“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
Mission Mexico Part 47
We’ve been on the ground in beautiful Mexico now for 2 years and 3 months. It’s amazing what our LORD can and will do if we let Him take and use our lives – and He’s using each of us!!!
“WE are labourers TOGETHER with God.” 1 Corinthians 3:9
Brother Juan ministers all day long as he travels between towns and interacts with numerous people…. every day. He also ministers to hundreds at a local jail/prison. Thank you for lifting our brother in prayer and for considering supporting. Jesus is coming saints. Let’s roll. Here is brother Mark delivering another box of 2,000 JESUS tracts to our brother, Juan the evangelist.
We are boots on the ground supporting our LORD’s saints, Gospel laborers, here in Mexico (Matthew 9:35-38). Your prayers and support are the fuel of Heaven (Philippians 1:19).
See more Gospel action here at Mission Mexico
May God perpetually imbue our hearts with His simple truth – that our lives in this world are all about loving, knowing, worshipping, and obeying Him – including helping others know Him. Matthew 22:37-39
Thank you for kindly lifting a prayer for the beloved people of Mexico – to be saved in Christ.
God tests our faith constantly in this “walk” right? “We WALK by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7)…. Walking takes “steps” right? (Psalms 37:23)
“The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.” Psalms 37:23
Seems as if that’s what this is. And if it’s God leading us, then He will reward as we obey, we traverse His planet with Him, right?
YOUR PRAYER: Holy Father, in Jesus’ name please ordain my every step, all for Your eternal glory. I love You LORD Jesus!
“Good afternoon, Brother Todd. Our God is a God of purpose; may God continue to bless your ministry here in Mexico—it is a great blessing. Please accept greetings and blessings from my brothers at the Actopan, Hidalgo, correctional facility.” Juan
Thursday morning is eat breakfast out and fellowship with other saints, brother Mark, Juan, etc.
Mission Mexico rolling. Thank you for your prayers. Scores of precious souls heard the Gospel preached to them in Spanish today and received a JESUS tract in Spanish. Isaiah 55:11 anybody!? Boom. Jesus is coming.
We solicit your prayers for the people of Mexico – to be saved and established in Christ.
JESUS CHRIST IS KING.
As was our LORD Jesus, let us be about our “Father’s business” beloved of God (Luke 2:49). The hour is late. Jesus is coming – and He foretold that His Gospel would be preached to every nation before He returns (Matthew 24:14).
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:58
Thank you for lifting the beautiful people of Mexico in prayer.
ARE YOU investing in eternity or wasting all your seed on this temporal world? See Jesus’ words of instruction, of His wisdom to us in Matthew 6:19-21.
“Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. 35 Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. 36 And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. 37 And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth. 38 I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours.” John 4:34-38
The perspective of people is completely different in Mexico.
People actually care for one another. They don’t take advantage of others.
They don’t have greed and so they don’t jack up prices, etc., at the expense of their fellow man.
Because they know such will affect their fellow man, fellow Mexicans
As the Golden rule teaches, the do things with others in mind. | The Golden Rule Life: What’s that Really Mean? [podcast]
This man above is LITERALLY harvesting the produce to cook our meal.
Brother Mark and I ate breakfast here yesterday. Mark was a 0311 Scout in the Marine Corp, otherwise we probably could not have found this place which is nestled in the mountains. Yet another treasure in Mexico. They are inexhaustible. A family who lives in a remote location, a small mountain settlement and cooks breakfast on their deck each morning. One of those things that is only know by word of mouth. Gotta love it!!!!
It’s a blessing that with your prayers, love, and financial support, you are declaring that “The People of Mexico Matter for Christ—He died to save them!”
“So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.” Acts 19:20
IF YOU WANT TO PLEASE SATAN …..
MAKE SURE you do NOT support authentic evangelistic ministries that are literally, actually getting Christ’s Gospel to the lost souls of this world.
The apostle Paul did “the work of an evangelist” and instructed us to do the same.
“Preach the word … But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.” 2 Timothy 4:2, 5
Our KING is coming saints, King JESUS!
Let’s roll beloved of God!
in Christ
todd
More Mexico Mission Action here.
“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10
Mission Mexico – See more here. | Give support here. Many options
Download. Read. Print out your supply of the JESUS tract – English and Spanish.
Abiding
“THE FORMER SHALL NOT BE REMEMBERED, NOR COME INTO MIND” [podcast]
In Eternity “THE FORMER SHALL NOT BE REMEMBERED, NOR COME INTO MIND.”
(Isaiah 65:17)
Our LORD Jesus will soon return to “make all things new.”
“And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.” Revelation 21:5
“For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and THE FORMER SHALL NOT BE REMEMBERED, NOR COME INTO MIND.” Isaiah 65:17
“I create – I am about wholly to change the state not only of my people, but to bring a new face upon the world, which shall abide until a new heavens and earth appear, in which shall dwell nothing but righteousness. Not be remembered – That state of things shall be so glorious, that the former state of my people shall not be remembered.” John Wesley
“Behold a new creation, Isa_65:17-25! The present dispensation is ended. Jerusalem, restored to her former glory, sings for very joy; and her rejoicing sends a thrill of joy through the nature of God. Long years of life and security of tenure are granted again to man. The red rapine of the forest is ended, for creation is emancipated from its bondage and participates in the glorious liberty of the sons of God. Peace shall reign in the forest glades, never again to abdicate her throne, Isa_65:25. But, best of all, there shall be such unity between man and God that prayer will be anticipated, and the pleading soul shall be conscious of the listening ear of God. Hasten, O day of days, for which creation groans, and the saints groan with inexpressible desire!” FB Meyer
“65:17 The closing verses of chapter 65 describe millennial conditions. The new heavens and the new earth here refer to Christ’s kingdom on earth; in Revelation 21 they refer to the eternal state. In Isaiah’s new heavens and new earth there is still sin and death; in Revelation 21, these have passed away.” Believer’s Bible Commentary
Of Isaiah 65:17, another commentator writes the following:
a [I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind] Here God declares that He will create or bring into existence renewed heavens and a renewed earth which will be so wonderful that the present ones will be forgotten in the glory and blessing that will then be enjoyed on the earth by the eternal society.
b [new heavens and a new earth] This term, “new heavens and a new earth,” is found only four times in Scripture, being used twice by Isaiah (Isa_65:17; Isa_66:22-24), once by Peter (2Pe_3:10-13), and once by John (in Rev. 21:1-22:5). Making the heavens and earth new will be accomplished at the close of the Millennium after all rebellion is put down on earth, all enemies are destroyed, and God has become all in all again, as before rebellion was started—first by Lucifer and later by Adam (Rom_8:18-25; 1Co_15:24-28; Eph_1:10; 2Pe_3:10-13; Rev. 21-22).
c [former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind]
Great Millennial and Eternal Changes
This could not mean that the former heavens and earth will never be recalled in any way whatsoever. The idea is that comparatively speaking, the new ones will be so wonderful that people will not meditate on, long for, or regret the passing of the old ones. Mentioning the new heavens and the new earth here as an introduction to a passage about the Millennium (Isa_65:18-25) can be best understood in this light—that God’s program concerning the new heavens and the new earth is His ultimate purpose in the work which he begins in the Millennium.
Fifteen Millennial and Eternal Changes:
1. A new earthly and eternal Jerusalem will be created as the earthly and eternal capital of the whole earth (Isa_65:18; Isa_2:2-4; Eze_48:30-35; Joe_3:16-20)
2. Eternal Israel (Isa_65:18)
3. Eternal rejoicing of Israel for their eternal city
4. God rejoicing eternally in Jerusalem (Isa_65:19)
5. God rejoicing eternally in Israel
6. Eternal removal of all weeping and crying in Israel and Jerusalem
7. Eternal change in length of life—no more an infant of days nor an old man who will not fill his days (Isa_65:20). Men will live as long as trees (Isa_65:22) and eternally in natural bodies (Mat_25:46)
8. Change in the appointment of death for the righteous, who will not sin (Isa_65:20; Mat_25:46)
9. Change in the economy—everyone building and possessing his own home, and planting and enjoying his own crops without fear of losing any through debts (Isa_65:21-22)
10. Removal of the curse of hard labor (Isa_65:23)
11. Eternal change in purpose and production of material goods—nothing will be produced for war and trouble (Isa_65:23; Isa_2:2-4; Mic_4:1-13)
12. God’s eternal blessing upon all labor and business (Isa_65:23)
13. Eternal change of results in prayer (Isa_65:24)
14. Eternal change of animal natures (Isa_65:25; Isa_11:6-9)
15. Eternal change in society—none to hurt or destroy in all God’s kingdom (Isa_65:25)
Jesus is Returning to Make Peace by Violence, by Force
“And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.” Matthew 11:12
No one can and will fulfill these words above more perfectly than the One who spoke these words.
“Blessed are the peaceMAKERS: for they shall be called the children of God.” Matthew 5:9
In this fallen world, peace cannot be kept, it must be made – that is, it must be forcefully accomplished by destroying the wicked doers.
“A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory.” Matthew 12:20
Jesus will bring forth His judgment unto victory when He returns.
Jesus came to divide between the righteous and the unrighteous.
“Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.” Matthew 10:34
Our LORD’s Gospel message which presents the occasion for some to believe and some to reject. This is the “sword” of division that divides between the sheep and the goats (Matthew 25:31-46). The Gospel brings division and strife in families and nations, because some love darkness rather than light (John 3:19-21).
The unrepentant wicked will not repent and change. The LORD will return to crush and to force them into His bowels of damnation, a place of incarceration called hell.
Jesus came as a lamb the first time and will return as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah to dispossess His earth of His enemies.
“A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them.” Proverbs 20:26
All tears shall be wiped away from off the faces of those who choose to be Christ’s!
“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. 5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.” Revelation 21:45
In a certain sense it doesn’t matter what has come against you, what you have gone through, what you have suffered and endured. The end is near and this life is not even going to “come into mind” for the righteous when Jesus returns! When the unrepentant wicked are vanquished into the bowels of eternal damnation, the righteous shall reign …..
“For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)” Romans 5:17
“And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. 6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. 11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.” Romans 5:3-11
Future Glory
“And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. 18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. 20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, 21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. 23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. 24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? 25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. 26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. 31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. 34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:17-39
God’s Everlasting Love for His People…..
“The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.” Jeremiah 31:3
In and through Christ – as you are dead with Him and raised up by Him – He makes you to be, He declares us to be “more than conquerors through him that loved us.”
Historically the righteous have disrupted the plans of Satan and have therefore been persecuted… a type of what’s called “political prisoners” who are imprisoned and persecuted for disagreeing with the ruling evil doers.
Let us be reminded saints, that it’s how we finish that matters most, not how we began, and not how we may have stumbled along the way. We are “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2).
“And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.” Revelation 11:15
No saint of Christ has ever gone unscathed, unscarred in this life! It’s actually proof you are HIS! You have no earthly idea how much Jesus loves you! In fact, are we not warned by our LORD that if we are not receiving persecution, that we are not His?
“Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake. 23 Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets. 24 But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation. 25 Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep. 26 Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.” Luke 6:22-26
“If we suffer, we shall also reign with him”
“It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: 12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:” 2 Timothy 2:11-12
Jesus promised us, His people, that we’d suffer for being His (Matthew 5:10-12; 10:22; Luke 6:22-24; 2 Timothy 3:12; 1 Peter 4:12-14, etc.).
“They shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.”
“Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.” Revelation 20:6
In this life, you don’t even have the ability to imagine the blessings that await you!
“But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9
“Joy and Peace in Believing”
“Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.” Romans 15:13
PRAYER: Holy Father, I come to You afresh, right now, in the name of Your only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. Thank You Father for filling Your beloved saints in the earth with all joy and peace in believing. Please bless your saints with hope dear LORD as our lives are blessed to be laid down, crucified with Christ our LORD! In Jesus’ Name, amen.
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Abiding
How Christ’s Kingdom Evangelism Works [podcast]
“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
“The Word of God, like rain and snow that water the earth and cause it to produce fruit, will be sown in the hearts of men and produce fruit in the moral world (Isa_55:11; Deu_32:2). As the rain and snow fall on various kinds of ground, so does the Word of God (Mat_13:3-8, Mat_13:20-23). Like rain and snow, it will accomplish its best good in the eternal reign of the Messiah, when the knowledge of the Lord will cover the earth (Isa_11:9). Thus, the final fulfillment of this scripture will be in the future; there is only a partial fulfillment at present in the preaching of the gospel.” Dake
“God’s word is just as irresistible and effective as the rain and snow. All the armies in the world cannot stop them, and they accomplish their intended purpose. God’s Word never fails to achieve its aims.” Believer’s Bible Commentary
“Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” 1 Peter 1:23
ANY person who doesn’t understand the power of God’s Word, when sown into the hearts of men, has no business pretending to be a pastor or elder in Christ’s body.
“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12
The power of God’s Word when it enters the human heart:
“He that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat? saith the LORD. 29 Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?” Jeremiah 23:28-29
The Harvest is Plentiful – So many lost souls hungry to hear the Gospel – the Laborers Few
“And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. 36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. 37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; 38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.” Matthew 9:35-38
Sin separates men from God.
“But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.” Isaiah 59:2
People are born again by the WORD of God which means the Word must be sown in their hearts and germinate.
“I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. 7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. 8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. 9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.” 1 Corinthians 3:6-9
Faithfully sowing the seed of the Word of God in the hearts of men assures that God will be glorified in saving each of those souls who receive and believe His truth in repentance and faith.
Here’s how evangelism and our LORD’s kingdom work works—layers of Gospel workers. Usually we are the second, third, etc., Gospel labourer, following up on the seed planted in the hearts of the people we minister to. Let’s gain this vision, this illustration from Christ concerning our work for Him, in His kingdom.
Anyone putting off, pushing into the future, evangelizing the lost, is disobeying Jesus Christ. Anyone not evangelizing the lost around them cannot rightly claim to love Jesus. They are full of self and in need of crying out to God in repentance.
John 4:34 – 38
“Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.
35 Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.
36 And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.
37 And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth.
38 I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours.”
“In the elderly home we minister in, we met a new resident, that had been there only a few months. When she came to our meeting, she seemed down, so I began to talk with her. She said, “well I don’t leave my room much anymore as my very good friend just passed away.” She stated her name and said, “before she passed I gave her the gospel and she received Jesus.” God is so good, as we had ministered to her friend as well, and seeds were planted, and this new Lady watered! The more I continued to talk with her, I learned she has been preaching the gospel and some residents are getting saved. Alleluia! Next week, we will give her some Jesus tracts.” Karen Cochran
Picture planting a seed in a garden, then standing back and watching the ground you planted that seed in and expecting to see it sprout up visibly from the soil it was planted in. Not wise, right? Right.
The picture our LORD gives here is planting that seed and then moving on, just like anyone who plants seeds to grow some plant, crop.
The Parable of the Seed Growing
Mark 4
26 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
“And should sleep and rise night and day – That is, he should sleep by night, and rise by day; for so the words are obviously to be understood. He knoweth not how – How a plant grows is a mystery in nature, which the wisest philosopher in the universe cannot fully explain.” Adam Clarke
In ministry, it’s always seeding, planting. It’s GOD, not us, who brings the increase. This pertains to the invisible work of God in the hearts of men.
“The parable may be intended to encourage the disciples. Their responsibility is to sow the seed. They may sleep by night and rise by day, knowing that God’s Word will not return to Him void, but will accomplish what He has intended it to do. By a mysterious and miraculous process, quite apart from man’s strength and skill, the Word works in human hearts, producing fruit for God. Man plants and waters but God gives the increase.” Believer’s Bible Commentary
“The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.” Psalms 19:7
“Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.” John 15:16
YOUR PRAYER: Holy Father, please break me. Unite my heart to fear Your name. Thank You for choosing and ordaining me to Your kingdom work. Please bear Your fruit in and through this life, this vessel for Your eternal glory. Let that fruit remain dear LORD. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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