE! He’s Large and in Charge! He’s Daddy. He’s Your Father! “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba (Daddy), Father. 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.” Romans 8:15-17 Growing up in daddy’s house, you did things his way, right? Not your way […]

Fresh Start with God

You can Have a … Jesus is the Great Shepherd of His Sheep (Heb. 13:20; Lk. 15) A FRESH START WITH GOD (First, if you are not certain that you are genuinely born again, please go here first) Let’s get something straight…. the disciple, the mere man writing this message is more in need of JESUS than anyone who ever lived! No one needs Jesus more than I do and yet, we must do things HIS way, not our own (Ephesians 3:8). “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Proverbs […]

Abiding

LORD Please Prepare and Send Me! [podcast]

So you don’t do anything for anyone except yourself and yet you claim to be saved? Nah. Real repentance, will always, with no exception, bring for a new life, the life of Christ, full of fruit that bears witness to His lordship in that life (Matthew 3:7-10).

Of Isaiah’s repentance and preparation to be used of God, one writer notes:

“This phrase is a powerful, timeless prayer for spiritual readiness and a willing heart to serve. It echoes the beautiful biblical passage from Isaiah 6:8, where Isaiah responds to God’s call saying, “Here am I; send me.”

WHEN you ask God to use you, get ready, He’s going to do it. He’s going to prepare and launch you into His fields which are “white already to harvest” (John 4:34-38).

Sometimes I’ve been through seasons of testing, chastening, stripping, purging, etc., not remembering I had prayed for the LORD to prepare and send me. Then it would dawn on me and all began to make sense. God is able. Memorize 2 Timothy 2:21 KJB.

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 purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.” 2 Timothy 2:21

To the degree that we allow God to prepare us, to that degree shall He powerfully use us. The cross. The only way up is down beloved.

Is today your day to surrender afresh? John 3:30, Colossians 3:3 anyone?

Prepared by God to be Used of God (category)

Regrettably, most professing Christians will never love Jesus enough to give up this fleeting world for Heaven’s coming King (Luke 14:33; 17:33).

Have you ever pondered why there is little or no Scripture being used when listening to someone pretending to be speaking about the LORD? You should wonder (Matthew 7:16, 20; 1 John 4:1).

“Preach the word” is the divine mandate, command, and also “do the work of an evangelist” (2 Timothy 4:2,5).

Let us cease to pretend that we represent the LORD when everything we say isn’t coming straight out of His Word. Read that again please. He didn’t instruct us to entertain or to tell stories. He commanded us to preach HIS Word. King James Bible.

“If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles (written Word) of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 4:11

Think God is calling you to serve? Good. If He has saved you, He has called you (Ephesians 2:8-10; 4:7). Get lost in His Word every day (Jeremiah 15:16). Read it (Revelation 1:3). Study it (2 Timothy 2:15). Memorize it (Proverbs 4:4). Meditate upon it day and night (Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1). THAT’s your prep for ministry, not going to an antichrist seminary. Jesus inducted you into His school of the Holy Ghost and Word the moment He saved you.

Are you daily devouring God’s Word, OR are you backsliding?

“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

God Visits Isaiah

If we’re not talking about the holiness of the one true God—that He is “Holy, holy, holy” —what false god are we speaking of?

Isaiah 6

Isaiah’s Calling/Vision of the Lord

“1 In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.

2 Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly.

3 And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.

4 And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.

5 Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.

6 Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar:

7 And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.

Isaiah’s Commission from the Lord

8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.”

In Your process of preparing this vessel, when needed, please “Let the righteous smite me….” (Psalms 141:5).

HAVE YOU ever prayed this prayer? Do you want to be a man after God’s own heart like David? (Acts 13:22) If so, you must emulate the beloved David and pray this prayer!

“There is no better test of a man’s ultimate chivalry and integrity than how he behaves when he is wrong.” — G.K. Chesterton

IF you are not a DOER of God’s Word, it proves you are not saved, and are a lukewarm hell bound rebel. Repent now and bring forth fruit to prove it (Matthew 3:7-10; 7:21; Titus 1:16; 1 John 2:4; Revelation 2:26, etc.).

“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” James 1:22

May I be a doer of Your Word dear LORD. Let it be, in Jesus’ name.

“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 7:21

Let’s Grow Together! Sign up here to begin receiving the Moments with Our Master email devotional that is sure to help you grow in His grace and in the knowledge of our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Pet. 1:2; 3:18). It’s sent out for the edification of the body of Christ. Sign Up HERE.

Mexico needs Missionaries [podcast]

GOD is our Maker and Redeemer and He knows where He has and wants each of His children to be—where you already are or otherwise. The LORD is in control (Psalms 24:1). “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.” Psalm 37:23 Last week Jesus saved this beloved woman, Katherine! See more on that salvation story here. Recently I commented under a Mexico video…. which received nearly 100 likes to date…. After leaving the USA and now living in Mexico, I began to see just how un-free and vulturous it was […]

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

Jesus didn’t say “stay.” Jesus commanded us to “Go” ( Matthew 28:18-20). “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” Mark 16:15 “They Desire a Better Country” “Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country , and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee:” Genesis 12:1 “By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange COUNTRY, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:” Hebrews […]

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 […]

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 […]

Prepared and Powerful [podcast]

“See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.” Jeremiah 1:10 God has a plan to remove that which does not belong in you and to establish what does. “to root out” (destructive) “to pull down” (destructive) “to destroy” (destructive) “to throw down” (destructive) “to build” (constructive) “to plant” (constructive) When Jesus cleansed the temple, after rooting out the evil, He then installed the purity, prayer, praise, and power (Matthew 21; John 2). God has His […]

Abiding

Fruitful Life. Fruitful Evangelism. [podcast]

The Life God Blesses to Bear Fruit for His Eternal Glory

A fruitful life for God’s glory involves first being genuinely born again, abiding in Christ via the crucified life, bearing spiritual fruit—such as Christlikeness in character, good works, and evangelism—by remaining in vital union with Jesus, the true vine (John 15).

“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 15:16

JUST as Jesus multiplied the little with the boy who gave the loaves and fishes, so He does with our efforts. Jesus multiplied that little and fed 5,000 men, and that doesn’t count the women and children present. Try Him.

“O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.” Psalms 34:8

“And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.” Matthew 25:40-46

God blesses the lives of His faithful saints. His faithful saints seek His face continually.

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

God prospers us according as we seek His face and stay upon Him. Of king Uzziah king of Judah, God’s Word says:

“As long as he sought the LORD, God made him to prosper.” 2 Chronicles 26:5

At times in this life there are season of uncertainty, where our vision may not be clear. We must “stay upon” the LORD.

“Who is among you that feareth the LORD, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the LORD, and stay upon his God.” Isaiah 50:10

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
12 Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.
13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
14 And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the LORD; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.” Jeremiah 29:11-14

“But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.” 1 Corinthians 15:10

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

“And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.” 2 Corinthians 9:8

We’ve never been so reminded of this as of the miraculous events of late where beloved brother Juan dropped some plastic water bottles that hit me in the feet. Only God could have orchestrated this collision of Juan’s life and mine.

“The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.” Psalms 37:23

Ask Him.

Recently brother Stacy Strother reminded me that God simply wants us, His people to be available, to pray and watch Him work!

“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 every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.” Mark 16:15-20

It has been wisely stated:

“Show me a man’s prayer life, his life of prayer or lack thereof, and I will show you who that man truly is and who and what he loves most.”

All who are zealous for the LORD are zealous about His work, to do it. Not build a church, but to see Christ work in the hearts of men—to strengthen and equip His body and convict and save lost souls to Himself.

One source notes:

“Evangelism is the act of sharing the Christian gospel—the ‘good news’ of Jesus Christ’s life, death, and resurrection—with the aim of inviting others into a relationship with God. It is considered a core mission for believers to spread this message of salvation, hope, and love, often stemming from Jesus’s command in the Great Commission.”

“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.” Proverbs 11:30

YOUR PRAYER: Holy Father, in Jesus’ name, unite my heart to fear Thy name. Do your work in and through my life. I am all Yours. Maximize the fruit produced to Your eternal glory. You must increase but I must decrease. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Satan Hates Soul Winners With A Passion

Are You On His Hit List? “He that winneth souls is wise.” Proverbs 11:30 Do you desire to win souls? Are you willing to try a new, yet time-tested method to reach others for Christ while there is still time? This method that I am going to share with you is approximately 500 years old and could revolutionize your life today here on earth, and throughout eternity. It started when the LORD had the printing press come into existence so that His Word could be propagated to all the peoples of the earth. As a roman catholic monk with an […]

"Be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord" [podcast]

“Be Not Moved Away” “If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;” Colossians 1:23 The victory is in Jesus Christ, and we are “stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” “But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved […]

The Harvest is Coming for all those Sowing the Seed of the Word [podcast]

The Joy and Expectation of Seed Sowing What we sow, we can expect to reap (Galatians 6:7-8). As we continue to sow the good, the incorruptible seed of God’s Word into the hearts of men, good news will continue to flow, will continue to be reaped – because God’s Word prospers in the thing where He sends it! See also 1 Peter 1:23. “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 […]

Bearing the Precious Seed of God's Word [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) with him.” Psalms 126:5-6 A harvest of blessed souls is going to be the result, the ministry produce, the fruit of all who bear and distribute, scatter the seed of the incorruptible Word of God into the hearts of men (1 Peter 1:23). The LORD didn’t say “go explain who I am to other people.” No, He said “preach the word” and “preach the gospel” (2 Timothy 4:2; Mark 16:15). Our […]

The Seed of Salvation [podcast]

“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 When we follow Jesus He makes us fishers of men: “And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men. 18 And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him.” (Mark 1:17-18) We must forsake the nets, the world’s ways in following Him. Prayer: Father, in the name of Jesus, please […]

Abiding

Washed. Sanctified. Glorified. [podcast]

“Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.” John 13:8

Jesus’ true bride is known in that she is making herself ready for Him.

“Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. 8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.” Revelation 19:7-8

“This morning I read Psalm 45. Titled the Kings marriage. The story of the King and His bride. This is a beautiful picture of the marriage supper of the Lamb in Rev 19:7-9. The Bridegroom is adorned in glory, majesty, righteousness and truth. Sitting in His royal throne. Then enters the Bride. Holy, without spot or wrinkle. Wearing the righteousness of Christ. And Jesus says, you are in thy Father’s house and He desires thy beauty and worship. Wow! Because she is wearing the beauty of the Lord (Psalm 27:4). His attributes. And she is wearing gold. Fine gold because she has been tried in the fire of affliction. And she is one of the five wise virgins who is invited to enter into the King’s palace. What a glorious picture of all who make themselves ready and are clean and white before their King Jesus! Alleluia!” Karen Cochran

The person who repents, puts their faith in Jesus Christ, and is saved, and continues rooted in Christ, continuing/abiding in Him, will confess any sin committed and be perpetually transformed by Him (Proverbs 28:13; 2 Corinthians 7:1; 1 John 1:7, 9; 3:4-10).

Many have been misled. Jesus invented the term “FALL AWAY” (Luke 8:13). The Son of God does not lie. If falling away isn’t possible, why did Jesus say it is possible? Jesus is returning for those who are looking for Him by the way they live.

“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 that he might present it to himself 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

Only those hearing and obeying God’s Word are being washed by it.

“So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto THEM THAT LOOK FOR HIM shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” Hebrews 9:28

“Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you: but ye are WASHED, but ye are SANCTIFIED, but ye are JUSTIFIED in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

The explanation below is modified from another source and notes the following:

“‘Washed, sanctified, and justified’ (often replacing glorified with justified) describes the comprehensive spiritual transformation of a believer in 1 Corinthians 6:11. It signifies being cleansed from sin, set apart for God’s purpose, and declared righteous through Christ, moving from a past life of disobedience to a new identity and a life of obedience to God (2 Corinthians 5:15).

- Washed: Refers to being cleansed of the defilement and stain of sin, often linked to baptism and the washing of regeneration by the Holy Spirit.
- Sanctified: Means being set apart to God for His holy purpose. It involves both a position of holiness in Christ and a progressive, lifelong process of becoming more like Him.
- Justified (Glorified/Righteous): Means being acquitted of all guilt and declared righteous before God on the basis of Christ’s finished work.

Contextual Meaning

- Transformation: The Apostle Paul reminds the Corinthians that while they once lived in sin, their identity changed upon following Jesus.
- The Power Source: These changes are accomplished in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of God, not by personal merit.
- Living the New Life: This transformation signifies that believers are no longer defined by their past sins, but by their new, holy standing.”

Prayer: Jesus, I know You are going to return for a Bride that is without spot, wrinkle, or sin of any kind. Purify this life LORD Jesus which I now submit to You without reserve. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Is the Crucified Life Essential for Going to Heaven? [podcast]

Jesus taught that the Heaven bound disciple must have root in himself, must “endure to the end”, must have a long term, an eternal perspective (Matthew 10:22; 24:13; Mark 4:17; Luke 8:13). The Cost of Discipleship “And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them, 26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. 27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. 28 […]

How We Know the Bible is the only Holy Book on Planet Earth [podcast]

There’s only one Book whose Author is God. Only God knows the future – and His foretelling of the future in the Bible clearly proves it’s His Book. Law of probability and the fulfillment of Bible prophecies: Odds of the more than 300 prophecies of the prophets concerning the coming Messiah, given hundreds of years prior to His arrival coming true are: 8,749,002,899,132,046,697,490,008,908,470,485,461,412,622,723,572,849,745,… 703,082,425,425,639,811,996,797,503,692,894,052,708,092,215,296 to 1 Fact: Only the Almighty could know the future and forthtell it in specific detail, long before it ever happened. THIS is how we know that the Bible is truly the Word of the one […]