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Biblical/Christ-Like Manhood

“Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. … Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. 25 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. 28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. 29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church.” Ephesians 5:25-29

Believer’s Bible Commentary on Ephesians 5:28-29

“5:28 After soaring off on this magnificent rhapsody dealing with Christ’s love for the church, Paul now returns to remind husbands that this is the pattern they are to imitate: So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies. In imitation of Christ’s love, they should love their own wives as being indeed their own bodies….
It is also interesting to notice the varied ways in which Paul describes the close relationship of the husband and the wife. He says that in loving his wife, a man is loving his own body (v. 28a); himself (vv. 28b, 33); and “his own flesh” (v. 29). Since marriage involves a true union of persons, and two become one flesh, a man who loves his wife is, in a very real sense, loving himself.
5:29 Man is born with the instinct to care for his own body. He feeds, clothes, and bathes it; he protects it from discomforts, pain, and harm. Its continued survival depends on this care. This solicitous interest is a pale shadow of the care the Lord has for the church.”

Being a Godly husband begins with being born again and given completely over to God’s only begotten Son Jesus Christ who came to serve and not to be served (Matt. 20:20-28). Whatever you do – learn this! Meditate prayerfully over Philippians 2:3-5. God is calling us to lay it all down beloved brother. Face to the floor in utter brokenness.

May God bless every godly husband to bless his beloved wife today and make her life better than if she didn’t have him, in Jesus’ Name.

To the God-fearing man, life is about worshipping Christ and serving others (Philippians 2:3-5).

“Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the Lord, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.” Hosea 10:12

It is GOD Himself who puts His fear in our hearts. Read these verses below closely and pray that the LORD will instill His fear deep in your being.

Jeremiah 32:39-40
And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me for ever, for the good of them, and of their children after them: 40 And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I WILL PUT MY FEAR IN THEIR HEARTS, that they shall not depart from me

Hint: Good men and good women despise the evils of the jezebel feminism witches. Only an ungodly, unclean, lust-filled man can be ensnared with this evil.

“And I find more bitter than death the woman, whose heart is snares and nets, and her hands as bands: whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her.” Ecclesiastes 7:26

The man whom our LORD has saved must not wait for his wife, or anyone else for that matter, to serve God. He must take personal responsibility to servant-lead before the One to whom He shall give account (Romans 14:10).

MARRIAGE IS A PICTURE OF CHRIST AND HIS BELOVED BRIDE. AND, WHAT DID CHRIST DO TO PURCHASE HIS BRIDE? – HE LAID DOWN HIS LIFE.

Recently, I was blessed to behold a precious God-fearing family. There was dad, mom, and four children ranging from about 14 to 21. They sat outside at a restaurant and studied God’s Word. The dad seemed to be relating or leading in the Scriptures. Everyone was listening intently. God’s love seemed apparent in their lives. When finished, they all got up from the table where they were sitting and the oldest daughter grabbed her daddy and hugged him as they walked to their vehicle.

Liza Young writes:

“Our growth in grace may change our spouse, or it may not. There are no guarantees in life except GOD – His truth and His love. But with HIS help, we can change. Although all our marriage ills may not be cured GOD’s grace can make us well. Success in marriage is not finding the right or perfect person but becoming the right person.”

There’s only one way to be a man of truth – to immerse yourself in the study and obedience of God’s Word/truth daily.

O that men would lead their families in the things of the LORD! Consider the following passage which concerns the LORD, Abraham, and the exact reason God could trust and work through this man called Abraham.

“Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? 19 For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment; that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him. 20 And the Lord said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous;” Genesis 18:18-20 

Like Abraham, are you a man that God can trust? Are you trustworthy? Are you a man of your word or a hypocrite (Ecclesiastes 5:1-10)? I included that last verse above because we live in a rebellious age like as in the days of Sodom and Gomorrah, and yet there are the righteous remnant who persist in loving, fearing, willingly obeying, and serving the Most High. They are blessed examples and the salt of the earth! God is good! Be His salt and light today precious saints!

“I will therefore that MEN pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.” 1 Timothy 2:8

WHEN we lay down our lives, we are truly hid in Christ, we fear NO mere man!

Memorize James 1:22 and 1 John 3:18.

Ready or not – Jesus is coming!

Exhortation – Things I Know God Quickens this Disciple to Remember

Praying, being full of God’s Word, is the way we become and remain strong in the LORD and the power of His holy might.

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.” Ephesians 6:10

“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.” 2 Timothy 2:1-3 

“If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small. 11 If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain; 12 If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?” Proverbs 24:10-12

“Fathers” in the Faith

“For though ye have ten thousand instructers in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.” 1 Corinthians 4:15

“FATHER” IS SIMPLY A MAN WHO IS SEASONED, EQUIPPED, PREPARED, AND MATURED BY GOD DUE TO CAREFUL, DILIGENT, PRAYERFUL AND DAILY WALKING WITH JESUS.

The apostle Paul was confronted with the exact problem we have today among men whom the LORD has saved. That problem is that many whom the LORD has rescued have not sought His face unrelentingly and are therefore not maturing and becoming edifiers who build up the body of Christ “for the work of the ministry” and to establish truth among their family members (Ephesians 4).

“Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. 12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. 13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” Hebrews 5:11-14

If you are eating, you are growing. If you are not eating God’s Word daily, you are not growing in Christ and you are, in reality, already backsliding.

Victory step: Go to a brother (if you are a man) and confess your fault/weakness (James 5:16). This will 1) bring it into the light, and 2) this will give your brother in Christ a specific to pray for concerning your life. True Christian fellowship should include this. You hopefully discern who is a sound, trustworthy brother to confess your faults to. Both men should be willing to honestly admit their weakness(es) and pray for each other to “stand perfect and complete in all the will of God” (Colossians 4:12). Stay clear of any man who is self-righteousness and never confesses any faults. Your secret is not safe with such a counterfeit swine (Matthew 7:6).

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You for creating me – as a man – to worship You in spirit and in truth and to bless, serve, love, edify, and help women, children, and other men. Jesus, please make me an example of Your holiness and humility. No one ever stooped lower than You LORD – to save me and all men. You must increase but I must decrease LORD Jesus!  Break me and mold me Father for Your eternal glory. You are the Potter and I am simply the clay. Grant me a heart of flesh, a humble, broken heart, and a servant’s disposition in all things and no matter where You lead me. In Jesus’ holy Name, amen.

—– PRAYER of godly unmarried men who wish to be married …. Heavenly Father, please break me to the core of my being and bless my heart to be sincerely humble and contrite as You prepare me to be the bridegroom of one of Your precious daughters who are priceless (Proverbs 31). Bless me to cherish her as the “weaker vessel” and to love, honor, provide for and protect her, in Jesus’ holy Name! Amen Jesus! 

MORE . . .

Lemuel’s mother taught him: “Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.” Proverbs 31:3

YOU be the man. Study and know what God has made you for and requires of you as a man who is the servant of Christ.

Strength – Hebrew

H2428

חַיִל

chayil

khah’-yil

From H2342; probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength: – able, activity, (+) army, band of men (soldiers), company, (great) forces, goods, host, might, power, riches, strength, strong, substance, train, (+) valiant (-ly), valour, virtuous (-ly), war, worthy (-ily).

Total KJV occurrences: 243

Jezebels cannot and will not function where there is no Ahab but rather godly men who refuse to be moved off of truth! Read Revelation 2:20-24.

MEN of God are not to be brawlers – Those days are in the past gentlemen of Jesus: “Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;” 1 Timothy 3:3

Weak, Ahabish Men | Manhood | Gentlemen; Set Things in Order

There are 7 Study Guides, hundreds of Scripture-rich Articles, 4 Grace and Truth Bible School modules, over 100 edifying Audios are various topics, and much more on this ministry website. Please avail yourself in order to help you grow in His grace and in the knowledge of our LORD Jesus Christ and to being fruitful to His glory. A ministry email is sent out by request only. It’s called Moments with Our Master and is designed to edify, encourage, and teach discernment to Christ’s body. Sign up here

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Articles

The Truth about Tradition and Church Membership [podcast]

Is Church Membership Biblical?


Godly and Ungodly Tradition and True and False Church Membership

YOU KNOW you are in a fake church when they have “membership classes” to get you to join yet spend little or no time preaching the Word on the necessity of repentance, forsaking your life in this world, denying self, taking up the cross, and following Jesus daily! Run!

Membership means money to them!

They have a busine$$ plan.

“Prove (test) all things; hold fast (keep and do) that which is good.” 1 Thessalonians 5:21

Of the 13 times we find the word “tradition(s) in Scripture, only twice is it used positively. The other 11 times it is used negatively because men put their foolish traditions above Christ.

History of Church Membership: The history of church membership in Protestant and Evangelical churches begins with the Catholic Church, which implements its discipline over all the baptized (christened, water sprinkled), through a tradition-based sacramental system, governing the lives of their captors from cradle to grave. Essentially, in this way the Roman cult corrals and coerces the insistence of membership upon every initiated, water-sprinkled/christened catholic child. Without that cult-initiation rite, that membership to the Roman religion, that person is considered outside of salvation, outside of the “one true church.” Through church membership in the Catholic church, the completely un-biblical sacramental system is enforced. The Catholic sacramental system is the creation, the strategy of devils, designed to strengthen the piety of the Catholic faithful throughout their lives, guiding them safely into the bowels of eternal damnation. Jesus died and rose again that He alone might have preeminence over His true worldwide body. Church membership to a local church or church organization is perpetrated by cross-less wolves and is a direct affront to the Headship of the one, nail-scarred Savior (Colossians 1:18; 2:18-19, etc.).

The vast majority of so-called pastors today are more interested in getting you to join their church club, to become a member of their church, than they are about truly feeding the flock of God with the whole counsel of Scripture, equipping you for ministry, and winning souls to Jesus (John 21:15-17; Acts 20:20-32; Ephesians 4:11-12; 1 Peter 5:1-6, etc.). Prove it wrong.

Church membership today is nothing more than a device of wolves to corral and exploit the people! There’s no biblical justification for it.

Church membership is a tool to run a scam on the people – to number them as Satan led David to do (1 Chronicles 21). The LORD judged David for doing this and is judging the wolves today who coercively promulgate their church membership scam. God’s people belong to HIM and no other (1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 7:23, etc.).

Church membership is for nobody’s good except those peddling it. Church membership is designed to make you loyal to their church club, not Christ.

APPLE CARTS FLYING: THE TRADITION AND DECEPTION OF CHURCH MEMBERSHIP: BEWARE!

Can anyone find church membership in God’s Word among the earliest followers of Jesus? No. If someone is concerned about you becoming a member of their church, that’s a red flag. Make no mistake: They are corralling you in order to control you. Think about it: WHY can’t they just love you as a member of the one blood bought body of Christ? (Romans 12; 1 Corinthians 12; Ephesians 4) Church membership as it’s done by the 501(C)(3) government churches is against Holy Scripture and is a device of evil men, wolves. Run.

Beware of the agenda saints. Church membership is a corralling of God’s people for the self-serving purposes of hirelings.

“Church membership” as it’s carried out in the modern church world, quenches the Holy Spirit in my opinion. It ruins the organic, spontaneous, pure fellowship true believers enjoy due to being in Christ. Church membership seems to be a learned device to coral believers in order to exploit them. Think about it: Seminarian pastors are taught this scheme to build their church busine$$.

Denominations or church organizations reinforce this to secure people and funds. It’s a business model. No such thing as church membership in the Bible except that membership Christ alone procured by His own blood. ALL of His saints’ names are written in Heaven (Luke 10:20). Jesus says that this is what we rejoice in!

“Rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.” Luke 10:20

We are Christ’s kingdom disciples. We belong to HIM.

“Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.” 1 Corinthians 7:23

Local level “church membership” diverts the heart affections of those corralled by hireling wolves! Beware.

Only Abiding in the Truth Protects

“Every word of God is pure: he is a shield (protection) unto them that put their trust in him. 6 Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.” Proverbs 30:5-6

Is church membership not adding to God’s Word?

God gave us His written Word so that we can be safeguarded from being misled. As we will see in a moment, the traditions of men have and will continue to lead many astray and into eternal damnation. Tradition is passed along from one religious, truth-despising generation to the next. Concerning rightly dividing the truth of God’s Word and how twisting Scripture transpires as a tradition and applies to interpretation of God’s Word, Charles Koller writes:

“There are pitfalls of interpretation into which devout believers may fall, resulting in distortions of the truth. A preacher may borrow an interpretation from a devout Bible scholar, who had previously borrowed it from another equally devout but perhaps misguided Bible scholar. And so the inventions of devout men may unwittingly be passed around as ‘the Word of God.’ Let the Bible speak for itself! What does it actually say? And what does it mean?” Charles W. Koller, How to Preach without Notes, p.65

“Tradition(s)” as it Appears in Scripture:     

Matthew 15:2     Why do thy disciples transgress the TRADITION of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread. 

Matthew 15:3     But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your TRADITION? 

Matthew 15:6     And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your TRADITION. 

Mark 7:3     For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the TRADITION of the elders. 

Mark 7:5     Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the TRADITION of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands? 

Mark 7:8     For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the TRADITION of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. 

Mark 7:9     And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own TRADITION. 

Mark 7:13     Making the word of God of none effect through your TRADITION, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye. 

Galatians 1:14     And profited in the Jews’ religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the TRADITIONS of my fathers. 

Colossians 2:8     Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the TRADITION of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. 

2 Thessalonians 2:15     Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the TRADITIONS which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. 

2 Thessalonians 3:6     Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the TRADITION which he received of us. 

1 Peter 1:18     Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by TRADITION from your fathers; 

Did you notice that in 2 Thessalonians 2:15, Christ’s apostle Paul says we are to “hold the traditions WHICH YE HAVE BEEN TAUGHT, whether by word, or our epistle.” The roman catholic cult deceitfully seeks to justify the use of its myriad of Bible-contradicting traditions using this verse. Yet read the words of this verse and carefully note that Paul taught these “traditions” and so they came from God who sanctioned the apostle to pen Holy Scripture (2 Peter 1:19-21). “Traditions” that glorify God are found in God’s Word, not in the writings of some religion of mere sinful men that diametrically contradicts what we read in Holy Scripture. Also, these “traditions” that we received from Paul are tangibly recorded in an “epistle.” The saints at the city of Thessalonica were receiving this divinely-inspired, written letter or “epistle.” This later became part of Holy Writ for all New Testament Scriptures and one of the books of the New Testament canon. What New Testament disciples “have been taught” is now canonized in the 27 books of the New Testament canon of Holy Scripture and is final authority for the faith and practice of all narrow way believers (2 Timothy 3:15-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21, etc.).

DFPS front flat

Testing and Discerning what is True Tradition and What is False

All who cling to their religion and/or religious tradition in lieu of Christ and His Word, are as sure for hell as if they were already there (Mark 7:6-9).

We are warned in Colossians 2:8 to “Beware” of false “tradition” which leads us away from the pure worship of “Christ.”

“Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the TRADITION of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” Colossians 2:8      

Many times people in local “churches” are seen or heard saying “That’s just how we do things around here!” Well, if what you do around you stupid “ministry” is not according to God’s Word, it’s time to repent and change it. Now!

Testing the Concept and Practice of Modern Church Membership

No such thing as church membership in the early church. Totally false.

Church membership is a tool of controlling leaders to corral souls for their own self-serving purposes! Beware! (Jeremiah 23; Ezekiel 34; Matthew 23) They discount your place in Christ by telling you that membership is important in the church business they are building to their own glory.

JESUS came to make captives free. SATAN’s agents seek to put you in bondage! (Luke 4:18; John 10:10; Galatians 5:1)

—- MOST “good church members” are lost due to following a pastor and program instead of truly following Christ on HIS terms. See Mark 8:34-38 and Luke 9:23-24 and you will see why Jesus says only a “few” will be in Heaven Matt. 7:13-14. Your pastor is not your judge, God is and so you better please Him according to what He told you in His Word or you will be cast into the lake of fire as a disobedient, idolatrous rebel (Matthew 7:21; Titus 1:16; 1 John 2:4; Revelation 21:8, 27; 22:14-15, etc.).

Church membership as we know it today, is a tradition of mere sinful and self-serving men “whose god is their belly.” (Philippians 3:18-19)

“(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.).” Philippians 3:18-19

There is nothing found in Scripture that directly teaches people that they should “join a church.” So, did the Almighty, all-knowing God somehow forget to tell us something we needed to know, OR, has someone added something foreign to the practice of the Christian faith?

The Bible student must conclude that “joining a church” as we know it in this apostate age, is not by divine decree but is rather a tradition of sinful men and therefore a “false way” that we should “hate.” (Psalms 119:104, 128) So, church membership in an earthly organization is not a tradition any disciple of Christ should hold and should stay clear of such in order not to dilute his allegiance to the one and only “Head” of His true body, Jesus Christ (Colossians 1:18; 2:18-19; Ephesians 5:23). This is after the workings of sinful men to secure the allegiance and loyalty of men’s hearts, intercepting the affections of their hearts from the “Head.” Was it not rebellious Absalom who “stole the hearts of the men of Israel”? (2 Samuel 15:6) Is this not the subversive, insidious “spirit of antichrist” at work today to rob God of the glory due to Christ’s holy name alone?

Did Jesus or any disciple in the New Testament Scriptures ever instruct anyone to “join a church” or become a good church member as we know these thing to be today in westernized “Christianity”?

Such a question poses a threat to some pastors who are far too possessive, un-submitted, and un-abandoned to Christ. Though not truly submitted to the LORD, which would mean they trusted Him in all things, many of these same leaders seek for coerce others to submit to them, to join their church, to support them, etc.

Posing such a question as this one on church membership, is an example of testing all things against the counsel of Scripture like good Bereans (Acts 17:11). Testing what is being accepted in a local gathering of saints can shake up a leader who is not truly broken before the LORD. Testing all things helps us rightly divide the word of truth and begin to examine what is truth and what is tradition in the things we do as His body and as individual saints. We must live and oversee only as our LORD has revealed in the divine wisdom of His Word and as He enables and leads – which will always be in accordance with His Word (Psalms 11:105; 2 Timothy 3:15-17, etc.).

Jesus says “follow me” and if one is going to know and follow Him, that person must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Him “daily.” (Matthew 16:24-25; Luke 9:23-24).

Church membership as we know it today in the modern church system, is clearly a tradition of mere men and not a part of true, New Testament Christianity. At this point, many will say: “But brother, the Bible says we are to fellowship!” Yes, true, but remember that church membership is completely unneeded for true Christian fellowship as defined in the New Testament Scriptures (Acts 2:42-47; Colossians 3:16-17, etc.). Yes, the Bible teaches us that Jesus’ true disciples are to fellowship with one another and modern church membership is completely unneeded for such unless you factor in the hirelings who perpetrate such for their own personal purposes. In fact, self-serving ambition is the root of most traditions. The whole church-building centered modern church system is designed to benefit and profit the business-owner or franchisee (the pastor), not the LORD and His people. Christ’s true saints are not lukewarm weekly church members but rather, on fire disciples are fellowship daily and “exhort one another DAILY” and so much the more as His return draws nigh (Acts 2:42-47; Hebrew 3:13; 10:24-25).

You see, if a pastor can get you to sign his roster, he knows he has your allegiance and therefore you money.

Most people claiming to be Christians have this tradition in their minds that they need to find and join a church. Yet, it’s a nearly impossible task to find a body of true believers who are walking in the New Testament definition and revelation of what God calls fellowship where Christ is supreme. 99% of local churches are entertainment centers that offer little or no elements nor the spirit of the early church believers.

The test of true Christian fellowship is whether or not there are the following elements as found in the book of Acts (partial list):

  • continuing steadfastly in the apostle’s doctrine (written Word)
  • breaking bread together
  • fellowship
  • prayer
  • sharing one to another whatever each member of the body of Christ needs – having all things common
  • ceasing not to teach and to preach Jesus Christ (Acts 5:42)

You see, when you find – if you ever find – a pastor who tells the people to give among yourselves, having “all things common,” you have found something very rare. Regrettably, the modern church is a business and that CEO pastor who refuses to truly pastor the people, needs to pay a mortgage and many other unnecessary expenses they are wasting. So, in his mind, following Christ has nothing to do with it – making the mortgage and building his church business is what matters to him.

Perhaps we should cease searching for a church and simply be Christ’s church.

The LORD Himself, nor any of His apostles ever hinted of or instructed anyone to “go join a church” or to “become a good church member” and yet this is the order of the day in the apostate modern church world which is piloted or hi-jacked by self-serving hirelings who are farming their communities to build their own local church franchise, competing against other CEO type entrepreneurs. Now grant it, being an entrepreneur is not a sin if done uprightly in the business world and yet, the Church of Jesus Christ is no place to employ entrepreneurial tactics. Christ’s church is not a business. Yet this is the way much of the modern church world is set up. Ecclesiastes 1:9 tells us that “There is no new thing under the sun” and so we know we can peer into history and see the same things happening as we see transpiring today.

“And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.” Matthew 21:13

God’s house or dwelling place in individuals and in groups is to be dedicated to the worship of Him alone and yet, many today are intercepting the worship due only to the LORD and exploiting His people for their own self-serving purposes (Isaiah 56:10-12; Jeremiah 23; Ezekiel 34; Philippians 3:18-19; 2 Peter 2:1-3, etc.).

Setting forth such an idea that subverts the modern tradition of church memberships may be scary to some. To make the case that true New Testament fellowship is what is important and not joining a church, makes some pastors nervous because they are entrenched in following tradition instead of Christ. Perhaps they are threatened by this because they have not fully released themselves and therefore the people to the LORD, acknowledging Him alone as their Maker, God, Redeemer, and “Head.” (Colossians 2:18-19) Today would be the best day to denounce these idolatrous sins and begin to “lean not to thine own understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5-7)

Please don’t read rebellion against God into this – but do read rebellion against man and satan into it please. You can put my name on that! It’s time to sift through and test every notion, philosophy, and practice of today against what we observe in Holy Scripture to be truth and according to the mind of Christ. See Acts 17:11 and Jeremiah 1:10. The erroneous traditions and contradictions to holy truth must FIRST be removed and torn down before a proper foundation can begin to be built. Study and memorize and put into action the divine principle and order of Jeremiah 1:10.

Christ and His redemptive work on that cross is despised by church membership. How? Well, church membership dishonors that Christ bled to make us members of HIS one body or church. Read Ephesians 2; 4; 1 Corinthians 12.

It’s only where Jesus Christ is upheld as the supreme KING, God, Counselor, Truth, Way, and Life that divine virtue flows from Heaven into His people! See Colossians 2:18-19.

Until we first put to the test the very reasons for which we assemble/meet and embrace the priorities set forth in Scripture, our assemblies will be limited at best.

Blindly following or going along with tradition instead of what is taught in God’s Word, always leads to dismal results as we have the pharisees for an example.

We should ask “What is the biblical precedence for ….” and “What saith the Scriptures?”

This doesn’t mean we won’t find things that are biblical, but how can we possibly have a clear heart about things until we do?

“Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.” 2 Samuel 15:6

Traditions of Mere Men are Meant to be Broken – Rooted Out

A reading of the Gospels reveals to us that Jesus often upset the religious bafoons of His day by breaking their foolish, man-centered, Christ-denying traditions. Their foolish traditions trumped divine truth.

“For laying aside the commandment (Word) of God, ye hold the TRADITION of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.” Mark 7:8

Do you know what Jeremiah 1:10 says? This verse gives us extremely valuable and necessary insight into the order and workings of the LORD.

“See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.” Jeremiah 1:10

What is the LORD’s order of working in our hearts?

  • “to root out”
  • “to pull down”
  • “to destroy”
  • “to throw down”
  • “to build”
  • “to plant”

First we should diligently examine why we do what we do. All teachings and practices must be acid tested against Holy Writ (Acts 17:11; 1 John 4:1). Questions to explore:

  • “What did the early church do” is a very good starting question.
  • And, “What do we see the apostles and Christ doing”?
  • “What does the Bible teach?”

Your Prayer: Holy Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, I come to You in the name of Jesus, asking that You would please begin to purge out any notion or philosophy or belief in this life You gave that is not of You – that is not according to the whole counsel of Your written Word. Please make me Your authentic disciple. Root out all from my life that does not glorify You and fill this vessel with the fruits of Your righteousness to bring glory to You and to serve others as unto You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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The One Essential to Victory [podcast]


Victory is at hand!! This message is at the heart of the original Gospel message Christ and that His apostles gave. Yet, this is seldom if ever heard today. Victory awaits you!!!!! God desires to give it to you!!!! You be careful though saint. Be not deceived. Get this truth in your heart and life and God will raise you upward to the victory that brings Him glory and where you belong. Paul said that there are many “enemies of the cross of Christ.” (Phil. 3:18-19) Discover who they are and what is divinely required for you to be blessed with victory in this life and in eternity with Christ!

Raised Up | I Die Daily


The Victory is in Jesus [podcast]


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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 sight of God speak we in Christ.” 2 Corinthians 2:14-17

“Now the end (supreme goal) of the commandment (Word of God, Gospel) is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:” 1 Timothy 1:5

Recently a dear brother in Christ who got to reading on the ministry site, sent me an email claiming that I was perhaps being too harsh in some of the expose’s on the site. After I responded, this dear man sent back an apology, asking forgiveness for his own unwarranted harshness towards me.

Whew! Saints this is exactly how we should humbly work out things in the body of Christ, whose love never fails!

Here was the response sent to him:

“Blessings in Christ dear brother and thank you for the iron sharpening iron (Proverbs 27:17). Please let me know how can be a blessing to you (Ps 133:1; Eph 4:3).”

“Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.” Colossians 3:12-14

WHEN we aren’t concerned about how we are affecting others, it’s because we don’t care for them and are full of self (Colossians 4:6).

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

“Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:” 1 Peter 1:22

“Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels.” 2 Corinthians 6:12

“For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:8

“If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,” Philippians 2:1

“For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.” Philemon 1:7

“Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels:” Philemon 1:12

“Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord.” Philemon 1:20

“But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?” 1 John 3:17

Saints, may our LORD help us to HELP other disciples who are in the same fight as we are in and help them in the LORD’s process of sanctification. Galatians 6:1-2; 2 Timothy 2:24-26 

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