Smooth Things or Rough?

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]

Remnant Endurance

Unrepentant rebels love the sunday “church” routine because they love their darkness and relish the fact that the wolf they sit under never preaches on sin or the essential of real repentance and a holy life (2 Tim 4:2-4; Titus 2:11-14; Heb. 12:14-15; 1 Pet. 1:15-16, etc.). They love lies! (Isaiah 30:9-10)

“That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law (Word) of the LORD: Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits.” Isaiah 30:9-10

Those living in darkness many times shun the light of truth and therefore diligently avoid leaders who endeavor to speak the whole of divine counsel. Instead, they heap to (set before) themselves teachers who will tell them “smooth things,” never confronting their sin while intentionally avoiding harder Bible truths that might offend their listeners and hinder the cash flow. Leaders who are self-serving in their positions know that the masses want “smooth things” and therefore tailor their messages to win friends and influence people and grow their local church business. Self-ambitious leaders who are not dead to self, intentionally remove the jagged rock biblical truths from their messages, smoothing out the road and making it wider and more accepting than the narrow road Christ spoke of (Matt. 7:13-14). This is the new form of “Christianity” we see today that is deceived on purpose. Masses are being deceived on purpose, driven to deception because of their denial of the fullness of divine truth revealed in the written Word (2 Thess. 2:10-12). The “seeker-friendly” or “seeker–sensitive” movement, community churches, and otherwise are a part of this departing from the faith once delivered to the saints and given us in God’s precious Word (1 Tim. 4:1-3; 2 Tim. 4:2-4; Jude 3-4).

Wolves are known in that they accommodate the flesh. True servants of Christ call men to repent and be brought out of darkness. See Exodus 32; Isaiah 56:8-12; 58:1; Jeremiah 23:17; 2 Corinthians 5:11; 2 Timothy 4:2-4.

Unrepentant counterfeits who love darkness rather than light demand a “minister” that tells them what they want to hear, never demanding repentance of change. This is where Satan’s wolves in sheep’s clothing accommodate them. This would account for the vast majority of so-called “churches” in this late hour before Christ’s soon return.

The words of the LORD bring light which shines on darkened hearts and the unrepentant are repelled – because they choose to remain in darkness. Remember what Jesus told us about this?

“And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.” John 3:19-21

To accommodate those who wish to remain in darkness, enterprising leaders have tapped into the key to growing their congregations numerically while withholding precious truth that would lead their hearers to the Savior in repentance upon realizing their sinful state. The unconditional love and unconditional eternal security messages are two of the telltale messages used by this type of leader, basically communicating to the hearer that he has a free ride or carte blanche ticket to live as he wishes and there will be no consequences to face.

The people whom the prophet Isaiah ministered to in his day were no different than many people today who flock to hear conviction-less, nice little sweet and smooth sermonettes from smiling, positive, seeker-sensitive church liars who refuse to tell the whole truth, but for their own agenda, cherry pick certain parts of the Bible to allure and entice the fleshly nature of men (Phil. 3:17-21; 2 Pet. 2:18).

Counterfeits run to ear-tickling wolves and from truth-speaking disciples.

“They hate him that rebuketh in the gate, and they abhor him that speaketh uprightly.” Amos 5:10

Many of those who are in darkness today, believing they are secure due to a past experience with Christ, shun truth tellers. They defy the LORD by shunning His truth while vainly believing they have the assurance of eternal life. This is what is conveyed due to the absence of the harder truths of the Bible.

Like many today, the people in Isaiah’s day didn’t desire nor search out truth but instead, wanted “smooth things.” In the theme verse of this chapter from Isaiah 30, the people were demanding that their religious leaders tell them what they wanted to hear so as not to inconvenience their personal lives. They wanted salvation and security on their own terms. They wanted to hear that they were okay, secure and assured eternal life in their current sinful condition. These people didn’t want to hear about denying self, taking up the cross, being crucified to the sins of the fleshly nature, serving God and others in a real way, etc. Oh no, they wanted easy things and to feel good all the time as they did their own thing in their earthly lives. Their goal was to be happy in this life, not holy. The person who lives with these erroneous ideas is self-deluded and self-idolatrous. Today, a man whose stadium church tops 30,000 in weekly attendance has built his lucrative enterprise on trying to make people feel happy (instead of being holy), purposely refusing (as he himself states) to preach on sin. This is a perfect example of a false leader who comes in the name of the LORD but not with the fruit and doctrine of the LORD Jesus and His apostles, who offended many. Our LORD warned of many men speaking well of you, for “so did their fathers to the false prophets.” (2 Tim. 3:10; Lk. 6:26) Christ promised that His true followers would uncompromisingly embrace and speak His Word and would consequently be “hated of all men.” (Matt. 10:22)

Preaching the Word uncompromisingly will thin crowds or prevent them from coming and salvation without sacrifice sells (2 Tim. 4:2-4). The false gospel of ease is the epitome of the “at ease in Zion” lifestyle (Amos 6:1).

The word “repent” in its various forms appears 80 times in the Bible. If there were no sin, there would be no reason for this divinely inspired word and action. Yet, since sin occurred in the Garden and has passed upon all men, repentance is a necessity (Rom. 5:12). When a leader chooses not to preach on sin there is obviously no reason for his hearers to turn to the LORD in godly sorrow (repent) – there is nothing to repent from in his false theology. He has created a god in his own image – his theology transmits the image of a false god – a god who accepts people in their sins instead of the God of Scripture who separates Himself from those who live in sin (Isa. 59:2). Those who do not preach on sin identify themselves as false and completely contradictory to the message of Jesus and His holy apostles and prophets (Lam. 2:14; Matt. 3:2; 4:17; Lk. 13:3; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 1 Cor. 6:9-10; Gal. 5:19-21; Rev. 21:8, 27).

The happiness-instead-of-holiness syndrome is epidemic in this late hour and is a trademark emphasis of seeker-friendly churches which are drawing tens of thousands of goats who believe they are truly right with God. While they do a good job alluring and gathering the masses, these enterprising leaders refuse to name and define sin as the Bible does. When men refuse to preach on sin there becomes no reason to repent or call men to repent before a holy God. How tragic!

The sinful masses are no different today than in Isaiah’s day, seeking to do what is right in their own eyes while receiving justification from their leaders to live a self-serving life instead of a Christ-serving life. Unrepentant, sinful man believes he can live as he so chooses and still remain in God’s grace, vainly believing he has divine approval in doing such. A rude awakening lies (Matt. 7:21-29).

“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. 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

The people of Isaiah’s day cried, “Prophesy not unto us right things (truth), speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits.” (Isa. 30:9-10)

The Alignment

“The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?” Jeremiah 5:31

Notice the 3 classes of people involved here whom the LORD indicts in Jeremiah 5:31:

“Prophets”
“Priests “
“People”

“And there shall be, like people, like priest: and I will punish them for their ways, and reward them their doings.” Hosea 4:9

When mass apostasy occurs, both classes are involved – leader and listener. It takes both parties to complete the circle. Mass apostasy was foretold (2 Thess. 2:3; 2 Tm. 4:3-4). It is a reality today as it has been throughout history, yet there is a remnant, as has also been the case throughout history (1 Kings 18:4, 19). The people among the remnant are those who know their God and are willing to suffer the loss of all things and like Job to say “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him. He also shall be my salvation: for an hypocrite shall not come before him.” (Job 13:15-16) The word “remnant” is found 92 times in the Bible and in this context is being used to refer to the residue of people within the church world who truly serve the LORD and have not forsaken the Ancient of Days for the idolatry of selfish pleasures, personal gain, and religion (Mk. 4:17-19; Lk. 17:26-33).

Our God is so very merciful, His compassions fail not but are rather new every morning, great is His faithfulness. He is ever so tenderly merciful with those who will come to the light of His truth. If we just come to Him in honest and sincere heart, confessing our sins and asking Him to restore Himself as the first love of our hearts. See Psalms 86:5, 15; Proverbs 28:13; Lamentations 3:19-26; Revelation 2:4-5. God is continuing His good work in all those who love Him in truth and are conforming to His holy image (Phil. 1:6; Rom. 8:29).

Since the Son of God promised us that speaking His Word – including the truth that one must endure to the end to be saved – would bring persecution, some leaders have toned His message down. Speaking the whole counsel of God would include the hard truths of Scripture, and such teaching will not make one popular or garner to one’s local church masses of people. So, it is natural for the leader who has as his driving goal to build a large following, to teach OSAS or avoid this subject. The expose of the myth of unconditional eternal security offends people and such hinders the goal of the one who seeks to build his own kingdom.

“The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?” Jeremiah 5:31

Note that like today, the leaders of Jeremiah’s day “bear rule by their means.” In other words, they lead for their own good, to accomplish their own agenda. Leaders like this “prophesy falsely” by telling people what they want to hear and not what God wants them to hear. These leaders do things their own way and not God’s – all this while they conduct themselves in ministry leadership positions, claiming to come in the name of the LORD while denying His Word (Mk. 8:38).

Note the chilling question and implication at the end of this verse:

“What will ye do in the end thereof?” Jeremiah 5:31b

Judgment is coming on all in the house of God who do not truly obey Him – according to the pattern of His immutable Word. See 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10 and 1 Peter 4:17-18.

“For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.” 1 Peter 4:17-19

In light of the fact that only a few of the “righteous” will be ultimately and eternally “saved,” they are exhorted here to “commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.” We serve “a faithful Creator” and the remnant of the LORD are called to “commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing.” Those who do will possess true assurance in their hearts.

Lure of the Temporal

To “endure sound doctrine” means to hold oneself account to it, to obey it. This is the different between the true disciples and the false brethren among us.

“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 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; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” 2 Timothy 4:2-4

Esau didn’t “endure sound doctrine.” Like Esau, who forfeited his very birthright for a fleeting fix (bowl of soup), the religious and yet sinful people of all ages want the temporal blessings of ease and comfort instead of doing whatever it takes to conform to Christ’s image, leading and Word. Our LORD calls each of us that is to be His disciple, to walk through sufferings in this life and it is through these times and seasons that He works His character in us (Phil. 1:29, 2:12-13; 1 Pet. 4). We must be willing to endure hardness, and all those who do, reap the earthly and eternal rewards that only the LORD can give.

“But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.” 1 Peter 5:10

At times God’s way is rough isn’t it? All who have ever walked with Him have found that out, but they also discover that He has His purposes for our suffering – to establish, root and ground us in Him (1 Peter 5:10). The end of the LORD’s way is always a priceless peace and rich blessings. Job is one such servant who was established more deeply in the LORD as he obediently and patiently endured the trials that came upon him.

“Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.” James 5:10-11

Remember that those who endure the rough things now, walking with the LORD no matter what comes their way, will be overcomers and eat of the fruit of the tree of life in the eternal kingdom of the Savior they supremely loved and therefore refused to deny in this life (2 Tim. 2:12; Rev. 2-3).

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You for blessing your people to be seated together in heavenly places in Christ and with all spiritual blessings in Him. Please grant me the grace to grow in knowing You and hearkening to Your voice at all times. I love you my LORD Jesus. Help me to know You better this hour and to treasure Your holy words, hearkening to the voice of Your Holy Spirit and what You are saying to the Church. Stir me up LORD. I love You and praise You for all the blessings You have bestowed upon this life you have given. Purge my heart and strike it with Your fear my LORD. I choose to “endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ,” to suffer, and become a companion of all those who are genuinely true to Your Word. No matter what comes my way, I know You are greater. Please bless me to be rooted and grounded in Your love and fill me with Your fullness LORD Jesus as You use me to be a blessing to others this day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

100’s of Christ-centered, Scripture-rich podcasts for your edification in Christ. | A powerful cache of posts on the Return of Jesus – and how to be ready. |

Beware of False Prophets [podcast]

Below is an excerpt from the book Deceivers and False Prophets Among Us The Divine Guarantee of Counterfeit Leaders and Their Subversion of Truth GOD alone is in control and not the false prognosticator false watchmen! HE’s in control of the timing of all things, not you or any other fraud! … REMEMBER, when that demonic maniac hitler was on the world scene, many thought it was the end! Wrong! Think! Any man calling himself (self-appointed) a prophet, is suspect. True servants of the lord simply do their LORD’s work humbly, never drawing attention to themselves by using titles […]

Lying Spirits in the Mouths of the Prophets

ANYONE attempting to be doing ministry and is not grounded in Scripture, is not speaking THE WRITTEN WORD, is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Rebuke them sharply (Titus 1:13). This includes all the demon infested NAR, Bethel cultists, the “prophetic” frauds. There’s a divine filtering system at work and that’s why true disciples of Christ today are sounding the alarm on the witchcraft cults of Bethel and IHOP who are sending forth a myriad of deceivers. Bethel and IHOP etc are part of the NAR (New Apostolic Reformation) movement. The warlocks of this modern church movement include wolves like Bill […]

THE ANTICHRISTS ARE MULTIPLYING [podcast]

Jesus’ apostle John told us there were “MANY antichrists” in His day (1 John 2:18). THOSE FLAMING HERETICS WHO DENY THAT JESUS CHRIST IS GOD ARE ANTICHRISTS OF THE MOST PROFOUND DEGREE. SUCH REBELS DO NOT KNOW HIM. John the apostle also writes: “…Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life” (1 John 5:20,21). Read that again. Memorize it. How can we know who the “many antichrists” are among us? (1 John 2:18) “Antichrist” means against and in place of. An “antichrist” puts something in front of “the doctrine of Christ” given us in the record of Holy […]

Apostasy

Billy Graham Promoted and Sent People to Go Join the Catholic Church

“One of the most troubling problems within the church today is the unwavering loyalty to a ‘christian’ personality rather than to Christ and His Word. The unwillingness to test every man’s teaching with God’s Word, coupled with a stubborn lack of discernment, produces fertile ground for deception to flourish.” Evangeline DiChristi

from Chick Publications

Billy Graham Still Sending Converts Back to the Pope

Billy Graham. We know that his messages are solid gospel. Few in or out of the Christian World have not heard of him. Since 1949 he has held the spotlight as the most prominent evangelist in Christendom. He has just finished his 416th crusade in Pasadena, California that drew over 300,000 people in four days. 13,000+ responded to his altar calls. Graham is now 86 years old and has one more crusade scheduled in New York City next year, health permitting.

The Pasadena crusade was on the anniversary of his first Los Angeles revival 55 years ago. It was after that meeting that Graham was “kissed by William Randolph Hearst” according to Dr Cathy Burns in her book, Billy Graham and His Friends. This meant that Hearst had decided to promote Graham’s ministry in his nationwide chain of newspapers.

Immediately, reporters and photographers were crawling all over the Graham meetings. Front page articles began to appear in the leading local papers wherever Graham held meetings. One reporter was assigned full time to travel with Graham’s team.

In 1991, Graham claimed that this sudden attention remained a mystery. Burns describes a more complex scenario. Regardless, the publicity propelled Graham into the national, if not international, limelight.

Jesus warned, “Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you.” Over the years, Graham became the friend of presidents and kings, a beloved “America’s Pastor.”

But the fame came with a price. In his book, Smokescreens, written in 1983, Jack Chick describes how Roman Catholic leaders viewed and used Graham as a key player in their ecumenical plans. As early as 1965, he was a guest speaker at Catholic Belmont Abbey College in North Carolina where he received an honorary doctor’s degree. A college official’s letter describes Graham’s address as “theologically sound” as may have been given by “any other Catholic preacher.” The letter further states, “I would state that he could bring Catholics and Protestants together in a healthy ecumenic spirit.” Graham was also speaking at several other Catholic colleges at that time.

This prediction was fully realized. In Smokescreens, Chick shows various illustrations. In 1971 Graham is shown meeting with Oakland, California, Catholic Bishop Floyd Begin who lauded Graham’s ministry. In 1972 he received a Franciscan Friars’ award for true ecumenism. In 1979 Graham praised the pope as a “moral and spiritual leader that believes in something.”

In 1981 he was closeted for almost two hours with Pope John Paul II. After the 1982 New England crusade, thousands of those who went forward for salvation were turned over to Catholic clergy for follow-up.

And this hasn’t changed. Before the Pasadena crusade this year, The Tidings, official newspaper for the Los Angeles diocese, reported that Cardinal Mahony had written to parish priests to encourage their members to attend the crusade.

Crusade officials bragged that they had “a marvelous agreement” with Graham to give all registration cards to the diocese, of the inquirers who identified themselves as Catholic. The object was to “reincorporate Catholic Crusade participants back into full sacramental life in the Catholic Church.” “This is ecumenicity at it finest,” said Alexei Smith, Ecumenical and Interreligious Officer for the archdiocese.

There is no doubt that hundreds of thousands have been swept into the kingdom during the Graham crusades. But how tragic that so many who responded to Graham’s call to salvation were then sent back to the spiritual bondage and pagan rituals of the pope’s prostitute church?

Jack Chick concludes the Smokescreens chapter: “Yes, beloved. Billy Graham, as much as I love him and hate to say it, I believe was cleverly used as a smokescreen and as a pied piper for the whore of Revelation.”

In Graham’s 1952 Pittsburgh crusade, the Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph reported that Graham said:

“Many of the people who reach a decision for Christ at our meetings have joined the Catholic Church and we have received commendations from Catholic publications for the revived interest in their Church following our campaigns. This happened both in Boston and Washington. After all, one of our prime purposes is to help the churches in a community. If after we move on, the local (sic) churches do not feel the efforts of these meetings in increased membership and attendance, then our crusade would have to be considered a failure.” [Emphasis in the original.]

Did you notice that Graham was only interested in a church’s increased membership-but nothing was said about a person receiving Christ as his or her personal Lord and Savior. This is what is important-not church membership! Church membership could increase a 1000-fold but if people are not being saved, then all is in vain.

Graham also gave a boost to the Catholic Church (in 1952) when he added that he “hoped to hear Bishop Fulton J. Sheen at one of the masses at St. Paul’s Cathedral tomorrow. ” [Emphasis in the original.]

“In 1968, Graham was in a meeting in San Antonio, Texas. He said that the Roman Church had given ‘tremendous cooperation’ in areas where he had held crusades. He added, ‘A great part of our support today comes from Catholics. We never hold a crusade without priests and nuns being much in evidence in the audience.”
By 1973 nuns were singing in the choir at Graham’s crusades.

Continuing on with Graham’s ecumenical outlook, the June 10, 1966 issue of Time said that volunteers “will tactfully receive those stepping forward to make a decision for Christ, [and] steer them to the nearest church of their chosen denomination….”

In Poland in 1978, “Graham taught nuns and priests how to evangelize. A picture taken at the famous Polish Shrine of the Black Madonna shows Graham welcoming pilgrims to the worship of their Virgin.”

Historical List of Atrocities of the Popes [video]

Peter was not the first so-called “pope” because there’s no such thing in Christ’s kingdom. Not one mention in the Bible and such would actually blaspheme the only Head of HIS truth believers, the nail scarred risen Savior Him, “the blessed and only Potentate (Supreme Ruler), the King of kings, and Lord of lords;” (1 Timothy 6:15) Therefore we rightly conclude that the pope is the head of a false church. 1 Timothy 2:5 Historical List of Atrocities of the Popes Speaking of things not found in God’s Word ….. Can anyone please show us where there is a novena […]

Paul Washer Exposed: Pope Connection Exposed! [video]

IF we want to see who the antichrists are among us, just look at the frauds who get their picture with the pope. By doing so they told you with shameless impunity that they are antichrists. Should we be quoting this guy? NO. …. Watch the demons manifest when one of the puppet idols of Satan is exposed. Those who’ve put their trust in these false prophets garnered to themselves demons which manifest when these dark agents of hell are exposed. … We already know that Paul Washer is a Calvinist which alone makes him a diabolical heretic. WANT to […]

Did Mary Die for Our Sins? [podcast]

Mary is just one of millions of people who have obeyed their Maker. That doesn’t make the immaculate conception heresy correct, that doesn’t make her anything other than a sinner, which she admitted (Luke 1:47). If Mary had refused to obey God, He would have simply replaced her (Esther 4:14). Did Mary walk on water? Did Mary tell anyone to pray to her? Is there even one prayer in the Bible to Mary? No. Did Mary raise the dead, open blinded eyes, heal the lepers, or die for anyone’s sins? No. THE CATHOLIC CHURCH TEACHES THAT MARY IS THE MEDIATRIX/co-redeemer: […]

Abiding

“David Encouraged Himself in the LORD his God” [podcast]

“And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, … but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.” 1 Samuel 30:6

Gathering from several commentaries on this passage, one source notes the following:

“Faced with the devastating loss of Ziklag and a mutinous army threatening to stone him, David found supernatural resilience. Rather than yielding to panic or despair, he actively turned his focus away from the overwhelming crisis and strengthened his faith directly in God.

Key Context and Lessons

- The Crisis: Amalekite raiders had burned the city and captured all the women and children, including David’s own wives.
- The Breaking Point: His loyal men were now grieving and broken, turning their deep anguish into violent anger against their leader.
- The Shift: David did not look to his men, his own strength, or his circumstances for hope. He preached truth to his own soul, drawing on his past history with God’s faithfulness and inquiring of the Lord for his next steps.

Practical Takeaways

- Self-Talk: When no one else is around to lift you up, you must learn to speak God’s promises to your own heart.
- Refocusing: Encouraging yourself in the Lord means anchoring your identity and security in His unchanging character rather than shifting public opinion.
- Actionable Faith: David’s inward strengthening immediately led to outward action—he sought God’s direction and pursued the enemy, resulting in complete victory and restoration.”

“Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.” Acts 14:22

“In the world ye shall have tribulation”

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

During seasons of great stress, this man after God’s own heart sought the LORD. This time only served as a blessing, hastening David to the feet of Christ. Beloved David gave us the most amazing Scriptures concerning seeking God.

“My soul followeth hard after thee.” Psalms 63:8

“As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. 2 My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?” Psalms 42:1-2

“One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.” Psalms 27:4

“When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.” Psalms 27:8

Prayer: Father in Heaven, in the name of Jesus, please grant me, Your mere servant, to be possessed with a heart after You dear LORD. I love You Jesus. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Having a Pure Heart Requires the Cross Life [podcast]

“Great Podcast. Thank you. When I think about Matthew 5:8 I think of Psalm 24:3-4, ‘Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place? 4 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.’ Who is worthy to stand in God’s holy presence? Only those who are living holy and righteous lives! Those disciples who are free from pride and sin and are maintaining inner purity. With no idolatry, hypocrisy and deceit in their hearts! They are hungry and thirst […]

The Importance of Pureness of Heart [podcast]

“He that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend.” Proverbs 22:11 With pureness of heart, our words shall issue forth with grace and seasoning and be more readily received by those who hear. “Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.” Colossians 4:6 David’s Prayer “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.” Psalms 19:14 “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they […]

Purifying Ourselves even as He is Pure [podcast]

Ready or Not – Jesus is Coming “And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.” 1 John 3:3 Here’s how you know if you are ready to meet Jesus—whether by dying or His soon return. The context of the Bible verse above is the return of Jesus and being ready for it (1 John 2:24-3:3). Those who live for Christ long to see Him and look expectantly for His soon return. This world is not their home. “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all […]

Abiding

10 Clues Your Love for God has Waxed Cold [podcast]

The wise virgin saints are keeping their lamps full of divine oil, they are taking personal responsibility for their own spiritual state with Christ the great and soon coming Bridegroom. Read Matthew 25:1-13.

“The Love of Many Shall Wax Cold”

“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 24:10-14

Did you notice in verse 14 that those who hot for Jesus are participating in the preaching of His Word to the end of the earth (Mark 16:15).

Anyone not devouring God’s Word daily is falling away, is not enduring to the end, is choosing the let their love for Jesus wax cold, and on the wrong, the losing end of this prophecy Jesus gave here on record in Matthew 24:10-14.

“I will spue (vomit, reject) thee out of my mouth”

“So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. 17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:” Revelation 3:16-17

Praying God will help you love Him more (Matthew 22:37-40). It really all boils down to WHO we love most. THAT is exactly who we are serving (Romans 6:16).

Loving God is everything as far as what’s in our control – because it’s a choice, daily, and will determine if one remains in Christ to the end.

“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” Matthew 22:37-40

“Thou hast left thy first love”

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

1. When you are choosing not to spend quality time with God in prayer each and every morning… When you are choosing not to spend quality time with God in His Word each and every morning (Luke 9:23-24; 1 Chronicles 16:11).

2. When your love for God’s people is being reduced instead of increased (Philippians 2:12-13; 1 John 5:1) Marks of the True Christian …. “Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. 10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; 11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;” (Romans 12:9-11) See John 13:35.

“And it was told him by certain which said, Thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to see thee. 21 And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it.” Luke 8:20-21

“We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.” 1 John 3:14

“Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.” 1 John 5:1

Reading 1 Corinthians 13 today will refresh your heart and mind on the divine importance placed upon LOVE.

3. You are not denying self and not taking up the cross daily (Luke 9:23-24; 19:27; Galatians 2:20; Colossians 3:3, etc.).

4. You aren’t communicating the light of truth to others because you no longer seek or fear the LORD and so His divine virtue isn’t teeming in and flowing out of you. Your cup no longer runs over but instead is running empty (Psalms 23). You have a lampshade over the light and are not letting His light shine in and through your life and words… “Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.” (Isaiah 58:1)

5. You live in fear instead of faith and the joy of being with Jesus (Luke 21:28; 1 John 4:16-18; Proverbs 28:1; Psalms 2:11).

6. You preach promises and not conditions…following the apostate modern church and you don’t preach the cardinal doctrines of the original Gospel which we are commanded to “earnest contend for.” (Jude 3) You begin meditating on and living by trends instead of truth (Jeremiah 9:3; 2 Timothy 4:2-4; Philippians 4:8; Romans 12:1-2).

7. You have little or no true fellowship with other born- again Bible believing disciples of Jesus as is defined in God’s Word and not by the modern church world (Acts 2:42).

The Word of God is to run rich, to be abundant among God’s people … “In all wisdom” and “all in the name of the Lord Jesus” … “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” (Colossians 3:16-17)

8. You know you are backsliding when your main thrust and identity become politics, not the work of the Gospel. YOU are a blood bought disciple of Jesus, not a conservative. You are a Bible believing follower of Christ (Luke 9:62; Galatians 6:14).

9. When you love this world…..When you spend more time and money on hobbies and the things of this fleeting world than you do on attending to knowing, walking with the LORD and preparing to be used of Him (Mark 4:17-19; 1 John 2:15; James 4:4).

10. When you spend more money on trash and trinkets then helping the work of the One you claim to love and the poor. You know you are backslidden when you are not obeying God with what He’s placing in your temporal possession. He shall bring you into full account for this.

Regrettably, people will give their money to any and every pleasure under the sun but make excuses when the opportunity to support the work of the One they claim to love and serve. The Holy Spirit foretold that in the final days before the return of Jesus, there would be those with a mere “form of godliness”, “men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous,” and “lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God.” (2 Timothy 3:1-7) According to the LORD, one of the main ways to measure our true love for Him or lack thereof, is by peering into our personal stewardship of the resources He’s placed into our temporary possession. Luke 12 and 16 offer a plethora of divine wisdom and warning concerning the judgment to come, the judgment we shall endure in giving account for our stewardship in this life.

The clear proof that God is working in our lives, that we are truly following Jesus, is that we are becoming less and less vested in this fleeting, fallen world (James 4:4; 1 John 2:15-17). And that we, our good works, our giving are more and more invested in eternity – in the eternal kingdom of Christ, laying up treasures in Heaven, sending them before us, relinquishing the things of this world for the glory of God – putting them to work for the eternal Gospel of Christ – for saints to be fed and equipped and the lost to hear the Word of God (Matt. 6:19-21).

“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, thy whole body shall be full of light. 23 But if thine eye be evil, 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

To underscore the importance of stewardship, we should realize that 16 of our LORD’s 38 parables involved stewardship. Those who now do not wish to face and confront this truth, are apparently those who are in the most need of hearing it.

PRAYER: Father I come to You now in the name of Jesus Christ. Please cause my conscience to be super sensitive to Your conviction, Your leading, and to evade all that defiles me in Your holy eyes, sin. Here and now I submit my life afresh to You dear LORD. You must increase but I must decrease. I am crucified with Christ and thank You for conforming me to His holy image. I am all Yours LORD and thank You that You are all mine. I love You Jesus. Please make me one with You and the Father and with Your beloved body. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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