Excerpt from the book Lie of the Ages
“But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.” Hebrews 3:6
In stark contrast to the deadly myth many in the modern church perpetrate, soul-saving faith is never conveyed as a one -time event on the pages of the 27 books which comprise the canon of New Testament Scripture. The Old Testament is the same – Ezekiel 33:12-13. In Holy Writ, we observe that the faith that pleases God begins with the born again experience and then is an ongoing believing, overcoming, and enduring experience and not just a one-time event. The individual’s salvation begins with a one-time experience upon repentance and faith in Christ and that same volitional trust is to be maintained by the believer and is left up to his own volitional will. The saint is enabled by the influencing and enabling grace of God.
Everything in God’s kingdom economy works through His mercy, grace and man’s faith-filled obedience. Salvation is undeserved not unconditional. The LORD requires initial saving faith and that the recipient of His salvation continue in that saving faith until the end of his life.
Concerning King Uzziah, in 2 Chronicles 26:4-5 we read:
“And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Amaziah did. And he sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God: and as long as he sought the LORD, God made him to prosper.”
It was only as long as King Uzziah “sought the LORD” that
“God made him to prosper.”
Those who teach the heretical “once saved always saved” (OSAS) doctrine, consequently do not teach what Christ and His apostles taught concerning continuing in the grace of God during and to the end of one’s life. Unfortunately, many have bought into this myth not realizing that their eternal soul could be in jeopardy. Those who believe and teach this doctrine of men and devils divorce themselves from the full-counsel of God’s Word and make a god in their own image. One of the biblical doctrines ignored, neglected and rejected, is the absolute necessity of enduring or continuing in faith to the end of one’s life (Matt. 10:22; 24:10-13; Acts 14:22-23; Col. 1:23; Heb. 3:6, 12-15; Rev. 2-3).
Didn’t Jesus forewarn us that “the love of many shall wax cold”?
“And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” Matthew 24:10-13
The only way for love to wax cold is for it to first exist. A love that does not first exist cannot possibly wax cold.
His joy is one of the dimensions of the “fruit of the Spirit” and the strength of His people (Neh. 8:10; Gal. 5:22-23). The LORD would have His people to be overcomers – those who victoriously come over all trials and temptations through divine grace and saving faith (1 Jn. 5:4-5).
“For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?” 1 John 5:4-5
Those who do not stay in close relationship with Christ, will inevitably leave the faith for sin and will perish eternally if they do not repent before it is too late.
“But God shall wound the head of his enemies, and the hairy scalp of such an one as goeth on still in his trespasses.” Psalms 68:21
“For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee.” Psalms 73:27
“And the destruction of the transgressors and of the sinners shall be together, and they that forsake the LORD shall be consumed.” Isaiah 1:28
“But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; And did all eat the same spiritual meat; And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” 1 Corinthians 9:27-10:12
Here the Holy Spirit of God tells us that “all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition.” He reminds believers of the entire New Testament era to behold the historical record of how His covenant people defied Him, thinking He would automatically forgive them without their personal repentance and trust in Him. Beloved, heed this warning. Not only did the LORD not forgive or overlook their blatant and sinful rebellion, He judged them harshly, sending 2,500 of His own covenant people directly and literally into the fires of eternal damnation. Check out this vivid and horrifying account in Numbers 16:
“And it came to pass, as he had made an end of speaking all these words, that the ground clave asunder that was under them: And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods. They, and all that appertained to them, went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them: and they perished from among the congregation. And all Israel that were round about them fled at the cry of them: for they said, Lest the earth swallow us up also. And there came out a fire from the LORD, and consumed the two hundred and fifty men that offered incense.” Numbers 16:31-35
Jeff Marshall writes:
“We need to look into the perfect law of liberty (God’s Word), see ourselves in truth (as God sees us, as we really are), and repent and call on Him to wash our filth away (just as He told Peter that if He didn’t wash his feet, he could have no part in Him. Peter said ‘wash all of me then’, and Christ explained that he was already clean, but his feet were dirty. In other words, you may already be saved and ‘baptized in the name of Jesus, for the remission of sins’, but if you walk through this world in these bodies of flesh, then you will pick up some filth along the way. If you don’t come to Christ, humbly, and have Him wash it away, then you ‘have no part in Him’ either.
‘Once saved, always saved’, Calvinism, and cheap grace are just not found in Scripture. There are tons of Scripture to show that truth, not just the one or two, taken out of full context to try to prove the opposite. This isn’t some minor ‘point of doctrine’ that is inconsequential and trivial/divisive, but this is truth that is missing and is deceiving masses of people into religion without relationship to Christ. The lie we hear today is: ‘Just say this little prayer and you’ll get your ‘get out of hell free card’, and nothing you do or don’t do after that can change it.’ When Christ Himself said, ‘Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord, shall enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only he who DOES THE WILL OF MY FATHER in Heaven.’ (Matt. 7:21) Also, read Jude 4-7; ‘turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ’, etc.)
Is that adding works to salvation? No, that is what Jesus said, so who cares what that preacher on TV tells you? Was he there when the earth was formed? Did he write the Bible? Does he hold the keys to death and hell? Did he die for your sin? Then you better listen to Jesus and quit listening to his ‘easy believism’, ‘we are all going to heaven’ type preaching before it’s too late. The final end of that is to cry out, ‘Lord, Lord….’ and hear ‘Depart from me, you who practice lawlessness, I never knew you.’ Nothing is more important than this.”
Being prepared to meet Christ at all times should be a central concern of every saint. “Strong delusion” has already been released into the hearts of many “because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.” This is also done “That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” (2 Thess. 2:10-12) The wrath of God will be soon poured out upon all who suppress or hold His truth in unrighteousness (the disobedient). See Romans 1:18.
“Gather yourselves together, yea, gather together, O nation not desired; Before the decree bring forth, before the day pass as the chaff, before the fierce anger of the LORD come upon you, before the day of the LORD’S anger come upon you. Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD’S anger.” Zephaniah 2:1-3
God’s promises to man are conditional. Here in this Zephaniah passage, the promise of being “hid in the day of the LORD’s anger” has requirements:
- “Gather yourselves”
- “Seek ye the LORD”
- “Seek righteousness”
God’s covenant people are told they must meet these requirements in order to avert divine wrath. Here is the impending threat: “the fierce anger of the LORD come upon you, before the day of the LORD’S anger come upon you.” (Zeph. 2:2)
Below is another exhortation for us to “Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near.” (Isa. 55:6)
“Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.” Psalms 2:11-12
We are here instructed to place our full trust in the LORD and “Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little.” (Ps. 2:11)
Must a Christian Continue in Obedient Faith to the End of His Life to be Eternally Saved?
To His very own disciples, Jesus stated: “And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth TO THE END shall be saved.” (Matt. 10:22) If you really want to know exactly who the Savior was speaking to here, read Matthew 10:1-22. Hint: He was speaking to His very own disciples. See Matthew 10:1.
We must ask: Why would the Master warn His very own disciples about something that wasn’t possible? Dare one who claims to know Christ impugn or call the very Son of God a lunatic and liar?
Let’s break down the conditional promise made by the LORD Jesus to His own 12 in Matthew 10:22:
- “Ye shall be hated…for my name’s sake” – persecution
- “He that endureth to the end shall be saved” – promise
- “Endureth to the end” – condition
Christ said told His twelve “ye shall be hated” and not “ye shall be honored.” He never promised His people financial prosperity but rather persecution (Matt. 10:25; Jn. 15:20). Jesus also never guaranteed that one once saved was eternally secure no matter how he lives but rather that “He (that has once been saved) that endureth to the end shall be saved.” The Son of God had all the opportunity in the world here to tell His very twelve that they were unconditionally, eternally secure and didn’t. No, instead He told them they would be hated of all men and persecuted and that only those of them who endured to the end of their lives would be ultimately saved. At the time He spoke these words to them, all twelve were in right standing with Him and yet one of the twelve ended up in hell (Acts 1:25). Since we know He was speaking to His very own disciples, we know that Jesus was speaking of the necessity of all who have been made right with God to remain in fellowship with Him or lose out. There is no legitimate, honest way to explain away the fact that Jesus was talking specifically to His very disciples in this passage. The LORD was not speaking to the lost or the Jews and we know this because the first verse in this passage reveals who Christ was addressing:
“And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease…And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.” Matthew 10:1, 22
Another view of this text:
“…he had called unto him his twelve disciples…he (among you) that endureth to the end shall be saved.” Matthew 10:1, 22
What was Jesus getting at here when He stated “he that endureth to the end shall be saved”?
If enduring to the end were automatic and didn’t involve the individual’s personal will and obedience, why would Christ ever have bothered to make this statement?
What was Jesus saying here if there were no possibility of His disciples forfeiting their place in His eternal kingdom if they didn’t “endure to the end”? Was He simply filling space on the pages of the New Testament Scriptures? Was He violating the words He previously spoke in the Sermon He spoke from the mountain?
“But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.” Matthew 5:37
Why would Jesus say “He that endureth to the end shall be saved” if there were no possibility of one not enduring to the end and therefore not being ultimately saved from eternal damnation in the “end”?
If you are still supposing that the Lord is speaking to lost people here, there is a question that begs to be answered: What is it that a lost person should “endure to the end” about or in? If he is not right with God in the first place, what is he going to “endure” to the “end” of or in? If a person does not already possess saving faith, how can he possibly be expected to endure in that faith? Can you see the ridiculous nature of such a notion? Would it not be dishonest, ridiculous, and groundless at best to attempt to pawn Christ’s statement off on a group that is not God’s people? Not only was Christ speaking to His own people, these are the very twelve He prayed to select and serve Him and have a special place in His eternal kingdom (Matt. 19:28).
“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
Are you beginning to see why only people who are taught OSAS (by misled men) embrace the unconditional eternal security teaching? I have yet to meet a person who studies the Bible for themselves, with no preconceived notions or taught doctrines of men, who believes such a foreign doctrine. Paul never taught such. Our LORD never taught such. John never taught such. Peter never taught such. Jude never taught OSAS. Not one of the prophets, apostles or Gospel writers taught an unconditional eternal security, but rather that those saved by His grace must endure in faithful obedience to the end of their lives to be eternally saved. Either the Bible is final authority or it’s not.
Here’s God’s promise to those who endure to the end:
“And he that overcometh (essential), and keepeth my works UNTO THE END, to him will I give power over the nations.” Revelation 2:26
Who’s going to be with Jesus when He defeats the rebellious?
“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
Those who will be in eternity with Christ are those whom He has “called, and chosen” and who were in their earthly life “FAITHFUL.” (Rev. 17:14) God does the calling and choosing and men must be “faithful” to receive His eternal reward. We see everywhere in Scripture, the initiating grace of God and the condition given to men – to be “faithful” to God to the end of this earthly life. Any person seeking to eliminate or deny the involvement of the personal will of men is not dealing honestly with the LORD and His Word.
Jesus Christ promised that only those who know and obey Him will be with Him eternally (Matt. 7:21; Mk. 8:34-38; Lk. 6:46; Rev. 2-3).
Power to Overcome
The divinely-given promise is to strengthen and bless each and every believer with His Spirit in their inner man, empowering them to be blessed and a blessing. Paul prayed:
“That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. 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, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.” Ephesians 3:16-21
“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” Acts 1:8
According to the biblical record of the early Church, receiving the baptism in the Holy Ghost is the single most important experience after being born again. Jesus instructed His very own disciples to “tarry (wait) ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.” (Lk. 24:49) Christ said His followers would “receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon” them. Notice that the Son of God said it would be “after” and not before the Holy Ghost came upon His disciples that they would “receive power” and “be witnesses” of His at home and abroad.
The apostle Peter went from wavering to witnessing. After being baptized in the Holy Spirit, just days after he had denied even knowing Christ, Peter was bold and powerful in the LORD. Peter, empowered now by the Spirit, preached and 3,000 then 5,000 people got saved. This same baptism in the Spirit of God is promised and available to all believers.
“I (John the Baptist) indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire.” Matthew 3:11
My own life was dramatically transformed after being baptized in the Holy Spirit. The LORD saved me and I began to walk with Him and was experiencing inconsistency in my walk, so I cried out to Him to help me. Jesus heard this cry in Heaven.
Shortly thereafter I met a godly pastor who began to take me through the Scriptures concerning this New Testament experience of being baptized in the Holy Ghost. That beloved pastor invited me to pray to receive the infilling of the Holy Spirit. We prayed. I went home and began to commune with the LORD in a way I hadn’t previously know or experienced. He filled me and His witness from then on emanated and the power of God was there. The increase in boldness was tremendous and so was the kingdom fruit that began to be produced. There is a complete topical study on this ministry site on the STUDY GUIDES page. See the Holy Ghost Baptism study guide.
“For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink (outward religion); but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.” Romans 14:17
PRAYER: Father, cause my heart to be cleansed of all iniquity and filled with Your Holy Spirit! Change my life Jesus! Thank You for shedding Your precious blood for my many sins. This very moment, I ask You to baptize me in the Holy Ghost and take over my life completely. Embolden me to declare Your Word in this late hour and to rejoice firm to the end. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Abiding
“A Land Flowing with Milk and Honey” [podcast]
DADDY’S IN THE HOUSE!
There will not be even one rebel in glory …. The LORD loves and calls you to Himself today….. to settle down humbly in true repentance …. asking God to forgive your sinful stubbornness, rebellion, and self-idolatry, self-adultery. Ask Him to give you a heart of flesh and to take away every trace of a stony heart in you (Ezekiel 36:24-26).
If you had a real dad growing up, you know HE was large and in charge in his house…. and so is God!
He’s Large and in Charge!
He’s Daddy, “Abba Father”! (Romans 8:15).
He’s Your Father – yet only if you endure His chastening! (Hebrews 12:5-12)
“A land flowing with milk and honey” (Exodus 3:8) is a biblical phrase that describes a place of great abundance and prosperity, symbolizing the fulfillment of God’s promises and the richness of the Promised Land. It emphasizes a land that is fertile, nourishing, and provides an abundance of sustenance, with milk and honey serving as symbolic representations of this richness.”
“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 but his way…. he was the man of the house, not you. You abode under his provision and his care and love for you, as your daddy, right? Well, that’s how it is with God. He loves you beyond measure and yet you must simply humble yourself and do things His way. When you do, the blessings will flow, will overwhelm you, will consume you, will flood your life! BAM. Memorize Matthew 6:33 today.
Let’s get something straight …
NO DOUBT: There’s no doubt that God wants to bless your life! Yet, you must do it His way beloved. He wants to bless you and yet, you must ask yourself if you really want Him. Are you truly hungering and thirsting for more of Jesus, more of His righteousness?
“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” Matthew 5:6
The Old Testament summed up: In dealing with His people, His transactions, our LORD’s business concerned their salvation and restoration – promised land blessings! Read Numbers 13-14; 1 Corinthians 10:1-13. And, we are now “the Israel of God” (Galatians 6:16). All these things were written and are on record for us – for our learning, comfort, peace, and blessings (Romans 15:4; 1 Corinthians 10:11).
As was the case with Old Testament Israel, God brought you out of a life of sin in this fallen world (Egypt) in order to bring you IN – into His land of abundant blessings, walking victoriously in a cross-abiding relationship with Christ (John 15).
“And he brought us OUT from thence, that he might bring us IN, to give us the land which he sware unto our fathers.” Deuteronomy 6:23
There’s a promised land of blessedness, of abundant fruit, the likes of which we have not even begun to taste. Yet, appropriating, walking into this treasure house, this field, this gold mine of blessedness, requires that we closely, diligently trust and obey the Giver of “every good gift … every perfect gift” (James 1:17).
HE BROUGHT YOU OUT OF SOMETHING FOR GOOD REASON – TO BRING YOU INTO SOMETHING MUCH GREATER – WHICH HE PURCHASED WITH HIS OWN BLOOD ON THAT CROSS!
Many who read these words are seeking to get and to live out what God alone can provide – as you abide in a real relationship with Him, loving Him with all you are, wholeheartedly.
“Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” Psalms 37:4
Delighting in the LORD assures that we will be possessed with His desires and they will be granted!
Truly Trusting and OBEYING God
Are you forgetting any of His “benefits” – the ones Jesus died to give? Are you neglecting to appropriate them by a real walk with Him? “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits” (Psalms 103:2).
Jesus was the perfect example of delighting in God. In the days of His flesh, Jesus toiling as He faced going to that cross for us, cried “not my will, but thine, be done” (Luke 22:42). Have we cried out to the LORD today with a “Not my will but thine be done”?
“First” means First, not Second. Putting God where He Belongs in Your Life – “First”
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33
If you are out of Bible order, you are out of Bible blessings!
If your life is not in Bible order where Jesus is literally FIRST, you will not walk in the blessings of God – the blessings Jesus died to give you!
“IF”
“If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: 20 But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.” Isaiah 19-20
GOD DESIRES TO BLESS YOU – to bring you into “A Land Flowing with Milk and Honey.”
The phrase “milk and honey” appears 20 times in God’s Word and in every case, refers to God’s desire and declaration to bring His people into His land of rich blessings, flowing with the bounty of His goodness!
“And I am come down to deliver them (salvation) out of the hand of the Egyptians (the world), and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites” (Exodus 3:8).
In other words, “I’m going to bring you into a land flowing with milk and honey right in the middle of your enemies!”
The LORD brings us OUT of sin, “OUT of darkness INTO his marvellous light”!
“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar (special) people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you OUT of darkness INTO his marvellous light:” 1 Peter 2:9
“Unto a land flowing with milk and honey: for I will not go up in the midst of thee; for thou art a stiffnecked people: lest I consume thee in the way.” Exodus 33:3
The LORD brings, saves us out of the world and into His kingdom family and blessings!
“And I have said, I will bring you up OUT of the affliction of Egypt (sin; the lost world) unto the land of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, unto a land flowing with milk and honey (salvation).” Exodus 3:17
The “Milk and Honey” of Christ’s Salvation!
God brought His beloved people OUT of Egypt (represents the world) to bring them INTO the promised land He ordained for them! In the same way, God has brought you and me out of sin, out of the kingdom of the world, in order to bring us IN to His promised land of blessing in Christ! Read Ephesians 1 afresh beloved of God.
“Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet (fit) to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13 Who hath delivered us FROM (out of) the power of darkness, and hath translated us INTO the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:” Colossians 1:12-14
God never brings you OUT of something not to bring you INTO something much better! safeguardyoursoul.com
He made us to bless us and yet – will only do so as we walk with Him on His stated terms.
“That I may perform the oath which I have sworn unto your fathers, to give them a land flowing with milk and honey, as it is this day. Then answered I, and said, So be it, O LORD.” Jeremiah 11:5
“And that ye may prolong your days in the land, which the LORD sware unto your fathers to give unto them and to their seed, a land that floweth with milk and honey.” Deuteronomy 11:9
God Sent His Son to Bless Us – His People
“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
Repentance Always Leads to Refreshing from Heaven!
“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; 20 And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: 21 Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.” Acts 3:19-21
God Requires Repentance and Faith in All Who will be His and Receive His Ultimate Blessings
¨I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: 20 That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.¨ Deuteronomy 30:19-20
¨Numbers 14:8 says if He delights in us, then He will give us a land flowing with milk and honey. This means in order to receive a land flowing with milk and honey He must delight in us. This notes a condition of obedience and faith. We have to embrace and conform with His ways (the cross) to receive the spiritual blessings and to receive eternal life.¨ Karen Cochran
¨And now, I beseech thee, let the power of my Lord be great, according as thou hast spoken, saying, 18 The LORD is longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation. 19 Pardon, I beseech thee, the iniquity of this people according unto the greatness of thy mercy, and as thou hast forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now.¨ Numbers 14:17-19
PRAYER: Heavenly Father thank You for being so unimaginably loving and benevolent to Your creation, to all those You made in Your very image. I love You LORD Jesus and here and now give You praise and thanksgiving for coming to die for my sins and then buried and raised again for my justification. Now dear LORD, please make me whole, from the inside out. Please pour out Your Holy Ghost on my life now and use this vessel to bring eternal glory to You. Bless Your people to abide in You Jesus, to have vital union with You and thereby the abundance of fruit, more fruit, and much fruit. In Jesus´ name. Amen.
Support | STORE | Podcasts | Jail/Prison Ministry | Mexico Mission here | More on Assurance here | Because You Care Page | The Greatest of these is Charity | Be Ready in the Morning [podcast] | The Sure Mercies of David [podcast] | That Repentance and Remission of Sins should be Preached [podcast] | At His Feet
Abiding
The Flesh will Never be Reformed it Must be Crucified [podcast]
The Divine Prescription is Clear and there are No Shortcuts
“And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.” Galatians 5:24
The law brings repentance, salvation while thereafter the crucified life, the cross keeps us from that sin which once separated us from the LORD, who now has saved us (Psalms 19:7; Romans 6).
There are lots of people peddling the lie of “self care” which is ultimately nothing more than absolute selfishness. Pure evil. We need SAVIOR care! Such “self-care” only perpetuates the prey, the victim, in their misery. The only way to deal with the wicked iniquitous nature, is to crucify it, not pamper it (Luke 9:23-24). It’s your time to get into God’s Word and follow Jesus (KJB). Repent, deny yourself, lay down your life and serve God and others, not yourself. Loving your wicked self IS your problem and so all “self care” is accomplishing is to make your problem bigger, to fortify the evil within (Galatians 5:16-24). Crucifying that evil by the power of the Holy Spirit who is then raising your upward in His grace, glory, and power, is the divine prescription (Romans 8:13; Colossians 3:3, etc.). Read Philippians 2:3-5 each morning this week. Jesus commands you to love God. Worship God. Obey God (Matthew 22:37-39).
All whom Jesus has saved make a decision every day, including this day. All who were initially saved and yet aren’t searching out and taking up the cross daily, prove they do not love Him, even though they may claim such. Each of us prove who we really love by who reigns in our lives, and by who dies. See Matthew 6:24.
“Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?” Romans 6:16
WHO we yield ourselves to today, proves who we truly love – either the Savior or self.
“But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:” 2 Corinthians 1:9
We must declare and establish “the sentence of death in ourselves” so that our trust is in God who raised Christ from the dead and raises up all of His saints as they are crucified with Christ.
“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20
Tired of sinful self and wanting it out of your way? Here’s the divine prescription: “But I keep under (subdue) my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway” (1 Corinthians 9:27).
The fact that Jesus is coming back for a church, a people who are holy, let us peer into what the Bible tells us concerning overcoming the flesh, sin (Romans 6-8).
Jesus never said to try or try harder. no, Jesus says you must die to follow Him (Luke 9:23-24; John 12:23-25, etc.).
Jesus is sanctifying and cleansing by His Word a people, a church “a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish” (Ephesians 5:25-27).
Times of fasting and prayer are doing yourself a favor and not God. Yes. You are crucifying self, getting self out of God’s way so that Christ is reigning in your life in place of sinful self! This should be viewed with absolute delight! (See Psalms 37:4; Hosea 6:6; Matthew 9:13, etc..) You are crying, you are driving a stake in the ground and declaring: “LORD, You must increase but I must decrease!” (See John 3:30.) That’s the “daily” operation of the cross God has ordained to be transpiring in our lives (Luke 9:23-24; 2 Corinthians 4:10-12; Galatians 2:20, etc.).
What’s your plan for a special time of fasting and prayer this week? There’s no mystery – you will not overcome the flesh, sin, without being crucified with Christ and there’s no better way than fasting and prayer. It’s the most direct route to being dead, buried, and raised up in the victory Christ alone can grant. Lay it all down, now. Memorize Colossians 3:3 and walk it out.
We simply can’t know just how deep we are buried in pride until we begin to obey God in fasting and prayer. Isaiah 58
Overcoming the flesh, walking in victory requires continually delighting in the LORD, worshipping Him “in spirit and in truth” (John 4:23-24).
“Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.” 1 Chronicles 16:11
HOW many of us know that the flesh is never going to behave itself, never going to be tamed …. until it’s slain by the cross, crucified?
The flesh IS going to rage, be bent toward and do evil. That’s a given (Romans 7). This is why the cross, the crucifying of the “old man” and putting on “the new man” are essential to God bringing the victory in our lives! (Romans 6-8; Ephesians 4:23-25; Colossians 3:5-10, etc.)
Doesn’t the fact that our flesh does not like the cross, only confirm the need for it? What are the “works of the flesh” that will separate a once saved Christian from God? (Galatians 5:16-21) Though it’s never heard in the apostate modern church world, Jesus commanded the cross in the life of each and every person who would follow Him (Luke 9:23-24). The fact that our flesh hates the cross in no way changes God and what He said concerning the severity in which we are to deal with the flesh, with sin – and the eternal damnation that awaits all who don’t crucify the deeds of the body (Mark 9:42-49; Romans 6; 2 Corinthians 7:1; 1 Peter 1:15-16; Revelation 21:8, 27, etc.). When’s the last time you read the words of Jesus recorded in Mark 9:42-49 and took Jesus at His Word? IF you truly love Him, you will obey Him (John 14:15).
God fully expects for His people to induce, to participate in the crucifixion of our flesh, putting the self-life to death (Isaiah 58; Matthew 6:16; 1 Corinthians 9:27; Galatians 2:20, etc.).
Holiness is not the way to Christ but rather Christ is the way to holiness. Abiding in Christ IS abiding holy – in the divine definition of holy. The key is that holiness is NOT the way to God but rather Christ is the way to holiness, His way, His definition – which is the daily cross (Luke 9:23-24). Abiding fellowship with Christ, on HIS terms, is holiness – being set apart to the LORD, in the LORD (Psalms 4:3; John 15).
Sin is man’s master until Christ is man’s Master (Matthew 6:24).
No one overcomes by accident. Those who love the LORD, truly, not just in mere profession, will seek Him diligently and obey Him and therefore are brought into His victory by Him (Matthew 7:21; 22:37-39; Titus 1:16; 1 John 2:3-6; Revelation 2-3, etc.). The disciple must truly repent and cease all excuses for the sin that displeases God and walk as “MORE than conquerors through him that loved us” (Romans 8:1, 5-6, 13-14; 37, etc.).
Jesus came from Heaven to earth and successfully confronted evil, sin, death, and the devil by going to the cross and defeating them! Read Colossians 2:14-15; Hebrews 2:14-15 and 1 John 3:8. In Christ, with Christ, we defeat death by dying, laying down our lives (Hebrews 2:14-15). And Jesus, who conquered death, hell, sin, Satan, and the grave, sends us to the cross – co-death with Him to defeat all of our sin and Satan also (Luke 9:23-24; Romans 6; 8:29, 37; 2 Corinthians 4:10-12, etc.). His precious blood alone atoned for our sins positionally, and yet to enforce that victory in defeating sin and Satan in our daily lives, Jesus prescribed to us the cross life (the practical).
The only thing we can do about this reality – about the iniquitous fleshly nature – is to crucify it (Galatians 5:16-24). There can be no negotiation.
“Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:11
The one way to master sin is bow to Heaven’s Master and let Him master sin! The cross.
BECAUSE JESUS CHRIST ROSE AGAIN, ALL WHO ARE BORN AGAIN IN HIM ARE RAISED UP SPIRITUALLY IN THIS LIFE TO OVERCOME ALL SIN, SATAN, AND THE WORLD, AND WILL SOON be RAISED UP INTO ETERNAL GLORY WITH HEAVEN’S KING.
Rhetorical Question: What’s your fasting and prayer plan beloved? Your answer to this important, prompting question is before you and your LORD….
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:1-2
You are not serious about overcoming sin if you’re not yet setting apart regular times of fasting and prayer. The fact that you don’t want to fast is the clear proof that you need to fast. Currently, your flesh is in control! Once you are broken, you will delight in, you will look forward to those times of regular fasting! Read Isaiah 58. | The Amazing Benefits of Fasting and Prayer
Times of Fasting and prayer get YOU out of the way so Jesus can reign supreme! Isaiah 58
“For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” Romans 8:13-14
“He must increase but I must decrease.” John 3:30
FASTING IS STARVING THE FLESH AND FEEDING THE SPIRIT IN ORDER TO BE BROUGHT BY THE LORD INTO FULL ONENESS WITH HIM AND THE FATHER, AND INTO THE COMPLETE VICTORY AND FRUITFULNESS HE’S ORDAINED YOU TO WALK IN (ISAIAH 58).
Read Romans 6-8.
I am not a good person. Neither are you. “There is none righteous, no, not one” (Romans 3:10). Admit it. The Bible and our own failing experience in this life clearly reveal such to be the case. The sooner we become HONEST with that which is more than obvious, announcing freely and transparently that there is “no good thing” in us except CHRIST, the sooner God will begin a fresh, deeper work in us! See Romans 7:18, 24—the cross!
“For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.” Romans 7:18
“Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;” Colossians 3:9
The SINNER, the vile wretch I must first and foremost confront, is myself! See Job 19:28; Rom 7:18, 24; Ps 39:4-5 and Eccl 7:20. It’s essential to begin to understand the flesh, the fallen man, the iniquitous old man, in order to realize what we’ve been saved from and what must be crucified daily. The cross is God’s solution, His prescription to “put off the old man with his deeds.”
“That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;” Ephesians 4:22
The cross subdues the flesh, it separates us from being held captive to the dictates of the old man, the carnal fallen nature.
The Root of the Matter is in Me! | The Daily Cross
Support | STORE | Podcasts | Jail/Prison Ministry | Mexico Mission here | All Ministry Updates | Because You Care Page | Bible/Word of God | The Greatest of these is Charity | Be Ready in the Morning [podcast] | The Sure Mercies of David [podcast] | That Repentance and Remission of Sins should be Preached [podcast] | At His Feet | Prepared to be Used of God | Grace and Truth Bible School [modules] | 7 Study Guides to a Greater Foundation in Christ | Knowing God | The Cross Life | Christology = the Study of Christ
Abiding
“And this Gospel of the Kingdom shall be Preached in all the World” [podcast]
“All these are the beginning of sorrows.
9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.
10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” Matthew 24:8-14
The true remnant of Christ are known in that they are enduring to the end in the midst of iniquity, abounding and preaching the Gospel of Jesus the King to the world.
“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” Mark 16:15
PRAYER: Father in Heaven, I come to You in the name of Jesus Christ, admitting I have been living for my own evil glory. I am a sinner. I’ve committed the sin of idolatry, having myself first instead of You. I admit here and now before You that I have been committing the damning sin of spiritual adultery. I have claimed to know You and yet refused to uncompromisingly adhere to Your Word. Here and now, right now if never before, I repent and ask You to forgive my sins and to wash me afresh from my sins in the precious blood of Jesus Christ my LORD. Into Your hands I commend, I submit my spirit, my life, right this moment and ask You dear LORD to fill me with Your Holy Ghost and use me to preach Your glorious message of repentance to those around me so that they can receive the forgiveness of all their sins and walk in the times of refreshing from Your holy presence dear LORD. I love You Jesus. I am all Yours and I know You are all mine. In Jesus’ Name amen.
Here are all the ministry’s shorts (60 sec) videos. Feel free to share and subscribe to the ministry YT channel:
See all shorts videos here on ministry youtube channel.
Support | STORE | Podcasts | Jail/Prison Ministry | Mexico Mission here | All Ministry Updates | Because You Care Page | The Greatest of these is Charity | Be Ready in the Morning [podcast] | The Sure Mercies of David [podcast] | That Repentance and Remission of Sins should be Preached [podcast] | At His Feet | Prepared to be Used of God | Waste | Stewardship | Giving | Let Him be Your Fear [podcast] | Why We Need Not Fear Death | Fear Not Little Flock | The Glorious Church Jesus is Returning For [podcast]
“A Land Flowing with Milk and Honey” [podcast]
Nicolaitan Nightmare [podcast]
A PLACE CALLED HELL [podcast]
Following the Faith of Abraham [podcast]
The Flesh will Never be Reformed it Must be Crucified [podcast]
Gospel Preached at Funeral of a Decorated United States Marine Officer in Mexico [podcast]
The High Treason of False Leaders [podcast]
Why Did God Give Us His Word? [podcast]
If it’s not the Word, it’s Waste [podcast]
Being Made Whole in Christ [podcast]
Mission Mexico Part 49
Beware of the Hebrew Roots Judaizing Snakes! [podcast]
Can and Will God Use You? [podcast]
The Highest Form of His Creation
Direction in God’s Word? [podcast]
Why Did God Give Us His Word? [podcast]
Beware of the Hebrew Roots Judaizing Snakes! [podcast]
False Apostles Exposed!
SINLESS PERFECTIONISM: WHOSE Righteousness are You Trusting? [podcast]
Jesus Answered Questions with Questions [podcast]
The Highest Form of His Creation
The Flesh will Never be Reformed it Must be Crucified [podcast]
The High Treason of False Leaders [podcast]
Direction in God’s Word? [podcast]
Addiction’s Only Solution [podcast]
Can and Will God Use You? [podcast]
A PLACE CALLED HELL [podcast]
Nicolaitan Nightmare [podcast]
The Golden Rule Life: What’s that Really Mean? [podcast]
The Daily Cross in Prayer [podcast]
“A Land Flowing with Milk and Honey” [podcast]
Nicolaitan Nightmare [podcast]
A PLACE CALLED HELL [podcast]
America2 years agoThe Drugging of America: The Pharmakeia Sorcery Deception [podcast]
- Articles3 years ago
Children being Rescued in Tunnels: Happening Now – UPDATE!
- Articles9 years ago
Self-Examination in Preparation for the Lord’s Return
- Apostasy3 years ago
SHOCKING List of False Prophets Most Believe are True
Providing Christ-centered Scripture-rich resources to feed, edify, and equip the body of Christ (John 21:15-17; Ephesians 4:11-15).
Navigation
Quick links
Newsletter
Stay updated of the ministry operations. We saved a spot for you on the ministry email list.
© 2025 Safe Guard Your Soul. All Rights Reserved