Abiding

The Cross is a Surrender Not a Struggle [podcast]

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]

The Cross is a Surrender not a Struggle

The King James Dictionary says the following of surrender:

“Yielded or delivered to the power of another; given up. Love that definition. Isn’t that exactly what we do? We give ourselves over to God. A complete giving up. Handing your life to the Lord and letting Him have total control.

“There is freedom in that!! Since doing this in my own life, anxiety and stress is gone. That only comes because we are putting ourselves in place of God. We are letting go and letting God!” Karen Cochran

Seems apparent that the struggle comes with living in the flesh, from resisting the surrender. In contrast, “the peace of God which passeth all understanding” comes from walking in the Spirit with Christ (Psalms 119:165; Galatians 5:22-23; Philippians 4:7).

On the cross….

“And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.” Luke 27:46

Then what happened?

“He is not here: for HE IS RISEN, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. 7 And go quickly, and tell his disciples that HE IS RISEN FROM THE DEAD …” Matthew 28:6-7.

Just as Jesus died and was then resurrected, so can it be for thee, so is the will of God for you.

Notice after He died on the cross for the sins of the world, Jesus was “risen from the dead.” Could the Son of God have been “risen from the dead” if He were not first dead and buried? No.

The same is true for us – as God will never raise up anyone who is still alive under their own power, self-will. No, He only resurrects those who surrender their lives to Him, die and are buried.

One disciple observed:

“Holiness comes by way of the cross, not by way of the flesh. Just as sin was conquered by the cross of Christ, so sin in the life of the saint is conquered by the daily cross (Luke 9:23-24; Romans 6; Galatians 2:20; Colossians 3:3, etc.). It’s time to stop trying harder and to simply die deeper.”

The cross is the key to walking in the Spirit instead of the flesh – where you surrender downward, at His holy feet – the death and burial of your life, your will, your agenda. Then, God reciprocally raises you upward, filling and propelling you with His Holy Ghost!

“For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.” John 6:38

In the Garden of Gethsemane, the place of the cross before the cross, Jesus surrendered His personal will afresh to the Father. He gave His will over to the will of the Father. He knew the absolute trust and integrity between the two, who are one.

“And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, 42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.” Luke 22:41-42

The cross is a letting go and letting God right? Then there’s liberty, freedom and not before (John 8:31-32, 36; 2 Corinthians 3:17, etc.).

Who is “FREE”? Who is free, set free from sin and to serve and worship God? Ready for God’s answer?

“For he that is dead is freed from sin.” Romans 6:7 (memorize)

The rebellion, the stubbornness, the witchcraft is what brings the struggle, the toil, the turmoil (1 Samuel 15:22-23). Then when we surrender, the blessing comes!!

“Amazing you would have a podcast with this title. I just thought this morning that ‘this cross life is not a struggle!’ When the Lord is in charge He shows me exactly how I am still not like Him. Once I see it, it is up to me to take it to the cross of Christ to be crucified. It’s mind boggling that many modern day professing Christians fight so hard to walk in their flesh. They love self more than Jesus. Once you get a taste of the Spirit of God controlling your life, you want more! More of Him, less of me! John 3:30. I will listen to this podcast. Thank you.” Karen Cochran

How to Get Free and Stay Free!

Are you willing today, to truly trust God – to say to Him, “Father, not my will but Thine be done. I am all Yours, from this moment forward”?

Death and burial alone lead to freedom. When Jesus rose from the dead, He was free forever again with the Father.

You will never be free until you die (Galatians 2:20).

“For he that is DEAD is FREED from sin.” Romans 6:7

“The cross is freedom from our wicked selves. Hallelujah.” Karen Cochran

Reading Romans 6 daily is vital – the cross. King James Bible. See also, memorize, meditate upon Colossians 3:3; Galatians 2:20.

After Jesus saves you, He requires that you continue in His Word, His truth – learning and living it! If not, you will not continue with Him and will “fall away.” (Luke 8:13) It’s impossible to be holy as He is holy if one doesn’t continue in His truth. And since God is “Holy, holy, holy” He cannot dwell with anyone living in sin (Psalms 5:4; Habakkuk 1:13; 1 Peter 1:15-16; Revelation 4:8)

“Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. … If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” John 8:31-32, 36

Just as He raised Jesus from the dead by His Holy Spirit, God divinely guarantees to raise you upward if you will go downward in surrender. Do you trust Him?

“But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. 12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” Romans 8:11-14

You’ve tried doing it your way, in the flesh. Has that ever worked out well? No. That never works, right? Right. Now, are we willing to sincerely pray, to say “Dear LORD, I come to You in Jesus’ name, asking You to forgive my rebellion, for trying to do things my way instead of Your way. This moment, I turn afresh and fully to You, asking You to anoint me with Thy Holy Spirit to the death and burial of self. I am dead and buried with Christ my LORD, and I trust You fully to raise me up for Your glory – to be fruitful for You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

It’s by the Holy Spirit, not the Flesh

“Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.” Zechariah 4:6

“Through the Spirit” – and so it’s not a work of the flesh but rather a surrender to the Savior, the Greater One – Jesus Christ, the Almighty (Revelation 1:8)!

“It is a marvelous, complete release from the weight and burden of the flesh, a surrender to Christ by the working of the Holy Spirit inside, and not a challenge to change our behavior by trying to be better people on the outside through the working of the flesh.

In other words, we don’t need to focus on trying to change the multitude of things that are not right in our lives, rather there’s only ONE FOCUS, and that is surrendering to JESUS! It is His to be the Great Shepherd of the sheep (us) and He WILL do it — as long as we stay surrendered! Not my will but Thine be done.” Debbie Lord

“For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye TROUGH THE SPIRIT do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.” Romans 8:13

Selah.

“Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?” Galatians 3:3

Walking with Jesus is not a work of the flesh but rather an abiding walk in the Spirit with Him.

“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” Romans 8:14

“Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” Philippians 2:12-13

“This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.” Galatians 5:16

YOUR PRAYER: Father I come to You now in fresh repentance. I re-turn to Thee. Please wash me clean from all rebellion, all self-idolatry, pride, and rebellion. Please cleanse me with the precious blood of Jesus Christ my LORD and Savior. Please anoint this life to be dead, buried, and raised up for Your eternal glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

The Gospel of the Cross [podcast]

“And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.” Luke 9:23-24 “Dying to self I have learned is the key. I wonder what took me so long but I never heard that message. SafeguardYourSoul was the first time I heard that message. Romans 8: 7-8. I had no clue what that scripture meant. That is why I am so […]

The Essential Cross of the Believer [podcast]

Excerpt from the book I Die Daily The Essential Cross of the Believer “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it.” Matthew 16:25 Now that we know who the Way is—Jesus, let’s look into what this very Son of God Himself said concerning those who would follow Him. After all, if a person is going to go to God’s Heaven, he needs to find out what God Himself said is essential to get there, right? Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If ANY man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and […]

THE ESSENTIAL IMPORTANCE OF CHRISTOLOGY [podcast]

WHO do WE say that Jesus is? “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever” (Hebrews 13:8), and He is asking us the exact questions today that He asked His disciples while on earth. “Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?” Matthew 16:13 “But whom say ye that I am?” Matthew 16:15 Jesus is asking each of us “What are others saying of Me and Who do you say that I am?” In other words, perhaps He’s asking us “In a world of many swirling ideas about Me, who do you say that […]

Abiding

Sin is Rooted in the Hearts of Men [podcast]

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” Jeremiah 17:9

Jesus taught us that man’s sin comes out of his “desperately wicked” heart (Jeremiah 17:9).

“And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. 21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: 23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.” Mark 7:20-23

Mankind’s core dilemma is sin (Romans 1-3). Jesus Christ came and died to “save his people from their sins,“ to “taketh away the sin of the world,“ and not to merely deal with fallen man on a surface level as on a mental level (Matthew 1:21; John 1:29). God doesn’t band aid broken things, He heals and makes them whole to the root because the root determines the fruit (Matthew 12:33; Luke 4:18, etc.). Christ’s salvation is perfect. Evil is in our hearts and proceeds forth from that wicked heart until Christ regenerates us (Genesis 6:5, 12; Jeremiah 17:9; John 3:3, 7; Titus 3:5-7). This is why the sinner must of divine necessity be born again, must be made completely new “by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost” (Titus 3:5-7). Then and not before then, the born again saint of Christ is made a “a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18 And all things are of God” (2 Corinthians 5:17-18).

The Truth about Fallen Mankind – That Includes You!

“And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” Genesis 6:5

“And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.” Genesis 6:12

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” Jeremiah 17:9

“For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. … O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” Romans 7:18, 24

Is Romans 7 Before or After Paul’s Salvation?

Don’t trust yourself, trust God and deny self! “He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered” (Proverbs 26:28).

Only Satan and his children live by the diabolical edict of “be true to yourself.” Knowing how wretched they are of themselves, without Christ, those who are known of God live by “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. 7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

People don’t have a “mental health” problem, they have a SIN problem and sin is what gives way, gives full access to Satan!

“Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:” Hebrews 12:14

“The state of continual sanctification, that life of purity and detachment from the world and all it’s lusts, without which detachment and sanctity no man shall see the Lord-shall never enjoy His presence in the world of blessedness. To see God, in the Hebrew phrase, is to enjoy Him; and without holiness of heart and life this is impossible. No soul can be fit for heaven that has not suitable dispositions for the place.” Adam Clark’s commentary on Holiness. Hebrews 12:14

YOUR PRAYER FOR A PURE HEART: Holy Father, I come to You in the name of Jesus, desiring to be pure in heart so that I may see, enjoy, and be with You. Help me please dear LORD. Purify my heart and life of all wicked imaginations and iniquity that defile me in Your holy eyes. Please purify and cleanse me LORD and I know You require me to purify myself and to obey You. In Jesus’ name, please forgive all my sins by Thy precious blood dear LORD Jesus. In Jesus’ name, amen.

"Be Diligent that ye May be Found of Him in Peace, without Spot, and Blameless" [podcast]

“Them that look for him” “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 WHO will Jesus return for? – “Them that look for him” Jesus is not coming back for everyone. He’s only coming back for “Them that look for him.” Am I in love with Jesus? Or, am I just religious? Am I an authentic disciple of Jesus or a self-serving counterfeit? The grace-enabled purifying of ourselves in light of His soon return: “And every man that […]

His Wife Hath Made Herself Ready [podcast]

What’s going to happen in a marriage where one or both partners refuse to confess, own up to their mistakes, their violations of the other person and the integrity of that marriage? Such a marriage may regrettably, end. Pride. – “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.” (Proverbs 16:18) Will not the same end come to the relationship where a man has been saved by Christ and then becomes hardened in heart later, and refuses to acknowledge, confess, and forsake his sin? Yes. (Hebrews 3:6, 12-15; 10:26-39, etc.) “He that covereth his sins shall not […]

Sin: Man’s Core Problem [podcast]

People don’t have a “mental health” problem, they have a SIN problem and sin is what gives way, gives full access to Satan! “When people hear voices telling them to harm themselves or others, that’s not a chemical imbalance, it’s demon possession.” Rachel Gould “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” Jeremiah 17:9 Jesus taught us that man’s sin comes out of his “desperately wicked” heart (Jeremiah 17:9). “And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. 21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed […]

Abiding

Acquainted and Nourished [podcast]

“Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee.” Job 22:21

“nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine”

Our Sin Should Lay us at His Feet [podcast]

“Sin lieth at the door.” Genesis 4:7 One writer takes a shot at this in the following words: “Jesus died for our sins. He is the sin offering for all humanity: past, present, and future. So the offerings in the Old Testament represent the Cross. So in short, if you reject the offering, meaning Christ and the Cross, ‘then sin lieth at the door.’ This means sin will DOMINATE you if any other method is used.” “Sin lieth at the door” – Temptation to sin presents itself perpetually and this is why prayer, abiding communion, perpetual communication with the Savior, command central, is […]

Teach the Bible [podcast]

JESUS IS COMING AND THE TRUE BODY OF CHRIST IS “HOLDING FORTH (BOLDLY DECLARING) THE WORD OF LIFE” “Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.” Philippians 2:16 WHEN you speak God’s Word, you are speaking divine authority. “These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.” Titus 2:15 “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, […]

Nourished Up in God's Word 1 Timothy 4:6 [1 min video]

“If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.” 1 Timothy 4:6 Jesus is KING and kingdom living is all about exalting KING Jesus – not mere men or organizations or ministries! It’s only then that His divine “nourishment” is going to flow down into His beloved body! “Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed […]

Abiding

“Be Strong in the Grace that is in Christ Jesus” – 2 Timothy Chapter 2 [podcast]

A Good Soldier of Christ Jesus

1 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.

6 The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.

7 Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.

8 Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:

9 Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.

10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

11 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:

13 If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.

A Workman Approved by God

14 Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.

15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

17 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;

18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.

19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

20 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.

22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.

24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,

25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

The Book of Romans Narrated [podcast]

“And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:” Romans 1:4 Chapter 1-16 Chapter 1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, 2 (which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,) 3 concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; 4 and declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: 5 by whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to […]

Ephesians Narrated [podcast]

Ephesians 1 “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 4 according as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5 having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus […]

The Book of 1 John Narrated [podcast]

Love. Truth. Know. Note: The Book of 1 John has at least 3 power words and truths to behold: 1. Love, 2. Truth, 3. Know “Love” appears 44 times in 1 John. “Truth” appears 10 times in 1 John. “Know” appears 28 times in 1 John. Some have called the book of 1 John “the book of certainties” as Christ’s apostle John is blunt, curt, strong, forceful in/with the truth, and loving – a true man of steal, and velvet. Reading any book of the Bible 10-20 times, reading straight through it, is powerfully effective in getting that Word of our […]