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“A GREAT WAY OFF” Luke 15:20

Luke 15 – 3 parables of that which was lost (SSS):

  • Lost Sheep
  • Lost Silver
  • Lost Son

What is the overriding divine theme communicated in this beautiful Bible chapter?

THE whole of Scripture testifies to the reality that the LORD delights to restore when we simply come to Him humbly, on His terms.

“And he (the wayward son) arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.” Luke 15:20

From a great distance, when his son was yet far away, the father of the prodigal (wayward) son saw him on the distant horizon. The Father in Heaven has His eye on and longs to restore all those who have left their first love (Rev. 2:4-5). In those story the Savior gave us to unveil the divine heart, this estranged child discovered no peace or fulfillment in that far away land that had promised him such and was coming home to daddy. He was returning home to his father’s house where all the treasure he ever desired always existed and readily awaited his arrival. Yet, is it possible that this prodigal son was expecting to be condemned when he arrived back home? Do we fear that the LORD will reject or be cold to us when we return to Him in repentance? (Hos. 14:1) Are we teachable to learn His nature from His own mouth/Word?

The loving father of the returning child was obviously looking far off into the distance because he longed to have his son back in his bosom and care. We gather this because the Scripture states that he could see him “a great way off.” (Lk. 15:20)

Perhaps the joyful forsaken father wiped a tear from his eye as he watched afar off as his son’s image appeared over the horizon – as he was returning home. Does this not illustrate the restorative love of our heavenly Father who lovingly anticipates the return of every one of His alienated children? Did He not inform us that He is “grieved for the misery of Israel” His very people? (Judges 10:16) His loving eyes view with longing love those who once knew Him and who are now away from Him.  Those created in His image have been granted the freedom to choose. God will not force but rather requires that those who come to Him be “willing and obedient.” (Isa. 1:19-20) – “And he (the wayward son) arose, and came to his father.” (Lk. 15:20) The departed son chose to arise and come back to his father. This depicts the involvement of the personal will. Love is never forced.

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

Friend, we must see this picture of the nature of God if we are to understand Him better. Our LORD was giving us a picture of the Father here. Does He condemn those who are distance or have not known Him yet? Let’s let Him answer for Himself:

“For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” John 3:17

“For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.” Luke 9:56

Prayed for a dear lady recently. She was elated. She told me today that she was so excited that someone cared enough to pray for her that she went and told her boyfriend. God is able to fill and pour His love through His people saints! He wants to use you beloved. Ask Him!

God is a gracious and forgiven Father to His own:

“He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.” Micah 7:19

In light of these Biblical truths revealing the divine nature, may it forever be settled in our hearts that God truly is love and that He longs to restore each and every person who has never come home or who has left home for the time being (backslidden). The Father longs to teach our hearts us so that we experience Him in a fuller way (Deut. 32:1-2; Prov. 4:2; Matt. 11:29; Rom. 15:4). This is His goal. (Ps. 147:3; Jer. 1:10; 29:11-13; Ezek. 36:26, 36; Lk. 4:18, etc.)

Being now enlightened about this truth, what should be our outlook and prayer toward those who are currently not in relationship with the LORD? Make no mistake, their soul is in the balance. He is restoring us, so what should our perspective be of those around us whom He is restoring? How can we be in agreement with and help His process? As “ministers of reconciliation,” how can the LORD use us as restoring agents, helping men find their way back to Him? (2 Cor. 5:17-20)

Jesus teaches that if we any sin at all in our own lives, we are 100% disqualified from pointing out or condemning anyone else for any sin they have in their own life.

“He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.” John 8:7

Mercy! Love it! Give it! Preach it!

“Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.” Matthew 5:7

“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32

Be sure of this …. If you die having not forgiven EVERYONE from your heart, hell is your home (Matthew 18:21-35). You will never escape. Repent now. God was and has been unfathomably merciful to you and I and He requires that we show mercy to others – or perish. Look in the mirror at all your own sin and how mercifully God has been with you. Drop the rocks, now. Pray for that person(s) till God’s love overflows in your heart, till you are broken in a million pieces and brought by Him to the place of total brokenness and dependence!

“And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. 26 But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.” Mark 11:25-26

Any questions?

“Judge not, that ye be not judged. 2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. 3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? 4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? 5 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 7:1-5

Galatians 6:1-2 says:

“Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:1-2

WHEN you witness a brother or sister becoming weak, having a fault, or committing sin, GOD’s call for you is to help them be restored to Him and not to run them through with the rusty sword of your own self-righteous judgment (Galatians 6:1-2; James 1:20; Romans 8:33-34).

“For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.” James 1:20

May God bless us to be flooded with His love in all of the dimensions that He desires in us – namely to love mercy and walk humbly with Him (Mic. 6:8).

“He hath shown thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” Micah 6:8

NEVER camp out on your sin. RUN to Jesus in repentance and confession! (Prov. 28:13; 1 Jn 1:9)

PRAYER: Father, in the name of Jesus, I here and now announce the reality that no one needs Your mercy and forgiveness more than this sinner. God help me to walk in humility and love mercy as I seek Your holy face for the deep cleansing I truly need and only You can perform. Jesus, please bless this heart to perceive others through Your mercy, shed blood, and Word of love. LORD, please break and use me to see some come home to You in this late hour. In Jesus’ name, Amen Jesus.

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Idolatry

THE SIN, THE CURSE, AND THE FRUIT OF IDOLATRY [podcast]


“Ye shall make you no idols nor graven image, neither rear you up a standing image, neither shall ye set up any image of stone in your land, to bow down unto it: for I am the LORD your God.” Leviticus 26:1 

Idolatry will damn the eternal soul to hell (Exodus 20:3-7; Galatians 5:19-21, etc.). Just one idol. ANYthing that is more important to you than Jesus Christ is an idol. You must repent and receive Christ or you will perish in the flames of eternal damnation (Luke 13:3; John 1:12). If you aren’t willing to give up your religion to follow Jesus, you are a hell bound idolater who has chosen to pay for your own sins for eternity in hell.

God will not be worshipped by physical objects, idols. Jesus says:

“But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him MUST worship him in spirit and in truth.” John 4:23-24

2 Corinthians 5:16 says “Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.” This verse, this divine truth has helped me out much. God forbids any attempt to worship Him through, via any images, anything physical (Exodus 20:3-7). According to this Bible verse, we do not even know Jesus after the flesh.

Jesus stated the divine essential, the non-negotiable imperative that “they that worship him MUST worship him in spirit and in truth” (John 4:23-24).

17 Soul Damning Sins

“Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 IDOLATRY, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” Galatians 5:19-21

“But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. 15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. 16  For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.” James 3:14-16

IDOL’ATRYnoun [Latin idololatria. Gr. idol, and to worship or serve.]

1. The worship of idols, images, or any thing made by hands, or which is not God.

Idolatry is of two kinds; the worship of images, statues, pictures, etc. made by hands; and the worship of the heavenly bodies, the sun, moon and stars, or of demons, angels, men and animals.

2. Excessive attachment or veneration for any thing, or that which borders on adoration.

from Websters1828

Anything you refuse to give up for Jesus is your idol.

Any person who will not give up their religion to follow Jesus is a hell bound antichrist idolater.

The Stark Contrast between True and False Worship

“Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” Exodus 20:3

Whatever you won’t give up for Jesus is a soul damning idol (Mark 9:43-49).

The reason so many don’t take sin seriously and sit under sin-justifying wolves in sheep’s clothing, is because they do not fear nor take God seriously. Then they attack the true messengers of Christ who are declaring that God is holy and He requires non-negotiably that anyone who will know and be with Him eternally cut off occasion for all sin as Jesus commanded in Mark 9:43-49 KJB. They talk about grace but only in the respect that their sins were initially forgiven, yet never in respect to divine grace being the divine influence and enablement in their daily lives to overcome all that displeases Him, as they worshipfully with great gratitude deny self, take up the cross and follow, abide in Jesus (Titus 2:11-14; Luke 9:23-24; John 15:1-6, etc.).

The cross message of Christ and His holy apostles is not a novel concept, idea, or mere suggestion but rather it is a non-negotiable essential component of the original Gospel.

Recently, I ran across a comment by a person who wrote: “A cross (or crucifix, picture, statute, etc.) is not idolatry so long as it leads the person to worship God, and not the object itself.”

Is this true? No. This is pure human reasoning and a denial of the Word of God. As you can tell, this person commenting was most likely catholic. Speaking of the catholic church, they removed the second commandment because it was costing them money. The 2nd commandment says:

“Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: 5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; 6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.” Exodus 20:4-6

God is not and will not be worshipped through images. In fact only Satan receives worship when images are used (Exodus chapter 20;  1 Corinthians 10:19-21). Satan is the entity who received worship when someone does that which God forbids….

Committing the sin of Idolatry yokes you with devils.

“They sacrificed unto devils, not to God; to gods whom they knew not, to new gods that came newly up, whom your fathers feared not.” Deuteronomy 32:17

Making Peace with God

Support | STORE | Podcasts | Jail/Prison MinistryMexico Mission here | All Ministry Updates | Because You Care Page | The Greatest of these is CharityBe Ready in the Morning [podcast]The Sure Mercies of David [podcast]That Repentance and Remission of Sins should be Preached [podcast]At His Feet | Prepared to be Used of God Walking with Jesus on His Stated Terms – the Cross | Fasting and PrayerThe Old Man Must be Put Down [podcast]The 5 Sins That Keep God’s People Out of Their Promised Land [podcast]What Did Paul Mean by “I Keep Under My Body”? [podcast]“Jesus the Author and Finisher of our Faith” [podcast]A Living Sacrifice unto God [podcast]Departing from Hell BeneathPrayer

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Abiding

LORD Please Prepare and Send Me! [podcast]


So you don’t do anything for anyone except yourself and yet you claim to be saved? Nah. Real repentance, will always, with no exception, bring for a new life, the life of Christ, full of fruit that bears witness to His lordship in that life (Matthew 3:7-10).

Of Isaiah’s repentance and preparation to be used of God, one writer notes:

This phrase is a powerful, timeless prayer for spiritual readiness and a willing heart to serve. It echoes the beautiful biblical passage from Isaiah 6:8, where Isaiah responds to God’s call saying, “Here am I; send me.” 

WHEN you ask God to use you, get ready, He’s going to do it. He’s going to prepare and launch you into His fields which are “white already to harvest” (John 4:34-38).

Sometimes I’ve been through seasons of testing, chastening, stripping, purging, etc., not remembering I had prayed for the LORD to prepare and send me. Then it would dawn on me and all began to make sense. God is able. Memorize 2 Timothy 2:21 KJB.

When the LORD appeared to him, the prophet Isaiah was shown his own depravity, his own wicked heart, his own unpreparedness. What was his response and how does this relate to us?

Are you ready this day to say “Jesus please prepare and use me mightily for Your eternal glory! I love You LORD. I am all Yours! Please do Your deeper work in this life You gave!”?

One must be prepared by God to be used by God.

“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.” 2 Timothy 2:21

To the degree that we allow God to prepare us, to that degree shall He powerfully use us. The cross. The only way up is down beloved.

Is today your day to surrender afresh? John 3:30, Colossians 3:3 anyone?

Prepared by God to be Used of God (category)

Regrettably, most professing Christians will never love Jesus enough to give up this fleeting world for Heaven’s coming King (Luke 14:33; 17:33).

Have you ever pondered why there is little or no Scripture being used when listening to someone pretending to be speaking about the LORD? You should wonder (Matthew 7:16, 20; 1 John 4:1).

“Preach the word” is the divine mandate, command, and also “do the work of an evangelist” (2 Timothy 4:2,5).

Let us cease to pretend that we represent the LORD when everything we say isn’t coming straight out of His Word. Read that again please. He didn’t instruct us to entertain or to tell stories. He commanded us to preach HIS Word. King James Bible.

“If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles (written Word) of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 4:11

Think God is calling you to serve? Good. If He has saved you, He has called you (Ephesians 2:8-10; 4:7). Get lost in His Word every day (Jeremiah 15:16). Read it (Revelation 1:3). Study it (2 Timothy 2:15). Memorize it (Proverbs 4:4). Meditate upon it day and night (Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1). THAT’s your prep for ministry, not going to an antichrist seminary. Jesus inducted you into His school of the Holy Ghost and Word the moment He saved you.

Are you daily devouring God’s Word, OR are you backsliding?

“Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O Lord God of hosts.” Jeremiah 15:16

God Visits Isaiah

If we’re not talking about the holiness of the one true God—that He is “Holy, holy, holy” —what false god are we speaking of?

Isaiah 6

Isaiah’s Calling/Vision of the Lord

“1  In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.

2  Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly.

3  And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.

4  And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.

5  Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.

6  Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar:

7  And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.

Isaiah’s Commission from the Lord

8  Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.”

In Your process of preparing this vessel, when needed, please “Let the righteous smite me….” (Psalms 141:5).

HAVE YOU ever prayed this prayer? Do you want to be a man after God’s own heart like David? (Acts 13:22) If so, you must emulate the beloved David and pray this prayer!

“There is no better test of a man’s ultimate chivalry and integrity than how he behaves when he is wrong.” — G.K. Chesterton

IF you are not a DOER of God’s Word, it proves you are not saved, and are a lukewarm hell bound rebel. Repent now and bring forth fruit to prove it (Matthew 3:7-10; 7:21; Titus 1:16; 1 John 2:4; Revelation 2:26, etc.).

“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” James 1:22

May I be a doer of Your Word dear LORD. Let it be, in Jesus’ name.

“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 7:21

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Articles

Hell’s Menu

What’s being Served Up in the Domain of the Damned?

What’s going on below us, in the bowels of the earth?

The Bible’s Vivid Description of the Domain of the Damned

Violent flames rage like endless waves that roar in a fierce ocean tossed to and fro by hurricane winds. Deafening voices shriek, hopelessly tormented in the turbulent fire that dominates their defenseless souls. One million years have passed and yet there is not a trace of relief from the horrifying torment that has enveloped their helpless souls. Vivid memories of their earthly life, when they had precious opportunity to escape this horrible fate, torment their bitter and remorseful beings. Welcome to the world of departed souls who died after refusing to apply the only cure to their deadly curse of sin. Behind the thin veil of life on earth lies a real world – a forever world. Welcome to a profile of the after life.

Details about hell revealed in God’s Word, the Bible:

  • A place of complete consciousness (all feelings)…..Lk. 16:25
  • Torment with fire and brimstone…………………………Rev. 14:10
  • Weeping and gnashing of teeth……………………….…..Matt. 8:12
  • A place of eternal remorse (devastating regret)…..Luke 16:25
  • A place of torments…………………………………………..…Luke 16:23
  • No rest day or night forever (eternal misery)……….Rev. 14:11
  • A furnace of fire with wailing…………………………..….Matt. 13:42
  • A place of everlasting burnings…………….…………..Isaiah 33:14
  • Hell will be cast into the lake (ocean) of fire ..…Rev. 20:11-15
  • Unquenchable fire (ferocious flames)………..…….……Mark 9:45
  • Outer darkness (blinding loneliness)………………….Matt. 22:13
  • No 2nd chance to escape (utter hopelessness)……Luke 16:26
  • A place of sorrows (seething remorse and despair)….Ps. 18:5
  • A place of everlasting destruction……………………..2 Thess. 1:9

The LORD Jesus told us that this place described above was “prepared for the devil and his angels.” (Matthew 25:41) Ignoring this truth is not going to make this place go away. Dealing with this honestly is in your eternal best interest. If you are not born again, here is why you are going to spend eternity in the place described above. According to God’s Word, you have sinned against Him and He is “Holy, holy, holy.” (Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8) Here’s a few of the ways you have sinned against your Creator:

CURSING, LYING, ADULTERY, LUST, HATRED, DRUNKENNESS, SLANDER, STRIFE, IDOLATRY, DISHONORING YOUR PARENTS, MURDEROUS THOUGHTS TOWARDS OTHERS, STEALING, FORNICATION, UNFORGIVENESS, TAKING GOD’S NAME IN VAIN

GOD misses nothing, no-thing. He sees it all (Psalm 33:13-14; Proverbs 15:3). He’s keeping perfect records on all people, their thoughts, intentions, motives, acts, and deeds. It’s all on record, from every angle. The record, the tapes are going to be played in your Supreme Court of the Universe trial. It’s ALL on record. No one escapes. No one is getting away with anything. It may appear that way for now but be sure that no deed, thought, motive, or action is unseen, unknown by the Almighty whose earth we all now dwell in (Psalms 24:1). God sees all sin.

“be sure your sin will find you out.” Numbers 32:23

Judgment Before the Great White Throne

The books your Maker is keeping, the record, will be opened in the Supreme Court of the Universe for each and every person.

NO surfing in this lake …

“And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20:11-15

NEVER EVER DEFINE HELL AS ANYTHING EXCEPT EXACTLY HOW GOD DEFINES IT IN HIS WORD. PERIOD! THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS “HELL ON EARTH” OR ANY SUCH FABLE. CEASE TAKING THE NAME OF THE LORD IN VAIN BY CEASING TO WALK AFTER, AGREE WITH, OR SPEAK ANYTHING ABOUT ANYTHING (INCLUDING HELL) EXCEPT IT BE IN GOD’S WORDS – IN HIS HOLY, WRITTEN WORD. “WHAT SAITH THE SCRIPTURES?” – “SHUN PROFANE AND VAIN BABBLINGS … STUDY TO SHEW THYSELF APPROVED UNTO GOD A WORKMAN THAT NEEDETH NOT TO BE ASHAMED, RIGHTLY DIVIDING THE WORD OF TRUTH.” (2 TIMOTHY 2:15-16)  ALSO, ANY SUPPOSED “CHRISTIAN” LEADER WHO REFUSES TO PREACH ON HELL REGULARLY, IS A WOLF! PERIOD.

“Come unto me” says Jesus (Matthew 11:28-30) .

If you wish to miss eternity in this horrid place called hell, which will later be cast into the lake of fire, it’s time to make peace with your Maker and Judge. Find out more here at Making Peace with God.

Soul-Damning Sins | Much More about Hell

Support | STORE | Podcasts | Hell | Becoming Rooted and Grounded in ChristBride of Heaven vs Harlot from Hell [podcast]Fresh Start with GodPeace with GodJesus is Coming Just as He Promised [podcast]Having No Part Dark [podcast] | An Angry Man in Hell | Tormented in this Flame | Wolves Exposed

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