Abiding

The Goal of Grace [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]

Reckoning with the Depravity of the Old Man

“But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” Galatians 6:14

Rightly assessing what the Bible informs us of concerning the old man is essential.

Nothing good exists in us except Christ Himself, His perfect righteousness!

“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. … 24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” Romans 7:18, 24

The only righteousness we have is that which our LORD Jesus lovingly, mercifully, graciously provided for us, bestowed upon us, by the one-time shedding of HIS precious blood for our sin – to pay the price in full, the exclusive redemption price which alone could and did satisfy the claims of the Father’s justice to redeem fallen mankind back to Him and the Father (Ezekiel 22:30; John 19:30; Romans 3:21-25; 1 Timothy 2:4-6; Titus 3:5-7, etc.).

“… sin that dwelleth in me. 18 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.” Romans 7:17-18

There is “no good thing” in us, except Christ (Romans 3:10; 7:18, etc.). This is God’s pronouncement upon fallen mankind, upon sinful man. The LORD requires that we agree with this declaration of the inability of fallen man to be anything but “deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked.” (Jeremiah 17:9) Hence the need for the cross…. that the old man might be redeemed, liquidated….raised up…

Read Romans 6-8 this week.

The closer we walk with the LORD, the greater realization we have of our own utter depravity outside of Christ – and hence the need for the crucified life.

Those who don’t recognize their own depravity, prove they are not truly close to God at all. He is holy and all who draw nigh to Him will be made aware of their own utter iniquitous nature.

IF you presently view God as anything other than first and foremost “Holy, holy, holy”, you are working on a wrong level, you are utterly deceived, not realizing your own need to humble yourself before Him, to be “crucified with Christ” (Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8). This is exactly why so many listen to false preachers preach a false gospel, “another gospel.” (Galatians 1:6-9) They are not aware of their own depravity. No, instead the false teachers build them up in their pride and wickedness. They affirm them in the state of sinful self. They preach affirmation without regeneration. False prophets are known by the reality that they tickle ears, they don’t preach the holiness of God, the essential of repentance, and overcoming all sin through the crucified life the Savior and His holy apostles commanded (Mark 9:43-50; Luke 9:23-24; 13:3; Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 5:25-27; Hebrews 12:14-17, etc.).

“Created in Righteousness and True Holiness”

“That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” Ephesians 4:22-24

Each of His children, bought by His blood, merely stand as unworthy beggars, shoulder to shoulder in honor of our KING, Jesus!

“I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which thou hast shewed unto thy servant…” Genesis 32:10

The recognition of the old man, that inherent nature of iniquity in us (Romans 7) is the reason for the crucified life, the cross. The old man must die – must be dead and buried daily and God will raise him up. There are no shortcuts.

“Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and ALL THE WORLD MAY BECOME GUILTY BEFORE GOD.” Romans 3:19

Every man born after Adam has broken God’s law and is “guilty before God.”

Let’s read a larger portion of Romans 3 on this matter:

“for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; 10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. 12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. … 19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. … 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” Romans 3:8-12, 19, 23

When Adam sinned and fell, mankind because a fallen race, made in God’s image and yet, separated from Him in their sin. Hence the need for Christ to come and reconcile the world back to God (2 Corinthians 5:19-21).

“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:” Romans 5:12

“Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. 19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners …” Romans 5:18-19

The only way to reckon with the old man is with the cross. The crucified life is the only solution to victory given to us by our Savior.

One disciple stated the following:

“There is a tension always present with the believer who is still physically alive. He is a caught in “betwixt” (Philippians 1), a “concurrent working of deep opposites.” 2 Cor 4:8-11. He is both a vile sinner in his old man flesh but, at the same time, is a fully righteous new man saint in his spirit. He who is born of the Spirit is spirit. John 3. He is a sinner/saint. This is why Paul called the saved people in Corinth who were having a lot of vile problems, “saints.” 1 Cor 1:2.

This contradiction in the life of the believer is true as long as he remains physically alive on this earth. When he physically dies this tension between the opposites comes to an end. He is 100 % saint. The only way to resolve these opposites in us daily is to “take up the cross daily” dying to or unplugging from the old vile part of us and living out of the new man spirit.2 Cor 4:10-11.

We cannot “unplug” by human effort. We unplug by denying SELF’s screams and letting them go, a surrender or a yielding to the voice of SOMEONE ELSE, Christ within. When that cursing voice within wants to retaliate and punish. I learn to deny that voice in the moment and choose the other voice within me which gently says love, bless, forgive and lay down your selfish retaliatory ways

This is an unplugging done by faith alone, faith in the loving voice, HIS voice within us that the world says is weak and will make me look like a fool. This is the way we handle the concurrent working of the opposites of the two voices within the sinner/saint.”

Jesus taught that while on earth, there’s no length we should not go to in order to miss hell (Mark 9:43-49). The cross He prescribed that we are to take up daily, is the only solution to sin.

The Cross

Victory Over the Iniquities that Currently Drive You [podcast]

“For he that is dead is freed from sin.” Romans 6:7 “Too many Christians blame their flesh on Satan and try casting it out. Never works. That’s why they don’t grow! Must crucify the flesh!” Karen Cochran Recently, a brother in Christ was pushing the fact that Genesis 6:5, 12, use the phrase “only evil continually” pertaining to mankind, all men. REPLY: Ask for yourself the important question: WHY did Jesus come to the earth? And from this moment forward, allow the Bible to answer that question …. Look for the Bible answer…… Why Jesus came to die for us […]

The Heart of the Human Problem is the Problem of the Human Heart

video – around 2:13 remove coughing All too often people become enamored unduly by mere men who have a public platform. “Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of?” Isaiah 2:22 Jesus didn’t come and die, be buried, and raised again for His people to trust mere men “above that which is written” of mere men (1 Corinthians 4:6). And just WHAT is written about fallen mankind? Some biblical exhortation: “For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.” Ecclesiastes 7:20 ” Who […]

THE WICKED AND THE WONDERFUL: Does the Bible say that You are Wonderful? [podcast]

Attention: Jesus didn’t come to die because you are wonderful. No He came because you are wicked (Genesis 6:5, 12; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 3, etc.). The testimony of Holy Scripture is that JESUS is “Wonderful” (Isaiah 9:6-7)…. and we are “desperately wicked” without Him (Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 7:18, 24). Each of His children, bought by His blood, merely stand as unworthy beggars, shoulder to shoulder in honor of our KING, Jesus! The only righteousness we have is that which our LORD Jesus mercifully, graciously provided for us by the one-time shedding of HIS precious blood for our sin – to […]

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 […]

Abiding

God is Ready to Forgive and Plenteous in Mercy [podcast]

“For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.” Psalms 86:5

God is…

“good”
“ready to forgive”
“plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.”

“But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.” Psalms 86:15

Our LORD is…

“a God full of compassion”
“gracious”
“longsuffering”
“plenteous in mercy and truth”

“His Compassions Fail Not”

“Refusal to pray because of the guilt of your sins is like refusing to take you bath because you are dirty. Pray.” Augustine Mario

“This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. 22 It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:21-23

Notice that the prophet Jeremiah could have hope, knowing that God is merciful. Wow. Read that passage again above.

OTHER than blasphemy of the Holy Ghost, what sin did you or anyone else commit that is unforgiveable? None! Go to the throne of His grace to obtain mercy and grace, receive these gifts, let it go, and press forward (Hebrews 4:14-16; Philippians 3:13-14; Hebrews 9:14; 1 John 1:9, etc.). Divine Mercy by the Blood of the Lamb!

“Consideration of God’s mercies not only begets gratitude, but induces a large consecration to God of all we have and are. So that prayer, giving and consecration are all linked together inseparably.” EM Bounds

Bowels of Mercies [podcast]

“Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place. 15 For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: 16 To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things? 17 For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the […]

The Remission of Sins

Did the animal sacrifices of the Old Testament take away, remit sins? “For it is NOT POSSIBLE that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.” Hebrews 10:4 Read Hebrews chapters 8-10 to discover the infinite superiority of the New Covenant Jesus provided, ratified in His own precious blood, vs the Old Covenant. Those animal sacrifices merely prophetically prefigured the promised, coming Messiah. They were a mere shadow of the perfect sacrifice of the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ. “10:1 The law was only a shadow of the good things that were to come. It pointed forward […]

Busting Hell Wide Open while Believing You are "Blessed" [podcast]

Lots of People Claiming they are Blessed who aren’t ARE YOU TRULY BLESSED OR CURSED? IS GOD ANSWERING YOUR PRAYERS? IS THE LORD’S BLESSING TRULY ON YOUR LIFE? Be not deceived …. the promises of God are reserved exclusively for those who serve Christ ON HIS STATED TERMS (John 15:7). And, if you aren’t in His Word daily, you don’t even know those stated terms and conditions (John 14:21-23, etc.). Any person who is not born again and presently abiding obedient in Christ is kidding themselves to think God’s blessing is on their life (Galatians 6:7-8). You’re not blessed because […]

"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 […]

Abiding

Having a Pure Heart Requires the Cross Life [podcast]

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

“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” Proverbs 4:23

“Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.” 1 Timothy 6:12

“We either allow God to throw us into the fire of affliction, using His fullers’ soap to cleanse, purify, and burn away the dross (impurities) and refine our character, or we will be thrown into the flames of eternal hell forever on the day of Judgment. Only the pure in heart will see God (Matthew 5:8). Better to burn now in the refiner’s fire so you don’t burn forever in the fire that will not be quenched!

Mark 9:49 “For every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt.”

“Everyone will be salted with fire in one of two ways: (1) either by fiery tribulation in this life, which comes to those who genuinely follow Jesus Christ (Luke 14:33-34; John 15:18-21), or (2) by the fire of hell in the next life, which comes to those who reject Jesus in this life (vv 47-48).” Life in the Spirit Study Bible.

We must endure hardships and remain faithful until the end of our lives! And who shall stand when He appears? Only those who endure until the end will be saved (Matthew 24:13). And receive final salvation!” Karen Cochran

Jesus, Founder and Perfecter of Our Faith
Hebrews 12

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.”

“For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 18But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.” Galatians 5:17-18

“Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.” Proverbs 20:11

“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

“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 21 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.” Matthew 7:16-21

David, a man of God said to have a heart after the LORD, had fallen into gross sin and was in desperate danger and need of repentance and mercy from God. Here’s a portion of that prayer of repentance:

“Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thytender mercies blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I acknowledge my transgressions:and my sin is ever before me. 4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. 5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. 6 Behold, thou desirest truth in parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. 7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiterthan snow. 8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.” Psalms 51:1-8

If your life is not all about CHRIST, you are in trouble. Stop. Re-turn afresh to the LORD. Declare JESUS CHRIST as the LORD, Savior, Master, First Love of your life in this world! Do it with force! Memorize Galatians 6:14.

“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?” Galatians 6:14

Only the “pure in heart … shall see God”, shall be with God.

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

“Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.” Psalms 51:4

You must come clean, completely clean. Get honest or go to hell. You have a choice to make.

“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” Proverbs 28:13

Genesis 3 – Adam blamed Eve and Eve blamed the serpent. Neither blamed themself.

“And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat. 13 And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.” Genesis 3:12-13

Nothing has changed.

“How few ingenuously confess their own sin! They see not their guilt. They are continually making excuses for their crimes; the strength and subtlety of the tempter, the natural weakness of their own minds, the unfavorable circumstances in which they were placed, etc., etc., are all pleaded as excuses for their sins, and thus the possibility of repentance is precluded; for till a man take his sin to himself, till he acknowledge that he alone is guilty, he cannot be humbled, and consequently cannot be saved. Reader, till thou accuse thyself, and thyself only, and feel that thou alone art responsible for all thy iniquities, there is no hope of thy salvation.” Adam Clarke

Of the 4 types of heart soil that the Word of God lands on, only the 4th is right with God and will be with Him eternally.

“in an honest and good heart”

“But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.” Luke 8:15

Prayer: Precious holy Father, please have mercy upon me for my sin of not putting You first, not honoring You. I repent, I return now to You Jesus and denounce self-idolatry and spiritual adultery. I love You supremely LORD. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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

7 Sayings of Jesus on the Cross [podcast]

What Final Statements Did Jesus Make on the Cross and What Did They Mean? Our LORD Jesus Christ said 7 things while as He was offering His body and precious, sinless blood to buy us back to God. He was suffering for the sins of mankind and for no sin of His own (2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 7:26; 1 Peter 3:18). He was shedding His blood to Re-deem (buy us back) and that’s what Jesus did for “the whole world” when He died on the cross, was buried, and raised again from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:1-4; 1 John 2:2). […]