Abiding

“Raised Up” by Christ [podcast]

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]

Chapter 4 from the book Raised Up (narration)

Chapter Four

“Raised Up”

Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. 2 Corinthians 4:14

In the context of this passage, the Holy Spirit is speaking through His servant Paul to those who are “Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus.” The promise of being “raised up” in verse 14 (above) is to those whose lives are “dead” and who are therefore “hid with Christ in God” (Col. 3:3). The “remnant” are specifically identified in that they have sentenced the self-life to death and “have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts” (Isa. 37:31; 2 Cor. 1:19; Gal. 5:24). They are dying downward as God raises them upward in His holy power. Here are the inspired words that precede the verse above:

Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. So then death worketh in us, but life in you. ~ 2 Corinthians 4:10-12

The phrase “raised up” appears 46 times in Holy Scripture. So that we begin to be infused with the divine rhythm and sequence of the true Gospel (death, burial, resurrection), we’re going to look at some of the verses in which we find the phrase “raised up,” also keeping in mind that God never raises something that isn’t first dead and buried.

Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened (brought back to life), except it die. ~ 1 Corinthians 15:36

As you are reading these verses below, remember that Jesus was raised up only after He chose to lay down His life for us in obedience to His and our Father (Jn. 12:23- 25, 32; 1 Cor. 15:1-4). God only raises up that which willingly lays itself down and dies. There has to first be a death before there can be a resurrection or raising up.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. ~ John 12:24-25

Jesus speaks here of two types of people: “He that loveth his life” and “he that hateth his life in this world.” What did He say will be the end of each?

“He that loveth his life shall lose it.”

“He that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.”

Is your life laid down today? Are you crucified with Christ? Have you set your affection on things above and sentenced your self-life to death as you are looking for the soon return of Jesus? (See 2 Cor. 1:9; Col. 3:1-4; Gal. 2:20; 5:24.)

He that always waits upon God is ready whensoever He calls … he is a happy man who so lives as that death at all times may find him at leisure to die. ~ Owen Feltham

Get your copy of Raised Up now.

As was the case with the Son of God, so it is with us. There has to first be a laying down of our lives before there can be a resurrection or raising up.

The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. ~ Matthew 11:5

Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. ~ Acts 2:24

This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. ~ Acts 2:32

Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities. ~ Acts 3:26

The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. ~ Acts 5:30

Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly. ~ Acts 10:40

Just as God “raised up” our LORD Jesus from the dead, He also promised to raise us up as we waive all personal rights to self and count ourselves dead with Christ (Rom. 6:3-5).

But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. ~ Romans 8:11

There is the presence and thread of death, burial, and resurrection woven throughout Scripture. The Gospel is embedded in the Holy Scriptures because death, burial, and resurrection are an integral part of “the thoughts of his heart,” which are transmitted and recorded for us in His Word (Ps. 33:11). You may wish to begin watching for the frequent reoccurrence of the down and ups (Gospel) throughout Scripture. Here are more words of the LORD which reveal the down-up cadence of the Gospel witnessed throughout Scripture:

They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; and they that were hungry ceased: so that the barren hath born seven; and she that hath many children is waxed feeble. The LORD killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up. The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up. He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the LORD‘s, and he hath set the world upon them. He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail. ~ 1 Samuel 2:5-9

The LORD upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down. ~ Psalms 145:14

Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus (death), that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body (resurrection life). For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. So then death worketh in us, but life in you … Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. ~ 2 Corinthians 4:9-14

This divine pattern is seen in no more vivid a fashion than in the life and mission of our LORD Jesus:

And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.” Mark 8:31

The saving Gospel defined:

Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures. ~ 1 Corinthians 15:1-4

“Christ died”
“was buried”
“rose again”

Joy Set Forth

Do you work out just for the pain of it? Surely not. Or, have you ever worked out to train your body for some personal athletic purpose? Why did you work out? Because you desired a certain result? Correct? Obviously, those who work out have a goal to look, and feel, or perform a certain way, right? Yes, people usually work out and endure the burn and pain in order to obtain the desired outcome. Those who exercise or train their bodies are willing to sacrifice and suffer extreme physical discomfort in order to receive the desired results because the desire to obtain that result outweighs the pain associated with getting that result. They long to achieve a certain goal, and that goal is the joy set forth to encourage their endurance and hard work. Once the athlete begins accomplishing his anticipated result, he becomes glad that he started the process, though it induces and requires pain. The desired result is worth the pain. “The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul” (Proverbs 13:19).

In the same way that the athlete drives himself through daily, painstaking training to accomplish his desired outcome, and is satisfied when that result arrives, so the saint, when he begins to grasp what the Gospel really is as pertains to his daily life, and his relationship with Christ, will gladly begin to lay his life downward in order to be raised upward by Christ. In the beginning, when we first hear of and begin pondering the cross and dying to self, perhaps some of us shun the pain. Then, when the Spirit begins leading us to conformity with Christ’s death and burial, we take a step forward in obedience, and unfailingly the LORD is there to raise us up in His blessed power. When we begin to experience the Gospel in a personal way—laying down our lives and being raised up—this writer believes we can acquire a godly addiction to the life and fruit that comes out of this cross and resurrection experience.

Paul told us that as he bore in his body the dying of Jesus, the divine life worked in him and through him to bless others (2 Cor. 4:10-12). It is certain that there is more than the dying and burial process—there is the blessed resurrection or raising up. This is one part of what should motivate the disciple to die—that he might see the LORD raise him up in His holy power in this late hour.

Jesus endured His torturous and cruel cross for the joy of redeeming you and me. The pain came before the joy or desired result. There was a desired reaping that made Him willing and obedient to endure the excruciating pain and suffering for our sins.

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 12:2

After Christ endured His cross, the Father raised Him up and gave under His command “all power in heaven and in earth” and gave to “him a name which is above every name” (Matt. 28:18-20).

Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. ~ Philippians 2:4-13

If Jesus came to the earth, divesting Himself and taking on the form of a man, humbling Himself from Godhood to servant, how much more shall we humble ourselves, laying down our lives for Christ and His beloved people, and precious souls who need His salvation? Is our descent not a far lesser trip than was His? It should be a short journey, right? Short, in comparison to His. As the Most High God and Creator of all that is, Christ’s condescension to the lowly place of mere humankind was a distant journey (though He was the sinless Son of man).

In this magnificent passage (Philippians 2), we just read of God becoming a man. Not only did He who made all that is, come to this sin-cursed earth incarnated into humanity, the Eternal Word came as a Servant to humble Himself and become “obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” God the Father therefore “hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name.” Jesus promised to raise up and to give all of His saints who overcome, a “new name.” Read these two verses from Revelation closely.

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it. ~ Revelation 2:17

Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. ~ Revelation 3:12

Christ tells us here that a brand “new name” and a permanent place, as a “pillar in the temple of my God” awaits all who answer His call to repent and be saved, and who also overcome the flesh, the world, and the devil. These are the remnant who will be raised up to reign with Christ eternally—“they … are … called, and chosen, and faithful.” Jesus said that those who overcome and will be raised up to reign with Him eternally are not only “called” by God, but also “chosen, and faithful.” There is a partnership and agreement. God sovereignly calls them and chooses them, and they choose to be “faithful,” enduring to the end, loving not their lives even unto death (Rev. 12:11; 17:14). The honest student of Scripture refuses to acquiesce to the diabolical myth that supposes that man has no part in the reception and retention of salvation.

(See the book Lie of the Ages, at STORE page)

These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful. ~ Revelation 17:14

As our LORD came and was obedient to His Father in all things, how shall we, who are purchased by His precious blood, not become obedient unto the death of the self-life, setting aside our own will and agenda, waiving all personal rights, and girding ourselves to become His servants? Will He who raised Christ up to the highest place in the Universe not lift us up to please and glorify Him here and now, and to reign with Him eternally?

Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. ~ Revelation 20:6

Beloved, God is working in each of His saints “both to will and to do of his good pleasure” (Php. 2:13). “His good pleasure” is to get us to become “obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” so that He can raise us up in His holy power to be like Christ, and to rule with Him in the coming world. This is the mind of Christ (Php. 2:5-13).

PRAYER: Holy Father, please grant my heart to see beyond this life and into the much larger scope of the coming world, where Christ will reign supreme, and the government shall rest upon His shoulders alone. Anoint this life with Your Holy Ghost to the burial of my sinful self-life. I love You Jesus and thank You for Your perfect sacrifice for me without which I could not be forgiven, saved into Your kingdom. Father, I know and believe that You will raise up this life You gave here and eternally as You bless this heart to trust You and obey Your command to become obedient unto the death of my self-life. I here and now joyfully and willingly submit my life to Your lordship. Into Your hands I now commend my spirit. In Jesus’ Name. Amen

Capture Points

Who did the LORD promise to raise up? 2 Corinthians 4:10-14.
What should every believer bear in his body daily? 2 Corinthians 4:10-11.
What works in and through Christ’s saints, as death to self, works in them? 2 Corinthians 4:12.

Purchase this book here.

BUY THIS BOOK ON AMAZON.

REVIEWS

“Power packed, scripture rich book! Highly recommended!!” Dana

“I am on the 6th chapter of this book and these are really good. I will also be ordering your book I Die Daily. Wow so much more than I incurred. This is so power-packed! I have to finish because this is awesome. A fully surrendered life is a life well lived in the death even as our Lord and Savior.” Carol

“This is yet another uplifting and encouraging read from author Todd Tomasella. In Raised Up, the author offers up a fresh look and understanding of our purpose in life, our relationship with God through Jesus. He shows the reader in such a way (as God designed it) that we can have total victory over evil by casting ourselves aside by acknowledging the cross and Jesus’ work on a daily basis. Truly living a life victorious. The central theme of Raised Up is 2 Corinthians 4:14; “Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.” This “raising up” occurs when we deeply, and honestly pursue God wholeheartedly. Todd shares in this volume that the deeper we grow in Christ Jesus, the more we become servants as Jesus exemplified for us. Encouraging truths indeed! Todd’s palatable style of writing woos the reader in right from the beginning and as in his other volumes, scripture reference has been bolded for easy back referencing. Raised Up could easily serve as part or all of your daily devotional reading chapter by chapter or used as a wonderful group study. Another great life book from Todd!” Jesse

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Abiding

The Eternal Danger of Trusting Mere Men [podcast]

Idol Shepherds Abounding!

The LORD is Holy and will not share His glory with any other.

“I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.” Isaiah 42:8

Your favorite pastor, evangelist or teacher among men is “at his best state … altogether vanity” (Psalms 39:5). God be thanked for the life of every true servant elder and yet they are mere men. God did not send His only begotten Son to die and be buried and raised again to make you a good church member or fan of a mere man who is supposed to be a servant leader. Jesus came to take away our sins, make us new creatures so we could know Him and His Father – and serve them and not man (John 1:29; 17:3; 1 Corinthians 7:23). We are each called to “know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death” (Philippians 3:10). Let’s read the whole verse: “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death” (Philippians 3:10).

RAVI ZACHARIAS is just another pawn of Satan whom gullible dupes clung to, they hung to his every word. He rarely even mentioned the cardinal doctrines of the Christian faith – the holiness of God, the precious blood of Jesus, the crucified life, repentance, etc.. Why did they cling to him, a mere man? They were unrepentant and therefore weren’t choosing to truly worship, seek the face of, love and obey Christ. The vacuum left by their idolatry facilitated their delusion. Then Ravi died in sin. When you love the LORD, truly, you love and devour HIS Word, daily. Read 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12.

“LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am. 5 Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah. 6 Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them. 7 And now, Lord, what wait I for? MY HOPE IS IN THEE.” Psalms 39:4-7

When O When will we truly repent and genuinely follow JESUS, pouring over and hanging on HIS every Word – from Genesis to Revelation? Isn’t that why He gave us HIS Word, the Bible? (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21)

“And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” John 17:3

“But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.” 20:31

“Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.” Jeremiah 17:5

The ministries of mere men are not an end in themselves.

They are called to simply teach God’s Word itself – and to get you into God’s Word daily for yourself.

Notice how the apostle Paul reveals how the disciples at Thessalonica “received the word of God.”

“For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when YE RECEIVED THE WORD OF GOD which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.” 1 Thessalonians 2:13

“Ye received the word of God – Ye received the doctrine of God, not as any thing fabricated by man, but as coming immediately from God himself, we being only his messengers to declare what he had previously revealed to us. And ye have had the fullest proof that ye have not believed in vain; for that doctrine, under the power and influence of the Holy Ghost, has worked most powerfully in you, filling you with light, life, and holiness.” Adam Clarke

They were “taught of God”, not men (1 Thessalonians 4:9).

The ministries of the servants of God are merely designed to get you to discern ….. and to get into God’s Word FOR YOURSELF – to study to show your own self approved unto God! (Acts 17:10-11)

” And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Acts 17:10-11

“For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.” 1 Thessalonians 2:13

YOU do it.

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

The lazy, those who don’t truly love the LORD are being eliminated as goats. This all comes on the heels of their refusal to seek God…. and study His own Word.

No, instead the idolaters of mere men will read and listen to endless messages by mere men, their favorite preachers, mere men. They then bond with those mere men, there is an unnatural soul-tie created.

“Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of?” Isaiah 2:22

“Isaiah 2:19-22 People will seek for shelter wherever they can hide. It will be clear then that fleeting man is unworthy of trust. Only the Lord is worthy of the undivided confidence of His people.” Believer’s Bible Commentary

“Cease ye – Never admire or place your trust in man. Breath – Whose breath is quickly stopped and taken away. Wherein – What excellency is in him, considered in himself, and without dependence on God?” John Wesley

“Cease ye from man – Trust neither in him, nor in the gods that he has invented. Neither he, nor they, can either save or destroy.” Adam Clarke

The church world is full of wolves in sheep’s clothing. The list of “idol shepherd(s)“ is long…. Here is but a sampling:

See all shorts videos here on ministry youtube channel.