The Truth about Fellowship and Going to “Church” [podcast]
The Simplicity of Fellowship that Exalts and Glorifies Christ
“And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. ” Acts 2:42
MANY today peddle the importance of fellowship because they hear it from their pastors on a regular basis. Yet, much more important than man to man fellowship is God to man, and man to God fellowship. This is little spoken of. And, what passes and is pawned off as “fellowship” today doesn’t fit the biblical description, the prescription for fellowship (Acts 2:42-47; Colossians 3:16, etc.). It’s not even a faint resemblance.
Jesus sums up the divine order of priority for and in the lives of all who will know Him and the Father.
“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.” Matthew 22:37-40
WHAT’s more important 1. Fellowship with God, or 2. Fellowship with man? God! (Read Matthew 22:37-40.) In fact, your fellowship with man will only be according to your fellowship with our Maker.
The goal here is not to diminish the importance of fellowship with other members of Christ’s body but to ascertain the priorities of God and set them in their biblical order.
“Many pastors have destroyed my vineyard, they have trodden my portion under foot, they have made my pleasant portion a desolate wilderness.” Jeremiah 12:10
Pastors today (many of whom went to long-time apostate seminaries), are building a business instead of building the kingdom of Christ in the heart of those for whom He came and died. When Jesus said “I will build my church” He was speaking about building His kingdom in the hearts of His beloved people (Matthew 16:18).
Sister Nelline writes:
“I’ve recently left the organized church, couldn’t take it anymore. The pastor there used those tactics about coming to church and how you shouldn’t miss. Even threatened to stop the live stream because he felt people would rather stay home to watch instead of attend. But the one that really got me is, after I had been out sick a few weeks when I returned his first words to me were.. ‘How far back have you backslid?’ I told him I hadn’t backslid at all and added that I listen to preaching all the time. He said, it isn’t the same. Had to bite my lip from saying YOU GOT THAT RIGHT!”
Their prayer and goal and work does not center around Christ Jesus and seeing His people grow to know Him yet more and more and be established ever more deeply in His grace (Colossians 2:6-10). No, they seek to use any manipulating method they can to vest their prey in their ministry busine$$. They’ve turned the house of God, the place that is supposed to be for the worship of the LORD alone, into a den of thieves, and they are the thieves (Matthew 21:15-17).
“Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe. 2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision. 3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.” Philippians 3:1-3
“We Would See Jesus.” John 12:21
We are looking for, seeking Christ, not a church or a Christian “hero” or type of evangelical “pope.”
“Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of?” Isaiah 2:22
Yes, we fellowship and yet by order of divine priority, “truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ” (1 John 1:3).
“That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.” 1 John 1:3
The sobering reality is that the vast majority of church gatherings once a week are simply businesses with a paid conductor and volunteer staff.
In today’s church world we do not witness people who live a life of prayer fueling a life filled with Gospel action as we see of the earliest believers beginning in the book of Acts. “There is no new thing under the sun,” and this is how it’s always been among those who profess, who pretend to know God. Zephaniah the prophet exposed the circus conductor leaders of his day and ours.
“Her prophets are light and treacherous persons: her priests have polluted the sanctuary, they have done violence to the law.” Zephaniah 3:4
Rather we see that “Christianity” today consists of merely attending church, being part of a club that meets weekly to mull over felt needs instead of knowing Jesus, true repentance, personal holiness, a denial of self, the crucified life, and getting into the Word. Christianity has been reduced to attending a one hour circus on Sunday morning, hearing a few stories and a few verses from a cotton candy fake “bible” and a psychology laced sermonette. The fruit of the lives of of its adherents tells the story.
Sad Sunday Saps
“‘Church’ fellowship is kind of a joke these days. I’ve observed nothing more than a networking event in some cases where realtors and other entrepreneurs are just looking for business leads while hanging out at the church coffee bar.” Jennifer
May the truth of God blast us out of the sink holes, the quick sand that has absorbed us downward.
Is that what our lives, your life has come to? Is this all there is…. a stale, mundane country club membership in a mutual admiration society where overcoming sin is mocked at, the cross of Christ and crucified life are never heard from the Word and by the power of the Holy Ghost? Where’s the life of Christ truly in our daily lives? What kind of Gospel action is transpiring in your personal daily life?
“Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.” Acts 8:4
In the New Testament canon we don’t see any such “Christianity” as we witness today and hence the use of the word “churchianity” where the extent of “Christianity” is reduced to church membership and attendance.
Deep is calling unto deep beloved…. God is speaking to the hearts of His people to cry out to Him, to come unto Him with tears of repentance, asking Him to do something deeper, to rescue them from the pit, the muck-laden miry clay of religiosity, a mere “form of godliness,” and to establish them in a genuine walk and life of His authentic disciple. The Holy Ghost via Paul prophesied of this very day which is upon us (2 Timothy 3:1-7-13). Instead of being about Christ and His people, it’s all about the self-absorbed, self-idolatrous, entertainment of the prey.
“Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.” Hosea 10:12
Scripture reveals that true fellowship is essential, not faithfulness to a certain group that meets in a certain building once or more weekly.
When told about good preaching at a certain local church, one disciple responded this way (sobering and true):
“So did my pastor preach the whole truth but nothing ever stuck, no revival meeting or guest ‘evangelist’ ever taught me anything that made any significant change in me. It was only when I invested my time and money into knowing what’s between Genesis 1:1 and Revelation 22:21 that I really began to know my Bible. It all started with Proverbs 8:17 where I took God at His word and held Him accountable for keeping his end of the bargain as I kept my end.”
Saints, many have been sold the bill of goods concerning “church” attendance and membership. Like trained monkeys they’ve been indoctrinated to be faithful to the local church, not Christ. The whole scam is set up to benefit the frauds who designed and who perpetrate it. They push people to be loyal to the system, not the Savior. Run.
THERE are so many who will be shocked to be separated from Christ in the end and it’s because they were told all their lives and believed that being faithful to their local church and pastor meant they were being loyal to God. In most cases, faithful church members are wasting their energy, heart affections, and money as they have pushed Christ aside to serve their wolf pastor and that local church and its agenda.
“But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. 3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.” 2 Peter 2:1-3
“For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.” Romans 16:18
One follower of the KING writes:
“So many in the ‘church’ world have no idea what it means to truly follow Jesus. I know that I fall short all the time too and yet am blessed to repent daily and do my best to be obedient to His Word as well as share His truth with others. I long to know Jesus and His Word even more daily.”
The biblical definition of “Official” would grossly differ from the commercialization of the den of thieves many call “church” today. Jesus is calling His remnant to “come out of her” or be consumed with her (2 Cor 6:17; Rev 18:4-5). I don’t know even one regular “church” attender of the modern church who is on fire for Jesus, who is winning souls, who is in the Word daily, fervently, who is prayed and fasted up, who is feeding Christ’s sheep. And those false churches don’t even use the real Bible, the King James Bible, they use fake “bibles,” lame.
Monetizing the Ministry
False leaders have long ago used their position over the people for their own self-serving benefit. They gather the people to garner their funds. They push for the people to gather, getting them to become a member, and yet are not fulfilling the ordained role of an overseer – to feed the flock and watch for their souls – yet received pay for such (Hebrews 13:7, 17). See Isaiah 56:8-12; Jeremiah 12:10; 23; Ezekiel 34; Zephaniah 3:4; Matthew 24:4-5; 2 Peter 2:1-3. Misuse of funds. Misappropriation.
Jesus exposed them…. by showing how they put on a big show to rob the people:
“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation. 15 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.” Matthew 23:4-5
“Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD unto the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks?….. 10 Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against the shepherds; and I will require my flock at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the flock; neither shall the shepherds feed themselves any more; for I will deliver my flock from their mouth, that they may not be meat for them.” Ezekiel 34:1, 20
TRUE NEW TESTAMENT FELLOWSHIP DOES NOT EQUAL GOING TO A “CHURCH BUILDING” ON SUNDAY MORNING – SPECIFICALLY IF THAT GATHERING IS NOT CHRIST-CENTERED, FIERCELY BIBLICAL, AND FULL OF GOD’S LOVE AND STRICT ADHERENCE TO HIS HOLY, WRITTEN WORD.
When you are seeking Christ daily, you don’t need a Sunday morning pep rally.
Looking for the church means simply looking for other true members of Christ’s body! WE are HIS church – called out ones. Amen Jesus. Fellowship, Gatherings
Do the 4 simple elements seen in Acts 2:42 exist in the fellowship you attend? Also, what’s been added?
The WORD will always be front and center and not salaried frauds pretending to be true elders of the remnant body of Christ (Colossians 3:16).
As He did twice when He walked the earth, if Jesus were here today in the flesh, He would be flipping 99% of “churches” who’ve made the place of worship a den of thieves – to rob the people of their pure worship of God, of their time, of their money, of their place with God, etc. (Matthew 21; John 2). He’s still doing it through His servants who fearlessly preach His Word (Romans 16:17-18; Galatians 2; Jude 3-4; etc.).
Connie Hatten
“Our church went Purpose Driven too! I remember noticing THAT’S when it all changed for the worst. Rick Warren used MULTIPLE modern Bible perversions, and his online ‘network’ of resources can be accessed by pastors to download Sermons, etc! What happened to studying God’s Word and going to the HOLY SPIRIT?!”
Barbara H Kuks
“I noticed a change in the Bible study classes. I heard the church Pastor and staff actually went to visit Warren’s church back then. It was kept quiet but the changes were obvious. No more time or room for the Holy Spirit or words of knowledge in the services. They started television the Sunday morning service and limiting time etc. Became very theatrical and not spontaneous at all.”
“Since leaving church 9 months ago, I have grown by leaps and bounds in my faith. And in the knowledge of his word. Bless you brother!” C.
“Okay, sharing one of my biggest mistakes. We had family devotions when the kids were young. My sister and her husband and kids lived with us and we all took part in family worship. Then . . . my husband always liked this Pentecostal church near us and decided we would go there. They had something almost every night and that was the mantra, ‘Be in church whenever the doors were open.’ Our family devotions were so GOOD, but we dropped it for being in church, not realizing at the time that it was a bad decision.” Arlean
“I been out of “organized religion“ for many years now and I am closer to God than ever before.“ Tracy Parker
Not all fellowships and yet….. organized religion can many times seduce us AWAY from Christ and not endear us to Him. See Colossians 2:18-19.
Sharon Matthews writes:
“The modern church keeps their flock dependent on them. They also keep them busy doing different things instead of giving them the Word of God regarding becoming a disciple of Jesus. Following Jesus will cost them their way of life. Obedience is a byword, not a reality for most. It’s easier to go somewhere to listen to men instead of searching the Scriptures for real life in Christ. Many fill their mind with Scripture but don’t care to act on it—give up their own life in exchange for the life of Christ in them. Sloppy grace is everywhere! Churches (not all) don’t want to lose people, or teach children God’s Word, they might get offended and leave. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. He said, come follow Me.”
The Bible truth is assembling to fellowship (Acts 2:42; Heb 10:25). As was the case when Jesus got here, the organized church was completely apostate. We have virtually (at least) the same today. There were no church buildings in the early church. Not a penny was collected to build a physical building either – especially not to build the real estate property for a man or men to use as their headquarters to make merchandise of the people, turning the house of prayer into a den of thieves (2 Peter 2:1-3; Matthew 21:12-17, etc.).
Jon Crane writes:
“I think the day the church sold itself to the state was when it became a 501c3. That very act of treason yoked them to mammon and divorced them from Christ. Just something I have been thinking about when I look at how God had to chasten Israel many times in the Old Testament. It always happened when they would forget God and chase after the things of this world. If I behaved this way in my marriage…well, I’m pretty sure I would get served. Yet, so many believe that God is okay with them cheating, as if they can force Jesus to bring the filthiness of their sin into His holy presence!
To the godly, seeing Jesus face to face in heaven will be the greatest joy, but I dare say; to never have to see my sin again will be a close second!”
All organized religion is false. Jesus and His apostles did not start any organization nor did they collect a penny to build a so-called “church” building – such is usually the work of wolves who exist to make “merchandise of you” (2 Peter 2:1-3). The Son of God and His holy apostles and the early church operated autonomously and were led and empowered by the Word and Holy Spirit of God. 501(C)(3) “churches” are stated owned, totally compromised, apostate. Run. Denounce. The Savior never sent anyone to sign up with the state to get permission to do His work.
“My kingdom is not of this world.” John 18:36
“Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.” 1 Corinthians 7:23
“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” 2 Corinthians 6:14-18
MESSAGE RECEIVED:
“I got out of the apostate “church” about 3 or 4 years ago now. Can’t fellowship with any of those people now.” D.
REPLY:
This is the direction of Christ for His remnant. 2 Cor 6:17; Rev 18:4-5
MESSAGE RECEIVED:
“The church comprises born again believers not a building. There are some great churches. DL Moody was used by God in a church in Chicago and in many churches in America and the UK. I have never been to a church that is controlled by the state. You can not say all churches are comprised many ARE but been to many that preach the Word without comprise and state control. I have heard many who preach repentance and hell. Attended a church, before his message the preacher got on his knees and prayed and ended every prayer to preach in the power of the Holy Spirit, that Sinners would not go to a place called hell. The Methodist recently had a split and came out from the United Methodist that are very comprised. Now they are independent Methodist.” Paul
REPLY:
You err here: I didn’t say all churches are controlled by the state but rather all 501C3 churches ARE. And that’s 100% truth. They signed a contract, they signed allegiance to the gov’t of mere men. Did Jesus, the prophets, or the apostle do such? No. You bear false witness as you state: “I have never been to a church that is controlled by the state.” EVERY church you’ve been to that is under a 501 C3 is state controlled without exception. For example, name even one of the churches you’ve been to that didn’t conform to the demonic, God-despising mask and 6 foot rule…. waiting. Yeah, I thought so – zero.
Whatever Wesley and Moody were, is all long gone. Moody institute was long ago taken over by the Vatican and I’ve got lots of personal experience with that. The UMC is also ecumenical, totally false, apostate.
——————–
MESSAGE RECEIVED:
“This is called catastrophising. There’s a fair amount of truth in what you say, but you are making absolute statements that can’t be be absolutely true.
The biblical standard for absolute truth is that it must be absolutely true and your post just isn’t. Sorry.
I’ve been in churches for most of my six decades of walking with the Lord and I agree with much of what you say, but I draw the line at making this kind of sweeping generalisation and then implicitly condemning anyone and everyone who is part of a church. That is not biblical.
Go read what God said to Elijah on Mt Horeb, about how many people in Israel God had reserved for a remnant.
You mustn’t condemn people en masse this way. And you must not make absolute statements that don’t match the biblical standard of absolute truth. That is a sin.” Alan Heron
REPLY:
Apparently, there are no absolutes in your faulty thinking. There’s a spiritual undercurrent to your influences…. and such is not going unnoticed. Again, you err. Notice, contrary to your false statement alleging that I condemned people en masse, notice that the original post stated that all ORGANIZED RELIGION, not people, is false. Did this post say all groups who assemble are false OR that all who minister are false? That is a yes or a no. Waiting. Let me help you: No, it said all organized religion, all that is religiously organized 501c3 etc… is false and I stand on that as the truth. Your years of serving God as you allege, have nothing to do with the truth, so you may wish to leave such out next time.
Jezebel’s Table – ORGANIZED RELIGION – compromised, took the bribe to be paid, receive a salary, are under contract to tickled ears, to dodge, to purposely evade the hard truths of Scripture…. ALL false.
The 7,000 God speaks of were all like JTB and Christ and His apostles and prophets… independent of the entanglements, the corporatized conspiracies (Ezek. 22:25-27) of mere men and “there is no new thing under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9). Remember how early in this chapter (1 Kings 18), the beloved Obadiah fed the non-corporatized 100 true prophets who refused to come under the fraud banner of state religion? They refused to organize with the fraud religious leaders who tucked their feet under jezebel’s table which means they were bought and paid for by the state, the religion of the 501 C3 type contract of their day. The 100 true prophets were independent, autonomous, more safe from the heard mentality and conformity – just like Jesus, the prophets, and apostles.
“Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal (ALL the organized religionists did bow!), and every mouth which hath not kissed him. 1 Kings 19:18
“Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the groves four hundred, which eat at JEZEBEL’S TABLE.” 1Ki_18:19
Arlean Benedict Kelley
“Yes. I’ve been to many state conventions and it’s like going to a business conference. Which church has added the most members, etc. But they are trying to do good with the best they know, I think.”
Elton Mishoe writes:
“I pastored 12 years in a “church” of 200. Tried to teach that every service. Higher ups couldn’t stand me. Lol. Finally gave a 10 year lease on that brick and mortar to another ministry and let them have it. Brick and mortar will perish and is only a meeting place. Church is where 2 or 3 are gathered in his name. Want to know the truth? go to the pastors, the higher ups in a denomination and ask to see salaries and benefits lol. Almost impossible to get the truth. Get involved with pastor meetings and watch them talk about nothing but ways to get more money into the church. I’ve Been there done it.
Most organized religion is 100% business and if a pastor bucks the system he is blackballed until he finally leaves or they get something to try to charge him with.
YES there are some pastors that give their life for the calling because they don’t consider it a job. But to most it’s a job. They use churches as stepping stones to get to the next bigger paying church. But it’s also the people’s fault they want all the bells and whistles and programs and the prestige of a huge church.
Worthy Pastors with no other income should be taken care of that’s biblical. Church of God is crooked as crooked gets, this one I know for a fact (1 Corinthians 9:1-14; 1 Timothy 5:17-18, etc.). Others are the same I’m sure. Want a good church? Good luck.”
One disciple of Jesus writes:
“At the last church I attended the pastor frequently said something like, “if you were a real Christian you would want to be in church every time the doors were open.” Goodness! that laid a huge guilt trip on me and others!
Being “in church” all the time took me away from learning about my God and Savior.
When I measured the time spent getting dressed and ready for church, driving to church, being in church, driving home from church, stopping at the store on my way from church and changing clothes after being in church I found that “church” consumed more of my time than Bible study.
I’m so thankful the Lord put an end to that for me and my husband. We now spend a LOT more time studying and getting to know our heavenly Father better than ever before. We have a home Bible study where we reach folks who would never “go” to a church but still love God, or one sister who thought she was being a good Christian and doing what God expected of her only to realize how far off base she’s been all these years.
Hallelujah!”
Clare R. Watts writes:
“Standing in the garage doesn’t make you a car. Hiding in the pantry doesn’t make you a jar of pickles, either. Going to church doesn’t save you, let alone make you a Believer! Surrendering to the Lord, obeying, trusting and following Jesus does.”
Jenny Douglas writes:
“Sadly with the rise of apostasy, false teaching, losing freedoms, etc., more and more of the remnant may have ‘church’ as the early followers did, from house to house. I see it coming.”
“Cry Aloud, Spare Not, Lift Up Thy Voice Like a Trumpet” [podcast]
Abiding
“Jesus the Author and Finisher of our Faith” [podcast]
Jesus Christ is the Author and Finisher of our faith and He requires our personal participation both initially and ongoing, as we “endure to the end”, abiding in Him (Matthew 10:22; 24:13; John 15, etc.).
“From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. 67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?” John 6:66-67
WHERE O WHERE are we going to go if we depart from Jesus? …. does He, the eternal God and Creator of all things not hold the future of every living soul in His holy hand?
FB Meyer on John 6:60-71
“THE SIFTING OF JESUS’ FOLLOWERS
Christ’s pathetic question-Will ye also go away?-elicited from Peter a reply which proved that the inner meaning of His words had already broken upon their souls. ‘Thy words give us and nourish within us the eternal life.'”
“Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?” John 6:66-67
There are many today, who like the 5,000 who departed from Christ, leave when they hear the cross message – the divine command to be crucified with Christ. Jesus asks us today: “Will you allow He who authored your faith to finish it?”
“Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.” Ezekiel 18:4
“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2
“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
“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? 3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 6 knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. 7 For he that is dead is freed from sin. 8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: 9 knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. 10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. 11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. 12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. 13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. 14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. 15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. 16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness”? Romans 6:1-16
“In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words. 5 For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ. 6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: 7 rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. 8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. 9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:” Colossians 2:3-10
The Gospel, the Resurrection of Christ
1 Corinthians 15
1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:
6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.
7 After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.
8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.
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Abiding
“My Sheep Hear My Voice, and I Know them, and they Follow Me” [podcast]
There are 7 portraits of Jesus in the Gospel of John. One of those seven portraits is Jesus our “the good shepherd.” (John 10)
The first thing the good shepherd of the sheep did was give His life to purchase the sheep with His own blood.
“I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.” John 10:11
Jesus who created us, then came to die to buy up back to the Father and Himself.
The Bible, God’s Word, is full of illustrations of who God is, and who He is to us. He is our shepherd….the shepherd of His true sheep. How do we know who His remnant saints, sheep truly are? How do we know if we individually are truly His?
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.” John 10:27-29
“John 10:27
My sheep hear my voice – But ye will not hear: – my sheep follow me; but ye will neither follow nor acknowledge me. Any person who reads without prejudice may easily see, that our Lord does not at all insinuate that these persons could not believe, because God had made it impossible to them; but simply because they did not hear and follow Christ, which the whole of our blessed Lord’s discourse proves that they might have done. The sheep of Christ are not those who are included in any eternal decree, to the exclusion of others from the yearnings of the bowels of eternal mercy; but they are those who hear, believe in, follow, and obey the Savior of the world.” Adam Clarke
We know He is our shepherd if we are reading, listening for, and walking out the voice of His Word. That’s why He gave us His Word. The voice of His Word is His voice. This is why God gave us the Bible, His Word, the “voice” of His Word. Jesus says “My sheep hear my voice” and the “voice” of Jesus is with us, is God’s written Word. We have the “voice”, the very words of our LORD on record. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
The primary way God’s voice is heard by His sheep is the Holy Scriptures….. reading God’s Word is hearing the voice of God.
“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Psalms 119:105
“Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. 14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.” John 16:13-14
Our LORD, the good shepherd of our souls, told us that His sheep are those who hear His voice, the voice of His Word. Those not in the Word are not hearing the voice of God.
“He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.” John 8:47
Those who are “of the truth” hear the voice, the words of Jesus Christ.
“To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.” John 18:37
Jesus made it clear who His true sheep are ….
“He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.” John 14:21
Jesus’ sheep hear His voice, He knows them, they follow Him. They don’t listen to nor follow their own feelings, human reasoning, their own wicked heart, nor any mere men … “follow your heart”? No. That’s a lie from hell. “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9) Jesus died to save you so you would be His, and that you would follow Him, His voice and none other.
Jesus, on record in John 10:27-29, is telling us that it’s only those who are hearing His voice, the voice of His Word, and following Him, who are going to be kept in His holy hand. After being saved, only those who abide in Christ to the end will be kept by Him and with Him eternally. Read John 15:1-6 where you will see that any whom Jesus saves and yet then they don’t “abide” (remain, continue) in Him will be cast into the fire of hell (v6).
Take a closer look at John 10:27-29. Anchor the promise in verses 28-29 on verse 27 where Jesus identifies who His sheep are—those who hear and continue to hear His voice and continue to follow Him (present tense). The divine promise here to be kept is a conditional
promise requiring the individual recipient of the gift of God to continue to hear His voice and follow Him (John 10:27-29). If you are born again, a sheep of Christ’ pasture, and you cease hearing His voice and following Him, you are no long His.
Many today detach, separate our LORD’s words in verse 27 from verses 28-29 of John 10. In doing so, they perpetrate their “eternal security” mythology which is Satan’s first lie (Genesis 2:17; 3:4). Beware as this was the first lie Satan told mankind, which led to the fall (Genesis 2:17; 3:4).
The LORD saved you to be His – to hear the voice of His Word and to follow Him, to walk with Him.
“Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” 1 Peter 1:5
To be kept you must live “through faith” – to hear and believe the voice of His Word, and walk with Him accordingly.
“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Hebrews 11:6
“Eternal security”, otherwise known as “once saved always saved”, is a lie from hell. Run from any and all wolves peddling this, Satan’s first lie (Genesis 2:17; 3:4).
To be “kept” by Jesus, the saved sheep must live his life “through faith.”
“And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.” Luke 17:5
The recipient of salvation must “through faith” be “kept.” God never removes man’s free will and requires not only initial but also continued faith. Jesus foretold that some would be saved and then not continue with Him and “fall away” (Luke 8:12-13).
“Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.” 1 Peter 1:9
Prayer: Father, I know You are holy and require my faith to the end of this life. Make sensitive my conscience, quicken my spirit to repentance and to be holy as You are holy. In Jesus’ name.
Jesus Christ our LORD is “that great shepherd of the sheep.”
“Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21 Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” Hebrews 13:20-21
“For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice,” Psalms 95:7
“Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.” Psalms 100:3
“To hear His voice, we submit to the pruning of the Holy Ghost in our heart. The fruit of righteousness can only be produced in an ABIDING relationship with Jesus and cultivated by the Holy Spirit given to them that OBEY him. (John 15:3-5; 14:15-17)” Jon Crane
Moments with Our Master [book] 365 Day Devotional book available at and amazon. English and Spanish.
See what others are saying about this devotional book.
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Apostasy
The Truth about Yoga [podcast]
Yoga brings demon possession which keeps the person captive to the lie – that they have to do their little séance breathing technique. They have to keep doing their little witchcraft drill. That’s just it – it doesn’t work.
Your silly little yoga pose won’t forgive your sins, give you peace, or save you from going to hell.
“Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils. 22 Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?” 1 Corinthians 10:21-22
WHAT kind of absolute pansy of a “man” feels like a man after doing yoga? Get a clue. NO ONE needs yoga to stretch and work out. That’s what gyms are for. Delusional. God is calling you to repent and get a spine.
DABBLE WITH YOGA AND YOU’VE GOT DEMONS!
The devil is slick…and sick…. yet can only fool those who are outside God’s will (James 4:7). Example: WHO ever said one needs yoga for relaxation or exercise? Delusional. Repent and break all bonds with this demonically-yoking practice.
There’s no such thing as a Christian who does yoga.
ANY person doing yoga has demons! Any company or organization promoting or allowing it, is demonic. 100%. Repent now sinner.
Yoga is a diabolical placebo, a cheap substitute for what you truly need. You need Jesus to forgive your sins, sinner. Turn to Him in humility and in full repentance.
It doesn’t matter how widespread the advertising push is for yoga, it’s still witchcraft. Why add the witchcraft? What’s Revelation 12:12 say?
“Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.” Revelation 12:12
by Debbie Lord
DID YOU KNOW?
The serpent (Satan) described in Genesis 3 as the most subtle of all beasts of the field, has deceptively presented yoga to the world as “innocent” exercise and “a positive” experience just as he did when he approached Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, challenging God’s words, in essence calling Him a liar: “Hath God said?”… and thus begins the elevating of the creation over the Creator.
All around us, the name of our most holy God is taken in vain, while the popularity of yoga (the worship of beasts, nature, Hindu gods etc.) increases. A shift like this doesn’t just happen casually or by coincidence. The Enemy of our souls is at work 24/7 scheming his way into our societies by dethroning The One True God (the Creator of the universe and everything in it) by deceiving us into physically paying homage and bowing down to other gods by elevating the creation above the Creator through the practice of yoga.
The practice of yoga has become so common in the U.S. and the western world that we see the motions and concepts all around us on TV, in commercials, movies, all forms of entertainment media and in our every-day lives. It is common to see someone strike a yoga pose or put the palms of their hands together and make a bowing gesture. It appears so kind, gentle and gracious … innocent, right? Here is the real meaning and the root from which this position is derived:
“Namaste”—the word spoken in conjunction with the bow—”translated roughly, means ‘I bow to the God within you,’ or ‘The Spirit within me salutes the Spirit in you’—a knowing that we are all made from the same One Divine Consciousness.“ Urban Dictionary
Yoga means “to yoke with.” Just exactly who or what are you “yoking with”?
Portions of article by Julie Roys:
The word yoga is problematic. Yoga means “to yoke.”… using the word begs the question, “Yoked to whom?” …the postures and techniques of yoga were designed to be offerings to the millions of Hindu gods. But ultimately, yoga was intended to yoke a person to the so-called “Lord of Yoga” – Shiva, the destroyer. …these realities make yoga, regardless of how it’s packaged, incompatible with Christianity.
Quotes from The Chopra Center:
“When you bow your head and say namasté at the end of a yoga practice, you have the chance to do more than simply mark the ending of the session. In fact, a spiritual revelation is on the other side of a truly felt namaste.”
“One of the most common translations of namasté is ‘The divine light in me bows to the divine light within you,’ and ‘I honor the place in you where the entire universe dwells.'”
All of the above fly in the face of the Truth of God as Creator of the universe and everything in it, and that we humans are God’s creation (not the Creator) as told to us in His holy Word—the Bible. God is holy “set apart” and “other than.”
“Hinduism is pantheistic and teaches that god is in everything — its 330 million gods, plants, animals, and every human being. So, to salute the divine in another person makes total sense to a Hindu.
“Christianity, however, teaches that God is transcendent and distinct from His creation. Though it’s true that the Holy Spirit resides in each believer, the Holy Spirit does not bow to himself in other believers saying, … ‘That light in me honors that light in you.’ According to Scripture, the Holy Spirit honors the Father and the Son. And a Christian’s worship, though emerging from within him, should always be directed upward and outward. So, the Psalmist says, ‘I will praise thee, O Lord, among the people: I will sing unto thee among the nations.’ In Christianity, we, the creature, direct our worship to the Creator.” Author Unknown
The yoga fad that is exploding in popularity world-wide is more than a passing fad, it is one more step toward the slippery slope of the Christ-denying apostasy of the church.
You may say: “Yoga exercises help my body. It works for me.” But by what power is it working? Satan is setting the stage for the great deception of the world and the church for false miracles in the end times.
“Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil;” Isaiah 5:20
Quote from John Edmiston: “The end-times religion will be both idolatrous and magical. Idolatry is the substitution of the creature for the Creator. Magic is any system that claims to give people access to God’s power without having to accept God’s will.” John Edmiston, False Miracles in The End Times
Yes, there are many professing Christians who fail to understand the origins and power at the root of the practice of yoga. And yes, there are several different kinds of yoga, however, they all have the same origin and root.
At the very root of every kind of yoga, each physical posture is pointing toward, bringing attention to (worshiping) and is even named after an animal, an element of nature and false gods.
Yoga has its roots in Hinduism, which espouses that “God” is in every living thing and so the creation itself should be worshiped.
If you say: “Well, to me it’s just stretching, concentration, balance and strengthening exercises” . . . then why is the class named “Yoga”?
Why would you choose to knowingly, intentionally engage in a practice that has at its core, denial of the supremacy of the very God you say you believe in, and by participation are giving your body over to worship other gods—even Satan himself?
Quote from wikipedia regarding one kind of yoga—Kundalini Yoga
“It was adopted as a technical term in Hatha yoga during the 15th century, and became widely used in the Yoga Upanishads by the 16th century. Eknath Easwaran has paraphrased the term as ‘the coiled power’, a force which ordinarily rests at the base of the spine, described as being ‘coiled there like a serpent.’”
“Coiled like a serpent.”
Again, just who or what are you “yoking with”?
“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?” 2 Corinthians 6:14
How many times have you heard “I just take the class for the exercise—I’m real careful to stay away from the spiritual part of it.”
How can that even be possible when the very positions (poses) themselves are based on positions that focus on/elevate an animal, nature or a Hindu god?
How can you separate one from the other?
“Choose you this day whom ye will serve” (Joshua 24:15).
“What? Know ye not that your BODY is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: Therefore glorify God in your BODY, and in your spirit which are God’s.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
If you are a Christian who participates in “harmless” yoga exercises, are you asking the Holy Ghost within you to worship a Hindu god or a creature rather than the Creator, the One True God? Do you think the Holy Ghost is going to stick around for that?
“And the very God of peace sanctify you WHOLLY, and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and BODY be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.” 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
Are you willfully, not only limiting but actually rebelling against the Lord’s sanctification in your spirit, soul and body?
“I beseech ye therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye PRESENT YOUR BODIES A LIVING SACRIFICE, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And BE NOT CONFORMED TO THIS WORLD: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:1-2
How can you as a Christian do one thing in your spirit and do exactly the opposite with your body? Impossible.
“But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. 8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.” James 1:6-8
You may have heard the saying by Hudson Taylor: “Christ is either Lord of all or He is not Lord at all.”
“No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other.” Matthew 6:24
“Choose you this day whom you will serve.” See Joshua 24:14-16
Still some will say: “Well, still, in my spirit, I’m not serving the gods of Hinduism, I’m praying to the one true God all the time I’m doing yoga”
Read Romans 12:1 again (above).
So, is it important what you willfully choose for your body do?
The Apostle Paul said: “But I keep under my BODY and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway” (1 Corinthians 9:27).
What chances are you willing to take, how far are you willing to go even if the consequence of your choice may result in being cast away from God?
Are you willing to risk being cast away from God and His presence for eternity?
Even if you can’t bring yourself to think there’s a possibility that what is put forth in this article is true and should be applied to your life and exercise routine, are you really ready to gamble with your eternal destination by continuing to willfully, purposely engage in yoga exercise?
There are alternatives. There are classes out there that engage in stretching, cardio, balance and strengthening exercises that do not have their roots in the practice of yoga. Prayerfully seek them out.
Hint: The word “Yoga” will not be anywhere in the title of the class.
Yoga is Satanic | Kundalini Witchcraft in the Church
UPDATE FROM SISTER DEBBIE LORD:
Had good time of fellowship with the 2 ladies that came over this afternoon.
Conversation moved to the practice of yoga!
So, we had our first Bible study together and prayed
a prayer of repentance, deliverance and cleansing of its
effects. We included all of us in the prayer and it was
especially for one lady who expressed verbally her horror
at what she had done in participating in yoga in any way.
The Holy Spirit had already been preparing her heart.
This revelation re yoga triggered another question about “rock stacking” (Cairns) so we looked into it together and found that they have many meanings — one is simply for hiking trail directions so you don’t get lost, but have also been used for centuries for burial and other ritual ceremonies. Schools have used the practice of building Cairns inside the classroom so that their students can “reflect on themselves and realize what their priorities in life are, a form of meditation tool.” Idol worship and witchcraft.
This info caused us to pray for increased Holy Spirit discernment and awareness of what’s going on around us in this world — including the church world.
YOGA IS SATANIC: IF you’re doing yoga, you’ve got demons. Repent and denounce it now.
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