Abiding

Strong in Faith

Paula White Exposed [video]

THAT’s My King! Pastor Lockridge [video]

Powerful Prayers from Children-This Will Shake You [video]

The Fear of the LORD is to Hate Evil: Pride, and Arrogancy #shorts [video]

God Absolutely Requires that His People Trust Him – to Rest in His Historically Perfect Integrity

Is such a concept hard to understand? Shouldn’t be. If you are a man or a woman of integrity, how do you feel when someone doubts your word, your integrity? Isn’t that impugning – especially when you’ve done nothing worthy of being distrusted? Right? How then do we think God feels when we doubt His perfect character, track record, integrity?

Do we truly take God at His Word?

The good news is that we can, and we will! Don’t miss the prayer at the end of this post!

Memory Verse:

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

Could it be any clearer that God aggrandizes faith, that He has placed a high premium upon it?

To initially be saved into Christ, into His eternal family, one must turn to Him (repent) and believe upon Him to salvation (Acts 16:30-31; 20:21). From that point forward, our LORD requires that we trust Him, that we live “in faith” – that we “walk by faith and not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7).

“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” Romans 5:1-2

We have full access to God and His blessings “by faith.” We are saved by Him “by grace are ye saved through faith.”

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:8-10

“By faith” His works are executed through our lives after initial salvation.

“In Faith” appears 12 times in God’s Word

To be “strong” and “not weak in faith,” one must trust God at His promise, as did Abraham when told by God that he would bear the promised seed.

“(As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. 18 Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. 19 And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara’s womb: 20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; 21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. 22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. 23 Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;” Romans 4:17-23

To live “strong in faith,” like Abraham, one must stagger “not at the promise (word) of God.”

“He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;” Romans 4:20

Abounding in “every thing” in Christ comes to all who walk “in faith.”

“Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.” 2 Corinthians 8:7

“Godly edifying … is in faith”

“Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.” 1 Timothy 1:4

The man of God must teach His Word “in faith.”

“Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.” 1 Timothy 2:7

The born again God fearing woman will “continue in faith” and be blessed in bearing precious children.

“Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.” 1 Timothy 2:15

Being a good “example of the believers” requires living daily “in faith.”

“Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” 1 Timothy 4:12

Holding fast and speaking “sound words” requires being sound “in faith.”

“Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.” 2 Timothy 1:13

“Sound in faith” exclusively comes from embracing and obeying “sound doctrine.”

“But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: 2 That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.” Titus 2:1-2

Dying, departing this earth “in faith.”

“These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.” Hebrews 11:13

“Ask in faith”

“But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.” James 1:6

“Rich in faith”

“Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?” James 2:5

Asking God to “Increase our faith”

Jesus’ apostles asked the LORD to increase their faith in Him and the Father. Jesus did not rebuke them for this request but rather granted it! Ask Him now to increase your faith in Him:

“And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.” Luke 17:5

In contrast to belief, to trusting God by faith, we read these frightening words, this ominous warning to the people of God in Hebrews 3:

“Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. 13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; 15 While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.” Hebrews 3:12-15

If you are full of fear it’s because your faith is not in God but rather something else, perhaps yourself. Repent, return to God and confess your sins, including “an evil heart of unbelief” and then ask God to increase your faith like the apostles did (Hebrews 3:12-15; Luke 17:5).

YOUR PRAYER:

Holy Father, I come to You in the name of Jesus Christ my LORD, asking You to please forgive my evil heart of unbelief and the sin of unbelief. Please grant my heart to truly trust You at Your Word. Please increase my faith. Please increase the faith of all Your beloved people dear LORD. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen LORD!

“LORD, Increase Our Faith”

“Jesus has been too Good for Me to Lose Faith in Him!” ~ Derek

“Through Faith he kept the Passover”

Abiding

Fruitful Life. Fruitful Evangelism. [podcast]

The Life God Blesses to Bear Fruit for His Eternal Glory

A fruitful life for God’s glory involves first being genuinely born again, abiding in Christ via the crucified life, bearing spiritual fruit—such as Christlikeness in character, good works, and evangelism—by remaining in vital union with Jesus, the true vine (John 15).

“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

JUST as Jesus multiplied the little with the boy who gave the loaves and fishes, so He does with our efforts. Jesus multiplied that little and fed 5,000 men, and that doesn’t count the women and children present. Try Him.

“O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.” Psalms 34:8

“And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.” Matthew 25:40-46

God blesses the lives of His faithful saints. His faithful saints seek His face continually.

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

God prospers us according as we seek His face and stay upon Him. Of king Uzziah king of Judah, God’s Word says:

“As long as he sought the LORD, God made him to prosper.” 2 Chronicles 26:5

At times in this life there are season of uncertainty, where our vision may not be clear. We must “stay upon” the LORD.

“Who is among you that feareth the LORD, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the LORD, and stay upon his God.” Isaiah 50:10

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
12 Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.
13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
14 And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the LORD; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.” Jeremiah 29:11-14

“But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.” 1 Corinthians 15:10

“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.” Ephesians 3:20

“And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.” 2 Corinthians 9:8

We’ve never been so reminded of this as of the miraculous events of late where beloved brother Juan dropped some plastic water bottles that hit me in the feet. Only God could have orchestrated this collision of Juan’s life and mine.

“The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.” Psalms 37:23

Ask Him.

Recently brother Stacy Strother reminded me that God simply wants us, His people to be available, to pray and watch Him work!

“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. 19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. 20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.” Mark 16:15-20

It has been wisely stated:

“Show me a man’s prayer life, his life of prayer or lack thereof, and I will show you who that man truly is and who and what he loves most.”

All who are zealous for the LORD are zealous about His work, to do it. Not build a church, but to see Christ work in the hearts of men—to strengthen and equip His body and convict and save lost souls to Himself.

One source notes:

“Evangelism is the act of sharing the Christian gospel—the ‘good news’ of Jesus Christ’s life, death, and resurrection—with the aim of inviting others into a relationship with God. It is considered a core mission for believers to spread this message of salvation, hope, and love, often stemming from Jesus’s command in the Great Commission.”

“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.” Proverbs 11:30

YOUR PRAYER: Holy Father, in Jesus’ name, unite my heart to fear Thy name. Do your work in and through my life. I am all Yours. Maximize the fruit produced to Your eternal glory. You must increase but I must decrease. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Satan Hates Soul Winners With A Passion

Are You On His Hit List? “He that winneth souls is wise.” Proverbs 11:30 Do you desire to win souls? Are you willing to try a new, yet time-tested method to reach others for Christ while there is still time? This method that I am going to share with you is approximately 500 years old and could revolutionize your life today here on earth, and throughout eternity. It started when the LORD had the printing press come into existence so that His Word could be propagated to all the peoples of the earth. As a roman catholic monk with an […]

"Be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord" [podcast]

“Be Not Moved Away” “If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;” Colossians 1:23 The victory is in Jesus Christ, and we are “stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” “But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved […]

The Harvest is Coming for all those Sowing the Seed of the Word [podcast]

The Joy and Expectation of Seed Sowing What we sow, we can expect to reap (Galatians 6:7-8). As we continue to sow the good, the incorruptible seed of God’s Word into the hearts of men, good news will continue to flow, will continue to be reaped – because God’s Word prospers in the thing where He sends it! See also 1 Peter 1:23. “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 […]

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

“They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. 6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves (harvest) with him.” Psalms 126:5-6 A harvest of blessed souls is going to be the result, the ministry produce, the fruit of all who bear and distribute, scatter the seed of the incorruptible Word of God into the hearts of men (1 Peter 1:23). The LORD didn’t say “go explain who I am to other people.” No, He said “preach the word” and “preach the gospel” (2 Timothy 4:2; Mark 16:15). Our […]

The Seed of Salvation [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 When we follow Jesus He makes us fishers of men: “And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men. 18 And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him.” (Mark 1:17-18) We must forsake the nets, the world’s ways in following Him. Prayer: Father, in the name of Jesus, please […]

Abiding

Washed. Sanctified. Glorified. [podcast]

“Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.” John 13:8

Jesus’ true bride is known in that she is making herself ready for Him.

“Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. 8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.” Revelation 19:7-8

“This morning I read Psalm 45. Titled the Kings marriage. The story of the King and His bride. This is a beautiful picture of the marriage supper of the Lamb in Rev 19:7-9. The Bridegroom is adorned in glory, majesty, righteousness and truth. Sitting in His royal throne. Then enters the Bride. Holy, without spot or wrinkle. Wearing the righteousness of Christ. And Jesus says, you are in thy Father’s house and He desires thy beauty and worship. Wow! Because she is wearing the beauty of the Lord (Psalm 27:4). His attributes. And she is wearing gold. Fine gold because she has been tried in the fire of affliction. And she is one of the five wise virgins who is invited to enter into the King’s palace. What a glorious picture of all who make themselves ready and are clean and white before their King Jesus! Alleluia!” Karen Cochran

The person who repents, puts their faith in Jesus Christ, and is saved, and continues rooted in Christ, continuing/abiding in Him, will confess any sin committed and be perpetually transformed by Him (Proverbs 28:13; 2 Corinthians 7:1; 1 John 1:7, 9; 3:4-10).

Many have been misled. Jesus invented the term “FALL AWAY” (Luke 8:13). The Son of God does not lie. If falling away isn’t possible, why did Jesus say it is possible? Jesus is returning for those who are looking for Him by the way they live.

“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” Ephesians 5:25-27

Only those hearing and obeying God’s Word are being washed by it.

“So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto THEM THAT LOOK FOR HIM shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” Hebrews 9:28

“Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you: but ye are WASHED, but ye are SANCTIFIED, but ye are JUSTIFIED in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

The explanation below is modified from another source and notes the following:

“‘Washed, sanctified, and justified’ (often replacing glorified with justified) describes the comprehensive spiritual transformation of a believer in 1 Corinthians 6:11. It signifies being cleansed from sin, set apart for God’s purpose, and declared righteous through Christ, moving from a past life of disobedience to a new identity and a life of obedience to God (2 Corinthians 5:15).

- Washed: Refers to being cleansed of the defilement and stain of sin, often linked to baptism and the washing of regeneration by the Holy Spirit.
- Sanctified: Means being set apart to God for His holy purpose. It involves both a position of holiness in Christ and a progressive, lifelong process of becoming more like Him.
- Justified (Glorified/Righteous): Means being acquitted of all guilt and declared righteous before God on the basis of Christ’s finished work.

Contextual Meaning

- Transformation: The Apostle Paul reminds the Corinthians that while they once lived in sin, their identity changed upon following Jesus.
- The Power Source: These changes are accomplished in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of God, not by personal merit.
- Living the New Life: This transformation signifies that believers are no longer defined by their past sins, but by their new, holy standing.”

Prayer: Jesus, I know You are going to return for a Bride that is without spot, wrinkle, or sin of any kind. Purify this life LORD Jesus which I now submit to You without reserve. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Is the Crucified Life Essential for Going to Heaven? [podcast]

Jesus taught that the Heaven bound disciple must have root in himself, must “endure to the end”, must have a long term, an eternal perspective (Matthew 10:22; 24:13; Mark 4:17; Luke 8:13). The Cost of Discipleship “And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them, 26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. 27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. 28 […]

How We Know the Bible is the only Holy Book on Planet Earth [podcast]

There’s only one Book whose Author is God. Only God knows the future – and His foretelling of the future in the Bible clearly proves it’s His Book. Law of probability and the fulfillment of Bible prophecies: Odds of the more than 300 prophecies of the prophets concerning the coming Messiah, given hundreds of years prior to His arrival coming true are: 8,749,002,899,132,046,697,490,008,908,470,485,461,412,622,723,572,849,745,… 703,082,425,425,639,811,996,797,503,692,894,052,708,092,215,296 to 1 Fact: Only the Almighty could know the future and forthtell it in specific detail, long before it ever happened. THIS is how we know that the Bible is truly the Word of the one […]

Abiding

The Importance of Pureness of Heart [podcast]

“He that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend.” Proverbs 22:11

With pureness of heart, our words shall issue forth with grace and seasoning and be more readily received by those who hear.

“Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.” Colossians 4:6

David’s Prayer

“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.” Psalms 19:14

“Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” Matthew 5:8

“O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. Matthew 12:34

“A Clean Heart”

“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. 11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.” Psalms 51:10-11

When we wisely join in fellowship, life with fellow truth seekers, such will assist the work of God who is quickening us to honestly admit, repent afresh and confess any sin God brings to light. Anyone else ever camped out on Psalms 51—the prayer of repentance and confession of the man after God’s own heart, David?

“Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. 13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.” Psalms 51:12-13

The New Testament believer is to ever examine himself to see whether or not he is in the faith.

“Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” 2 Corinthians 13:5

“If”

“But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.” Deuteronomy 4:29

Prayer: Father, in Jesus’ name, here and now if never before, I submit my life to You—to Your Lordship. From this moment forth I will serve You. Jesus You are the Master of my life from now on. I love You Jesus. Please use me for Your glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

"He that Loveth Pureness of Heart" [podcast]

IS YOUR HEART PURE BEFORE THE ALMIGHTY BELOVED? DO I truly love “pureness of heart”? “HE THAT LOVETH PURENESS OF HEART, for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend.” Proverbs 22:11 Without a pure heart, obtained from seeking, worshiping, knowing, and obey God …. no one “shall see God.” Not one. “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” Matthew 5:8 If you or I have every word of the Bible memorized and die today with a heart that is defiled with sin, we’d bust hell wide open – and be trapped there […]

When the Heart Turns to the LORD the Blessings Begin! [podcast]

“And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.” John 3:19-21 “But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. 16 Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be […]

Having a Pure Heart Requires the Cross Life [podcast]

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