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“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.

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Articles

 5 Aspects of the Mind of Christ [podcast]


5 Components of the Mind of Christ from Philippians 2

Philippians 2:2-10

“Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
3  Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
4  Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
5  Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
6  Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7  But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8  And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
9  Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
10  That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
11  And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

At Gethsemane the death before the cross, before His death on the cross occurred.

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

“He became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” Philippians 2:8

Living in the mind, the disposition of Christ means you are truly following Him.

As Christ’s disciple, your devotion, your love is first to Him, then to your neighbor, not self (Matthew 22:37-39). You are commanded by the Savior to set self aside and to lift others above yourself—to prefer, to put God and others first. Those who do so, experience true freedom, liberty.

Being one with Christ, who gave all to save you, means your life is over—you now live to serve the LORD and others, not self (Galatians 2:20; Colossians 3:3).

Have you poured prayerfully over Philippians 2:3-5 today? If you will begin every day this week pouring prayerfully over this passage, asking the LORD to internalize it in your heart, God will begin to deeply instill the very “mind of Christ” into your innermost disposition.

Part of the dying…. IS GOD calling us to Himself, to forsake this world, including the attempt to save an unrepentant nation long in rebellion against Him – America?

Prayer: LORD, I want to walk in the disposition You walked in on earth. I will esteem You and others above myself. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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

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Greedy, Covetous, and Beguiled! [podcast]


One man has wisely stated that “Greed and covetousness will damn more souls than all other sins combined.”

“Spiritual Blessings”

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 4  According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5  Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6  To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. 7  In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;” Ephesians 1:3-7

“If we are in Jesus we have the the unsearchable riches of Christ (Ephesians 3:8). Unfathomable (in our small minds), infinite wealth and spiritual blessings! Endless mercy, grace, and forgiveness. That is inexhaustible! Why do we need any worldly riches that will rot and corrupt our hearts!? Lay up in your hearts God’s riches! Which are eternal!” Karen Cochran

“For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it.” Mark 8:36

The only wealth that will last, forever, is that which is gained by obeying God in this life – thereby laying up treasure in Heaven (Matthew 6:19-21).

Got an “education” but going to hell eternally. Self-serving idolaters.

For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” 1 Timothy 6:10

America is full of those who claim to be saved and yet paid big money to get a piece of paper to get more money in this life and yet it’s clear that they’ve been serving money, mammon all along, not Christ.

“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. 22 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single (full of Christ, not covetousness), thy whole body shall be full of light. 23 But if thine eye be evil (greed filled), thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness! 24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” Matthew 6:19-24 

They’ve never repented and aren’t presently, literally serving God. This means they are hell bound.

“For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. 7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them.” Ephesians 5:5-7

Real repentance or reprobate?

“Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? 2 Corinthians 13:5

The souls of millions who think they are saved are going to be damned due to not being truly given over to the LORD they claim to know and be saved by. If their lives were truly given over, they would be helping others and the work of Christ to be advanced in this fleeting world.

Their covetousness – “I want this” or “I just bought that” – is telling on their wicked hearts (Luke 12; 1 Timothy 6). They are sinning away their day of grace as they live unto self and are rich toward self and not Jesus. They are “not rich toward God” to use Christ’s own words (Luke 12:21). Jesus promised these would be damned for their turning a dead ear and blind eye to the needs of others – “Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.” (Matthew 25:45) The light bills and rent/mortgages of some in-need Christians go unpaid. The pantries of some remain empty. True, New Testament ministries go unfunded …. and Why? – Because of the waste of millions who call themselves by the name of the One who came and gave ALL. They do not resemble Him which clearly shows that they are not following Him and merely rendering lip service to Him in order to deceive their own darkened hearts into the vain imagination that they are going to be with Him eternally.

Their GOAL is your GOLD, not your SOUL! Get a clue! Read 2 Peter 2:1-3; Philippians 3:18-19.

“Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 17 But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? 18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. 19 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.” 1 John 3:16-19

What you refuse to do (omission) when you see another in need, is indicative of who you are serving – self instead of the Savior. The Son of God says: “Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 21 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 7:19-21)

“They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.” Titus 1:16 

The fruit of the Spirit and good works are the clear indication that one is truly saved (Galatians 5:19-24; Titus 3:8; James 1:22-27). If you are not literally a giver, the LORD is calling you to repent and obey God’s Word by giving up first your whole life and will to Him. Then, all you have in your possession will go to His glory in loving your neighbor. If all you have isn’t Christ’s, it’s time to repent and get saved friend (Luke 14:33).

Prayerfully read Luke 12 and 1 Timothy 6 every day for the next week.

Toni S. writes:

Not just helping in ministry, but also the widows, poor, prisoners and fatherless. In addition, so many just hand their tithes over to a church pastor expecting Him to do this with their money. But what they end up supporting is not a ministry but a lavish lifestyle that many pastors live. People also donate money to ‘charitable” organizations without even researching where that money really goes too.” Toni S.

Wolves patty cake with you because they want your money and could care less about your eternal soul (Isaiah 30:9-10; 2 Timothy:2-4; 2 Peter 2:1-3).

“But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. 3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.” 2 Peter 2:1-3

“And who are we to support? 3 John 8 “We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.” Those who are devoted to the truth of God’s word! And are speaking the original gospel once delivered unto the saints Jude 3. Then we become fellowhelpers to them who are spreading truth. And actually participate in their ministry by giving to them. As opposed to bidding God speed to the deceivers and false teachers (2 John 9-11). We aren’t to support financially or participate at all in their ministry. Or we become partakers in their evil deeds and will suffer the same punishment as them. So we have a choice, participate in those preaching the whole truth and receive rewards (treasures in heaven) or participate in the deception of false teachers and suffer eternal consequences!” Karen Cochran

PRAYER: I here and now confess to You Father that I have been a self-idolater, I have committed spiritual adultery against You. I have not had You but rather myself first. Please forgive my sin, wash me clean, and fill me with Your Holy Ghost afresh. Circumcise this heart and replace the stony places with a heart of flesh. Bless this vessel to abide crucified with Thee and bear fruit, more fruit, and much fruit. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Let’s learn God’s Word and grow in grace together. Sign up here to receive the Moments with My Master email sent out to edify Christ’s body.

Support | STORE | PodcastsThe Return of ChristStewardshipWhere to Give and Where Not to Give | Fruit Abounding to Your Account! | Consider Your Ways [podcast] | Consider and Build [podcast] | Holes in Your Money Bags? [podcast] | Dollar DialogueJesus Sat Over Against The Treasury [podcast] | Escaping Sodom!Waste | Stewardship | Giving

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Articles

Lay Up For Yourselves Treasures in Heaven [podcast]


“LAY UP FOR YOURSELVES”

The only wealth that will last, forever, is that which is gained by obeying God in this life – thereby laying up treasure in Heaven.

Money Has Wings

“Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.” Proverbs 23:4-5

  • Instruction: “Labour not to be rich” v4
  • Instruction: “cease from thine own wisdom” v4
  • Question?: “Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not?” v5
  • Wisdom to ponder: “for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven” v5

Note this phrase in v5 (please read carefully) – “riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.” Now watch this – “they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.” What does that mean? Simply, the way we spend our money on earth will testify about our lives on Judgment Day and we will thereby be rewarded or stripped of rewards or even kept out of the kingdom (Lk. 16:19-31; James 2:1-7; 5:1-6; etc.). The usage of our money is a direct reflection of the priorities of our hearts (Matt. 6:21).

Treasures In Heaven

IN previous generations, young men and women gave up their whole life of luxury in America to go to a foreign land to preach the Gospel of Christ. Today we have a generation of professing “Christians” who won’t so much as give up a penny to support the preaching of the Gospel of the glorious Savior they claim to be saved by.

How important is Christ and His Gospel to you? Jesus told us exactly how important we count Him and His Gospel….

People spend, waste money on every frivolity under Heaven and seldom lay up treasures in Heaven using their temporal coin (Matthew 6:19-21). Read Jesus’ teaching recorded in Luke 16.

Our LORD instructs us to lay up treasure, but in Heaven not here in this temporal world where the dollar will soon be obsolete, superseded by rewards earned during this earthly life.

“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures (lots) in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:” Matthew 6:19-20

Saint of the Most High, are you going to look back in eternity and deeply regret the opportunities God gave you in this fleeting life that you passed up? – to bless another believer or to support the work of Christ and send forward eternal rewards?

“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Matthew 6:21

WHERE are you laying up treasure?

Your investments into God’s kingdom work in this short life are truly safe, secure, life-giving, and eternal. No one can take them away.

DISCIPLE OF JESUS, Jesus Christ is all-knowing and sees everything and will reward every good deed or work done in His name and love.

“For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.” Hebrews 6:10

Tithing is not commanded under the New Testament. Yet giving and putting God first is commanded and is the privilege of the saints of Christ (Proverbs 3:9-10; Matthew 6:33; Luke 6:38).

LET’S LEARN GOD’S WORD TOGETHER – ONE TRUTH AT A TIME: Are you tired of reading Scripture or hearing a good message from the Word and not retaining it for yourself and to help others? We can help you. This message was sent out to each person who is on the Moments For My Master e-mail devotional list. In supplementation to your personal daily study of God’s Word, we would love to add you and have the privilege of nourishing your heart with God’s Word (Jn. 5:39; 1 Tim. 4:6, 16; Heb. 5:11-14; 1 Pet. 2:2). Sign up here.

Feedback:

“No matter how much I give he keeps giving back to me… pressed down shaken together and running over. God is great and greatly to be praised.” Steven M.

More on Stewardship | Cheerful Giving

Support | STORE | Podcasts | Eternal Security/OSASAccounted Worthy to Escape [podcast] | Eternal Security Exposed | Sealed?The Return of Christ | Lie of the Ages [podcast]10 Questions about Eternal SecurityIs Salvation Eternal?The Damning Myth of Unconditional Eternal Security [podcast]The Essential of Fearing God | The KING is Coming [podcast]

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