Resting in His Love

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]

“Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.” Psalms 91:14

Our obedience to the LORD is not in order to get Him to love us but rather in response to the love He already has for us – and was profoundly demonstrated by sending His only begotten Son to die for us “while we were yet sinners” (Romans 5:6-8). There are priorities in the divine economy. Jesus called them “the weightier matters of the law” (Matthew 23:23).

Jesus says that “IF” we love him, we are to “keep” His “commandments” (John 14:15). He’s obviously not interested in our outward rote obedience if we don’t love Him with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength (Matthew 22:37-39).

Obeying God after He saves us is the expression of our love for Him and not that which justifies us. HE alone justifies us. And yes, those who know Him will definitely obey Him and yet their obedience doesn’t justify them, HE alone can do that.

Becoming familiar with, memorizing this following passage will tremendously help every disciple of Christ.

“Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” Romans 4:4-5

Do we Earn or Receive Divine Love?

Remember that “God is love” and that “he first loved us”:

“Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. 9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. 10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. … We love him, because he first loved us. 20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? 21 And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.” 1 John 4

We did not find the LORD, He found us. We did not initiate or make this relationship possible – He did – by sending His only begotten Son to die to pay the full price for this relationship to be possible and eternal! So, we can rest in His love by abiding in the Son of His love – Jesus Christ, who is eternal life (1 John 5:20-21).

There is no possible way that God could have more clearly demonstrated and shown you how much He loves you more than He did. Jesus stretched His arms wide to take upon Him the sins of the world and by such drew and draws “all men” to Himself (Matthew 1:21; John 1:29; 12:32). While you were still “dead in trespasses and sins,” He sent His only begotten Son for you and “for the sins of the whole world” (Ephesians 2:1; 1 John 2:1-2).

“For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.” Romans 5:6-10

When we walk in His love, we demonstrate that we are born of Him who alone “is love” and that we currently abide/remain in Christ (John 15). It is important to realize that we are not love, but “God is love” and those who abide in Christ bear the fruit of His “love” (1 Corinthians 13; Galatians 5:22-23). This is one of the clear proofs that one is truly the LORD’s. “Walk in love” (Ephesians 5:1-2). A fresh reading of the book of 1 John and 1 Corinthians 13 will quicken and refresh your heart as to the priorities of He who “is love.”

“And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.” 1 John 4:16

Before you study gifts, study love. Make love the priority of your life. In the modern church which is grossly apostate, the emphasis is placed on you, on self – instead of the LORD. Little is spoken about the divinely-ordained importance of Christ Himself, love, truth, personal holiness, abiding in Christ, the soon return of Jesus, etc. – “Be ye separate” (2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1). Make God’s priorities your personal priorities.

In light of this divine revelation of His love, may we be presently and forever thank-filled for the sacrifice of the LORD Jesus Christ in this “unspeakable gift” of His salvation (2 Corinthians 9:15). May all fear be vanquished from your heart as you receive of His love and walk abiding in He who “is love.”

“Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.” 1 John 4:17-18

May the love of God quicken us today in His holy fear, to forgive all others of all trespasses, to love our neighbor as ourselves, and to grow in His grace.

“For the love of Christ constraineth (compels) us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: 15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.” 2 Corinthians 5:14-15

Now that God’s love, instead of His judgment, has been manifested through our LORD and Savior, your identity is now in Him alone and your life is “not your own,” for ye are “bought with a price,” even the price of “the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

“Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.” 1 Peter 1:18-19

This profound truth is not the occasion to think we are something special in and of ourselves, but rather, to understand that “while we were yet sinners” – in utter rebellion and meriting only divine judgment – God sent for us His only begotten Son to die so we could experience relationship with Him both now and forever (Romans 5:6-9). We deserve only damnation but He gave us life and mercy “through the blood of his cross,” not so we can receive His salvation and then just go on living our lives as we wish, but rather that we are now His and our lives are His. Jesus Christ alone “made peace through the blood of his cross” so that we could be reconciled to God from our alienation, brought back from sin, to abide in His indescribable love.

“And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him (Jesus) to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. 21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled 22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: 23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister.” Colossians 1:20-23

Abiding in His freely given love, we are given full assurance and are able daily, through trials and tribulation, through good times and bad, to “rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory” all the way to the end of our earthly lives and for all eternity.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: 9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.” 1 Peter 1:3-9

Does God want us to know His love for us?

“And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.” Ephesians 3:19

God’s love is something to get into and to keep ourselves in:

“Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” Jude 21

“Pray harder”? NO! Let go and let God by trusting Him and not your own hard work! Romans 4:4-5; Galatians 3:3 – Trust the NAME of JESUS in prayer! John 14:13-14; 16:23-24 – REST in HIS Love! Jesus says “I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28-30).

YOUR PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I come to You now in the name of my LORD Jesus Christ – Your only begotten Son who died, was buried, and raised again from the dead for me. Please make this Your vessel, Your disciple, whole from the inside out – as You alone can do. I love You Jesus. Please wash me afresh with Your precious blood, cleanse this conscience, and fill me with the Holy Ghost to be Thy witness in this last hour before Your glorious return. In Jesus’ Name.

The Riches of His Grace

“It is Finished”!

First Love First Works

Abiding

Jesus Conquered Sin, Satan, and Death by Dying [podcast]

“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; 15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” Hebrews 2:14-15

Through death Jesus conquered sin, death, and Satan and made His people free, washing away their sins in His precious blood and putting His Holy Spirit in them, empowering them to live fruit-filled victorious lives to His eternal glory!

Christ’s resurrection guarantees our resurrection – both now and for eternnity. Those raised up with Christ now are those who are crucified with Him. This is His holy “remnant.” (Isaiah 37:31; Romans 8:11; 1 Corinthians 15, etc.).

Jesus conquered sin and death (separation) by dying on His cross. Because of this, we need never live outside of an abiding relationship with Christ. His grace is sufficient to provide everything He died to purchase for us – and all these blessings are appropriated via our faith, our abiding in Him (John 15; Romans 6:14; 2 Corinthians 12:9-10; Hebrews 4:14-16; 7:24-26, etc.).

In order to be raised up, to walk in His resurrection power and grace, we must first be dead and buried with Christ.

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

***ALL Heaven’s going to break out when this hits you in the heart, when your heart perceives this cross economy divine revelation.

Finishing Strong mean Finishing Crucified and Resurrected

HOW will you finish? It’s really how you finish that matters most! (2 Timothy 4:7-8) Finish strong beloved – lay down your life, death and burial, so that the strength of your life is Christ’s resurrection grace! (See 2 Corinthians 12:9-10) Go down deep.

“And the remnant that is escaped of the house of Judah shall again take root downward, and bear fruit upward:” Isaiah 37:31

Read the verse above again, looking for the death, the burial, and raising up!

The context Isaiah 37:31 concerns Assyria seeking to seize Judah and yet out of that evil attempt to conquer God’s people came a “remnant.” Yet it’s those who submitted to the LORD in death, those who took root downward (death and burial) who were reciprocally raised up out of that snare and destruction. Resurrection grace wins every time, with no exception! The cross is the divine prescription for absolute victory in every situation.

God counteracts death by the promise of resurrection – now and in eternity! (1 Corinthians 15; 2 Corinthians 4:10-12).

“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. 11 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. 12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you.” 2 Corinthians 4:10-12

The depth you allow God to bury you determines the height of His resurrection, His raising up in your life! (See 2 Corinthians 4:10-12)

“Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge. 18 For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips. 19 That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee. 20 Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge, 21 That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?” Proverbs 22:17-21

“Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; 2 That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.” 1 Peter 4:1-2

“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

“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

Learning the Cross, the Crucified Life Where Jesus Reigns

The Myth of Elevation without the Cross [podcast]

THE CROSS: Know it. Live it. Preach it. God will never lift up those who stand in their pride but only those who bow before Him in humility (Psalms 145:14; James 4:6-10, etc.). Running to a “revival” is not the answer. The reason people run to a “revival” is due to their refusal to deny self, take up the cross daily, and thereby be re-vived (filled with life!) daily – experiencing the resurrection of Christ each day in their personal lives as God has ordained (Luke 9:23-24; 2 Corinthians 4:10-12). A cross-less life is a life of defeat. A life in […]

H.O.T. BIBLE STUDY [podcast]

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15 So very many today are deceived due to not studying God’s Word for themselves. They live for years with erroneous notions men told them. Instead of repenting and getting into the Word for themselves, many of them go to their graves having embraced soul-damning lies. HOW do you know if someone is imposing something upon the Scripture text they are reading from IF you haven’t personally, organically, thoroughly studied the whole of God’s Word for […]

The Importance of Personal, Organic Bible Study [podcast]

To study the Bible organically means simply to study God’s Word without the undue influence, the taintings of mere men! God’s Word is your life (Proverbs 4:20-23). The Word is your “daily bread” and your life depends on knowing and obeying it (Matthew 6:11). Knowing and adhering to Holy Scripture is your protection (Proverbs 30:5-6). “Every word of God is pure: he is a shield (protection) unto them that put their trust in him. 6 Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.” Proverbs 30:5-6 RECENTLY: In a very engaging fellowship […]

Articles

JT with Todd Tomasella of SAFEGUARD YOURSOUL – Evangelism Encouragement [video]

Joe Telford and Todd Tomasella – Evangelism Encouragement

Evangelism [study guide]

Evangelism (PDF) (Duplication encouraged. An open King James Bible should accompany your study of this topic. Carefully, prayerfully study each verse given in order to answer each question correctly. Print this document out and pencil in the answers in the blanks provided. It may be best to cut and paste it to your word processing software and then print it out. Your life in Christ will be enriched forever as you embrace and put into practice His Word.) “Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.” Matthew 9:38 God so loved […]

Ten Commandments Evangelism [podcast]

Use the 10 Commandments to bring conviction to the consciences of the lost and backslidden. THAT’s exactly how New Testament saints are instucted to use the Law. Do you have them memorized? Do it now. GOSPEL/KINGDOM TRUTH: People must become convicted of their sin before they are broken and shown the need to repent. This truth is essential to successful ministering. Gal 3:24; 1 Tim 1:7-10; Ps 19:7 … You cannot and will never talk anyone into being saved. You don’t have that power. God does. And He instructs us to give them the divine sword which cuts straight […]

Kingdom Breaking! 5 Souls Saved! Live Action of Jesus! [podcast]

KINGDOM BREAKING: The work of God through His born again “ambassadors” who are about the “Father’s business”, is the infinitely most important and only eternal work transpiring on the earth. Nothing even remotely compares (Matthew 9:35-38; Luke 2:49; 2 Corinthians 5:17-20). After hearing the extensive preaching of the Word of our God (see podcast above), 5 souls repented before God and received Christ as the LORD of their lives! Also, all the believers present asked our LORD to fill, to baptize them with His Holy Spirit and to use them mightily (Acts 1:8; 2:1-4, 37-39; 8:14-17; 19:1-6, etc.). (keep in […]

Abiding

7 Ways to Forgive [podcast]

PRAY

“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;” Matthew 5:44

LOVE AND DO GOOD TO THE OFFENDER

“Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.” Romans 12:9

REFUSE TO SPEAK EVIL OF THE OFFENDER

“Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.” Romans 12:14

RELEASE THEM FROM YOUR PUNISHMENT

“Recompense (repay) to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” Romans 12:17-19

DON’T CELEBRATE THEIR FAILURES

“Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth: 18 Lest the LORD see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.” Proverbs 24:17-18

TREAT THEM THE WAY YOU WANT TO BE TREATED

“And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.” Luke 6:31

STOP DWELLING ON THE PAST

“Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.” Isaiah 43:18

The blessedness of being merciful to others:

“Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.” Matthew 5:7

The only way to prevent holding a grudge, is to simply forgive them – as God freely forgave you through the infinite price Christ paid for your sins on the cross, of which you don’t deserve (Psalms 103:10).

“Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. 8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. 9 Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.” James 5:7-9

“And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:30-32

Being kind and forgiving towards others becomes simple as we look in the mirror and declare with Paul the apostle: “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing.” (Romans 7:18)

“He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.” Psalms 103:10

Forgiveness becomes easy when we look in the mirror to see the person (us, me) who needs God’s mercy more than any other person alive on the earth! Memorize Ephesians 4:32 now. KJB

“For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.” James 1:20

“Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.” Colossians 3:12-14

Forgiveness Quotes

Forgiveness is ultra important to God. If you don’t forgive all others, you are not forgiven of your own sin and are as sure for hell as if you were already there. If you refuse to forgive you damn your own soul, non-negotiably. irrevocably.

“Forgiveness does not mean what happened is okay. It means not letting what happened take any more of your happiness.” Michelle Maros

“There is no love without forgiveness, and there is no forgiveness without love.” Bryant McGill

“Love is an act of endless forgiveness. Forgiveness is me giving up my right to hurt you for hurting me. Forgiveness is the final act of love.” Reinhold Niebuhr

“Holding a grudge doesn’t make you strong; it makes you bitter. Forgiving doesn’t make you weak; it sets you free.” unknown

Forgiveness | Fresh Start with God | Making Peace with God

Support | STORE | Podcasts |

LESS than the Least! Filthy Rags Fellowship! [podcast]

The cross reveals your sin, and God’s love, not how wonderful you are! Repent! FACT: NO ONE, not one person on this earth needs Jesus more than this fool, this pauper who is nothing without Christ! (Romans 7:18; Ephesians 3:8; 1 Timothy 1:15) Jesus died, was buried, and raised again from the dead to forgive, regenerate, redeem, and grant complete victory in this life to every one of His people. Yet, we must do things God’s way and no other way. JESUS JUDGED SIN ON THE CROSS SO WE DON’T HAVE TO BE JUDGED FOR OUR SIN AND SO WE […]

Stone Cold Truths about Mercy, Judgment, and Forgiveness [podcast]

HOW did God say He is known? – “by the judgment which he executeth.” Get ready! (Read 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10; Revelation 19:11-16.) “The Lord is known by the judgment which he executeth: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah.” Psalms 9:16 “By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.” Proverbs 16:6 So let me get this straight…. you don’t mind that God forgave you, sinner, but now you want to control who else He chooses to forgive and have mercy on? Repent now you vile hypocrite! The flames of […]