“Preach the Word …” 2 Timothy 4:2
“And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house … For I have not shunned to declare unto you ALL the counsel of God.” Acts 20:20, 27
—- EVERY penny you spend today …. you are spending God’s money for which you will give account. You are a steward. Read Matthew 25 to find out what happens to obedient and disobedient stewards of His resources.
—- Honour This! \ o / Ask yourself: Is GOD first in your spending? Does He get the first portion of your income? Isn’t this how He told us to honour Him? Listen saints: “Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: 10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.” (Proverbs 3:9-10)
If I truly belong to Him, everything I am and have belongs to Him. Not just my life but also my resources, all of which are from the LORD (James 1:17; 1 Chronicles 29:14).
— Some who are greedy, covetous like to shout out that it doesn’t take money to minister the Gospel. To this I ask, Okay why then did Jesus have a treasurer if no money was being handled?
—- INTERESTING: WHY PAUL wanted people to give … Christ’s apostle stated: “NOT because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.” (Philippians 4:17) Was Jesus’ apostle Paul a greedy, covetous, money grubber? Noooooo! Paul wanted the LORD’s saints to participate in HIS work so that they could lay up treasure in Heavenly places that is forever going to pay back the highest return/dividends. Let’s get some biblical perspective. He was Jesus’ messenger and wanted God’s people to help His work and lay up treasure in Heaven just like Jesus told us to do. Listen to the instruction of One who owns all: “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21) Now, the specific way the LORD told us to honor Him in our stewardship, is to put Him first in it, right? … “Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: 10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.” (Proverbs 3:9-10)
Truth-seeking servants of the LORD in our day beckon God’s people to give, not for their own benefit but rather:
1) So Christ’s Great Commission is carried out by His people, and
2) So those who participate by their obedient stewardship, lay up treasure in eternity!
Christ’s called out servants are as Paul – they don’t just want your money. In fact, if they are Christ’s servants, they preach His Word instead of lying to people, and are therefore most likely living on the edge of broke. So, they are not getting rich in this world but only seeking to survive on the post Jesus called them to in order to carry out His work. Yet, anything you say about money and stewardship will be ridiculed. The greedy and covetous will be angry due to you speaking to their hearts which are unrepentant. When the truth is preached on this topic, they see you as the enemy because you are now tampering with their false god. The LORD is seeking to convict and bring them to repentance before it’s too late. Jesus says, “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” (Matthew 6:24)
— IF YOU DON’T THINK STEWARDSHIP MATTERS TO GOD, THEN ASK WHY 16 OF JESUS’ 38 PARABLE INVOLVE STEWARDSHIP. ALSO, THERE ARE 500 BIBLE VERSES ON FAITH AND 2,500 ON STEWARDSHIP. DOES STEWARDSHIP MATTER? YES, THE WAY WE TREAT EVERY BIT OF GOD’S RESOURCES DOES MATTER MUCH TO HIM AND TO THOSE WHO TRULY FEAR HIM.
Saints, we are passing through in this life. This earth is not our home. Our home is with the LORD (Revelation 21). We are “strangers and pilgrims.” “Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul.” (1 Peter 2:11) We are to become entrenched in Christ who is our life and not in this fleeting world and its comforts and trinkets.
—- THE GREAT apostle of Jesus, and all true servants of Christ, labor diligently to get His Bride ready for His soon return. In doing so, they preach, warn, and teach (PWT). Listen to Paul: “Whom we PREACH, WARNING every man, and TEACHING every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:” … In contrast, hireling wolves exploit their prey. They use them to build their own kingdoms and this makes up for over 90% of those doing ministry today. They are using the name of the LORD in vain – to build their own empires. They give you reasons why “God” is saying “we must expand.” And so they take up your money to expand their kingdom instead of Christ’s – which is in the hearts of men, not herded and corralled in some certain building on Sunday mornings. The hireling seduces you to center your world around his ministry and not Christ’s ministry at the right hand of the Father (Jeremiah 17:12; Colossians 2:18-19; Hebrews 7:24-25). The wolf builds His kingdom by peddling this pablum to the gullible who gladly give to support and bid God speed to this evil (2 John 10-11). All who participate are idolatrously / adulterously diverting their affections and resources away from Christ and will be judged together in “damnation.” (2 Peter 2:1-3; 2 John 10-11)
Okay, when Jesus said “I will build my church,” He could not possibly have been speaking of participating in building so-called church buildings because neither Christ or His apostles ever collected a dime to do so.
No, Jesus was speaking of building His kingdom (dominion of the KING) in the hearts of men when He stated “I will build my church.” (Matthew 16:16-18) In that very context, Jesus was speaking of His revealing of Himself in the hearts of men.
— Not long ago I visited a local church building based organization where it’s obvious that the “pastor” is well spoken (a good speaker) and things move fast. It’s an upwardly mobile, rather upper middle class clientele and things are popping. Yet we must observe and remember that wolves like to keep things moving fast so no one stops to actually think … about what is really transpiring. They don’t want their prey getting deep into Christ’s Word and therefore Him due to how this would disturb THEIR game. Let’s get a clue saints. Oh, and that very new local church organization is expanding rapidly. They are in a nice building already, busting at the seems, and buying a much larger, nicer building …. already, in a very short time.
Oh, I later found out that that pastor is linked with Joel Osteen and attends Osteen’s “leadership” seminars. God figure, right.
PREACHERS: Like it or not, you MUST preach what the Bible says concerning stewardship (Acts 20:20, 27). 1) It’s all over God’s Word, and, 2) Christ’s saints must be taught so they can prepare to be judge by their stewardship in this life.
You must be dead to self and therefore dead to what others might and will say or think. See Isaiah 51:7, 12. You were not bought by their sinful blood but rather by the blood of the only begotten Son of God whom you will soon stand before to give account.
There is the tendency that God-fearing men have. They seek to avoid preaching on stewardship and certain other Bible truth due to the prevalence of abuse of these doctrines, especially stewardship due to the greed-mongering false prophets of today (2 Peter 2:1-3). Yet, there is no justification for refusing preaching what Jesus and His apostles and prophets preached. Stewardship is a component of the full counsel of God’s Word and we are accountable to preach the Word of God on this important doctrine. The LORD will bless you in doing so.
So, let’s follow this faulty line of reasoning which I’m sure we’ve all fallen into. So, if we cease to preach something because others have misused those Scriptures, doesn’t this mean we have to cease preaching all of God’s Word … because it’s obvious that every single doctrine of Scripture has been abused, right?
This is not about us. This is about the crucified and risen LORD and Savior. We must never not preach something due to the self-centered perception of how some may interpret or read-into what we preach.
“Ye are dead and your life is hid with Christ in God.” Colossians 3:3
“…Ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
The fact that something has been twisted and abused should more greatly motivate us to preach the truth concerning that which was falsely taught, right?
Listen closely:
“I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering 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. 5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.” 2 Timothy 4:1-5
You must preach and teach and warn or the blood of those who went uninformed and un-warned will be guilt on your own hands.
“And it came to pass at the end of seven days, that the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, 17 Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. 18 When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.” Ezekiel 3:16-18
You are accountable to preach and warn and teach (PWT) the whole counsel of Holy Scripture from Genesis to Revelation.
“But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman’s hand. 7 So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me. 8 When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.” Ezekiel 33:6-8
Please give close ear to the great apostle. Hear His heart, the heart Christ gave him for Himself and His people:
Acts 20
“Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: 20 And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house, 21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. 22 And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: 23 Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. 24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. 25 And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more. 26 Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. 27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. 28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. 31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. 32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.”
You and I will soon give account to the LORD for whether or not we truly fulfilled His calling to preach His Word in His holy fear and love. I like this saying:
“Some will. Some won’t. So what!”
From Trinkets to Trust | Stewardship
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Abiding
Jesus Conquered Sin, Satan, and Death by Dying [podcast]

“Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; 15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” Hebrews 2:14-15
Through death Jesus conquered sin, death, and Satan and made His people free, washing away their sins in His precious blood and putting His Holy Spirit in them, empowering them to live fruit-filled victorious lives to His eternal glory!
Christ’s resurrection guarantees our resurrection – both now and for eternnity. Those raised up with Christ now are those who are crucified with Him. This is His holy “remnant.” (Isaiah 37:31; Romans 8:11; 1 Corinthians 15, etc.).
Jesus conquered sin and death (separation) by dying on His cross. Because of this, we need never live outside of an abiding relationship with Christ. His grace is sufficient to provide everything He died to purchase for us – and all these blessings are appropriated via our faith, our abiding in Him (John 15; Romans 6:14; 2 Corinthians 12:9-10; Hebrews 4:14-16; 7:24-26, etc.).
In order to be raised up, to walk in His resurrection power and grace, we must first be dead and buried with Christ.
“For he that is dead is freed from sin.” Romans 6:7
***ALL Heaven’s going to break out when this hits you in the heart, when your heart perceives this cross economy divine revelation.
Finishing Strong mean Finishing Crucified and Resurrected
HOW will you finish? It’s really how you finish that matters most! (2 Timothy 4:7-8) Finish strong beloved – lay down your life, death and burial, so that the strength of your life is Christ’s resurrection grace! (See 2 Corinthians 12:9-10) Go down deep.
“And the remnant that is escaped of the house of Judah shall again take root downward, and bear fruit upward:” Isaiah 37:31
Read the verse above again, looking for the death, the burial, and raising up!
The context Isaiah 37:31 concerns Assyria seeking to seize Judah and yet out of that evil attempt to conquer God’s people came a “remnant.” Yet it’s those who submitted to the LORD in death, those who took root downward (death and burial) who were reciprocally raised up out of that snare and destruction. Resurrection grace wins every time, with no exception! The cross is the divine prescription for absolute victory in every situation.
God counteracts death by the promise of resurrection – now and in eternity! (1 Corinthians 15; 2 Corinthians 4:10-12).
“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 depth you allow God to bury you determines the height of His resurrection, His raising up in your life! (See 2 Corinthians 4:10-12)
“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
“Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; 2 That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.” 1 Peter 4:1-2
“And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. 6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.” 1 John 3:5-6
“What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Learning the Cross, the Crucified Life Where Jesus Reigns
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Articles
JT with Todd Tomasella of SAFEGUARD YOURSOUL – Evangelism Encouragement [video]

Joe Telford and Todd Tomasella – Evangelism Encouragement
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Abiding
7 Ways to Forgive [podcast]
PRAY
“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;” Matthew 5:44
LOVE AND DO GOOD TO THE OFFENDER
“Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.” Romans 12:9
REFUSE TO SPEAK EVIL OF THE OFFENDER
“Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.” Romans 12:14
RELEASE THEM FROM YOUR PUNISHMENT
“Recompense (repay) to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” Romans 12:17-19
DON’T CELEBRATE THEIR FAILURES
“Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth: 18 Lest the LORD see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.” Proverbs 24:17-18
TREAT THEM THE WAY YOU WANT TO BE TREATED
“And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.” Luke 6:31
STOP DWELLING ON THE PAST
“Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.” Isaiah 43:18
The blessedness of being merciful to others:
“Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.” Matthew 5:7
The only way to prevent holding a grudge, is to simply forgive them – as God freely forgave you through the infinite price Christ paid for your sins on the cross, of which you don’t deserve (Psalms 103:10).
“Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. 8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. 9 Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.” James 5:7-9
“And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:30-32
Being kind and forgiving towards others becomes simple as we look in the mirror and declare with Paul the apostle: “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing.” (Romans 7:18)
“He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.” Psalms 103:10
Forgiveness becomes easy when we look in the mirror to see the person (us, me) who needs God’s mercy more than any other person alive on the earth! Memorize Ephesians 4:32 now. KJB
“For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.” James 1:20
“Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.” Colossians 3:12-14
Forgiveness Quotes
Forgiveness is ultra important to God. If you don’t forgive all others, you are not forgiven of your own sin and are as sure for hell as if you were already there. If you refuse to forgive you damn your own soul, non-negotiably. irrevocably.
“Forgiveness does not mean what happened is okay. It means not letting what happened take any more of your happiness.” Michelle Maros
“There is no love without forgiveness, and there is no forgiveness without love.” Bryant McGill
“Love is an act of endless forgiveness. Forgiveness is me giving up my right to hurt you for hurting me. Forgiveness is the final act of love.” Reinhold Niebuhr
“Holding a grudge doesn’t make you strong; it makes you bitter. Forgiving doesn’t make you weak; it sets you free.” unknown
Forgiveness | Fresh Start with God | Making Peace with God


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