Part 1 (below)
Part 2 (below)
Part 3 (below)
Part 4 (below)
Part 5 (below)
WHENEVER there is true repentance, there is a changed life! (Matthew 3:7-10)
Do you always like the fruit you witness concerning your own life?
Personally, I certainly don’t always like the fruit manifesting in my own life.
GOD is interested in FRUIT that only comes from a ROOTED abiding relationship! (Matthew 3:7-10; John 15, etc.) Jesus foretold that on Judgment Day “MANY” will call out to Him with “Lord, Lord” as they boast of the GIFTS they operated in. “And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” (Matthew 7:19-23)
Jesus did not say we’d “know” (discern) people but their gifts but rather “by their fruits.” (Matthew 7:16, 20) The FRUIT of the Spirit is more important than the GIFTS of the Spirit because it proves relationship (Galatians 5:22-23; 1 Corinthians 12:7-10). Good fruit can only be produced through relationship. The gifts of the Spirit ARE important and yet, some who are presently operating in them will be hearing “depart from me” from Jesus as they are being cast into eternal hell irrevocably (Matthew 7:15-23). This proves that someone can move in the gifts of the Spirit without walking in an intimate relationship with Jesus which will always, without fail, produce “the FRUIT of the Spirit” which “is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance.“ (Galatians 5:16-24)
“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Matthew 7:21-23
As it was when John the Baptist preached to the false religionists of his day, lame moral coward counterfeits hate when they are called to man-up and render real repentance and the fruit of good works to prove it (Matthew 3:7-10).
Jesus said that ALL who were once saved and yet are now lukewarm are hell bound (Revelation 3:15-16).
—The fact that we have all sinned in the past is one thing…. now whether we’ve truly repented and are showing forth the fruit of authentic repentance is another thing (Psalms 51; Matthew 3:7-10).
Paul the apostle, moved upon by the divine Person of the Holy Ghost, instructs the believers at Corinth to test whether or not they are truly right with God and ready to meet Christ. He is not speaking to lost people (1 Cor. 1:1-2). No he is directing this specific instruction toward “the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours.” (1 Cor. 1:2) Wow! He is speaking to a gathering of believers who came behind in no gift of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 1:7 ). Here is what the Holy Spirit sees fit for these believers and for all those who claim to know Christ to do:
“Examine (discern) yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove (test) your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” 2 Corinthians 13:5
Well if you have been genuinely born again, you know it. But that is but the beginning of our relationship with Christ. The Bible speaks often of the many who after being saved were derailed from the narrow road that leads to life. See book entitled LIE OF THE AGES.
HOW DID JESUS tell us to know/discern ourselves and others? By The FRUIT of our/their lives (Matthew 7:16,20). The root determines the fruit. Are you rooted in Christ?
WILL YOU be a casualty of the war for your eternal soul OR will you genuinely repent, lay down your life, die to self, denounce self-worship, denounce spiritual adultery and damnable self-idolatry, take up the cross, follow and make Jesus LORD?
If your life, your ways have not changed, you have not authentically repented (Matthew 3:7-10; Titus 1:16; 1 John 2:4).
“The understanding is, if I am truly abiding in Christ (the Vine, my first love) then the fruit will come from Him, and not from me — of my own making– but through me. Again, it’s relationship with Christ that is the root of the matter, and not just outwardly keeping a list of rules (living under the law).” Debbie Lord
Internal then External Discernment
HOW did Jesus tell us to “know” (Greek = discern) people? The “fruit” of a person’s life, his decisions, his words, tells you who they really are (Matthew 7:16, 20; 12:34).
“Ye shall know them by their fruits.” Matthew 7:16
In the Sermon on the Mount, how did Jesus Christ tell us we would “know” (discern) people? (I believe this includes ourselves first and foremost.)
“by their FRUITS ye shall know (discern) them.” Matthew 7:20
Before this Jesus speaks to us of “…the beam that is in thine own eye?…FIRST cast out the beam out of thine own eye…” and then our LORD says “Ye shall know them by their fruits…by their fruits ye shall know them.” (Matt. 7:3-5, 16, 20)
First and foremost the Savior deals with us personally at the heart level. When He does we are then enabled to “see clearly.” But not until then!
“Thou hypocrite, FIRST cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and THEN shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.” Matthew 7:5
Before we look into a fabulous little passage of Scripture in Job 22, let’s use as a backdrop the importance of making sure we truly know the LORD Jesus very intimately. Do you recall what the Son of God told us is going to be the scene on Judgment Day?
“Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Matthew 7:22-23
At this future event, did you note that these people all believe they are saved? Did you catch that? At His holy throne they are going to call Jesus Christ “Lord, Lord.” And yet He is going to tell these people to “Depart” from Him into eternal damnation. Scary isn’t it?
Can we be too sure we are authentically right with God? Only evil pride in our heart would be offended at such a proposition.
The LORD told us that there are those who “profess (claim) that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.” (Titus 1:16) Though they claim to know Christ as Savior and LORD, “in works they deny him.” The fruit of their lives does not affirm their salvation.
If you were accused of being a disciple of Jesus, would there be evidence enough to prove it?
“Examine (discern) yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove (test) your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” 2 Corinthians 13:5
Is there any reason a professing believer would be afraid to or hesitate to examine himself against the Word of God at this time? If so, why?
David was a man after the LORD’s own heart and not only was not afraid to examine his heart before God but actually cried out to the LORD to be searched, tried, known, and led into the right way everlasting.
“Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalms 139:23-24
What might one be afraid to discover in examining his true spiritual state under the light of God’s Holy Word? -That he truly is not right with God as he may have believed he was? Would we rather go on in deception or test our own hearts now before it is too late.
“There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Proverbs 14:12
According to Proverbs 14:12, a person can fully believe he is right with God and be fully deceived. One can be sincere and at the same time sincerely deceived.
INVENTORY ANYONE?
Friends, do we really want the truth now OR do we want to continue to deceive our own hearts and be shocked like those we are foretold of by Christ in Matthew 7:22-23? Can we ever be too sure?
This following passage was given me by a caring friend a number of years ago. When I began to read it – the first sentence – I was taken back. At that time in my life, I was offended a bit at the suggestion that I needed to get acquainted with the LORD. This clearly identified pride in my heart. Saint of Christ, please be blessed by the instruction of and promises found in this precious passage of divine precepts from the One who loves you more than words can express:
“Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee. Receive, I pray thee, the law from his mouth, and lay up his words in thine heart. If thou return to the Almighty, thou shalt be built up, thou shalt put away iniquity far from thy tabernacles.” Job 22:21-23
What are the divinely breathed instructions in this passage?
- “Acquaint now thyself with him”
- “be at peace”
- “Receive, I pray thee, the law from his mouth”
- “lay up his words in thine heart”
- “return to the Almighty”
What divine promise is given to those who draw near to God this way?
“thou shalt be built up, thou shalt put away iniquity far from thy tabernacles”
Ready to be built up in Christ, strengthened by the might of His Holy Spirit in your inner man? If so, regard and embrace these simple instructions He gives us in this Scripture text.
Are You Being Deceived ?
Important Question: According to this passage tucked away at the end of Job 22, when are we going to be divinely enabled to “put away iniquity (sin) far from” our lives/tabernacles? When we:
- “Acquaint now thyself with him” (how well do we know Him? How intimate is my current fellowship with Him?)
- When we are “at peace” with the LORD through holy communion
- When we “Receive…the law from his mouth, and lay up his words in thine heart”
- When we “return to the Almighty”
When we seek the LORD with a whole heart as revealed in this portion of God’s Word, we have the divine promise that we “shalt be built up” and “shalt put away iniquity far from thy tabernacles.”
When we get more intimately acquainted with our Savior, become more at peace (one) with Him, get deep into His Word, and fully return to Him with a whole heart, all iniquity is going to be flushed out of our lives.
“Examine yourselves…prove (test) your own selves.” 2 Corinthians 13:5
Are you ready now to be a doer of divine instruction and put 2 Corinthians 13:5 into action?
VALUABLE QUESTIONS TO ASK OURSELVES:
- Is my “salvation” about solving my own personal problems, or is my goal a deep and intimate communion with the LORD Jesus?
- Is my spiritual walk about obtaining attention for myself or is my goal an intimate relationship with the LORD Jesus and to point all glory to Him?
- Is my “salvation” based on my desire not to go to hell, or is my goal an intimate relationship with the LORD Jesus?
- In all of reality, is Jesus Christ not all that I have?
- Do I daily pour over His Word and seek His face in the prayer closet? – If not it is because I love self and not the LORD Jesus Christ. If I don’t make time to pray and study His holy Word, it is because He is not truly my LORD and first love.
- Is my “salvation” about belonging to some group for the sake of social activities and intellectual stimulation, or is my goal an intimate fellowship with the LORD Jesus?
- Is my spiritual walk about my own covetous greed to be rich in this life, or is my goal an intimate relationship with the LORD Jesus?
- Do I obey the Word of God or am i self-deceived?
- If I were stripped of everything, would I still seek, serve, and love Jesus?
- Isn’t He the only One I need and my exceeding great reward?
PRAYER: Father in Heaven, I here and now ask You to please search my heart. Probe the depths of my being and unearth anything that is offensive to Your holiness. I beg You to show me Your mercy by searching me, trying me, and cleansing me! Please shine Your holy light on all my darkness my LORD. I love You Jesus and am rejoicing at Your soon return! In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Abiding
Modern Day Cult of Personality Exposed [podcast]

What is the Cult of Personality?
“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” 1 John 4:1
Beware when you see any mere man enshrined, basically worshipped by his followers. This is all too common in today’s church world and sometimes it’s very subtle. When people begin putting what a mere man says above what God says in His Word, when they quote him instead of the Bible, you know you have a cult.
One source notes:
“A cult of personality, or a cult of the leader, is the result of an effort to create an idealized and heroic image of an admirable leader, often through unquestioning flattery and praise.”‘
CS Lewis has a cult following today, 100%. I’ve encountered it first hand. These people don’t care what you show them as far as the blatant falsehoods he spoke, and have soul tied their affections to him and will defend him no matter what.
A quick search on “what CS Lewis said about the Catholic church”…
“As an Anglican, C.S. Lewis shared many beliefs with the Catholic Church, including the Real Presence in the Eucharist, the necessity of confession, and a belief in Purgatory. However, he explicitly rejected papal authority, the concept of papal infallibility, and certain Marian doctrines.
Shared Beliefs
Lewis held a deeply sacramental and traditional view of Christianity, which aligned closely with Catholic theology:
The Sacraments: He regularly went to confession to a priest and viewed the Eucharist as central to the faith.
The Afterlife: He famously argued that “our souls demand Purgatory”, writing that we would naturally want to be cleansed of our sins before standing in God’s presence.
Devotion: He had a high view of saints and appreciated traditional liturgical practices.”
The same is true for modern day celebrities such as Candace Owens. On a recent live broadcast where she interviewed a man, he showed her live on air, that she was wrong about several things and kindly asked her to apologize several times. Regrettably, Candace was unwilling to apologize, and most of her cult followers backed her up, cheered her on.
She was called to account for false info and didn’t apologize when asked to.
Her followers cheered her on, never stopping to question things.
Their hearts are set on her not Christ (Colossians 3:1-4).
No matter WHAT she says, they believe it.
Wow.
Jesus says:
“I receive not honour from men. … 44 How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?” John 5:41, 44
By saying this, Jesus condemns putting trust in any mere man.
Jesus makes it clear here that anyone who puts their heart affections in a mere man or woman, is unable to believe on the LORD Jesus Christ for eternal life.
“And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another. 7 For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?” 1 Corinthians 4:6-7
“4:6 He first explains that in speaking about the Christian ministry and the tendency to follow human leaders (3:5-4:5), he used himself and Apollos as the examples. The Corinthians were not forming parties around Paul and Apollos alone, but also around other men who were then in their church. However, out of a sense of Christian courtesy and delicacy, Paul transferred the entire matter to himself and Apollos so that by their example the saints would learn not to have exaggerated opinions of their leaders or to gratify their pride by the formation of parties. He wanted the saints to evaluate everything and everyone by the Scriptures.
4:7 If one Christian teacher is more gifted than another, it is because God made him so. Everything he has, he received from the Lord. In fact it is true of all of us that everything we have has been given to us by God. That being the case, why should we be proud or puffed up? Our talents and gifts are not the result of our own cleverness.” Believer’s Bible Commentary
“I know that ye are Abraham’s seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you.” John 8:37
“The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.” Proverbs 29:25
“Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.” Jeremiah 17:5
“Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of?” Isaiah 2:22
“LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am. 5 Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah.” Psalms 139:4-5
“A glorious high throne from the beginning is the place of our sanctuary.” Jeremiah 17:12
“Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:14-16
1 Corinthians 1:29-2:5
“that no flesh should glory in his presence. 30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 31 that, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
2:1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. 2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. 4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: 5 that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
“2:5 Paul knew that there was the utmost danger that his hearers might be interested in himself or in his own personality rather than in the living Lord. Conscious of his own inability to bless or to save, he determined that he would lead men to trust in God alone rather than in the wisdom of men. All who proclaim the gospel message or teach the word of God should make this their constant aim.” Believer’s Bible Commentary
“Let my sentence come forth from thy presence; let thine eyes behold the things that are equal.” Psalms 17:2
“Sentence” here means verdict.
Prayer of Repentance to be Restored to the LORD: Holy Father, in the name of Jesus Christ and by His precious blood He shed to make me one with You, I come to you—in my sinful state. LORD, I openly acknowledge that I have departed from You and sinfully rebelled against You in the sin of idolatry. Right this moment, if never before, I call upon You, Holy Father, asking You to forgive my sins, to change my life, to break me to the core of my being. I fully believe that Jesus Christ is God Almighty, that He came in the flesh, lived a sinless life as the very only begotten Son of God, died on the cross for the sins of mankind, was buried, rose again from the dead, and is soon going to return! I love You my LORD Jesus and from this moment forward, I am all Yours! I will follow You according to Your Word and Holy Spirit. Please fill me with Your Holy Ghost and use me every day of my life that You grant! In Jesus’ name, amen!
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Abiding
The Cross and the Throne of Grace [podcast]

“Hid with Christ in God”
“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.” Colossians 3:1-4
The safest place in the universe is in the cross of Christ: “your life is hid with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3).
Our place of protection is in the love walk with the LORD where we express our love for Him in obedience to Him. Jesus commanded that we deny self, take up the cross daily and follow Him. We are full of troubles and so it should be easy to relinquish all to Him!
“Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.” Job 14:1
In Christ alone is our rest from the toil of this life.
“Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.” Psalms 17:4
“Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:14-16
“Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.” Hebrews 7:25
Prayer: Father, in Jesus’ name, please bring me to the end of sinful self. Rebuke and remove the foolishness of this heart! I love You LORD and thank You that I am crucified with You today and that You are raising up this life for Your glory alone. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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Abiding
“I Will Uphold Thee with the Right Hand of My Righteousness” [podcast]

One source notes:
“‘I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness’ is a famous promise from the Bible found in Isaiah 41:10 (KJB). It is a comforting verse offering reassurance against fear, with ‘the right hand of my righteousness’ symbolizing God’s divine power, justice, and support.”
“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Galatians 6:9
Help Me Jesus!
“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. … For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.” Isaiah 41:10, 13
“When we are in the fire of affliction it’s easy to feel afraid and wonder if God is there. Many of the great men of the Bible became discouraged and broken. But the secret was they took it to God in all honesty! In Job 3 he expressed a desire to die. But yet he said in Job 19:25 ‘For I know my Redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:’ David said in Psalm 56:9 ‘When I cry into thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me.’ And we know Jeremiah, Jonah, Elijah, etc. all had moments of despair and suffering, but the Lord continued to uphold and encourage them. Their faith did not waver even in the midst of doubt and confusion!” Karen Cochran
“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 8:31-39
“in thy presence is fulness of joy”
“Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” Psalms 16:11
“at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore”
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