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THE CROSS: Know it. Live it. Preach it.

God will never lift up those who stand in their pride but only those who bow before Him in humility (Psalms 145:14; James 4:6-10, etc.).

Running to a “revival” is not the answer. The reason people run to a “revival” is due to their refusal to deny self, take up the cross daily, and thereby be re-vived (filled with life!) daily – experiencing the resurrection of Christ each day in their personal lives as God has ordained (Luke 9:23-24; 2 Corinthians 4:10-12). A cross-less life is a life of defeat. A life in the cross is a life of victory! God is calling us to settle down humbly in repentance and adhere to His cross prescription. It’s only then that His victory is going to manifest in our lives, and not before. Going to a revival is usually for a feeling and not going to result in a solid forged foundation.

It’s important to not just share promises but also the divinely stated conditions God gives us in His Word. The cross message is nearly never heard in the modern church world and Jesus says it’s essential to following Him (Luke 9:23-24).

Grab this: Having difficulty overcoming? Let’s get a fresh dose of dying – of death and burial – and Christ will raise us upward into His victory! Read Romans 6. God will not raise us upward until we submit afresh downward – to His prescription of the crucified life! Romans 6 and 2 Corinthians 4:10-12, Galatians 2:20.

“Until I embraced the cross, I had no lasting victory! No seed-bearing fruit, like clouds without rain, all promise but dry bones within. Christ will only indwell a vessel emptied of self and only he can give complete salvation to overcome all sin to be enjoyed at the marriage supper of the LAMB. Til then we press in abiding in Jesus, so that he may work in us his great salvation. (John 15; Rom 6; Php. 2; Col. 3; etc.) I die -> He raises me up.” Jon Crane

Beware of the many counterfeits today who want to be raised up, resurrected, elevated and yet are not willing to lay down their lives in this fleeting world – to die. They want the crown without the cross but that’s not how Christ’s kingdom works.

Those who evade (do not camp around the cross message of Christ and His apostles) are not following the original Gospel and prove they are “enemies of the cross of Christ” and only seek to satisfy their carnal lusts.
 
“(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 
In contrast to these “enemies of the cross of Christ … whose god is their belly (carnal appetites), those who will remain in the cross life will be mightily used of God (2 Corinthians 4:10-12).

Personal observation … I never so preach the cross message as when I am actually taking up that cross  as Jesus instructed and as He enables by His grace (divine enablement). Also, there’s never such a fresh and powerful anointing from Heaven present as when this disciple is truly, presently submitted to our LORD in His cross  (the death and burial He calls us to) so that He can raise us upward in His divine strength which is sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). Oh that God would make this constant in the lives of His beloved! Seek Him for this beloved.

Cross-less Liars

You not preaching the cross – the necessity of being crucified with Christ? Friend, are you perpetuating falsehoods? Are you regurgitating promises without their divinely stated conditions?

“And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.” Luke 9:23-24

Jesus placed the cross at the center of His kingdom and our walk with Him. In the above passage He clearly conveys that the cross is essential to following Him. Yet we hear little or nothing of this cross in the modern church message. AND, we hear SO much about elevation, the hope of victory, “God’s going to turn your situation around,” “your blessing is just around the corner,” etc. Yet no cross – no requirement to die, to lay down your life.

“For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” Colossians 3:3

In Christ’s kingdom there must be first a humble downward descent before there will be a divine ascent.

The depth you allow God to bury you determines the height of His resurrection, His raising up in your life! (2 Corinthians 4:10-12).

The only way up is down in Christ’s kingdom economy.

“There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Proverbs 14:12 

Those not willing to humble themselves before the Almighty and die to self, will not be raised up by Him – here and now and forever.

Believing God’s blessing will be upon our lives without doing things His way – the cross – is a “lying” vanity.

“They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy.” Jonah 2:8 

Adding to the simplicity of the Gospel? No. – Those who truly have saving faith delight to obey their Master Jesus (Matthew 7:21-29; Luke 6:46; 19:27; John 14:15, 21; Titus 1:16; James 2; 1 John 2:4, etc.).

Jesus conquered sin by dying and we follow Him by dying to self, self-will, the self-life so that He might reign supreme in us. This is the way sin is conquered. Read this closely:

“Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;” Hebrews 2:14

Here’s how our lives in Christ work beloved:

“Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. 11 For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you.” 2 Corinthians 4:10-12

It’s hard not to get super excited at the thought of His resurrection and the one He wants to bring in our lives – and will bring as we lay them down!

A “gospel” that doesn’t include at its center the cross, is “another gospel” (Galatians 1:6-9).

If it’s not elevation by God, by way of death and the burial of self, it’s a false and a demonic self-elevation. Beware!

“Elevation” is the new self-promoting buzz word and yet there will be no elevation, divine raising up until there is a death and burial. Listen closely – there is no cross in their message. They are “enemies of the cross of Christ” (Philippians 3:18-19).

Those who do not preach this cross of the original Gospel of Jesus, are “enemies of the cross of Christ” and have chosen the flesh, self-promotion instead of the promotion that comes from the LORD alone, above.

“(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

Karen Cochran writes:

“The cross message is Christ’s truth! I heard a pastor say that Jesus died for us because we were worth it! What? This is the stuff that is being preached in the churches! No death to self! People are being elevated to believe they are great people! Not the message of Jesus at all. The way of the cross is hard with tribulations and dying to self. Paul said oh wretched man that I am. That applies to all of us! Everyday I see how much I am not like Jesus and the prayer of my heart is ‘more of Jesus less of me.’ I am certainly a work in progress. This cross message of Christ and His apostles is not very popular in modern day churches.”

God will only promote those who do things HIS non-negotiable way and no other.

“For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. 7 But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.” Psalms 75:6-7

Unless you are obediently going downward, deep into the death of Christ, GOD is not raising you upward and you are relegated to your own futile self-promotion.

God doesn’t raise up those who are propelled by and alive under their own strength and will power. He only raises upward those who are bowed down in the crucified life. The LORD leaves “alone,” leaves to themselves those who are no doing things His way which is the way of the cross.

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn (grain, seed) of wheat fall into the ground and die (death and burial), it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit (resurrection).” John 12:24

Those who don’t die will abide “alone” – without the resurrection grace of He who is “the resurrection and the life” – because they are not walking in faith in His resurrecting power of Christ but rather according to the flesh, to do their own promotion.

“Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:” John 11:25

Elevation that’s not preceded by the cross – death and burial – is luciferian self-promotion. Check this out:

“How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! 13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. 15 Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.” Isaiah 14:12-15

Self-promotion is a work of the flesh, part of the old man, part of Satan’s kingdom. Self-promotion is usurpish, conceited, and arrogant, foolishly pretending to be in charge, to be able to independent of the Almighty do as it pleases. Like Satan, all who operate this way “shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit (of hell) (Isaiah 14:12-15).

“And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.” Luke 10:18

Satan was cast out of Heaven – violently ejected from the presence of the Almighty – for His pride. And, so shall all who follow in his steps, refusing to truly repent and humble themselves under the mighty hand of God – in being  crucified with Christ.

Those who walk with Jesus, walk in the faith of knowing HE is going to raise them up as they bow down in humility before Him.

“But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. 9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” James 4:6-10

The Crucified Life

Support | STORE | PodcastsTop 12 Missing Essential Doctrines in the Modern Church World! [podcast]Repentance and FruitLoving not our Lives unto the Death [podcast] | The Greatest Servant

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Abiding

Speaking His Truth in Love [podcast]


“But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:” Ephesians 4:15

Growing up in Christ involves and leads to His children “speaking the truth in love.”

Not one or the other but rather BOTH – truth and love, “speaking the truth in love.” (Ephesians 4:15)

A person of truth never speaks with respect to how mere men will respond nor merely for their enrichment. No, he speaks the words, the truth of God, unashamed, boldly. His desire is to please the LORD, not men (Ephesians 4:15; Galatians 1:10).

Ephesians 4:15-32

Never speak “your truth.” Speak God’s truth! Your life is over and swallowed up in Christ! (Colossians 3:3)

Saints, let us please remember that as believers, sometimes it’s best to simply pray, to demonstrate our trust before God Himself privately, and not wrestle with other saints who are struggling as all do in this life (2 Timothy 2:24-26). “Let thy words be few.” (Ecclesiastes 5:2) At times our ministry involves caring enough to simply listen.

Walking in God’s love can never be separated from walking in God’s truth! They are divinely, eternally married! Don’t you dare claim to be walking in God’s love if you are not speaking God’s truth (Ephesians 4:15; Proverbs 27:5-6). God requires that you speak His truth in His love or you are nothing (1 Corinthians 13).

OH THIS IS GOOD!!!!!

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Abiding

Jesus will Judge Us by Our Works

By Glenn and Dezi Langohr

JESUS — JUDGED BY WORKS

“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… Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied…? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Matthew 7:21–23

Our works clearly reveal what is in our hearts! Fruit.

“For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.” Matthew 16:27

“…all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.” John 5:28–29

“He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: *the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.” John 12:48

PAUL — CONTINUE IN GOOD WORKS

“Who will render to every man according to his deeds: To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life.” Romans 2:6–7

 “For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.” Romans 2:13

 “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10

“…they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works.” Titus 3:8

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” 2 Corinthians 5:10  

“…for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing…” Galatians 6:7–9

JAMES — FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD

“Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.” James 2:17

“Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.” James 2:24 

“For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” James 2:26 

PETER — BE HOLY, DO GOOD WORKS

“And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear.” 1 Peter 1:17

“Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.” 1 Peter 2:12 

“Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall.” 2 Peter 1:10 

 SUMMARY

Jesus said He will judge every man by their works (Matthew 16:27, John 5:29).

Paul taught that eternal life is for those who continue in well doing (Romans 2:7, Titus 3:8).

James declared faith without works is dead (James 2:17, 24).

Peter warned God will judge every man’s work (1 Peter 1:17) and exhorted us to abound in good works.

God’s people are called to endure to the end with living faith proven by works of obedience, love, and holiness.

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Abiding

There’s a Change Coming! [podcasts]


“Till My Change Come”

“Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble. 2  He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not. … 14 If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come.” Job 14:1,2,14

Those being transformed into the image of Christ as they behold His face, as they seek Him, are abiding with Christ and will soon transition from the earthly to the heavenly.

“Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.” James 4:14

“So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” Psalms 90:12

“For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 

2  For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: 

3  If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. 

4  For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. 

5  Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. 

6  Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: 

7  (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) 

8  We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. 

9  Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. 

10  For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” 2 Corinthians 5:1-10

“For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7  I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8  Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:6-8

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