Learning to Shake Off the Dust!

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]

Deliverance from False Obligation

WHEN you minister the Word and someone rejects you, they are really rejecting CHRIST in you! Don’t get upset, “REJOICE” !!!!

THE WAY SOME CHRISTIANS PRESENT THE LORD AND HIS GOSPEL TODAY IS SO VERY DIFFERENT THAN THE LORD, HIS PROPHETS, HIS APOSTLES, AND THE EARLY CHURCH. TODAY, MANY ACT LIKE THE ALMIGHTY OWES SINNERS SOMETHING. THEY DEAL WITH OTHERS AS IF GOD IS SOME KIND OF A SAP AND IS BEGGING PEOPLE TO COME INTO HIS KINGDOM. EXCUSE ME …. WHILE I GIGGLE, AND FROWN! ALL REBELS NEED GOD – HE DOESN’T NEED THEM!!!!

“But foolish and unlearned questions AVOID, knowing that they do gender strifes.” 2 Timothy 2:23

IN LIGHT of this instruction from the LORD, are there times when we attempt to answer questions that divert us from preaching God’s truth to the lost? Is Satan routing us away from the core issue that all men have – sin? Is the enemy hindering us from giving them the Law to convict them of their sins as we are told to do in 1 Timothy 1? Do we ever see Jesus or His apostles entertaining or answering questions such as, “Why do bad things happen to good people?” Are not rebellious hearts the ones who demand to know such answers in order to condemn God and cloak their own sin? Why would we think that God owes them an answer?

Obviously, people who are sincerely seeking the truth ask questions too. Answering questions is the open doorway to communicate the Law and Gospel which will convict and bring salvation. Christians should wisely discern between those seeking answers and those who are not interested in repenting. It is this writer’s humble opinion that far too much time is spent preparing to and answering questions that are “foolish questions” and that we should obey God’s instruction in 2 Timothy 2:23 to “avoid … foolish and unlearned questions.” Note – “foolish” AND “unlearned.” Perhaps “foolish” refers to a question that is coming out of a mocker in ridicule, while “unlearned” refers to a question from someone who is unlearned at the time yet perhaps sincerely seeking. Even “unlearned”questions are to be avoided according to 2 Timothy 2:23.

The way an “unlearned” question can be avoided is to springboard off their question into the truth they desperately need in order to bring conviction of sin and salvation to that soul (Psalms 19:7). May God grant His true saints His wisdom!

Typical Foolish Questions

Someone has stated:

“Why do bad things happen to good people? Well, it has only happened once, and He volunteered!”

The father of lies is laughing as so many Christians unwisely follow mere misled men who call themselves apologists.

The following question is commonly asked by those who seek to divert attention from their own personal and core problem – sin:

“What about the people who have never heard the Gospel? Is God going to send them to hell too?”

A good way to handle this question can be to quote 2 Peter 3:9 which states: “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3) (AMEN!)

Do we honestly think that people who are truly seeking would ever ask such a question? I doubt it. Yet, much of ministry today that calls itself “apologetic”, wastes huge amounts of time and resources trying to answer this question and other “foolish questions” which the LORD told us to “avoid.”

The Almighty has given all men life, untold blessings, and His only begotten Son. This is all spelled out plainly in His creation, in their conscience, and in the Gospel or Good News of Jesus Christ. What more does He owe them?

When was the last time you saw someone who asked one of these “foolish questions”get saved after they received an answer from an apologist or Christian? You see, it’s the Word of God by which we are “born again” and it’s the law of the LORD that is perfect and that converts the souls of men (1 Peter 1:23; Psalms 19:7). It’s the very Word of God that never returns to Him void and always accomplishes that for we He sends it forth and not our explanation to a foolish question asked by a rebel.

“The Secret Things”

The very use of the term “secret things” by our LORD reveals that there are some things He will not reveal to mere men; especially not in this life. He most certainly will not reveal the deeper things to the rebellious.

“The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.” Deuteronomy 29:29

Some who demand to know more than is fitting for a mere human, have not learned the critical foundation doctrine of fearing God in humility and wisdom. They cloak their rebellion and pride behind their requests to know more (Proverbs 1; Romans 2:1-7). They act as if God owes them the answer that they have already come up with. Have you ever met someone who acted like God owed them something? The very God who is their Creator and the Judge of their eternal soul?

“Nothing in life is insignificant or trivial when weighed in the balance of eternal justice.” FB Meyer

Romans 1 and 2 will offer great insight into the rebellion of sinful men against God. Part of what He says here is that all men have His truth in their conscience, know He exist, know His wrath is upon those who refuse to obey the truth, and that they are “without excuse.”

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold (surpress) the truth in unrighteousness; ¹⁹Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. ²⁰For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: … Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. ²But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. ³And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? ⁴Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? ⁵But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; ⁶Who will render to every man according to his deeds: ⁷To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: ⁸But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, ⁹Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; ¹⁰But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: ¹¹For there is no respect of persons with God.” Romans 1:18-20; 2:1-11

God has given all men more than enough for them to act on and get right with Him. He owes them nothing more.

Also, we must reckon with the truth that there is only one Savior and He is Jesus, not us.We cannot even save ourselves, much less someone else.

We are responsible to give others God’s Word and yet, only God can bless and save them.

Scott Alderman writes:

“The Gospel is a two-edged sword. People will either accept it or run away from it in anger. It’s not you Trudi. Here’s an example from the Bible. When Jesus raised Lazarus, He told men to roll the stone away, then He raised Lazarus. You’re doing your part. You’re rolling away the stone. It’s not up to you to raise the dead. If they are going to be raised, He will do it. Just keep rolling away the stones, relax, and don’t get discouraged. If the dead are going to rise, it will be His work. There’s absolutely nothing you can do, and there is great comfort in that.”

“Shake Off the Dust!”

I often find myself speaking straight to sinners who make excuses and throw questions out as a smokescreen for their own rebellion. I say “God owes you nothing. You are drowning in the beauty of His creation and breathing HIS air that keeps you alive. He made you and you will stand before Him to be judged. You need God, He doesn’t need you!”

“But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. ¹⁰A man that is an heretick (refuses the truth) after the first and second admonition reject; ¹¹Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.” Titus 3:9-11

The disciple of Jesus should communicate God’s truth in love and yet never coddle the unrepentant in their sins (Proverbs 16:6; Ephesians 4:15).

For years I operated under the false assumption that it was MY duty to make sure everyone got saved. Yet, as the LORD has and is continuing to teach my heart, it becomes more and more clear that such a notion is false, and a false obligation. Before you ever met that person you are trying to lead to Jesus, the LORD has been convicting them and in most cases, had someone else minister to them. The Holy Spirit has been at work. So, we should give them His Word but never play into the scheme of sin and Satan that seeks to draw us in to this deceptive, false obligation. The LORD says in Romans 1:18-20 that all men have His truth in their consciences and in by the testimony of His creation, and that they are “without excuse.”

Jesus told us that if men refuse to receive the Gospel message, we are to “shake off the dust” and move on.

“And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.” Matthew 10:14

Beloved, God is not going to beg any soul to take Him up on this most grand privilege that He procured for us in His blessed Gospel. Since God is not going to beg any soul to be saved from sin and hell, we should not beg them either, nor should we pander to their rebellion, which they cloak behind their “foolish and unlearned questions.” The LORD commands us to “avoid” these foolish diversions (2 Timothy 2:23).

There’s even a time to shake off the dust and depart from religious folks who refuse biblical truth, especially in the foundational or major doctrines of the Christian faith. Jesus told His apostles to let the false leaders of His day alone.

“Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.” Matthew 15:14

We are responsible to give others God’s Word in love. We are not responsible to believe for them. God requires that of them. There are no grandchildren in His kingdom.

Beware of Dogs and Swine

One sister in Christ admitted:

“I also have wasted too much time on people who had NO interest in the Gospel thereby throwing precious pearls to swine.” Carol Z.

The LORD also tells us never to give the good things of God to the “swine” or rebels. This clearly reveals that He won’t allow them to have those good truths and blessings anyway, so why, O why, would we waste His time trying to give His blessed truth to the rebellious who refuse to repent after being shown His truth? If we do try to force the issue, will they not use them against us in the end?

“Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.” Matthew 7:6

Dogs and swine are the most despised and lowest form of God’s creation, especially in middle-east culture. This is why Jesus used them here.

You are ONLY responsible for your own soul as far as the decision to repent, worship, trust, and obey the LORD is concerned. Every single individual is responsible to obey God. Don’t fool yourself into thinking that others don’t have the same full access to the LORD as you do. Yes, teach all men all these things and preach the Gospel as He commanded, but never think that you are obligated to go beyond what He has told us. Make a decision right now to never live under the spell of false obligation again. Read Ezekiel 3, 18, and 33. Much will be revealed to you concerning the individual responsibility God gives every single soul.

“Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die. … ²⁰The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.” Ezekiel 18:4, 20

Secret and Revealed Things are Exclusively for those Who Love God

“The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.” Proverbs 25:14

The LORD has chosen to give men understanding according to their faith in Him. He gives enough light for men to trust Him. If they choose not to, they lose even that light of understanding. This is what Jesus taught in His parable of the sower and the Word which is a teaching found in each of the three synoptic Gospels (Matthew 13; Mark 4: Luke 8).

“And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables.” Mark 4:11

God will give further light (understanding) only as the individual’s heart seeks Him. As the true servant of Christ embarks upon seeking His face, the veil is lifted little by little.

“But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ. But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail (that blinds our understanding) shall be taken away.” 2 Corinthians 3:14-16

God never promised to reveal all mysteries or knowledge and understanding to men. For now, “we see through a glass darkly.”

“For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.” 1 Corinthians 13:9-12

The LORD requires faith – that we believe Him at His Word. – “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6)

The promise of greater understanding is ours for the seeking:

“My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.” Proverbs 2:1-7

All the treasures of Heaven’s knowledge are found exclusively in the crucified and risen Son of God sent from Heaven (Colossians 1-2).

“That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. … For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power.” Colossians 2:2-3, 9-10

As we with “open face” behold our LORD Jesus, He is changing us into His holy “image from glory to glory” or from one level of understanding and maturity to the next.

“But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 3:18

Prayer: Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, I ask You to remove from my heart and thinking, any notion of false obligation towards others. Make my heart whole that I might love without dissimulation with Your pure love. Thank You for dying for me Jesus and I now praise You afresh that You are the Resurrection and the Life! Teach me Thy holy ways O LORD! Amen Jesus!

Rejecting the Swine

https://youtu.be/fd4yBMP7EJw

Abiding

“NEVER take a Vacation from God” [podcast]

God’s Word teaches us to be diligent in knowing and following Christ – even when the word diligent is not used.

“Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his face continually.” 1 Chronicles 16:11

Make the deliberate decision to “set…

“Now set your heart and your soul to seek the Lord your God; arise therefore, and build ye the sanctuary of the Lord God, to bring the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and the holy vessels of God, into the house that is to be built to the name of the Lord.” 1 Chronicles 22:19

“Don’t you EVER take a vacation from God!” said my first pastor.

This beloved brother knew exactly what happens when the disciple relaxes in his seeking of the LORD. Think foolish virgins. The result can be deadly, irrevocably.

He was dead on in this warning. Give the flesh an inch and it will take a mile, right?

Have you ever slipped backward? If so, you know it started with just not reading God’s Word one day. That one day turned into two, three…. Right?

Never must this happen. The war is won in the now. You must “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8).

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7

God requires that we “give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall” (2 Peter 1:10).

It’s only those who remain built up in Christ like the wise virgins of Jesus’ parable, who “keep” themselves “in the love of God” who are not going to fall away.

“But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, 21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. … Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, 25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.” Jude 20-25

Jesus warns:

“Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:41

How did this kind of wisdom get lost from us beloved of God?

The disciple must get out ahead of the flesh. He must be one step ahead – knowing by testimony of the Word and by personal experience that there is “NO good thing” in us other than Jesus (Romans 7:18). This is exactly why Paul also said things like:

“I die daily.” 1 Corinthians 15:31

“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.” 1 Corinthians 9:27

Exhorting the sheep of Christ, one pastor said:

“Have fun this summer. Enjoy the outdoors. Travel to see friends and family. Explore the world. Just don’t take a vacation from God. He loves you more than you can imagine and wants to keep refilling your sack with his awesome gifts so that you can keep sharing them with others in your life!”

“The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but it is abomination to fools to depart from evil.” Proverbs 13:19

Various Quotes on the Importance of Diligence

“Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts.”―Calvin Coolidge

“But I never could have done what I have done, without the habits of punctuality, order, and diligence…”―Charles Dickens

“Prefer diligence before idleness, unless you esteem rust above brightness.”―Plato

“Diligence is the mother of good fortune.”―Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra

“Amateurs look for inspiration; the rest of us just get up and go to work.”―Chuck Close

“If he [Thomas Edison] had a needle to find in a haystack, he would not stop to reason where it was most likely to be, but would proceed at once with the feverish diligence of a bee, to examine straw after straw until he found the object of his search.”―Nikola Tesla

“Laziness looks at excuses as something to treasure while diligence always focuses on excuses as an inconvenience to be overcome.”―Dr. Lucas D. Shallua

“The three great essentials to achieve anything worthwhile are, first, hard work; second, stick-to-itiveness; third, common sense.”―Thomas Alva Edison

“That which ordinary men are fit for, I am qualified in, and the best of me is diligence.”―William Shakespeare

“Active valour may often be the present of nature; but such patient diligence can be the fruit only of habit and discipline.”―Edward Gibbon

“Diligence overcomes difficulties; sloth makes them.”―Benjamin Franklin

“The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.” Proverbs 26:13

“In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.” Proverbs 14:23

“Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;” 1 Peter 1:13

“Wherefore – Having such encouragement. Gird up the loins of your mind – As persons in the eastern countries were wont, in travelling or running, to gird up their long garments, so gather ye up all your thoughts and affections, and keep your mind always disencumbered and prepared to run the race which is set before you. Be watchful – As servants that wait for their Lord. And hope to the end – Maintain a full expectation of all the grace – The blessings flowing from the free favour of God. Which shall be brought to you at the final revelation of Jesus Christ – And which are now brought to you by the revelation of Christ in you.“―John Wesley

“Slothfulness (laziness, lack of diligence) casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.” Proverbs 19:15

Power Words Power our Lives!

Remember those power words your parents instilled in your growing up? Remember things like “readers are leaders”? How about “The early bird gets the worm”?

What are some of the good words your beloved parents instilled in you as a child that live on in your mind and heart daily?

My beloved father taught us five to “always be consistent.” Oh and these weren’t just words. Oh no. My brother and I are only 13 months apart and so when we started playing football at about 6 years old, my parents set us down and looked us in the eyes and said “If you start this football season, you WILL finish. We require it of you, so count the cost.”

Nothing replaces consistency. Say it out loud with me right now beloved of God – CONSISTENCY.

While we’re on this topic, I hope you won’t mind me saying that it is befuddling to see how people start doing something that works and then quit – from a work out program to a lifestyle change in eating and most devastatingly, serving God then quitting.

Wait a minute, you were doing _______ and it was working, was blessing you, and then you quit?

Hebrews 10:32-39

“But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions;
33 Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used.
34 For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.
35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.
36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.
37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.
38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.”

Hebrews 6:9-12

“But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak. 10 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. 11 And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: 12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”

62 times the words “diligent,” “diligence,” and “diligently” appear in Holy Scripture.

Each time we read these words, they pertain specifically to serving God “diligently” with “diligence.”

“Diligent”

“He becometh poor (spiritually) that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich (spiritually).” Proverbs 10:4

“Diligence”

“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” Proverbs 4:23

“Diligently”

appears 37 times in God’s Word

“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that DILIGENTLY seek him.” Hebrews 11:6

“Looking DILIGENTLY lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;” Hebrews 12:15

“Keep your dukes up!”

Growing up boxing, from home training to being on a golden gloves team in high school, the command of the coaches was always and repeatedly “Keep your dukes up!”

Those who drop their dukes, their hands from covering their face, get hit, get knocked out.

Another sign on the wall of that boxing facility was: “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” unknown

We are going to go through what Jesus foretold:

“For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.” Matthew 24:21-22

YOUR PRAYER: Holy Father, in the name of Jesus I come to You now. Please forgive my sins of self-idolatry, slothfulness, and spiritual adultery.

Putting God First [podcast]

If God’s Word isn’t important to you, it’s because He isn’t important to you. If anything comes before the LORD in your day, you are an idolater. “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” Exodus 20:3 GOD’s WORD cannot get into you if you aren’t into it. “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15 Jesus commanded: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33 As you seek God, […]

"He that Loveth Pureness of Heart" [podcast]

IS YOUR HEART PURE BEFORE THE ALMIGHTY BELOVED? TODAY is our day, it’s your day, to throw up those hands and that heart to the LORD who made you, and cry out to Him to grant you a pure heart, one that is innocent, clean, washed, delighting in Him. “Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” Psalms 37:4 When the LORD is truly working in a man, that man is learning to love “pureness of heart.” “He that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the king shall […]

Are You a “Dream Chaser” or a Jesus Seeker? [podcast]

“I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.” John 5:30 Jesus didn’t come to the earth to seek His own will or dream His own dreams but rather to do the will of His Father. “And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, 42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.” Luke 22:41-42 Christ’s […]

Nourished Up and Enduring to the End [podcast]

Recently a dear brother in Christ related this testimony to me of our LORD’s work in his life: “I had a ‘back to Jesus’ moment after the election. As I was horribly disappointed in our country and the dividing of even my own friends, I was praying: ‘I’ve lost faith in my country, I’ve lost faith in my friends…’ then it hit me… I had put my faith in the wrong things. It’s so easy to depend on others. But now I am trusting only in my Lord and Savior.” “For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose […]

Articles

How Do You Get Around the Idea That All Israel Shall be Saved? Steve Gregg [video]

“Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:” Romans 9:6

“The remnant shall be saved, not the race.” Steve Gregg

“If one reads Romans Chapters 9-11, he will see that all the way through, it was only a remnant that would truly believe.” unknown

7 Questions on Justification [podcast]

7 Questions on Justification How is fallen mankind made righteous, justified in the eyes of a holy God? (Romans 3:21-28; Galatians 2:16) What law makes New Testament believers “free from the law of sin and death”? (Romans 8:2) What could the law not do? (Romans 8:3-4) What is fulfilled in the life of the born again, Spirit-led New Testament follower of Christ? (Romans 3:31; 8:3-4) How does the Law apply to saints? How does it apply to sinners? (1 Timothy 1:9-11) Can anyone be justified by the works of the law, by law-keeping? Become intimately familiar with Galatians 2:4-5, 16; […]

Dispensationalism Exposed and Destroyed [podcast]

Beware of theological systems. Get and remain organic in your study of God’s Word. Allow no mere man to think, to reason for you! Beware of the dispensational heretics. It’s a cult system full of lies including the “eternal security” fairytale which is espoused by moral cowards who refuse to truly repent, lay down their lives in this sinful world, take up the cross daily and follow Jesus in the crucified life (Luke 9:23-24, etc.). Dispensational heretics claim that only Paul’s writings are important for New Testament saints. They say that Paul’s writing are written TO New Testament saints […]

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Bearing the Precious Seed of God’s Word [podcast]

“They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. 6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves (harvest) with him.” Psalms 126:5-6

A harvest of blessed souls is going to be the result, the ministry produce, the fruit of all who bear and distribute, scatter the seed of the incorruptible Word of God into the hearts of men (1 Peter 1:23).

The LORD didn’t say “go explain who I am to other people.” No, He said “preach the word” and “preach the gospel” (2 Timothy 4:2; Mark 16:15).

Our cute little thoughts and sayings are not even within the same universe of power as the Word of God. Obey God. “Preach the word” (2 Timothy 4:2). We can’t explain someone into salvation. No, only God can draw and convict the lost soul and He instructed us to simply communicate His Word to them.

Instead of doing just another little video of yourself or posting a nice little saying, trying to entice people to Christ, why not just post HIS Word – the KJB? You and I have no power to save anyone, not even yourself (John 6:44; 12:32). Only Jesus can do that and He told you to go preach His Gospel and not try to entertain people into His kingdom (Mark 16:15).

“So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it SHALL accomplish that which I please, and it SHALL prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11

When this revelation (recorded for us in Isaiah 55:11) truly hits and settles in your heart, you will never be the same.

People need to hear from God, not us. Have you memorized Isaiah 55:11?

IF Jesus taught something and we’re not teaching it – it’s because we are not following Him correctly – on HIS stated terms (Matthew 28:18-20; John 8:47; 2 Timothy 3:16; 4:2-4, etc.). Are you following Jesus Christ or mere man? Do you preach Christ and His doctrines from HIS Word or are you just regurgitating the pitiful poisons of mere men?

We are still very wise in our own conceits. May the LORD bless us to true repentance with the fruit of allowing God to speak for Himself by simply giving people His Word in His love and wisdom (Colossians 3:16; 2 Timothy 4:2, etc.).

Leveling endless explanations of the faith is futility if the person communicating is not speaking God’s very Word! God’s words are all-powerful because He spoke them and He alone is ALL-mighty. The Source of God’s words is God Himself and so inherent in His words are His power, His presence, His conviction (2 Timothy 3:16-17; Revelation 1:8, etc.).

The Word of God must become the emphasis and not us, not our wonderful, skillful explanations of who God is. After all, have we forgotten that He is infinite and we finite? Are we not but dust? See Psalms 103:14. Regrettably, many in our day have been elevated in the church world for being able to render endless explanations in their international apologetics ministries. Most of these same men used very little if any Scripture which means they helped no one. Many of those in the “Christian” audiences that elevated these men simply wanted to see the arguments of the enemy of souls defeated and not to be grounded deeply in God’s Word for themselves. One such man was the late Ravi Zacharias.

The Words of the Divine vs the Dust

“Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. 24 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: 25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.” 1 Peter 1:23-25

The “incorruptible seed” is the Word of God, it’s power packed with divine energy. If we are but “dust” before the Almighty, does that not convey just how futile it is to attempt to explain God and His will? Shall we choose to trust the divine or the mere dust created by the divine?

“Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him. 14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust. 15 As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. 16 For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.” Psalms 103:13-16

It’s not that we don’t speak our own words also in communicating to others in ministry, yet the substance of what we communicate in those moments is not our words but rather God’s words. He is divine and we are but dust.

In 1 Peter 1:23 Scripture informs us that people are “born again” by the “incorruptible seed” of the Word of God, not our explanation, not by our words.

It’s the Word that never returns back to God void, not our explanation. If you wish to be used of God powerfully, you must read, study, be resourceful with, and communicate HIS words.

When you encounter a person in darkness, don’t take it personally. No, rather, see it as an opportunity to kindly plant the seed of the Word of God in their heart – which never returns back to the LORD void but always accomplishes that which pleases Him (Isaiah 55:11). “God is love” (1 John 4:8, 16).

The emphasis should not be on our ability to explain God but rather on his word and simply obeying him by preaching it. It’s the incorruptible seed that brings conviction of salvation not our words.

Did the LORD command His people to go explain to others who He is or to simply “preach the gospel”? Mark 16:15

“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

When you read, when you are daily studying God’s Word, do so with the truth in mind that God wants you learning of Him for your own relationship with Him and also to help others.

“That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.” Philemon 6

“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:” 1 Peter 3:15

Our LORD Jesus studied and knew the Word well. Notice how the Son of God readily navigated through the Holy Scriptures to find the exact Scripture He wanted to communicate:

“And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written…” Luke 4:17

Notice another prominent biblical example of how true elders of Christ, as they stand before one or many people, put full emphasis on God’s Words and not their own. They concentrate and put full priority in God’s Word and not their own explanations:

“So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.” Nehemiah 8:8

“read in the book in the law of God distinctly”
“gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.”

Note how these godly elders read God’s Word to the people and then gave the sense of it. This speaks for itself and reveals to us just who is a godly elder and who isn’t. Rare is the man today, in this late hour, who reads Scripture upon Scripture to the people. Many are so busy giving you their explanation that they have no concern that you are hearing the actual, literal words of the LORD. Sad.

Regrettably lots of people brag about their pastor and how he (supposedly) preaches the Word. In most cases it’s obvious that they’re telegraphing that they trust him, the mere man, the pastor and have no life with Christ in His Word daily for themselves – which the LORD commands (2 Timothy 2:15). Hell is full of people who took men at their word instead of loving God enough to find out what He said in HIS Word for themselves firsthand. Sad. If you don’t love God enough to pour over His words, His instructions, His promises, and His doctrines and warnings for yourself, you are in utter need of true repentance and to seek His holy face continually (1 Chronicles 16:11).

“But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. 14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Timothy 3:13-17

Preach the Word

“I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” 2 Timothy 4:1-4

The Parable of the Seed Growing

“And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; 27 And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how. 28 For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. 29 But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.” Mark 4:26-29

Getting in on the Gospel action begins with a simple prayer, perhaps something like this …. LORD, please prepare and use me for Your glory. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

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