The Importance of Personal, Organic Bible Study [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]

To study the Bible organically means simply to study God’s Word without the undue influence, the taintings of mere men!

God’s Word is your life (Proverbs 4:20-23). The Word is your “daily bread,” and your life depends on knowing and obeying it (Matthew 6:11). Knowing and adhering to Holy Scripture is your protection (Proverbs 30:5-6).

“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

RECENTLY: In a very engaging fellowship discussion this morning with a dear brother in Christ, it was a blessing to witness his Berean approach to the LORD and His kingdom (Acts 17:10-11). He was factoring everything we discussed with Scripture, stopping to meditate and cite Holy Scripture. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 anyone? Amen Jesus!

God gave us His Word in written format so we would not be deceived by false teachers, so there’d be no confusion, and also, no excuse on Judgment Day (Proverbs 22:17-21; 30:5; John 12:48; Romans 2:16; 1 Corinthians 14:33; 2 Timothy 3:16-17, etc.). The Word of God is the basis by which the LORD shall judge each of us.

ORGANIC Bible study, organic fellowship, and organic ministry. Organic simply refers to being “without foreign additives – poisons, taintings, pure.” May Jesus bless His people with absolute authenticity.

HOW do you know if someone is imposing something upon the Scripture text they are reading from IF you haven’t personally, organically, thoroughly studied the whole of God’s Word for yourself? You don’t.

So many among us are living wasted lives—lives where they’ve been seduced into systems of theology which contain poisons in the pond of their body of truth (the whole of what they believe).

The unchanging Word of God, the Bible itself, and the Holy Spirit are the divine Teachers of truth—and not mere men or sinful man’s concocted theological systems and/or charts! Beware saints. See Psalms 119:105, 130; Mark 13:31; John 14:26; 16:13; 2 Timothy 3:15-17, etc.

Saints, let’s beware of the charts and systems men create to “help people understand the Bible better.” RED FLAG! God has ordered, commanded you to learn straight from Him and that’s why you have access to His Word. You have a Bible. Study it for yourself. Your knowledge and understanding of God must of necessity come straight from your own personal, daily study of His Word. “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). Antichrist cults in our midst that push the use of their charts and theological systems include the demonic dispensationalists, and many of the eschatology (end times) wolves.

The word theology simply means the study of God. And, if we shall see Him correctly, we must obtain our theology, our view, our knowledge of God, directly from the Word of God alone—allowing Him to speak for Himself, to reveal Himself to us without the tainting of mere men. We must learn of the LORD, learn for ourselves who the LORD is and what He said, and stop following man’s philosophies, notions, systems, and charts. When the Bereans tested what Paul taught, they didn’t break out some mere man’s system, theology, or a chart. No, they “searched the scriptures daily” to see if Paul was preaching the truth (Acts 17:10-11).

Many a believer has been misled by the teachings, the charts, and systems of evil men posing as Christ’s elders. Run from them! Stop and think: “Why would those men build a system, a theology, chart for you to follow instead of exhorting you to study the topic in God’s Word for yourself—just as God commanded you to do?” The only reason why wolves create systems and charts is to get you to believe their errors and to derail gullible people who refuse to study God’s Word for themselves (2 Timothy 2:15).

If a person isn’t in the Word, learning the Word and meditating on the Word, he has no business acting as if he is ministering for Christ! Such a person’s knowledge of God is second hand at best. Wisdom would be to repent now and get into God’s Word with reckless abandonment! When we get into the Word it will then and only then get into us! (2 Timothy 2:15)

Paul got Timothy into the Word for himself—else how could Timothy be an authentic minister for Christ? Think about all the phony men representing Christ today. They have a secondhand, a skewed knowledge of God—learned from mere men. Paul charged Timothy and us to:

“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

In other words, Paul didn’t lead Timothy to come to Paul for the Word but rather to go to God to get His Word directly from Him!

After confronting a lady who is being misled by dispensational wolves, exhorting her to study God’s Word organically for herself instead of via wolves, she replied:

“We can’t claim the whole Bible to ourselves. We don’t all have to go out and build arks … Paul’s epistles are different for a reason as with Hebrews.”

REPLY:

You are using mere human reasoning. The Holy Spirit and the Holy Scriptures are our Teachers, not mere men. Paul told Timothy to study the Bible for himself (2 Timothy 2:15). Yes we, as Christ’s true body, are to dwell richly in God’s Word and yet, regrettably, you’ve been misled by an enemy of Christ, a false teacher, who is not the body of Christ but rather one of the wolves Jesus and His apostles so often warned us about (Acts 2:42; Colossians 3:17, etc.).

Contrary to the apostles of Jesus, Most ministries and ministers today intentionally foster in their target market, their prey, a dependence upon them and not Christ. They want to entice and seduce in order to create a following, a repeat customer, and build their church or ministry busine$$. Beware saints.

Are you “Taught of God” or are you taught of man? (John 6:45; 1 Thessalonians 4:9) | “Taught of God”

“Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:” Isaiah 29:13

Those not diligently, daily in God’s Word for themselves are sitting ducks for a deceiver to come along in their vacuum and fill the void with heresy. IT WILL HAPPEN IF IT HASN’T ALREADY. If you wish to endure to the end, you must personally fill your heart and mind with God’s Word or you will be turned over to “strong delusion” (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12). God takes it personally when you don’t choose to LOVE His truth!

“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

The personal nature of this instruction is introduced at the onset of this verse – “Study to shew thyself approved unto God.” YOU do it.

Yet, instead of personally studying the Bible organically, some want a short cut and so what they do is hook up with some ministry that is pushing a system. Laziness is also a contributing factor when men choose to go to seminary—to supposedly study a book they’ve had in their possession for years. Enlisting to be indoctrinated would sum up the course of seminarians.

SAINTS of Christ, be aware that clever men, operating as Christian pastors, authors, singers, etc., can make nearly anything look biblical. They perform this slight of hand, this trickery by selectively siphoning out Bible verses to make THEIR point, to make THEIR tradition look legit. Yet they do this to the exclusion of the whole of Scripture, which they hope you never thoroughly study. These are the very wolves in sheep’s clothing whom we’ve been warned about. They prey upon the ignorance of their prey (Hosea 4:6). We must ask, we must test the spirits by asking whether or not their doctrine is expressly, directly, explicitly stated in Holy Scripture, or not—just exactly as the Berean disciples did (Acts 17:10-11; 1 John 4:1). Again, nearly anything can be extrapolated using select Scriptures and yet, is that what the whole of Scripture communicates? Test. Discern.

“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” 1 John 4:1

TODAY, the true body of Christ is “Looking unto JESUS” and not mere men (Hebrews 12:1-3).

One of the great deceptions in today’s “church” land is that many “pastors” verbally claim that God’s Word is the highest authority and then they cling to some thing(s) that contradict God’s Word. When confronted they ditch the Word of God for their tradition, their heresy, or doctrine of men. This is exactly what Jesus cited the false leaders of His day for doing (Mark 7:6-9, 13).

Praying in the name of Jesus to the Father, asking Him to help you never be misled, is vital.

“Seek ye out of the book of the LORD, and read: no one of these shall fail.” Isaiah 34:16

Many today would rather find someone to tell them what the Bible says instead of studying it for themselves. Deadly mistake.

IF YOU don’t personally diligently study God’s written Word for yourself, you will forfeit a myriad of divine blessings and will be deceived—and in the end “destroyed” (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12; Hosea 4:6; Matthew 22:29; 2 Timothy 2:15; 3:16-17).

Studying the Bible organically is the best method; thoroughly, topically, stacking Scripture upon Scripture (1 Corinthians 2:13). The less involvement of man, the better.

What happens in most apostate modern churches is indoctrination—not true Bible learning. People are being poisoned by the doctrines of men and devils.

YOU have a Bible? Good. Read it for yourself (2 Timothy 2:15). Stop relying on mere men to teach you what only the Scriptures and the Holy Spirit who gave them can teach you.

Let the Bible speak for itself. If somebody is having to tell you that the Bible says something instead of letting God speak for Himself, letting His Word speak to the individual, that should be a red flag. There are lots of voices saying “the Bible says” and yet until you personally behold it with your own eyes in God’s Word, “In the mouth of two or three witnesses” in Scripture, you should not embrace it.

“In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.” 2 Corinthians 13:1

We as men can find Scripture to justify nearly anything. Men can deceitfully extrapolate and “prove” nearly anything using the right mixture of Scripture taken out of the context of what the whole of Scripture teaches.

No Greek or Hebrew is needed and is certainly not the main rule of interpretation. We must take God’s preserved Word for what it clearly states in our own language, as we compile, compound, put together, and compare Scripture with Scripture (Isaiah 28:16; 1 Corinthians 2:13). This is the method of priority in apprehending truth, the highest, stated rule of interpreting truth. A thorough gathering of all Scripture pertaining to the given study, is essential.

Just because someone’s book, this website or any other, or some man standing in a pulpit says something, in no way makes it true. You must “prove (test) all things” and only hold fast the true (1 Thessalonians 5:21). This is exactly what the disciples at Berea did when they heard Paul preach—they put what he taught to the test, diligently searching Holy Scripture to see if it was God’s truth:

“And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” Acts 17:10-11

Are You being “Taught of God”?

Praying daily for the LORD’s understanding is imperative.

To bring light to the reality of how people are imposing things upon the Bible that simply do not bear out through honest, organic, thorough study, below is a list of examples. These are some of the falsehoods being peddled as biblical that simply aren’t. Those who thoroughly study God’s Word for themselves, being “taught of God” Himself, will never come out of their study of God’s Word and say things like:

“keeping Saturday as the sabbath is essential/important”
“once saved always saved”
“man has no free will” (calvinism)
“eternal security”
“the gifts of the Spirit passed away with the apostles” (cessationism)
“there’s more than one gospel”
“you have to learn the Bible through dispensationalism”
“pretrib rapture” (escapism)
“Jesus only died to save a pre-selected elect people” (calvinism)
“you have to keep the law to be saved”
“I received all of the Holy Spirit I need at the moment of salvation”
“God no longer does miracles” (cessationism, agnosticism)
“every believer needs a human, pastoral ‘covering‘ (deeds and doctrine of the nicolaitans)
“God doesn’t require that His people apply ‘ALL scripture’ to ourselves and gave us permission to decide what in His Word applies and what doesn’t” (Revelation 22:18-19)
“You can’t understand the Bible without mere men teaching you” (John 14:26; 16:13-14; 1 John 2:20, 27)
“All whom the LORD saves lose their free will and are forced to continue serving Him and forced to go to Heaven” (robotic, calvinism)
“fellowship is limited to a certain physical “church” building and organization that meets on Sunday mornings”
“The town drunk was saved and bearing fruit for Christ earlier in his life, is now living in open sinful rebellion but is still going to Heaven” (once saved always saved)

These are all errors induced upon the minds of men by other beguiled men. They misuse, twist Scripture as we’ve been warned about.

The list of man-imposed heresies goes on and on and on…… This is a mere sampling of man-induced falsehoods which Scripture never expressly states and that other known biblical truth contradicts. Letting God speak for Himself is essential to remaining in His truth saints. Today, there are countless doctrines of mere men imposed upon the Bible and being called “biblical” by those who perpetrate them.

Many things are being said to be “biblical” today which simply aren’t. Only the astute student who is being taught God’s Word via personal study and the Holy Ghost, will escape the many false “wind(s) of doctrine” blowing through the church world in this last hour (Ephesians 4:14).

“For we are not as many, which corrupt (twist) the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.” 2 Corinthians 2:17

“And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; 16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest (corrupt, twist), as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.” 2 Peter 3:15-16

Notice that Scripture tells us that “destruction” is the future of all “false teachers” (2 Peter 2:1-3).

Paul warned and was very concerned about the “enticing words” of mere sinful men who pose as men of God:

“And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words. … 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 2:4,8

Men are misled, deceived due to their own dishonesty before the LORD.

“Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. … But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.” 2 Timothy 3:7,13

Remember, the LORD says this concerning the 4th and only heart soil His Word falls upon who will be eternally with Him:

“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

Many men today, refuse to follow Paul’s example of denouncing all motives except knowing Christ. Their own depraved hearts therefore beguile and ultimately destroy them and those who allow themselves to be misled by such men.

“Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; 2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.” 2 Corinthians 4:1-2

Like David, God-fearing men cry out to God perpetually for the purification of their heart motives (Psalms 19:12-13; 51:1-13; 139:23-24). They are able to lead many to righteousness as they handle the Word of God without guile.

“Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.” 1 Timothy 4:16

Theological systems are an overlay, a structure of Bible organization that makes things easier to understand. That’s the appeal to some. Yet, the person who hasn’t personally studied God’s Word diligently for himself is not able to discern the errors of the system and thereby easily misled as he becomes swept up with the program. After all, the ministries which do this are usually large and lots of people are participating. A theological system pretends to organize and make the Bible easier to understand and yet in most cases, has built-in error that poisons the pond. Examples would include dispensationalism, Calvinism, etc. Can you add to this list?

“As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:” 1 Peter 2:2

Lots of the systems of theology induce or impose things on Scripture. The novice has no depth of knowledge of God’s Word and so cannot possibly discern such. They are consequently indoctrinated.

Topically studying God’s Word is extremely beneficial – where Scriptures are gathered on a certain topic. Yet, when the wrong ministry is putting those verses together, it can be dangerous. Again, this is why it’s imperative to study God’s Word for oneself.

Exhorting other saints to study God’s Word for themselves is one thing and a godly thing. Yet, forcing YOUR interpretation is another, an evil thing. Jesus gave us His Word and told us that the Holy Spirit is the ultimate Teacher. We must thoroughly study it, collate it, and let God, the Author, speak for Himself (1 Corinthians 2:13).

Beware of any man who unduly uses his position to usurp unwarranted control over your mind concerning the Holy Scriptures. This is how many have been deceived—when they allow mere men to impose their own views, or some regurgitated theology over their minds. Millions today abide deceived via this method of indoctrination, mind control. Beware of the curriculums.

Seeking to have or to exercise dominion over others, over their faith, is witchcraft!

“Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.” 2 Corinthians 1:24

Trust no man with your eternal soul. God paid for your sins in Christ and commanded you to trust Him, and to lean not to your own understanding (Proverbs 3:5-7).

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

The LORD made you. He intentionally gave you the complete faculties to know Him for yourself by reasoning out the whole counsel of His Word—synthesizing it all together (Isaiah 28:10, 16; 1 Corinthians 2:13; 2 Timothy 2:15). Study His Word daily, diligently and ask Him to lead you into all truth. Trust the Holy Ghost to teach you, to lead you into His holy truth and to protect you from the many poisons in the pond of the modern church (John 14:26; 16:13-14; 1 John 2:20, 27).

When man is controlling the study and interpretation of the Bible, that in itself is dangerous. People, individual saints are to be “taught of God” and not taught of men. There are people in leadership who insist upon presiding over the interpretation of Holy Scripture instead of letting GOD’s people read it for themselves, being “taught of God.” This presumption to supposedly hold the keys to interpretation is a farce. GOD alone holds the keys to understanding HIS own Word and He alone can ultimately teach HIS own people. When undue control is asserted by mere men over the interpretation of God ‘s Word, that’s a big red flag. This is how indoctrination occurs, this is how heresies spread.

“It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all TAUGHT OF GOD. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.” John 6:45

“But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are TAUGHT OF GOD to love one another.” 1 Thessalonians 4:9

Are you being “taught of God” or are you being taught of men? Jesus warns:

“Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.” Revelation 3:11

Beware of Being a “Back it Up” Bubba

Personally studying God’s Word from Genesis to Revelation, organically, is ultra-important. | The Importance of Personal, Organic Bible Study

To “back up” a belief with Scripture seems to really indicate: “I believe ABC doctrine and I’m hell bent on finding Bible verses to prove it!” In other words someone like this doesn’t really care what the whole of Scripture teaches as much as they care to hold on to some pet doctrine (it’s usually something to justify their sin such as the falsehood of eternal security).

Some put forth their subjective beliefs and defend those beliefs by saying “I can back everything up with scripture.” Satan can too as we see him do when tempting Jesus (Luke 4). The devil used Scripture out of context as many today do. Are we merely backing up what WE say and what WE currently believe with Scripture, or are we simply reading and diligently studying the whole counsel of Holy Scripture and letting GOD speak for Himself as we “compare spiritual things (Scripture, known truth) with spiritual things”? See 1 Corinthians 2:13; 2 Timothy 2:15. Big difference. Think about that. Men and devils can deceitfully make the Bible say anything THEY want it to say but that doesn’t make it biblically sound and true. We must beware of our own tendency to espouse and hold on to philosophies, notions, and doctrines that do not line up with the whole counsel of God’s Word and we must be corrected (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

We must honestly examine our own selves to see WHY we believe WHAT we currently believe. Discernment, “rightly dividing the word of truth” seems to be concretely connected to searching the Scriptures as we see with the Bereans who tested Paul and all that he taught (2 Timothy 2:15; Acts 17:10-11). Lots of people who talk about discernment trust their own subjective discernment instead of letting the written WORD be their two edged sword of discernment (Hebrews 4:12). Many believe they are discerning correctly and yet aren’t daily, diligently being grounded in the written Word, which God will never contradict (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21).

The Primary Purpose of Studying God’s Word is to Know Him

IT’S ESSENTIAL TO PRAY ALL THE WAY THROUGH THIS LIFE AND AS WE STUDY HOLY SCRIPTURE—FOR THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OF KNOWING THE LORD (John 5:39-40; 17:3; Philippians 3:10; Hosea 6:6).

Knowing the text, the words of Scripture is one thing—and knowing the LORD and possessing HIS understanding of HIS Word is yet another.

Those in ministry must be careful never to be forceful, coercive toward “GOD’s heritage” (1 Peter 5:1-6; Ezekiel 34:4).

“But with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them.” Ezekiel 34:4

It should be a concern when we see men who spend more energy getting people to listen to themselves and to go through a curriculum than they do exhorting God’s people to seek His face in prayer for HIS understanding of HIS Word. Isn’t this exactly what Christ’s apostle Paul prayed for the body of Christ?

“Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, 16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; 17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 1:15-20

PRAYER: Holy Father in Heaven, I come to You now in the name and by the blood of my LORD Jesus Christ. LORD, I confess that I’ve been dishonest and deceitful before You and those around me. I confess the deceit and guile for what it is—sin. Please forgive, cleanse and allow the mind of Christ to dwell in, to find a home in, and to permeate my being. I ask this for Your glory and in Your holy name LORD Jesus. Amen.

Bible: God’s Word

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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, […]

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The Cross and the Throne of Grace [podcast]

“Hid with Christ in God”

“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.” Colossians 3:1-4

The safest place in the universe is in the cross of Christ: “your life is hid with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3).

Our place of protection is in the love walk with the LORD where we express our love for Him in obedience to Him. Jesus commanded that we deny self, take up the cross daily and follow Him. We are full of troubles and so it should be easy to relinquish all to Him!

“Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.” Job 14:1

In Christ alone is our rest from the toil of this life.

“Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.” Psalms 17:4

“Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:14-16

“Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.” Hebrews 7:25

Prayer: Father, in Jesus’ name, please bring me to the end of sinful self. Rebuke and remove the foolishness of this heart! I love You LORD and thank You that I am crucified with You today and that You are raising up this life for Your glory alone. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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“I Will Uphold Thee with the Right Hand of My Righteousness” [podcast]

One source notes:

“‘I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness’ is a famous promise from the Bible found in Isaiah 41:10 (KJB). It is a comforting verse offering reassurance against fear, with ‘the right hand of my righteousness’ symbolizing God’s divine power, justice, and support.”

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Galatians 6:9

Help Me Jesus!

“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. … For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.” Isaiah 41:10, 13

“When we are in the fire of affliction it’s easy to feel afraid and wonder if God is there. Many of the great men of the Bible became discouraged and broken. But the secret was they took it to God in all honesty! In Job 3 he expressed a desire to die. But yet he said in Job 19:25 ‘For I know my Redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:’ David said in Psalm 56:9 ‘When I cry into thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me.’ And we know Jeremiah, Jonah, Elijah, etc. all had moments of despair and suffering, but the Lord continued to uphold and encourage them. Their faith did not waver even in the midst of doubt and confusion!” Karen Cochran

“The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?” Psalms 118:6

“What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. 34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:31-39

“in thy presence is fulness of joy”

“Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” Psalms 16:11

“at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore”

"Blessed are the Poor In Spirit" [podcast]

Jesus’ longest recorded message to His people stands on the foundation of the very first words our Savior uttered in this sermon on the mount. The foundational truth of the entire sermon on the mount (Matthew 5-7) is found in the very first words of our LORD when unveiling this elaborate, far-reaching, and profound message to His disciples of all ages. Here are His first words: “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:3 Note, “poor in spirit.” Not poor financially or religiously. The two should be mutually exclusive. The Greek word translated into English as “poor” is PTOCHOS. It […]

The Book of Revelation Narrated [podcast]

Chapter 1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: 2 who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. 3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand. 4 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which […]

Articles

Diminishing Returns or Divine Blessings? [podcast]

The Reason Your Bag has Holes in it [podcast]

Could our diminishing returns could be due to our refusal to put God first which would mean we are putting His work, His agenda, His stated will and mission – the Great Commission – first?

“The beginning of Haggai’s prophecy finds Israel returning to the land after 70 years under Babylonian oppression (God’s punishment for the sins of Israel’s leaders). Now, a new and younger generation of God’s people are working to rebuild God’s earthly dwelling place, the temple. Long before Haggai’s prophetic ministry, God had promised that when his own presence dwelled among his people, the life-giving power of God would flow from him into their land (Deut. 28:1-14, Haggai 1:1-4). So, in hopes of experiencing God’s promises after a long season of exile, the people begin to rebuild.

Unfortunately, the temple rebuilders quickly become distracted from the project at hand. They stop working on the temple to build their own houses (Hag. 1:1-4). Meeting their immediate needs takes priority over rebuilding God’s temple. But this priority doesn’t work out well for them in the end. Haggai points out that no matter how much they sow in their fields, the returned exiles are reaping less and less. Every day, their rations get thinner, and they feel just a little thirstier (Hag. 1:5-6). Haggai says their diminishing returns are a result of their failure to prioritize rebuilding the temple, the place of God’s presence (Hag. 1:10-11). But he also promises that if they recommit themselves to the temple project, all the blessings and life they hope for will return (Hag. 2:7-8, 18-19). This new generation listens to Haggai and starts making plans for the project’s next phase.”

The rebuilding of the temple in the days of Haggai the prophet is equivalent to the Great Commission work Christ sent us, His “ambassadors” to accomplish as we look for His soon return (2 Corinthians 5:20).

Who is it that gives men the “power to get wealth”? The LORD. Why does He do such? – “that he may establish his covenant.” (Deuteronomy 8:18)

“And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth. 18 But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day. 19 And it shall be, if thou do at all forget the LORD thy God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you this day that ye shall surely perish. 20 As the nations which the LORD destroyeth before your face, so shall ye perish; because ye would not be obedient unto the voice of the LORD your God.” Deuteronomy 8:17-20

Does God still keep His Word to bless those who put Him first with what He grants them the ability to bring in?

If a person chooses to repent of poor stewardship and conform to God’s Word, will the LORD not give that person grace to do the impossible? (Proverbs 3:9-10; Mark 10:27) Are you on your own with your finances? Or, are you dying to human reasoning and excuses and simply obeying the LORD? When we do simply obey Him, we can expect that He will undertake the cause and begin to do things that are miraculous. We see this throughout history, especially as recorded in Holy Writ. Remember the widow who had only a handful of food left to feed herself and her son? Remember who when she obeying the LORD that she was abundantly blessed? (1 Kings 17:10-16) The fact that some wolves have utilized this passage to garner gains for themselves, in no way negates the divine authority in and of this passage of truth. Will the LORD still bless? Has He changed or is our sin hindering His blessings? (Isaiah 59:1-2; Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:9)

“Ye looked for much, and, lo it came to little; and when ye brought it home, I did blow upon it. Why? saith the LORD of hosts. Because of mine house that is waste, and ye run every man unto his own house.” Haggai 1:9

The people of God were experiencing diminishing returns due to their refusal to simply put God first in their lives, hearts, and therefore finances. The LORD blew on their finances and scattered them because they were not putting Him and therefore His work first – but rather their own lives and money were first. Repentance required (Revelation 2:4-5). Read Haggai 1. It’s a very revealing chapter.

The LORD’s Plan to Feed, Protect, and Bless His Saints and to Spread His Good News

It’s interesting and telling to compare the distribution of goods/resources/funds among the earliest believers and the way things are done today. Read Acts 2:44-45; 4:32-35. Today, as was so often foretold, the merchandising wolves are living ‘high off the hog’ when the Bible clearly instructs leaders never to “greatly multiply to himself silver and gold.”(Deuteronomy 17:17)

Of course, the Bible teaches that those whom God has called out are to be provided for (1 Cor. 9:1-14; 1 Tim. 5:17-18) and yet, today we have lavish wolves flaunting their multi-million dollar homes in gated communities (insulated from the little guys/the poor). This has nothing to do with and blatantly contradicts the lifestyles of Jesus and His holy apostles. This makes you wonder if those who enable these wolves have even read the Gospels! A second grader knows this is wrong.

Most of us have funded wolves only later to see the light of their greed later. So, should we stop obeying God by giving to further His work? Is it time we understand the LORD’s balance in these things?

Does the Almighty have or need American money in Heaven? No.

The LORD has a plan and following that plan (instead of our own) will result in glorifying Him and seeing many blessed.

***The true disciple of Jesus is not looking for the next trinket to waste his money on, but rather is about His Father’s business of putting that money toward God’s eternal kingdom! (Matthew 6:19-24)

Some who are greedy in heart, serving the god of mammon, do not like biblical teachings on stewardship. They will lash out against the messenger, when those demons that control them are enraged. There are more than 2,500 verses on stewardship in God’s Word and over half of Jesus parables are on stewardship so anyone endeavoring to disclose/teach the full counsel of God cannot dodge that topic.

Many today who name Christ as their Savior are saying in their hearts: “I have more important things to fund than YOUR work LORD! After all, the things in my life, to make me feel more comfortable in this fleeting world, are very important. Jesus, please don’t bother me any more concerning funding YOUR work. I have vacations to go on. I have to get a bigger, nicer car so that I, I, I, look better to mere men. I HAVE to run out and see the newest movies, buy the latest fashions, subscribe to magazines from the world to help me me me be in the know, eat out 20 times monthly, put more money in the bank for MY security, get a bigger house to make myself feel better …”

Which World are You Rich In?

“There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.” Proverbs 13:7

Praise God for those who give to the work of Christ! It is regrettable though that many of those who see God’s work and receive of Him through it as they see those workers of the LORD doing HIS work, do not contribute and do not agree with God that HIS workers “ARE worthy”of financial reward so they can be sustained and furthered in doing HIS HIS HIS work. Many are saying with their inaction that Christ’s workers are NOT worthy of their hire. They are saying “LORD, I know You said that Your servants ARE due financial reward so they can keep doing YOUR work, but I am too busy to take a moment to help, I am too strapped financially, after all, I have the cable TV bill to pay, I have to pay my mortgage, my rent, for food, daily coffee, golf, and for many other essential things. I really don’t think that Your work is important. Winning souls to Your eternal kingdom for who You bled and rose again is not important to me. I am too busy being entrenched in and loving this present sinful world. So, Your kingdom, Your work, and Your people will have to wait till I have so much money that I can keep doing these important things that are important to ME in this life and also throw a token tip your way.”

When is the last time you read 1 Corinthians 9:1-14 and 1 Timothy 5:17-18? Do you know what the LORD is teaching us in these important passages? How can we expect to be blessed of Him if we ignore His instructions?

It is clear that God will bless those who agree with Him – in heart, mind, and in action. We will find amazing, supernatural blessings in our lives if we will put Jesus “first” in our stewardship, in our finances (Matthew 6:33; 2 Corinthians 9:6-11; Proverbs 3:10-11). Did He not promise to bless us if we put Him first which means putting His work as a top priority?

The “double honour” financial reward is due to called out Gospel workers and that’s the instruction of the One who has called out and set those workers apart to do (1 Timothy 5:17-18). That money should be there and that’s why God says that those who labor in His Word – learning and feeding His sheep – are to receive “double honour” so that they do not have to be interrupted in doing HIS work.

Jesus says that what we do with our monies is a direct reflection of who we truly love, worship, and serve – self or the Savior. “For where your treasure is THERE will your heart be also.” (Matthew 6:19-24)

Who has God put in your life to feed you HIS Word? What does the Bible say to do to those who feed you God’s Word? (Galatians 6:6)

Is God calling you to get into agreement with His revealed mind? Is He calling you to count His work as a high priority in your life? Will He not open His windows of blessings upon your life? (Proverbs 3:9-10; 2 Corinthians 9:6-11) Will His kingdom blessings now be added to your life if you truly and practically put Him first? (Matthew 6:33) Will your barns not be “filled with plenty”?

“Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:¹⁰So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.” Proverbs 3:9-10

If you are upset, I am sorry. I sure hope this never has to be said again other than in the general teaching of the full-counsel of God which includes the important topic of stewardship.

“But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. ⁷Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. ⁸And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: ⁹(As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. ¹⁰Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) ¹¹Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.” 2 Corinthians 9:6-11

Do you begin to realize what is at stake here? Do we begin to understand the implications of sinful omission? Do we begin to realize what great rewards we are forfeiting?

Aren’t the bank accounts that are connected to the work of the LORD worthy to be filled in order to supply for His work to be done?

Are you doing your part to fund those who are truly fulfilling a New Testament purpose?

Is the feeding of the LORD’s people important to you? Do unreached precious souls for whom Christ bled and rose again matter?

Jesus says “Feed my sheep.” (John 21:15-17) Are you personally interested in Christ and His sheep? Are you concerned that His sheep will be fed (nourished) and that more souls will be won to Him before it’s too late? What work or labor in this fleeting, sinful world could possibly be more important than that of the LORD’s business? Are you prayer for His laborers and supporting the work of Jesus? (Matthew 9:35-38)

Do we fit into that last day’s prophetic category of those who have a mere “form of godliness” yet deny the power, the divine authority of God to reign in our daily lives? Are we “lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God” and are we those who are “lovers of their own selves, covetous …”? May the LORD rebuke and change us now! (2 Timothy 3:1-8)

God is able!

Consider and Build [podcast]

Consider Your Ways (below) Resting to Build (below) “Whew thank you for that rebuke I needed that ! What a magnificent powerful biblical gospel message.” Cassandra IS GOD (His work and people) important to you? Is the LORD Jesus Christ first place in your life? Is furthering His Gospel a priority to you? Have you scheduled Him into your financial distribution? OR, is the LORD, who bought you with His blood, a second class citizen to you? Well, think about it – we never thought twice to budget for the cable company, the electrical company, the gym, the […]

Fruit Abounding To Your Account: Divine Incentive [video]

“Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.” Philippians 4:17 Jesus told us that He has gone to prepare a place for His people. If you are born again and abiding presently in Christ, you have “mansion” in glory awaiting you! (John 14:1-6) Did you know that you also have an “account” in Heaven? Now, what’s in that “account”? Is it empty or full? Every single child of God has an “account” in Heaven. Paul the apostle of Jesus, cared deeply about the heavenly “account” of Christ’s saints! YOU have an “account” […]

Dollar Dialogue [podcast]

Holes in Your Money Bags? [podcast] Curing the Dilemma of Diminishing Returns. If we want to see Heaven’s floodgates opened, we must examine what compliance, what agreement, what obedience the LORD may be leading us to render. The Reason Your Bag has Holes in it [podcast] (below) YOUR own bank statement tells you exactly who you are. Matt 6:21 A financial investor takes your money and multiplies it for your last few years in this temporal life, right? In contrast, laborers for Christ take your support and multiply it for Christ and themselves for all eternity. In Christ’s eternal kingdom […]