“This podcast (So You Want to be Used of God? [podcast]) spoke to my heart today. As I was meditating on Ecclesiastes 1:8. ‘For in much wisdom is much grief; and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.’ In other words God’s light illuminates into our hearts and reveals truth that you can no longer deny. As the Lord was shining His light into my heart, I wasn’t liking what He was showing me. I asked Him to please pull the blinds because it was getting hard to look, but that was only a fleeting thought. I knew I needed to thank the Lord even though I didn’t like it. This podcast was an encouragement to me to say to the Lord. Job 13:5. Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I maintain mine own ways before Him.” Karen Cochran | So You Want to be Used of God? [podcast]
“Your most effective ministry will come out of your deepest wounds.” unknown
WHO is the LORD going to be using mightily in this last hour? – Those who are prepared of Him! Are you submitting to His prep?
“but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.” Daniel 11:32
WANT the LORD to use you? …. Hint: Just ask Him – “ASK and ye shall receive.” (Matthew 7:7).
“The counsel (Word) of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.” Psalms 33:11
Remember that God is who HE says He is and not who you or others think He is.
Let that sink in. Read it again. And, realize a bit deeper today that this is why you need to read, know, understand, and live by HIS Word – because that’s what HE said and who He is! The record of His written Word is literally the “thoughts of HIS heart.” (Psalms 33:11)
Firstly, is it not an astounding blessing that we have the very “thoughts of his heart,” the thoughts of God on record, recorded in His written Word? Whew!
“Don’t judge the gold until the KING fashions it into a crown.” unknown
If you think God can’t use you, you haven’t truly heard from Him on the matter. Let me inform you, that you are highly mistaken!
“It’s doubtful whether God can bless a man greatly until He has hurt him deeply.” A.W. Tozer
Been through a lot? Ditto beloved.
“The strongest swords are forged in the hottest fires.” unknown
“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:” 1 Peter 1:5-8
The Law of Genesis 1
God will never use us to lead anyone where we ourselves refuse to go.
God made His creation to produce “after their kind.”
“And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so. 12 And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good.” Genesis 1:11-12
10 times in Genesis chapter 1, we see the word “kind” being used by God of His creation and how each plant, each animal He created has its own special seed and produces after its own kind. The same is true for us – we produce after our own kind. That’s why our children resemble us. The physical part of this divine principle is a fixed reality. Yet, spiritually, there is choice to be exercised. Who we choose to be, how we walk with Christ or not, determines what seed we are and therefore what will be produced in others. It’s all rooted in our relationship with Christ or lack thereof. What we choose to be with God, is what determines who we are and therefore what type of spiritual offspring will be produced through our lives in the lives of others. What type seed are you presently?
An apple seed, when planted, will bring forth an apple tree and not an orange or fig tree.
The Authority of Jesus
Since we now realize that everything produces after its own kind, we must realize that we can’t lead anyone to a place in Christ that we are not willing to first go ourselves. We should meditate upon this as we examine what kind of fruit we are producing in others. “The root of the matter is in me.” (Job 19:28) God can’t use me to produce results in the lives of others if I myself haven’t first chosen to be . The deeper my life is vanquished (dead and buried) and raised up in Christ, the greater the resurrection power that will be produced in the hands of the LORD through my life.
There was a marked difference between Christ, His ministry, and that of the Pharisees (false leaders) of His day. Nothing has changed. The following passage reveals, speaks to the significant difference between the ministry of our LORD and the modern church of His day.
“And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: 29 For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.” Matthew 7:28-29
Jesus was perfectly rooted in His Father and so when He spoke, there was divine power in His words (John 6:63). The presence and power of the Holy Spirit permeated His life and ministry (Acts 10:38). Because He was wholly submitted to His Father, Christ walked in unlimited divine authority (John 5:30).
“For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.” John 3:34
In contrast, most ministries today are nothing more than stage shows to make money, to make merchandise of the people (2 Peter 2:1-3).
God doesn’t anoint people who have the correct concepts. He only anoints and powerfully uses those who are truly, in deed, crucified with Christ – dead and buried so that He is raising them up in His divine power. Because He is their “first love”, because they are choosing to seek the face of and love the LORD with a whole heart, Christ’s true disciples sentence themselves to death to give preference to their LORD to reign in their personal lives (2 Corinthians 1:9; Revelation 2:4-5; 1 Chronicles 16:11; Psalms 27:4, 8, etc.).
“Joy unspeakable and full of glory.” 1 Peter 1:8
WHO WANTS to walk around smiling, bursting with glorious divine joy, every day? Only those few who choose, who decide to be anchored, nourished in the holy presence of our LORD will certainly, without fail, be filled full with His great joy! The light of Christ fills and shines powerfully through those who commune with Him, He who is “the light of the world.” (John 8:12) Pour over Matthew 6:6 and Psalms 16:11.
DO you desire to minister for Christ more effectively? 1. Learn more Scripture, 2. Seek God in intimate prayer, 3. Learn, live His cross!
Talking to God in prayer is more important than our speaking to men about God (ministering). The greatest temptation we face is rejecting Christ, denying Him the “first love” place in our lives which includes time, our hearts, our lives in the temporal world (Revelation 2:4-5). Those who do not commune with the LORD in prayer, simply will not be imbued with His divine anointing to effectively, powerfully minister to others.
“Jesus never taught His disciples how to preach, only how to pray. To know how to speak to God is more important than knowing how to speak to people. Power with God is the first thing, not power with people. Christ loves to teach us how to pray.” Andrew Murray, With Christ in the School of Prayer, p. xxiii-xxiv The disciples asked Jesus “Teach us to pray” and not “teach us to preach.”
“The men who have done mighty things for God have always been mighty in prayer, have well understood the possibilities of prayer, and made the most of these possibilities. The Son of God, the first of all and the mightiest of all, has shown us the all-potent and far reaching possibilities of prayer. Paul was mighty for because he knew, how to use, and how to get others to use, the mighty spiritual forces of prayer.” EM Bounds, The Complete Works of E.M. Bounds on Prayer, P. 341
What kind of vessel are you?
“But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. 21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.” 2 Timothy 2:20-21
What kind of vessel are you?
On a regular basis and for years now, people I know and who I don’t know, approach and say things like, “I’d like to write a book” or “I’ve been having an idea for a book for a long time.” Then they ask “How do you do it”? Now, while putting a message in the format of a book so people can read it is a good thing, not a bad thing, let’s be clear about something: GOD is not leading anyone to pen any writing at all about Him, much less a book, unless such a person is so buried in His Word, Holy Scripture, that his every thought and meditation is the Word and when he opens his mouth it’s Holy Writ verbatim.
“It has been said that no great work in literature or in science was ever wrought by a man who did not love solitude. We may lay it down as an elemental principle of religion, that no large growth in holiness was ever gained by one who did not take time to be often long alone with God.” Austin Phelps
Jeremiah 1:10 destruct (strip) then construct.
God wants to build a deep foundation so He begins at the root. He doesn’t do band aids, patch jobs…. Do you understand how God works with us as is revealed in Jeremiah 1:10? Check this out:
“See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.” Jeremiah 1:10
WHEN God is getting stuff OUT of our lives… it’s kind of like when you were a child and you got a splinter in your finger. Remember that? BUT you were deathly afraid of your dad removing it with tweezers, right? Yes but then soon as it was removed, you felt elated and ran back outside to play!!! Well, when God removes foreign objects from our lives, great joy will fill our hearts and a spring will be in our step!
As His joy fills us, the joy of His salvation will teem in our hearts and lives, overflowing on others! (Psalms 51:10-13)
Psalm 51 beloved of God!
Let us cry out to the LORD as did beloved David in his psalm of repentance! Beloved David sinned grossly during a season of his life and yet, David could be convicted, drawn in, and repentant. Can you? Do you have a heart after God like the beloved David? May it be so, in the name of Jesus. Because God is good and David responded to His drawing him back to Himself, the Bible later records that the beloved “sweet psalmist of Israel” was “a man after” the heart of the LORD.
“I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.” Acts 13:22
Like Paul, David finished strong and so can we! (2 Timothy 4:7-8).
It is utterly priceless that David, Israel’s greatest human king, was called by our LORD “the sweet psalmist of Israel.”
“Now these be the last words of David. David the son of Jesse said, and the man who was raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel, said.” 2 Samuel 23:1
Getting into God’s Word will assure that God’s Word will get into you.
God’s Word, the truth, will not permeate your life unless you come away with Jesus, you make the quality decision to obey God and set yourself apart unto Him.
“Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.” Proverbs 18:1
Memorize this verse. As usual, always in the King James Bible.
Notice the first words….
“Through desire” and then
“a man, having separated himself” …
“seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.”
Proverbs 18:1
Where is your desire? Are you more interested in being an author than you are of knowing Jesus, becoming daily more rooted in Him, in His truth?
Those who truly desire more of the LORD and to be thereafter used by Him, will separate themselves unto Him. He will do His work in these true disciples and use them mightily. There are no shortcuts.
Any person naming the name of Christ who is not learning to yield in the crucified life daily and isn’t full of God’s Word, has no business attempting to do any kind of ministry, including writing a book for a God they don’t even love enough to seek and obey. Such a person is not right with God themselves much less to attempt to speak for the LORD.
Flimsy, fake “Christian” books fill “Christian” bookstores everywhere today. As you flip through most “Christian” books written over the last few decades, immediately you notice the lack of Holy Scripture which clearly tells you that that author is completely arrogant and self-centered, not Savior centered. Such books are not Scripture-rich. Why? Simple: You see, he thinks more highly of himself than Christ. He’s all about telling you what he knows, his take, his philosophy on things. Such books are a total waste of time and the counterfeits who publish them will give full account to a holy God for misleading others. The second blaring error you will notice about today’s “Christian” books as you flip through them, is that if and when they use a Bible verse, it’s from a fake “bible” version. Laughable. Thirdly, in today’s “Christian” books, there is no cross, no judgment, no repentance, no Heaven, no hell, no personal holiness, nothing about Jesus Christ, etc. The cardinal, foundational, essential doctrines of the Christian faith are no where to be found.
Speaking of this, please make the quality decision now that you are going to study the real Bible, the King James Bible, and not some lame, cheap counterfeit. The last thing we need is yet another “Christian” book or person speaking using verses from counterfeit “bibles.” Godly people are full of holy conviction and cannot possibly remain with Satan’s corruptions of God’s Word. | Fake Bible Versions Exposed | 4 Bible Verses Compared: Game Changer!
It may be God Himself who has put it in your heart to write for Him. Yet He will not use you if you refuse to lay down your life in this world, to repent for real, and get into His Word and count it as the highest and final divine authority, never looking back.
“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
Intermeddling with all wisdom involves becoming engrossed, enthralled, and enveloped in the Word of the kingdom of Christ. This involves desiring the LORD so much that you turn off and tune out all the distractions of this world and dive into ever deepening fellowship with Him in His Word and the life of prayer.
Those who are content to be shallow, shallow rooted, are a dime a dozen.
“Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.” Psalms 42:7
Memorizing Joshua 1:8 and 2 Timothy 2:15 will forever change your life.
Deep is calling unto deep. Will you answer that call?
“Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge. 18 For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips. 19 That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee. 20 Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge, 21 That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?” Proverbs 22:17-21
Are you “ready,“ are you loaded up with God’s words so that you can readily communicate them to others?
“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
“Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.” Proverbs 23:23
Regardless of the platform, the format, the medium of communication, if God is going to be glorified in your labor, He must be first glorified in your personal, daily life. The cross.
God will use publicly those who choose to be set apart to Him privately.
“But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.” Matthew 6:6
Those who are known of God will be used of Him. They will strictly preach His Word and nothing else. Such disciples have never been more needed than they are today in this day of great apostasy – departing from the truth.
“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 4:2-4
Being immersed in the Word of God is required for being used of God to speak forth, to communicate His holy oracles.
“As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 4:10-11
It’s one thing to say “the Bible says” and yet another thing to actually quote the Bible itself, allowing God to speak for Himself, letting His people learn HIS truth for themselves, and not just take your word for it. Let us facilitate people taking God’s Word for things, not ours.
Those who are truly of God, let God speak for Himself – by quoting, stating His words, not their own!
In the book Predators in Our Pulpits, the first chapter details how God has ordained that ministry be conducted. The mere servant of God gives the Word of God directly and then, simply gives “the sense” of the words of God. So, he simply teaches God’s Word unwaveringly and nothing else.
“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
True servants of Jesus uphold His Word as absolute final divine authority. These are the ones God is using.
The divine law of Genesis 1 is that every seed produces after its own kind. An apple seed can only produce another apple tree and not an orange tree. In the same way, we cannot possibly lead others where we ourselves are not first willing to go.
Will you become just another false prophet or will you be used mightily of the LORD?
“Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” Colossians 2:8
Never mind sharing YOUR thoughts and foolish philosophies. That’s exactly what false prophets do. Now it’s time to repent, to get right with God, and to walk with Jesus, immersing yourself in prayer and the diligent, daily, deep study of God’s Word in the King James Bible. This is the only way the LORD is going to circumcise your heart, cutting away all the evil thoughts and false imaginations – and to instill His holy truth in you so that His Word is what you communicate. The cross – you must die, you must lay down your life door nail dead. Only then will Jesus raise you up – and if you don’t, you will be propelled by Satan as one of his agents to deceive people.
How grounded are you in God’s Word? Can you say with beloved Job? …
“Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.” Job 23:12
How can we expect God to use us if we don’t honor Him enough to honor His Word?
You Can Forget it …
GOD is not going to use anyone unless they die – to self, to self-will, to all that is self. Galatians 2:20; John 3:30; Luke 9:23-24; Colossians 3:3, etc.
If you will not lay down your life to the LORD, you can forget being used of Him.
One thing is certain, that God is not calling you to pen a book or do any ministry at all at this time, if you are not learning to die. It’s only out of the cross life – where you are dead and buried – that Jesus is going to raise you upward and use you for His glory.
“Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. 11 For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you.” 2 Corinthians 4:10-12
The cross of Christ and the cross He commanded you to take up daily, is central to the Christian faith. There are no shortcuts and only a counterfeit would seek one.
The vast majority of those who lead in the professing, apostate modern church world, are utterly false. And, if you don’t stop, repent for real, lay down your life, and move forward taking up the cross, you will also in word, deed, and inaction be yet another peddler of a false gospel and “accursed” (Galatians 1:6-9).
Is that what you want? Do you desire to be just another self-promoting charlatan who makes merchandise of and misleads others for your own self-serving good? (Romans 16:18; 2 Peter 2:1-3; Philippians 3:18-19, etc.).
Becoming beholden to, immersed in the cross life assures that the LORD will raise you up and use you mightily. The deeper the death, the higher the resurrection.
It’s time to go down deep into the death of Christ. There will be NO raising up to those who don’t. Be not deceived.
Today, we look for a DEMOTION, not a promotion. The cross: John 3:30. If you are not dead and buried today, it’s not Christ who’s raising you up (2 Corinthians 4:10-12). Whatever goes up must come down – unless it’s Christ who’s bringing you upward in His resurrection grace as you are dead and buried. The cross is central to Jesus’ kingdom (Romans 6).
The way of Christ is the way of the cross. The way of the cross is the way of Christ. Non-negotiably. John 3:30
Prayer: Precious heavenly Father, I come to You in the name of Jesus Christ my LORD. Here and now, if never before, I admit my own foolishness, my sinfulness, my self-will, and how I have sinfully done things my way and not Yours. It’s total rebellion, idolatry, and spiritual adultery. LORD, please forgive my gross sins against You and anoint me to the death and burial of self, that You alone might reign in glory in this life. Forgive me for seeking to do things my way instead of Yours. I love You LORD. Have Your perfect way in this life. I’m all Yours and I know You are all mine. Use me dear LORD, please. In Jesus’ Name, amen.
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Articles
Clara and Her Boys Blessed! Mexico Mission Rolling!

Okay so here’s the original message concerning Clara.
Brother Vicente continues to minister to the Word of God to men I minister to and then hand them off to him and/or brother Salvador. Such was the case with a man named Florentine who received the spoken Word of God and a JESUS tract in Spanish last week. Both Salvador and Vicente are now in touch with this man and ministering God’s Word to him in his own native tongue, Spanish. Just now, tonight, brother Vicente sent me this: “I’m taking this opportunity, brother, to see if you have any work available for someone. She’s a woman looking for work from 7 AM to 2 PM, cleaning or anything else you can find. If you could get her something, please. She has three children and is a single mother. She doesn’t have a husband. Or if you, the group, could get her things to sell. She’s a young woman with very limited resources.” Vicente
Okay saints, here’s another opportunity. Please lift this dear lady in prayer and her children.
We are already helping a man who is cleaning the vehicle weekly – by paying him cash and buying him lunch once or twice weekly.
I am thinking of hiring Clara to clean the apartment weekly or every other week. This will help her with her monthly bills.
And anyone who wish to help her, just earmark your gift or email me to discuss.
In Christ
Todd
JESUS tract ENGLISH (click to download print-ready PDF) this is the actual text of the JESUS tract of both the English and JESUS tract SPANISH (click to download print-ready PDF]
TODAY: YOU, YOUR PRAYERS AND LOVE OFFERINGS MADE CLARA’S DAY, WEEK, MONTH, AND YEAR!!!
We live in a fallen world and as is far too common this dear woman is carrying a load, burdens that God never intended her to carry (1 Timothy 5:14; 1 Peter 3:7). And you answered her plight and pain with the love of God!
“He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.” Proverbs 19:17
Clara thought she was just coming over to clean my apartment and get a few dollars. God and you had more in mind though!!!!
I will let her speak to you in her own exact words. Upon receiving the cash you sent, which is a large amount in the Mexican economy, Clara broke down uncontrollably in tears for a long while. She was literally shaking, sobbing, tears were flowing down her face. This blessing shocked her – and it’s ALL your fault! 😉 You are guilty as charged beloved of God!
“No one has ever done anything like this for me … I had nothing left to feed my children at home.” Clara
Here below is the raw version of Clara’s words of gratitude for what God did through you, your love! She was only expecting a few dollars for cleaning the apartment. Clara was stunned when I pulled YOUR wad of cash out of my pocket and handed it to her for cleaning the apartment. After she broke down and cried for a while, she spoke her words into google translate to communicate to us. Clara said ……
“Seriously, thank you so much. This means a lot to me. I’ve really struggled a lot. I’m sorry I cried, but I’m very sentimental. No one has ever done anything like this for me. Many people approach me with bad intentions, and some, knowing my need, try to take advantage of it. Tell your friends that I’m so grateful for what they’re doing for me. I’ll never tire of thanking them because, honestly, I had nothing left to feed my children at home, and this will help me buy groceries so they can eat well.
I’m not tired, to be honest. What motivates me are my children.
Without them, my life would have no meaning. I came to work with you today
because of them, and I’m leaving happy, knowing that my life will gradually
improve. Now all I want is to go back home to see my children and be able to
cook them something delicious because I know they’re waiting for me.” Clara
After she spoke of cooking for her boys, I asked Clara if we could go to the grocery store first before I took her home. We went and bought a whole, very large basket full of food. This family has food for weeks and you did it!!! You stepped up and said “Yes LORD Jesus! Thank You for this opportunity to give out of what You gave me – to bless this family in need!” Clara
“Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.” Proverbs 16:19
WHILE this was all happening, one of you Christ-glorifying culprits wired $150 – the exact amount that was spent to get Clara a very large portion of groceries~! There was no plan to buy her those groceries but GOD had the plan!!!! The plan was for her to have that cash she received and a basket overflowing with food!!!!
Your giving to Christ’s work …
Makes this happen …
Real people receiving real help, real love, real touch from the body of Christ.
Mission Mexico – See more here.
Download. Read. Print out your supply of the JESUS tract – English and Spanish.



Articles
What’s Wrong with the Modern Church World? [podcast]

Is Church Membership Biblical?
State of the Earliest Disciples of Jesus
It’s more than obvious that local churches today are about EVERYTHING EXCEPT JESUS. If you don’t see this, that only proves how Satan has used this system of rebellion called “the church” to blind you to the true Gospel, plan, and will of God.
Anyone who doesn’t see that most pastors are preaching a false Gospel, do not know the true Gospel (2 Corinthians 11:2-5; Galatians 1:6-9).
It’s amazing how we learn to truly begin to trust and walk with the LORD when we leave the modern church system. When we leave it, we no longer trust the idols and elements we once relied upon. Then we can experience true fellowship with Christ and His beloved people.
Just after Pentecost, when the Church was born, before any deceivers or deception could enter in, the saints flourished with Christ and His beloved people. See Acts 2:42-47 as the model of fellowship. Acts 2:42-47 is the prescription for true New Testament worship. Note the word “daily.”
“And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine (God’s Word) and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. 44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. 46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, 47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” Acts 2:42-47
Note that only the LORD can add to His church.
Is there a difference is what we see when peering into the early church and that which calls itself the church today?
What four things were these earliest Christians doing as they met together? Read the first verse one more time and notice closely those four things.
Notice in verse 43 above it says that “fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.” Wow! Where’s the fear of the LORD among those who claim to be saved in this late hour? Where is it? Where are the “wonders and signs”?
The “wonders and signs” aren’t present today because of the lack of the communication of the Gospel to the lost which Jesus promised to confirm with signs following (Mark 16:15-20).
“And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.” Mark 16:20
Beloved saint, I want to encourage you to read this blessed passage every day for the next week (Acts 2:42-47). Drink it in, allowing the LORD to use His very words here to begin to possess your heart and mind with His vision for His beloved people.
“There was a Great Persecution Against the Church”
“And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2 And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. 3 As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison. 4 Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.” Acts 8:1-4
The apostles (under shepherds) stayed at Jerusalem but of the other Christians, the Word relates here that “they were all scattered abroad.”
When persecution hit, those who fled went forth “preaching the word.” When persecution hits our land, how many will even know God’s Word in order to go forth spreading it to others?
That will require knowing God’s Word and most who claim to know Christ today have very little learning in God’s Word. They have been entertained and / or steeped in something else other than Jesus Christ through His Word.
You see, let’s piece together the Word of God a bit. When the LORD poured out His promise – the baptism with the Holy Spirit – His people flourished in worshiping Him and being prepared of Him to do exploits. – “the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. 33 And they that understand among the people shall instruct many.” (Daniel 11:32-33)
As we see in this powerful passage of Scripture in the book of Daniel, knowing the LORD, doing exploits by His power, having His understanding of His Word, and instructing others in His truth, all go hand-in-hand.
Leading up to and before this hour when “great persecution” hit Jerusalem, the earliest believers were engaged in authentic fellowship which begins with continuing “stedfastly in the apostles doctrine” which is contained in the 27 books of the New Testament canon of Holy Scripture (Acts 2:42). These earlier followers of Jesus flourished in vital union with Him. They were individually consumed. Then, persecution hit and when it did, each individual disciple “went everywhere preaching the word” of God (Acts 8:4). The individual believers in the early church were equipped and this is obvious because each of them “went everywhere preaching the word” of God (Acts 8:4).
Before the “great persecution” hit, the saints of Jesus were flourishing in fellowship with Jesus and therefore one another. They were learning of the LORD. They weren’t being entertained by hireling wolves because none had yet entered into the flock (Acts 20:27-32). God was moving and they were learning of Him, being equipped, trained, and prepared.
“If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.” 1 Timothy 4:6
Being daily nourished in our hearts by God’s Word is essential and so is attaining to “good doctrine.” This will only happen by diligent, deliberate obedience to the LORD. This is how He prepares His people to do His work. Of Ezra, the servant of the LORD, the Bible records:
“For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.” Ezra 7:10
The LORD requires preparation in order to use someone.
“If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.” 2 Timothy 2:21
What will happen when persecution hits America? Have the individuals who sit in church buildings every Sunday ever even been told they need to repent and surrender completely to the LORD? If so, are they being prepared/equipped as is the mandate upon all elders to do? (Ephesians 4:11-12) Jesus commanded us to teach and feed His sheep.
Wolves entertain goats.
True disciples feed sheep, prepare them for the work of the ministry, and push them on to spiritual maturity/perfection. Any leader not doing this is a wolf!
The LORD told us plainly through the prophet Isaiah that “the leaders” among us are the problem:
“For the leaders of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed.” Isaiah 9:16
In a time when many reading these very words should be teaching, you don’t even know the fundamentals of the faith.
“Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. 12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. 13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. 1 Therefore leaving the principles (basic fundamentals) of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection (maturity); not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, 2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3 And this will we do, if God permit.” Hebrews 5:11-14; 6:1-3
Most who name the name of Jesus as their Savior do not even know there are foundation doctrines of Christ. They have never even heard about this. Yet, as we just read, all believers are to know and be teaching the words of our LORD and to go on to maturity, bringing others along.
“Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.” 1 Timothy 4:16
If you now realize that you have been a gullible pawn of some man or men who were/are simply building their little church business at your expense, I want to encourage you flee for your life at once and to get rooted and grounded in God’s love and in His Word. – “Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.” (Genesis 19:17) The LORD is going to judge the wicked who now occupy that which poses as His church and yet is merely using His name in vain to make themselves popular and rich (Isaiah 56:8-12; Matthew 7:13-23; Romans 16:17-18; Philippians 3:18-19).
God has a much larger plan for His called-out elders than being in leadership in a physical building. His sphere is much more expansive, unrestrained, unencumbered by man’s imposed borders and limits. If a physical building defines or determines a man’s ministry, would that not be an indictment upon Christ and His twelve? Jesus and His apostles don’t qualify as much if possessing real estate where man is king is a defining factor. None of them chose to have a building to minister out of. No, instead they went to the people and were free to be led by the Holy Spirit to the exact places and people whom God wanted to bless.
No Scripture Knowledge
“As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.” 1 Peter 2:2
To illustrate this great deficiency of truth in that which calls itself Christ’s church, please allow me to convey a conversation I recently had. While talking to a lady about the things of the LORD and the Bible, she wrote this to me (These are her exact words):
“How do you know all these verses? I’ve gone to church all my life, and I can’t quote anything.”
This is an all-too—common admission among those who are good church members but not true disciples of Jesus Christ. This lady is sitting under a false shepherd who has not obeyed God by getting her into His Word for herself. The man or men she has wrongly submitted to are not obeying the LORD by teaching all men all the things Jesus teaches us in His Word (Matthew 28:18-20). Those leaders she has placed herself under are not equipping the sheep of the LORD’s pasture for true worship and the works of the LORD He commands His people to do.
The current apostate system has completely incapacitated the working of the Gospel and Holy Spirit of God in each individual saint. The system is simply making people part of the system – the status quo membership, tithing, and weekly attendance is the extent of involvement. Basically, it’s a brainless, just-follow-along type social club. The deepest involvement of the individual may be giving their own opinion about a topic in a cell group meeting. Hardly an activity seen in the book of Acts. Pitifully lame!
Most who claim to know Jesus don’t even have five Bible verses memorized. This is a telling fact. Instead of learning to take up the cross daily and walk with Jesus, learning God’s Word diligently, they depend on their CEO style pastor and local church and not on Christ. Because he wants job security, the hireling pastor(s) never teach their naïve audiences to deny self, take up their cross, and follow Christ themselves.
But the LORD holds each of us individually responsible to study and know His blessed Precepts – and to do them.
“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
The fact that God’s very Word – “the apostles doctrine” – is not the main course of local churches today, is clear evidence of complete apostasy and guarantee that divine judgment is coming upon them (Jeremiah 6:19).
The Great Commission Command of Christ
What shall we answer the LORD on that Great and Terrible Day? How shall we make excuse? How will we explain to Him who bled and rose again that we didn’t understand His simple command – the Great Commission?
“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Matthew 28:18-20
Those who aren’t following the teachings of Christ, are not following Christ!
Are you learning and teaching God’s Word to others? Such will answer whether or not you are genuinely following Christ. He command it – now “Repent” and “Go.”
Many will regret the wasted years and dollars they squandered on lukewarm local fellowships (Revelation 3:16-17; 21:4). They will have lost volumes of eternal reward for doing so – if they are in Heaven.
The cry of the disciple’s heart is “I simply want to know and follow Jesus as His authentic disciple.” And, most of the time, the local church gets in the way of this – hinders and misdirects the time, energy, and resources of their capture, their corralled prey! Beware.
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Articles
The Curse of the Judaizers [podcast]

MODERN ANTICHRISTS BLASPHEMOUSLY SAY THAT JESUS’ SACRIFICE WASN’T ENOUGH SO YOU HAVE TO KEEP TORAH. Jesus says “IT IS FINISHED” (John 19:30). SOMEBODY’S LYING, AND IT ISN’T JESUS.
“Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.” Romans 3:28
The Curse of the Judaizers
It has been rightly observed that the most prolific, prevalent heresy of the New Testament era is the curse of the Judaizers. That is, the “accursed” snakes seducing the members of the body of Christ to go back under the law, which is “another gospel” (Galatians 1:6-9). Since they have put law-keeping (the law), in place of Jesus, we know they are antichrists. Remember, ALL Judaizers, Hebrew Roots groups have this goal—to seduce you to cease trusting Christ and go back under law-keeping. They will vehemently swear that this is not their goal and yet experience tells us different. They are snakes, in every case. Read Galatians closely, afresh. Also Colossians 2.
The true New Testament saved-by-grace-through-faith-in-Christ-alone disciple, sees the Old Testament through the eyes of the infinitely superior NEW Testament. In contrast, the Judaizing serpents seduce their prey to do the opposite—to see the New through the Old. Hebrews 8-10 clearly emphasizes the infinitely superior blessings of the NEW Testament He gave us in Christ (John 1:17).
Glory robbing devils of the vilest nature: Torah keeping antichrists are not upholding Christ, the HEAD of HIS church. Memorize Romans 10:4.
“Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. 9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power …. Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 19 And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.” Colossians 2:8-10, 18-19
REST is the blessing of God and wise to partake of in worshipful observance of the LORD who will thereby grant great productivity. Yet keeping a certain day is never commanded under the NEW Testament—because it’s BY FAITH that we rest in our Sabbath, JESUS CHRIST—the only One to perfectly keep the law, then He nailed it to the cross and took it out of the way (Colossians 2:14-19). Read Hebrews 4. Keeping or not keeping a day weekly has nothing to do with salvation. This is how the judaizing wolves seduce saved-by-grace-through-faith saints back under law keeping. And there’s where they are cut off from God, they fall away—due to rejecting Christ’s perfect sacrifice alone for their redemption (Galatians 3:1-3; 5:4). When Jesus says “If ye love me keep my commandments” He is not saying to keep SATURN-day and we know that because He nor His holy apostles ever once instructed any born again disciple to keep any certain day. Paul warns about this often. See Colossians 2:14-19. Salvation, eternal life is Jesus Christ, not His creation, not a day He made (1 John 5:20-21).
The Old Covenant is Obsolete:
“In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old (obsolete). Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.” Hebrews 8:13
The Old Covenant is “abolished” yet we have antichrists going around insisting that people “keep Torah.” They are not saved.
“And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is ABOLISHED:” 2 Corinthians 3:13
“Having ABOLISHED in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;” Ephesians 2:15
The old covenant is “ABOLISHED.” It has been superseded by the infinitely superior NEW Covenant ratified in the blood of the Son of God (Matthew 26:28). The old covenant is “abolished.”
Read 2 Corinthians 3 each morning this week.
Anyone who gets saved and then doesn’t drill down into the doctrinal letters and epistles and get grounded in grace through faith justification and living, will be susceptible to being deceived by the antichrist Judaizers in our midst. It will cost many of them their eternal souls. There will be not one law-keeping Judaizing snake in Heaven. If you don’t know that, you are biblically illiterate. Romans. Galatians. Ephesians. Philippians. Colossians. Hebrews.
“The yoke of bondage” is law keeping.
“Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” Galatians 5:1
Biblical Justification | Accursed Judaizing Devils Exposed
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