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“The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow. 4 Then called I upon the name of the LORD; O LORD, I beseech thee, deliver my soul. 5 Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful. 6 The LORD preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he helped me. 7 Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the LORD hath dealt bountifully with thee. 8 For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling. 9 I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living.” Psalms 116:3-9

With all the turbulence, all the unrest going on, at times, I’ve found myself losing my place of rest in the LORD. Like Peter, when I look away from the Savior, my life begins to sink down into depression, lack of love, joy, and peace, descending instead of ascending, and dismally dark. Yet, the Holy Spirit ever draws my heart to Christ, to repentance, back to faith and rest. This Bible verse is on the wall in my restroom:

Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalms 46:10

Didn’t our LORD Jesus foretell us that this would be the case in the final days before He returns?

“And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; 26 Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. 27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” Luke 21:25-28

I’m also remind of this amazing Bible verse:

“There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. 10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. 11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.” Hebrew 4:9-11

If we don’t return to our LORD as the very “first love” of our lives, there is the danger of falling into a state of “unbelief” would could mean nothing but the loss of saving faith and impending eternal doom.

“Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.” Revelation 2:4-5

“There is neither adversary nor evil occurrent”

“But now the LORD my God hath given me rest on every side, so that there is neither adversary nor evil occurrent.” 1 Kings 5:4 

King David had just died and his son Solomon was commissioned to build the temple of worship to the LORD, something David desired to do but was unable. God didn’t allow him to because he was a man of war (1 Chronicles 22).

FB Meyer on the succession of Solomon from his father David:

“David, before his death, had made great preparations for building the Temple, but had not been permitted to proceed with its construction. “Thou didst well that it was in thy heart,” 2Ch_6:8. God credits us with what we would have done, had it been in our power. But now war on every side had been exchanged for peace, and the time for temple-building had come. A great principle is here involved which has many applications.”

Preparations for Building the Temple

“And Hiram king of Tyre sent his servants unto Solomon; for he had heard that they had anointed him king in the room of his father: for Hiram was ever a lover of David. 2 And Solomon sent to Hiram, saying, 3 Thou knowest how that David my father could not build an house unto the name of the LORD his God for the wars which were about him on every side, until the LORD put them under the soles of his feet. 4 But now the LORD my God hath given me rest on every side, so that there is neither adversary nor evil occurrent. 5  And, behold, I purpose to build an house unto the name of the LORD my God, as the LORD spake unto David my father, saying, Thy son, whom I will set upon thy throne in thy room, he shall build an house unto my name.” 1 Kings 5:1-5

There was rest. There was a season where no “adversary nor evil occurrent” was attacking God’s people. “Occurrent” meaning “occurrence,” or “plague”, i.e; “rebellion, famine, pestilence, or other suffering”. David had had many such “occurrences” (2 Samuel 15:14; 2 Samuel 20:1; 2 Samuel 21:1; 2 Samuel 24:15). This is what the millennial reign of Christ and His people will be like where no “adversary nor evil occurrent” will be allowed to be present or tempt them in the temple of the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21-22).

As we gaze at the transition between David and his son Solomon and how God disallowed David from building the temple and assigned/ordained Solomon to do so in a time of peace, we should perhaps ask of the LORD to show us the significance in this (1 Kings 5:4).

“And it came to pass, when the king sat in his house, and the LORD had given him rest round about from all his enemies; 2 That the king said unto Nathan the prophet, See now, I dwell in an house of cedar, but the ark of God dwelleth within curtains.” 2 Samuel 7:1-2

It bothered David that he was dwelling in a palatial estate (palace) while the ark of God was sitting in a tent. See 1 Chronicles for details of this transition and why God forbid David and commissioned his son Solomon to build the temple. David was a man of war (beginning with slaying Goliath) and Solomon a man of peace.

Perhaps we can observe that in our own lives there are times, seasons of conflict which give way to seasons of peace and great fruitfulness.

Adam Clarke on 1 Kings 5:4:

“There is neither adversary – אין שטן eyn satan, there is no satan – no opposer, nor any kind of evil; all is peace and quiet, both without and within. God has given me this quiet that I may build his temple.”

Just as much conflict came in the days of king David and then rest ensued with Solomon, so after much persecution was leveled against the early church, rest and fruitfulness followed. Saul had wreaked havoc on the church but was now saved into it. Surely this accounted for much of the terror being vanquished which gave way to this time of peace and edification and comfort as the disciples walking in “the fear of the Lord.”

“Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.” Acts 9:31

“REST ROUND ABOUT” is a Welcome Phrase we find 4 times in God’s Word:

“And the LORD gave them REST ROUND ABOUT, according to all that he sware unto their fathers: and there stood not a man of all their enemies before them; the LORD delivered all their enemies into their hand.” Joshua 21:44

“And it came to pass, when the king sat in his house, and the LORD had given him REST ROUND ABOUT from all his enemies;” 2 Samuel 7:1

“And all Judah rejoiced at the oath: for they had sworn with all their heart, and sought him with their whole desire; and he was found of them: and the LORD gave them REST ROUND ABOUT.” 2 Chronicles 15:15

“So the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet: for his God gave him REST ROUND ABOUT.” 2 Chronicles 20:30

Being “hid with Christ in God” speaks of the rest of God or “rest round about.”

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

The rest of disciple comes via the cross – where he is dead and buried, resting in the LORD and following this comes the resurrection, the raising upward into fruitfulness, fruitful seasons. The great apostle speaks of this paradox where the crucified life brings a rest from trusting ourselves and a giving way to the great power of God laboring in and through us!

“But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.” 1 Corinthians 15:10

“A Rest to the People of God”

“There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. 10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. 11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.” Hebrews 4:9-11

Perhaps our laboring to enter into His rests refers to remaining dead and buried so that He is raising our lives upward as they are propelled by divine grace and not mere human effort.

Jesus calls His people to come to Him and to rest in Him and as we do, there will be great fruitfulness.

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

It would be impossible to come to Jesus, on His stated terms, and not be at peace, at rest.

“Through God we shall do valiantly”

GOD will tread down, run over, and destroy His enemies…. who are also your enemies.

“Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man. 12 Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our enemies.” Psalms 60:11-12

The LORD is today giving His people “rest round about” as He did in the days of Solomon to build the temple. His people must be about His business, doing His Great Commission work of building up His temple which is His body.

In the scope of past, present, and future history – HIS-story – nothing is over till Jesus wins! He has nor evil will lose. “Rest round about”, peace from the “Prince of peace” is coming soon and forever to His beloved people! (Isaiah 9:6-7)

Soon Heaven’s KING will return to set up His reign, His “government” which will begin with destructive judgment upon the heads of His enemies (Isaiah 9:6-7; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10).

The first time He came, our LORD said He will “send forth judgment unto victory” and is getting ready to finish it at His return (Matthew 12:20).

“For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. … 57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”  1 Corinthians 15:25-26, 57

After the beloved Joseph had suffered unjustly and greatly for many years, he entered into a season of great fruitfulness, blessed to forget the toil he’d been through. In fact, this is reflected in the naming of his two sons

“And unto Joseph were born two sons before the years of famin e came, which Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On bare unto him. 51 And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh (means to forget): For God, said he, hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father’s house. 52 And the name of the second called he Ephraim (means fruitfulness): For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.” Genesis 41:50-52

After suffering greatly and much due to a wicked woman who falsely accused him, Joseph was lifted from the prison pit to the palace. By God’s grace he endured the long season of death and burial to be elevated into a resurrection season where he named his first child forgetfulness due to God blessing him to forget all the unjust toil he suffered. He then named his second son after the fruitfulness of the new season he was enjoying. God allows these seasons of stripping to put ourselves aside and allow Him to truly reign. Job’s sufferings and Paul’s thorn is another example of such (2 Corinthians 12:7-12).

“But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, AFTER that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.” 1 Peter 5:10

Support | STORE | PodcastsThe Return of ChristStewardshipWhere to Give and Where Not to Give | Fruit Abounding to Your Account! | Consider Your Ways [podcast] | Consider and Build [podcast] | Holes in Your Money Bags? [podcast] | Dollar Dialogue

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America

Evangelism Adventures: Stories, Reports, and Testimonies of God’s Amazing Love [podcast]


SO, we prayed for God to use us today right? …. He’s hearing our prayer.

So, in the gym this morning, a lady near me was struggling to get a large plate on each side of the barbell. So, I began to help her and she said “No Ingles” which means she does not speak English. So, I affirmed that she speaks Spanish and I began to speak God’s Word to her in her language. Her face lit up and she thanked me. God is good!

Jesus says “The seed is the word of God” and His people are planting it today in the hearts of others in order for God to bring them to Himself. God be praised in Jesus Christ our LORD and Savior today and forever!

How were we, how are others “born again”? – “the the word of God.”

“Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” 1 Peter 1:23

Sharing the Gospel in Spanish! YOU can do it! Go here.

The body of Christ in the earth is TEAM JESUS!

The body of Christ is “striving together for the faith of the gospel”, … “WE are labourers together with God.” (Philippians 1:27; 1 Corinthians 3:9)

Let’s lift this up now….. Holy Father, You are the LORD of the harvest. In the name of Jesus Christ, we here and now ask You to send forth more laborers and supporters into the fields which You told us are ready to be harvested. In Jesus’ name. Thank You LORD Jesus !

Ever notice how some church goers live their life trying to get others to go to their church? Question: As you read God’s Word, do you see Jesus, His apostles, or the earliest followers of Jesus inviting people to their church? Or, do you see them bringing the love, the truth, the Gospel to the people?

“And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. 36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. 37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; 38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.” Matthew 9:35-38 

Oh and this…

“Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.” Acts 8:4

Those in charge in the so-called “church” buildings are perpetuating their own existence and not taking the Gospel of Jesus to the people. Unlike Jesus and all of His true disciples throughout New Testament history, they have no concern for lost souls.

Tens of thousands of saints and sinners are being reached each month with the Word of God via a multiplicity of diverse venues.

Books like the Born Again book and Moments with Our Master, etc. continue to go forth to the incarcerated. Today a copy of the Born Again book was sent to a man who confessed to the murder of 16 people (Sean Lannon). GOD is able saints!

Giving God praise for those who support HIS work. Your support is vital. Jesus Christ is KING! and He’s coming soon! “WE are labourers TOGETHER with God.” (1 Cor 3:9) | Because You Care

JESUS HASN’T AND WILL NOT RESCIND HIS GREAT COMMISSION MANDATE. ARE YOU PARTICIPATING? He commanded us to “GO ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15)

Jesus is Bringing Incarcerated, Captive Souls to Himself: YOUR GIFTS ARE REACHING BEHIND THE COLD HARD WALLS OF PRISON CELLS – INTO THE SEARCHING, HUNGERING SOULS OF A CAPTIVE AUDIENCE OF MEN AND WOMEN: Inasmuch as there is financial supply, ministry books continue to flood jails across our nation – touching the hearts of the incarcerated for Christ! These books will be read by many, Captive audience.

Sending the Divine Light into “The Prison House” Here

“Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.” Psalms 23:5

YOUR PRAYER: Holy Father, I ask You now to use me for Your glory. Set my life apart to Yourself. Bless this life to be truly crucified with Christ and raised for Your eternal glory my LORD Jesus. I love You Jesus. I love You dear Father. In Jesus’ name.  

If we are low spiritually, it could only be for 1 reason – we didn’t stay filled. Get filled! Stay filled! Overflow!

“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” Matthew 5:6 

“The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it.” Psalms 68:11

Examples and Blessings of Sharing God’s Love

This recent letter below is from Brother John Becknell in Kentucky. John and I met when I called his store after seeing a Fox news article featuring their no-mask policy store front sign. It was a divine connection for certain and we’ve been blessed to continually supply brother John and the believers around him with Bibles and the Moments for Our Master 365 devotional books. Also, John referred us to a women’s recovery home there in his area which we’ve been blessed to also supply with Bibles and copies of the devotional books.

“Brother Todd, To say the least … it’s been busy here. Alvin’s was blessed to give away 510 free Christmas dinners to anyone in the community who came into the store the Sunday after Christmas Day. We had made all the preparations for the dinners to be served on Christmas Day… but we got about 7 or 8 inches of surprise snow and black ice, temperatures dropped into the teens; ice everywhere, broken water lines on Christmas Eve. The ice was really bad; cars off the road all around us. Several stranded people came into the store and stayed until the roads were passable Friday night. We gave away coffee and snacks to those who came in out of the storm. We had to postpone the dinner until Sunday… it was a nightmare, but God saw us through and Sunday we had a glorious time! We were able to give away the Bibles you sent. We made a display and placed them on a table directly in front of our hot bar. We talked with many people and gave the ones that wanted one a Bible… There’s nothing better than being able to feed food to the body and nourishment to the Spirit! As you know Christmas is a hard time for many families and we got to minister Hope and pray with several people… Thanks for all the prayers and support especially during Christmas with the Bibles and devotionals… ‘People need Hope, they need healing, they need to reach out for the Master, they need the Word.’ Matt 9:22. God Bless you and your ministry for sending the Word; it will bring much light in this dark place… John (and yes, we could use a few Bibles and Devotionals).” John Becknell

“Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. 36 And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. 37 And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth. 38 I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours.” John 4:35-38

Below are recent letters from sister Dana, a dear disciple we have had fellowship with for years and whom the ministry outreach has been blessed to supply – due to the love offerings of Christ’s saints.

Here’s How Our LORD Instructed us to Pray

“And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. 36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. 37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; 38  Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.” Matthew 9:35-38

Feel free to lift a lady named Cindy in prayer….. the following was given to her…

​ @Cindy – We have all sinned against God and shall all stand before our Maker, the Judge of our eternal souls, to give full account. “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.” (Psalms 14:1) Lying, stealing, coveting, using His holy name in vain, lusting, fornication, etc. are sins we’ve all committed and are 100% guilty and will pay for our own sins in hell for eternity. The Almighty owes you nothing. You need Him. He does not need you.

More testimonies and stories here>>> Because You Care | Moments with Our Master 365 Devotional book | Grocery Basket Evangelism! [podcast] | Evangelism | Revolutionary Evangelism book | Support | STORE

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Jeremy and Jesus! SAVED! [podcast]

Grocery Basket Evangelism! [podcast]

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THIS LIFE is about loving GOD and OTHERS [podcast]


THIS LIFE is about loving GOD and OTHERS. It’s that simple. Read Matthew 22:37-40 daily.

WHEN we are walking a life of prayer and helping others, we are dead center in God’s perfect will.

Read that again.

“Walk in love.”

“And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.” Ephesians 5:2

Loving the Brethren is Essential to Eternal Glory

Matthew 22:37-40 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. 

1 Peter 4:7-8  But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. 8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.

1 John 4:7-8  Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. 

1 John 5:1-2  Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

John 13:35  By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. 

The love of many waxing cold and yet for Christ’s remnant, for those choosing God’s way and no other, can our love for the LORD wax hotter? (Matthew 24:8-14)

Just as we have to forbear others, they have to forbear us! Right? To forbear basically means “to put up with.”

“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

“And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.” 1 Corinthians 13:13 

“EDIFY ONE ANOTHER”

“Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and EDIFY ONE ANOTHER, even as also ye do.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11

To “edify” means to build up, upward – with biblical truth, not flattery.

IF you aren’t regularly, perpetually edifying, building up the body of Christ, you have no business correcting the body of Christ. Repent now and cry out to God for His mercy, for an heart of flesh, and the mind of Christ. Read Philippians 2:3-5 each morning this weekend in prayer.

“Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may EDIFY another.” Romans 14:19

YOUR PRAYER: Father, please have YOUR way in me. I am crucified with Christ, now. Now, dear LORD please fill this Your vessel with Your love – to be poured out upon Your beloved saints. I love You LORD Jesus. In Jesus’ name. amen.

Support | STORE | PodcastsBecause 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  |

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“In Due Season We Shall Reap, If We Faint Not” [podcast]


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

Paul’s Sufferings and Warning to Us

“For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men. 10 We are fools for Christ’s sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised. 11 Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace; 12 And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: 13 Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day. 14 I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you.” 1 Corinthians 4:9-14

Paul warned the body of Christ that as he suffered, so we would suffer for Christ.

Like Paul, on this earth, in this life, we shall not awake to the absence of temptation or evil lurking in our own hearts or this world. No, evil shall not be vanquished until Jesus returns to put down all evil and secure us unto Himself. For now, may God bless each of us, His children, to be dead and buried with Christ as He raises us upward in His divine grace unto complete victory (1 Corinthians 15:57; 2 Corinthians 4:10-12, etc.). Reading Revelation 21-22 today is glorious. The final 2 chapters in our LORD’s Word. Heaven’s KING is coming!

“But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9

His Enemies Put Under His Feet

“Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up t he kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. 25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. 27 For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. 28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.” 1 Corinthians 15:24-28

Learning to Count it All Joy!

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing… 12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” James 1:2-4, 12

Even though men shall forsake you, God is going to be with you, “even unto the end of the world  (Matthew 28:18-20).

At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge. 17 Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. 18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” 2 Timothy 4:16-18

Worshipping God in and through our times of testing, the trials, temptations and struggles provides the Christlikeness, the maturity our regenerated inner man desperately desires (Romans 8:28-29; James 1:2-4; 1 Peter 5:10). God’s goal is much greater than just snapping His holy finger and delivering you out of the temporary trial. He’s after much more. He has to break down and strip us before He can re-furnish us, making us “a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work” (Jeremiah 1:10; 2 Timothy 2:21). Remember Paul’s thorn? Read 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

“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

For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. 11 And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: 12 that ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”  Hebrews 6:10-12

Is the LORD doing a deeper work in you, preparing you for greater fruitfulness?

“Did a bit of a study on testing yesterday, …take note Genesis 22:1 … ‘God tested Abraham,’ even Jesus after His baptism was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil ….even Jesus was tested …how can we expect anything less, we will be tested, …will we be found faithful, one who perseveres, one who endures till the end of our life here on earth?” Sharon

“I’ve learned that ‘the LORD may get me out of this’ trial, but I will have missed the joy and reward of going through whatever ‘this’ is with Him – and what He intended to accomplish in me. Closer intimacy often comes through great conflict in which the foundations of hope, trust, and faith are built. I love you, Jesus!” Jon Crane

“While you’re praying: ‘Get me OUT of this, Lord!’ don’t forget to add: ‘Be with me IN this, Lord!’ Wait ON and WITH the Lord.” Michael Beck

God’s plan for your life….here it is:

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20

Declare this and/or perhaps Colossians 3:3 each morning. Declare it as you sentence yourself to death that the Savior might reign!

“But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:” 2 Corinthians 1:9

Have you fallen, stumbled? JUST get up saint….

Cry out to the LORD. Psalm 51; Philippians 3:13-14.

“For a just man FALLETH (death, burial) seven times, and RISETH up again (resurrection): but the wicked (unrepentant) shall fall into mischief.” Proverbs 24:16

The dishonest, the unrepentant will go downward, stay downward, and perish down in the bowels of eternal damnation.

This is a war. We’ve lost some battles and yet, as we learn to live a life of true and humble repentance, as did beloved David, we shall be preserved unto everlasting glory with the soon coming KING! (Psalm 32; 51; Matthew 24:13; Hebrews 3:6, 12-14; 10:26-39; Revelation 2-3, etc.

God is going to greatly use those who truly know Him, who are known of Him, who have been submitting to His process (1 Peter 1:7; 5:10, etc.), His chastening, purging, instruction….. who’ve been trusting Him through the fires….

“And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. 33 And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days. 34 Now when they shall fall, they shall be holpen with a little help: but many shall cleave to them with flatteries. 35 And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed.”  Daniel 11:32-35

“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” James 1:2-4 

WHEN we witness the bless-ed, needed change the LORD does in us as we trust and seek Him in seasons of testing, we begin to “count it all joy” to “fall into divers (various) temptations (trials) (James 1:2-4).

Liza Young writes:

“When we say yes to GOD as HIS Spirit reveals HIS will to us through HIS Word, the bitter circumstances of our lives become sweet. We must not grumble against what the LORD permits, instead, we must do all that HE asks us to do.”

Saints, in Psalms we see the psalmist in many dire scenarios, forced and blessed to cry out to the LORD in desperation of spirit. We need, we must have trials. We shall never truly understand and more deeply know God until we are forced to cry out in utter desperation to Him. Recently, I saw a man interviewed who’d been lost in the wilderness for five days. Put yourself in his place. Five whole days, lost. He said he prayed. Now, do we think his prayers were lame, lukewarm? Was he yawning? No, we know he was crying out from the depths of his being to the LORD. What a gift! What a blessed place to be made “poor in spirit” (Matthew 5:3). Are you desperate for Jesus today?

Maureen Lundie writes:

“At the end of my time on earth I want to look back and say that I’ve trusted Jesus during every stage of my life. There were many wasted years that I did not serve God, but the years that I have left, I only want to spend it serving God.”

“Beware of False Prophets”

“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” Matthew 7:15

When you are rooted and grounded in Christ via His own Word, you aren’t looking for any other word from any mere man or woman. Pour over, study Colossians.

EVER hear one of the many false prophets among us declare that “This is your time!” or “This is your year!”. etc.? False prophet. No sinful man decides that it’s their own year or anyone else’s. Typical bait used by wolves. Anyone who can read hear this bait line and not shut it off, discern it as false, needs their eyes opened. THIS IS GOD’S YEAR, NOT YOURS! And EVERY year is God’s year, not yours selfish one! Read Hosea 10:12. – “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)

“Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets (false leaders) that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth (written Word) of the LORD.” Jeremiah 23:16

“I have heard what the prophets said, that prophesy lies in my name, saying, I have dreamed, I have dreamed. How long shall this be in the heart of the prophets that prophesy lies? yea, they are prophets of the deceit of their own heart;” Jeremiah 23:25-26 

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