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.

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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

STORE PAGE

Abiding

The Surrender of the Cross [podcast]

“For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.” Romans 8:29

One writer notes:

“Your sin is not the disqualification. Your refusal to repent is.

The strongest men in scripture weren’t the sinless ones. They were the ones who fell and did not stay down.

David: adultery, a murder ordered from a throne, a dead son. And the psalm he wrote on his face: “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.”

Peter: three denials in one night. “And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.” Fifty days later he stood in the same city and preached the sermon that saved three thousand.

Paul: dragged Christians to prison and death. “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.”

“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.”

God is not collecting monuments. He’s raising men who get on their face, get clean, and get back in the fight.”

Brother Billy, a friend of mine, asked “What is the cross?” We’re going to talk about that in this podcast message.

So many today have this idol image of the cross. They do not understand what Jesus and His holy apostles taught us about what the cross is as it pertains to our daily life in following Jesus.

Some think there is power bowing down before an image of the cross. Not.

Some believe it’s of God to carry a little cross in their pocket, nearly like a good luck charm. Not.

Others believe that making the sign of the cross is of God. Not.

In one word, the cross, as it applies to us as Jesus taught, is surrender in repentance and thereafter daily.

When we’ve repented and received Christ as the LORD and Savior of our lives, He washes us clean of all our sin. That is initial salvation and thereafter we must walk with Christ and live in the victory He died and rose again to grant His people.

Did Jesus die on that cross to set us free to sin for the remaining of our days on the earth after He saves us? No.

The cross separates us from self and therefore sin. Jesus knew we’d need this in order to walking holy after He initially saves us, washing us of all sin. That’s initial salvation and in order to thereafter walk with our LORD, we must be crucified with Him which will keep us from living in sin.

“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7

Jesus Christ is the only One who can save and sanctify us. Regrettably, so many stop at initial salvation and as Satan would have it, they are told the “eternal security” lie. This is the lie that led the first man and woman to sin which plunged the human race into darkness, separation (Genesis 2:17 > 3:4).

Jesus died to “take away our sins” – initially and ongoing as we “endure to the end” abiding, remaining, continuing in and with our LORD (Matthew 10:22; 24:13; John 15:1-6, etc.).

“he was manifested to take away our sins”

“And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. 6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.” 1 John 3:5-6

“If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.” Luke 9:23-24

Ask God to let His message of the cross be absorbed and deeply permeate your heart and mind.

“Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men.” Luke 9:44

Karen Cochran writes:

“’Only in the light of Calvary will we discover how the pain of our suffering can be transformed into a ministry.’

Our deepest transformations happen during our times of sufferings! I have found Jesus more in my darkest valleys than on the mountain tops, because in the high places I did not think I needed Him. But when I am in the valley of the shadow of death, and cry out, ‘Please Jesus I am poor in spirit and can doing nothing without You.’ In His grace He reaches down into that place and gives me the comfort of God, and raises me up out of my troubles. The cross life! Romans 6. We go down into death and He raises us up into newness of life.

When we experience His compassion, we are then required to comfort others with the same comfort we have received from God. 2 Cor 1:3-5. That is how He births ministry in us!”

“For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:18

IF in your fellowship you are not hearing the cross, the crucified life biblical message and knowing Jesus and the Father, you are sitting under “another gospel.” (John 17:3; Galatians 1:6-9; 2:20; 6:14; Philippians 3:10; Colossians 1-2)

Jesus is “the life” and Jesus taught and demonstrated by His own life and mission that death and burial must of necessity precede resurrection (John 14:6). YET, you will seldom if ever hear this original, central Gospel cross truth mentioned in a modern church. Think: “Life Surge”, another fad ministry campaign. They speak of the “surge” or resurrection and yet they will never mention the death and burial Christ requires as a condition to raise, to cause one to surge. This means they are raising themselves up instead of dying and letting God raise them up.

Beware of the false gospel being peddled at nearly EVERY so-called “church” in this late hour. The wolves who occupy those pulpits are “accursed” for preaching “another gospel.” (Galatians 1:6-9) A gospel without the cross of Christ and the one He mandated that you take up, is a false gospel .

“And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.” Matthew 24:11

WHO ELSE needs a rest from the vile rage of the flesh?

“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. … O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” Romans 7:18, 24

There is nothing good in me, nor in you, other than Christ. This is why we must be “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

Your relationship with the LORD and the corresponding fruit are dependent upon you “Letting go and letting God.”

Without being born again and living the crucified life Jesus has called us to, there is no hope of remaining in Christ – of abiding in Christ and seeing God produce “fruit … more fruit” and “much fruit.” See John 15:1-16.

Putting to rest the deeds of the body is the crucify the flesh.

WHO are truly Christ’s?

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

IF one is not crucifying the flesh daily, he is living in the flesh, in sin.

Reading Romans 6 each morning will be a blessing to your life.

“Not my will, but thine, be done.”

Jesus tells His disciples to “Watch and pray” – to remain vigilant perpetually in prayer and watching. Then He tells us why – because “the flesh is weak.”

“Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. 42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.” Matthew 26:41-42

“Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.” Luke 22:42

Our Savior demonstrated the cross, before the cross when He declared to His and our Father “not my will, but thine, be done.”

This is divine prayer material for us saints – “not my will, but thine, be done.”

One source notes the following concerning Jesus’ submission and surrender to the Father:

“Jesus yielded up His spirit to the Father after completing His perfect sacrifice.

- Luke 23:46: “And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, He gave up the ghost.”
- John 19:30: “When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.”
- Philippians 2:8: “And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”

The Meaning of Surrender at the Cross

- Complete Submission: Jesus willingly submitted to the Father’s will, finishing the work of redemption.
- The Believer’s Response: Scripture calls followers of Jesus to model this surrender by taking up their own cross daily (Luke 9:23).”

Slaves to “Christian” or “Church” Conmen and Cross-less Counselors

The cross is the opposite of what the fake “church’s” calls “self-care.” “Self-care” is a fake “solution” that brings repeat busine$$ to those who perpetrate it. The cross is God’s solution – beginning at the foot of Christ’s redemptive cross and the cross He mandates you to take up daily. Beware of the cross-less deceivers (Philippians 3:18-19). There is no salvation or solution from sin outside of Christ, and Christ commands us to take up the cross, be crucified with Him, daily after He initially saves us (Luke 9:23-24). If not, you are not following Him. One can only follow Jesus the way He prescribed. Read that again.

There are lots of people peddling the lie of “self care” which is ultimately nothing more than absolute self-idolatry. 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).

Jesus conquered sin, death, hell, and the grave by surrendering – by dying to self and honoring and executing the will of the Father.

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

The daily cross, the surrender of self, is essential to keep sin out of our lives. It is our submission to God – giving back to Him the life he gave which is us – and came and died to redeem.

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

“ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price”

“What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Surely we don’t believe Jesus initially saved us only to approve of us thereafter living in sin.

“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” Romans 6:1-2

Beware of the cross-evading “eternal security” deceivers whom Jude calls “ungodly men”, who by their serpentine heresy, are “turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness (license to sin)” and by doing so they are “denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Jude 3-4) These are “enemies of the CROSS of Christ.” (Philippians 3:18-19)

How do we know that those who teach “once saved always saved” are of the devil? – Because that was Satan’s first lie which led to the fall of mankind in the Garden and it’s resulting in the same falling away today. Read what God said in Genesis 2:17 and then what Satan said in Genesis 3:4.

Now read Romans 6 each morning for the next 3 days. Ask yourself: Can you live in communion with God who is holy, without the crucified life”? No.

“For he that is dead is freed from sin.” Romans 6:7

Read that verse again and ask: “WHO are the only people ‘freed from sin’”? – It’s exclusively those who are “dead” and buried with Christ. They are then raised upward in the glory and power of Jesus Christ, walking fruit-filled lives for His eternal glory (Romans 8:11-14).

PRAYER: Holy Father, I come to You afresh, and I ask You to have Your way in my life. Please overcome all evil dear LORD. You must increase but I must decrease – now and till You return. Not my will but Thine be done Jesus. Please help me to love and trust You more. In Jesus’ name.

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. Such only perpetuates the prey, the victim, in their misery. The only way to deal with the wicked iniquitous nature, is […]

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 crucify […]

The Cross in My Pocket Deception [podcast]

Any person who has to wear a big cross, have a cross in their pocket, or have a cross tattoo, to “prove” they are a Christian, very likely doesn’t know the One who died on that cross to take away our sins. “For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.” Philippians 3:3 Having “the fruit of the Spirit” is the proof one is born again in Christ (John 3:3, 7; Galatians 5:19-24). The Savior never instructed anyone with this understanding: the idea of needing or using […]

Abiding

The Benefits of Knowing and Delighting in the LORD [podcast]

Delighting ourselves in Him

“Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” Psalms 37:4

Loving God with a Whole Heart, our Whole Being

“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 commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” Matthew 22:37-40

Abiding in Christ, Asking

“If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” John 15:7

Jesus Must Be Our “First love”

“Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.” Revelation 2:4-5

“That Your Joy May be Full”

“And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. 24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.” John 16:23-24

“That is the only place I want to be at the feet of Jesus drinking in His word. Soaking up all He has to say to me! I do not ever want to be arrogant enough to believe I can make it without Jesus. Everyday I tell Him how much I need Him. I am nothing without Jesus!! Oh how I long to be with Him! Yearning for the day when I shall see Him in the clouds. Coming to take us home! Hallelujah!” Karen Cochran

Truly Delighting in the LORD

“Many take this verse out of context (Psalm 37:4). For many years all I would hear Christians say was, ‘He will give you the desires of your heart.’ This then becomes all about you. They would leave out the first part, which says you must delight yourself in the Lord. I came to realize that when you delight in Him, He changes your heart, and you begin to desire what He desires. He aligns your heart with His heart!” Karen Cochran

The subject matter of your prayers reveals if you are about you, or about Jesus.

To illustrate our relationship with Christ, one write of old noted:

“The life of self is death.

The death of self is life.”

There cannot and will not be a resurrection until there is a death. Death and burial must precede raising up. Read Romans 6 each morning this week and ask God to help you life a doornail dead life!

Am I delighting in the LORD? If not, how can He possibly grant the desires of my heart?

“Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” Psalms 37:4

When we delight in the LORD, our lives are crucified with Christ, we are one with Him and He is filling our hearts with His desires – to worship, love, and obey Him. What we ask Him for in prayer will change. Instead of “LORD, please give me this or that fleeting trinket,” it will be “LORD, please let this life be crucified with Thee. Help me to love You more. Use me to edify Your people and minister Your bless-ed Gospel to the lost souls You died and raise against to save.”

“For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.” Romans 8:29

Run from any wolf who is not squaring you up regularly to inform you that the LORD mandates your death so that He can fill and raise your life upward, Heavenward, for His eternal glory.

YOUR PRAYER: Holy Father, thank You so very much for sending Your only begotten Son to find, rescue, forgive, and save me into Your glorious eternal kingdom. Please help me to know and love You more. Sanctify my life and conform me to the image of Christ. Please wash me afresh with Your precious blood LORD Jesus. Use me to help others know You dear LORD. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

The Importance of Private Prayer [podcast]

“But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.” Matthew 6:6 Private prayer is essential to the disciple. Jesus reveals here that those who seek His face in prayer privately, will be used of Him publicly! Are you at Christ’s feet? Do you live a life of prayer? Have you ever studied the life of Christ and beheld the many instances of His prayer life? “And in the morning, rising up a great while […]

How to Know You are being Led by the Spirit [podcast]

Firstly, since there are many ungrounded flakes today claiming God is telling them things or leading them, let’s speak of the danger of using God’s holy name in vain. “Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.” Exodus 20:7 It’s a dangerous proposition to be attaching the holy, the very name of the LORD to things He is not saying. Such is the work of counterfeits, false prophets. Read the severe warning in Jeremiah 23:30-40 on this matter. We know for […]

Is Loving God Enough? Must We Fear Him? [podcast]

Often, I’ve heard seminarians and modern “Christians” reject the biblical concept, the divine command to fear God. Both loving God and fearing God are divine commands (Ecclesiastes 12:13; Matthew 22:37-39; Luke 12:4-5, etc.). Yet we must ask: Is loving God enough? Is loving the LORD all we need to do? Will saying we love God keep you out of sin? It’s a nice platitude, yet this is false humility. Trite. Holiness by way of the fear of the Lord is an essential to remaining, abiding in Christ. May God instill in the depth of our being His holy fear – […]

Abiding

Cons and Crooks who Do Not Preach the Cross [podcast]

“For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:18

Those who do not preach the cross prove that they believe the cross is “foolishness.”

The know that many will leave if they were to preach the crucified life. And they are in it for the money, the acceptance of mere men, not Christ. Make no mistake, the Holy Ghost through Paul warned us specifically about this generation of counterfeits, these “evil men and seducers” who “wax worse and worse.” (2 Timothy 3:13) They’ve raised up a generation of self-love counterfeits who have a mere “form of godliness” and are “denying the power (authority of Jesus) thereof: from such turn away.” (2 Timothy 3:1-13)

The con men who commandeer today’s apostate church world want you “in church” so they get paid and yet where did the apostle Paul or any of the apostles instruct anyone to go find a good church or “attend church every Sunday”? Chapters and verses please

Why is lack of attending a local fellowship listed as a sin in the New Testament canon?

What qualifies a man to be an elder? certainly not seminary which are wolf factories invaded by the jesuits in 50’s and 60’s. All seminarians are vatican indoctrinated. The first they the jesuits did was replace the real Bible, the KJB with fake vatican corrupted new version “bibles.”

In His Great Commission command, did Jesus ever command “Go ye into all the world and find a church and be a fruitless, lukewarm, good church member?” OR …. Go teach and preach my Word? (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15)

In the early days of the Gospel, when persecution hit Jerusalem, God’s Word records this: “Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.” (Acts 8:4) This clearly reveals that they were equipped by the apostles “for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:” (Ephesians 4:11-12) Jesus and apostles never trained anyone to become good church members or attenders.

IF YOU ARE ARGUING TO PUSH THE IDEA THAT ALL DISCIPLES OF JESUS MUST GO TO A SUPPOSED “OFFICIAL” CHURCH BUILDING ON SUNDAY MORNINGS AND YET YOUR OWN PASTOR ISN’T CONSTANTLY PREACHING THE CRUCIFIED LIFE AS AN ABSOLUTE ORIGINAL GOSPEL ESSENTIAL….. THIS IS CLEAR PROOF YOU ARE SITTING UNDER WOLVES AND NOW DEFENDING THEM AND WILL BE JUDGED WITH THEM (2 John 9-11).

Isn’t it interesting that those who push the “go to church” agenda are the ones who stand to profit from such? Are you being made merchandise of? (2 Peter 2:1-3)

Christ’s true disciples do what HE did – direct you to the cross, the crucified life – and not some apostate modern church run by a fake pastor, using a fake “bible”, and preaching a fake “Jesus.” WHAT did Jesus teach was necessary to follow Him – going to church or taking up the cross, living the crucified life, daily?

“And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.” Luke 9:23-24

“Many try to crucify their flesh in their own strength. This is impossible. It takes a complete and total surrender to Jesus first. Then the Holy Spirit will show you all the ways you are not like God. Then it is not a struggle. You let Jesus have control. Your job is to obey and take your flesh to the cross to be nailed there. Dead and buried. This is how the fruits of the Spirit are born in us! If we are saved by the blood of Jesus, we will not let sin reign in our mortal bodies. We now have the power of Christ to resist sin. It should never have dominion over us. We are now servants of righteousness and holiness. We are to walk in the newness of life that we have in Christ. Do not serve sin! Serve Jesus!” Karen Cochran

Is the cross, the crucified daily life essential to following Jesus? Yes or no?

“And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:27

Memorize Galatians 2:20 today. Meditate upon and live it daily.

“But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.” Luke 19:27

“Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD:” Amos 8:11

Fellowship with other saints is vital and yet we have to navigate these times of apostasy.

MESSAGE RECEIVED:

“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together” is a Biblical command (Hebrews 10:24-25). It was also demonstrated and practiced in the early church (Acts 4:31, Acts 11:26, Acts 15:25, Acts 20:7, Romans 12:3-8, 1 Corinthians 11:17-34, 1 Corinthians 14:23-26, 1 Corinthians 16:1-2) . Missionaries may not always be able to attend the local church that sent them out but their heart is there and a big part of the mission should be establishing new local churches, like Paul did. All believers should desire to meet with fellow like minded Scriptural believers for fellowship, labor, and worship together unto God. Those without a body mentality are self centered.”

REPLY:

As Jesus commanded, the earliest followers of Jesus cross-walked with Jesus “daily” and fellowshipped “daily.” (Luke 9:23-24; Acts 2:46; 5:42). Today we have people who are impressed with themselves for meeting weekly in a setting that is called “church” that is not even biblical. Churchianity vs Christianity.

Acts 2:42 – “And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” This is the true model of simple, Christ-centered fellowship. Regrettably the bureaucracy mob of wolves infiltrated long ago. Most local “churches” are commandeered by seminarian wolves (Ezekiel 22:25-27). In the first decades after Christ was raised from the dead, the apostle Paul wept bitterly over the hoards of wolves who would come and make a busine$$ out of the church, who would devour the sheep of Christ, for whom He came and died (Acts 20:20-32). Jesus had already cleansed the temple in divine fury over this very thing (Matthew 21; John 2). They the apostle Peter warned us of those who would “make merchandise of you.” (2 Peter 2:1-3)

“Evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse.” 2 Timothy 3:13

Missionaries and others who are truly born again and find Biblical fellowship even daily, instead of weekly, are no less assembling than those who meet in a designated building once weekly.

We still do not see Jesus or the apostles operating rigidly or perhaps much at all with a regimented Sunday morning meeting, nor their insistence that all Christians the world over do such. It was more of a lifestyle, not a Sunday morning visit to a country club as is mostly what we see today. Telling new Christians to go “find a church” in their area is a dangerous proposition especially in this late hour where Jesus promised, foretold that “MANY false prophets shall arise and shall deceive MANY.” (Matthew 24:11) Most “church” organizations are 501(C)(3) which alone means they sold out to the state, rejecting the rulership of the Savior…. and now the state dictates what, when, and where they can preach. The covid scamdemic exposed this – how over 90% of these state owned “churches” are utterly false. Those wolves took orders from the State, not the Savior who commands us to fellowship and if they have true fellowship, why didn’t they continue? They are compromised.

WHAT fruit has the modern church produced? Can we count on more than 1 hand the amount of people we know who are ardent church members (unbiblical) who are also in the Word daily, deny self and taking up the cross daily, and who are evangelizing. There are very few. Jesus says His people are a “little flock.” (Luke 12:32) The modern church wolves who pretend to represent Christ have produced a generation of counterfeits.

WHO did God tell us are His?

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

When’s the last time you heard, outside of a “church” building. a faithful church goer laud and celebrate Jesus Christ, testifying of His precious blood and glorious resurrection? Churchianity isn’t Christianity. So many counterfeit modern church goers brag about and are proud of their church and pastor and yet few if any of those same people testify from their own mouths and lives the glories of the bless-ed nail scarred risen Savior. They are not upholding Christ, the Head (Colossians 2:18-19).

Many modern church assemblies do not equal true Bible fellowship, assembling which will always exalt Jesus Christ, not the elders, the organization, or the church.

YOUR PRAYER: Holy Father I come to You now in the name of Jesus, knowing what you said my life should be and yet not knowing how this is to come about. Please increase my faith. I love You LORD. Here and now I turn to You in repentance, asking You to forgive my many sins of not being thankful to You, of selfishness, self-idolatry, rebellion, and unbelief. Please wash me clean, afresh, in the precious blood of my LORD Jesus. Change me dear LORD. Conform me to the image of Christ. Please fill me with Your Holy Ghost and use me to win the lost and help Your people as we eagerly anticipate Your soon return. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Each of us is blessed with good ministries we are surrounded by. They feed us and they are winning souls (street preachers, God called Bible teachers, etc). Please pray for and support them saints (Galatians 6:6; Philippians 1:19, etc.). This way we are all, each member of Christ’s body, participating in the Great Commission mandate He gave us – and is coming back to take account of the stewardship of our lives – time, talent, treasure, etc. (Ephesians 4:11-16, etc.). Let’s roll saints. Jesus is coming.

The Daily Cross

Victory Comes Little by Little [podcast]

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Victory Over the Iniquities that Currently Drive You [podcast]

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The Victory of the Crucified Life [podcast]

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