The Truth about Holiness [podcast]

Paula White Exposed [video]

THAT’s My King! Pastor Lockridge [video]

Powerful Prayers from Children-This Will Shake You [video]

The Fear of the LORD is to Hate Evil: Pride, and Arrogancy #shorts [video]

“Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?” Exodus 15:11

As we just read, divine “holiness” is “glorious.” Holiness is not what most of us think it is. Holiness in the divine economy is something of great “beauty” and utterly refreshing (Psalms 96:9). It seems that holiness is not merely a divine attribute but rather the divine nature of the Almighty.

Are we ready to allow our LORD, who alone is “Holy, holy, holy,” to define what holiness truly is and how He brings it about in our lives? See Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8.

Remember the song that said “Shake off those heavy bands, lift up those holy hands”? Well, perhaps it’s time to shake off some of those religious, un-scriptural notions we’ve heard about holiness. The Biblical truth about holiness is a blessing, not a burden, and is surprising and refreshing! It is a joy learning and living what the LORD defines as “true holiness” (Ephesians 4:24). OVERCOMING SIN can only happen by surrender, and not self, self-effort … self is the whole problem and so self must be crucified.

“HOLINESS IS NOT THE WAY TO JESUS. JESUS IS THE WAY TO HOLINESS.” ANONYMOUS

Is it time we simply stop struggling and striving and just surrender to the Savior – announcing to Him that we are NOT able but that HE is?

Although the end product is holiness of the flesh and spirit (2 Corinthians 7:1) … holiness is not a work of the flesh but rather a work of God in the yielded saint, the disciple who is truly counting himself dead to sin, crucified with Christ, nevertheless Christ is reigning in him, raising him up out of sin, setting him apart to God! See Zechariah 4:6; Romans 6; Galatians 2:20; 3:3, etc..

“Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.” Zechariah 4:6

Holiness is the sanctifying work of God in the heart then life of the surrendered, abiding saint. God works from the inside out in contrast with the false religionists who work on the outer, ignoring the inner man of the heart (Matthew 23; Mark 7:20-23; Romans 1:4; Philippians 2:12-13, etc.).

“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. 26 Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.” Matthew 23:25-26

True holiness is the work of God in the yielded, crucified saint!

“I have ever believed that Jesus Christ releases the Grace to lead the Holy Life, and not the other way round. This Grace is very ready for us as we walk in obedience with Him. Our Salvation came through this Grace and is sustained by same. If we teach holiness without God’s Grace, it could mislead some as they try by their power to lead the life, in practice!” Basil Afam Nsofor

Jon Crane writes:

“I agree with the truth about grace leading to a holy life.

Rom. 1:4; 6:22; John 15:4-5; etc. Abiding in the vine: Jesus will supply the grace needed for growth, fruit, holiness.

John 15.”

If sin doesn’t matter to you it’s only because God doesn’t matter to you. He sent His only begotten Son to die to take it away (Matthew 1:21; John 1:29; Romans 6:1-2, etc.). Remember, the LORD is “Holy, holy, holy” and “commandeth ALL men everywhere to repent” and to “Be ye holy; for I am holy.” (Acts 17:30; 1 Peter 1:15-16)

Holiness and the cross are inseparable essentials of the original Gospel. It’s the crucified life, being raised up by the grace of Christ, that brings forth a life God calls holy (Romans 8:13-14; 2 Corinthians 4:10-12). | The Daily Cross

“Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?” Galatians 3:3

HOLINESS is NOT a work of the flesh saints, any more than salvation is of mere men or a work of men (Galatians 3:3).

“For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” Romans 8:13-14

“Holiness, according to Jesus, has to be first and foremost UNCONDITIONAL love (Matthew 5:48)—especially love for our enemies. If someone does not have agape love, especially for their enemies, then their brand of holiness is not the real thing. If agape love is not present then all the other holiness virtues are relatively worthless (1 Corinthians 13:1-3). The cross and death to self are the exact components of self-sacrificial agape love!” T.

“But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble.” Psalms 37:39

He who saves, sanctifies – as we abide in Him (John 15:1-6; Philippians 2:12-13, etc.). Holiness is a work of the Holy Ghost in the life of the abiding saint (John 15:1-16). Any holiness that is outside of this biblical truth/model is a work of the flesh and God-less (Matthew 23:23-25; Galatians 3:3). CHRIST alone can save and sanctify! Only Jesus is the Savior and Sanctifier! 1 Corinthians 1:30 says “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and SANCTIFICATION, and redemption:” As the appropriation of all things in Christ’s kingdom, it’s by faith saints! See Romans 4:4-5; Hebrews 11:6. Please share this post.

THE proof OF AN ABIDING RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST is that it ALWAYS PRODUCES THE FRUIT OF HIS HOLINESS (JOHN 15:1-16).

Holy Scripture reveals that there is a “True holiness” as opposed to a false or feigned holiness (Matthew 23:23-25; Ephesians 4:24). Which one are you walking in?

PERSONAL HOLINESS IS ESSENTIAL AND YET, IT’S NOT A WORK OF THE FLESH BUT RATHER A WORK OF GOD IN THE LIFE OF THE TRULY BORN AGAIN, CURRENTLY ABIDING BELIEVER WHOSE “FIRST LOVE” IS JESUS CHRIST (REVELATION 2:4-5).

“The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.” Psalms 138:8

“Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” Philippians 2:12-13

One believer writes:

“If you have repented and believed, Christ’s life is alive within you, and His grace is sufficient to meet and remove every hint of sin’s stain…and you can have victory over sin. Jesus’ life, death and resurrection was God’s supreme brush stroke of grace across the canvas of creation. He is the embodiment of all hope and grace. Praise the Lord Jesus! ‘For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believeth’ (Romans 10:4). God’s grace is given so we may know what Jesus Christ did for us at Calvary. Experiencing God’s gracious forgiveness motivates us to live a holy and obedient life for His glory. Forgiven and blessed by His matchless grace are those who call Him Savior.”

Of Wholeness, Holiness, one writer notes:

“The word “holiness” is derived from the same root as the word “wholeness.”

And the very God of peace sanctify you WHOLLY; and I pray God your WHOLE spirit, soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, WHO WILL ALSO DO IT. 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

Other translations actually use the word “holy” instead of the KJV word “wholly.” These two words are really the same.

Holiness does not mean a striving for moral conduct. It means an actual change in the inward nature of tripartite man. And the nature change starts with the human spirit then moves into the soul then finally into the glorification of the body. The making whole of the spirit and body are each accomplished in one second of time. After initial spirit salvation, the selfish sin nature of the soul must be saved, changed and transformed into the “divine nature.” We must be “partakes of the divine nature” for this to occur (2 Pet 1:1-4). The divine nature then spontaneously produces conduct: self-sacrificial agape love.

When the nature is changed then moral conduct will follow as a spontaneous byproduct of that change.

The “holiness movement” as a whole thinks “holiness” means striving for moral conduct. Wrong. Moral conduct will follow a change in nature. Holiness is transformation of nature. Moral conduct is the result. Holiness comes through death to self, a presentation of our bodies as a living sacrifice, the cross. Rom 12:1-2. “Be ye transformed by the renewing of (resurrection of) your minds. . . “

“Holiness speaks more to nature than it does conduct. Good conduct is the spontaneous byproduct of the new nature of the new creation man through the cross and death to the old nature. We are new creatures in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17-18). To preach holiness as conduct without the new nature through the cross understanding is legalism. Holiness is actually derived from ‘wholeness’ meaning the thorough transformation of the whole tripartite man (1 Thess. 5:23). So many of these ‘holiness’ preachers are preaching nothing but conduct under law. Law arouses sinful passions and causes sin to increase and was given in order to provoke transgressions (Rom. 7:5; 5:20; Gal. 3:20). They are enemies of the cross!” TB

Your Prayer: Holy Father, I am not able but I know You are! Do Your deeper work in my heart and life. Please anoint this vessel here and now to be crucified with Christ. You must increase but I must decrease my LORD Jesus. Into Your holy hands I here and now commend my spirit, I submit my whole being to You. Please have Your way in me. In Jesus’ name.

The Return of Christ | Support | STORE

Holiness God’s Way | Abide in Christ by Andrew Murray | The Daily Cross

True or Feigned Holiness?

Grace vs Holiness

Give Us this Day Our Daily Bread [podcast]

Articles

Gospel Action Mission Mexico Update Video: There Was a Faint Knock at the Door … as I Opened the Door …

Support Mission Mexico here. Takes seconds.

“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10

Mission Mexico – See more here.

Download. Read. Print out your supply of the JESUS tract – English and Spanish.

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WHEN PARENTS GET OLD …

author unknown

WHEN PARENTS GET OLD …

“Let them grow old with the same love that they let you grow … let them speak and tell repeated stories with the same patience and interest that they heard yours as a child … let them overcome, like so many times when they let you win … let them enjoy their friends just as they let you … let them enjoy the talks with their grandchildren, because they see you in them … let them enjoy living among the objects that have accompanied them for a long time, because they suffer when they feel that you tear pieces of this life away … let them be wrong, like so many times you have been wrong and they didn’t embarrass you by correcting you …

LET THEM LIVE and try to make them happy the last stretch of the path they have left to go; give them your hand, just like they gave you their hand when you started your path!

(“Honor your mother and father and your days shall be long upon the earth”.) – God”

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. 2 Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) 3 That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.” Ephesians 6:1-3

Karen Cochran writes:

“A few years ago the Lord spoke to me and I heard honor your Father and Mother. I didn’t know that my Mom would be moving close to me in a few months and I would become her primary helper. It has been one of the biggest challenges of my life because she has dementia and isn’t always kind. I have had to come home many nights and sit at the feet of Jesus and ask forgiveness because I was not like Jesus to her. Then I go back everyday because the Lord commands us to Honor our Mother. He didn’t promise it would be easy. I have to be like Jesus and say Father forgive them for they know not what they do. Luke 23: 34 .As people who have dementia do not know what they are doing or saying.”

Sharing how God is working in her life concerning her relationship with her beloved mother, Karen Cochran writes:

“I had to die to being right. Pride! How could I love her (my mother) with the love of Jesus? How would she see Jesus in me? She would not see Him in me in all my pride and arrogance! By being full of pride, all I did was stir up strife. Proverbs 10:12 ‘Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.’ Because she would retaliate and would be angry. I had to learn to keep my mouth shut. And it has completely changed our relationship. But first the Lord had to change me and cleanse me from my ‘know it all’ attitude and my pride. I went to the Lord and said ‘why is she (my mother) so mean to me’. The Lord straightened me out quick. It was me not her! I couldn’t control her! All I could do was allow God to root out what was sin in me.”

“Being broken to the core has been a continuous prayer for me. Otherwise my stone heart will hurt someone else that does not deserve to be hurt. Jesus had shown me my resentment against my parents. As I went to their grave, Jesus begin to say, ‘If they hadn’t taken you to Jesus at an early age, you wouldn’t be where you are now.’ I felt all the bitterness, anger, and hatred leave. How gracious is our Savior!” Thomas Cochran

Honoring the Elders Among Us

The LORD commands us to honor our parents and the elders He places in our lives. So, this honor is to manifest first in our families and then in the church environment, and everywhere we encounter our elders. “Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.” Exodus 20:12 This is a non-negotiable, divine command and one of the very Ten Commandments. “Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness.” Proverbs 20:20 There is a blessing attached to honoring […]

The Sure Mercies of David [podcast]

What exactly does the Bible mean by the phrase “the sure mercies of David”? The divine guarantee in Christ is that God’s mercies are upon your life, is available to you – as His divine mercies were upon the beloved David, from whose lineage came the promised Messiah. This grants no license for sin, which leads to judgment – now and forever (Romans 11:20-22; Hebrews 10:26-39; 2 Peter 2:20-21). God’s mercy in no way negates the biblical truth that we must all reap what we sow (Galatians 6:7-8). Biblical examples of Sinful People God Forgave: Adam and Eve (Genesis 3). […]

"THAT REPENTANCE AND REMISSION OF SINS SHOULD BE PREACHED" [podcast]

“God … commandeth ALL men every where to repent.” “And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: 31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.” Acts 17:30-31 WHEN’s the last time your favorite preacher preached on the essential doctrine of REPENTANCE? Be sure of this – Christ’s true remnant is preaching repentance. Are you preaching that […]

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Gospel Action in Mexico Part 37

UPDATE – DELIVERED FOOD TODAY; – I purchased numerous food items for Clara and her boys today. Traversing difficult terrain to deliver the goods God supplied through your faithful giving left me with a sidewall puncture. A sidewall puncture cannot be patched and replacement was quoted at $274. Settled for a used tire. In this challenge came opportunity.

God used the punctured tire for me to meet a wayward man. Jose has spent time in the USA and has family there. His wife is presently in Colorado; he expressed strain on his family. Jose received God’s Word preached to him and the JESUS tract and said “You know what? My wife is also a Christian.” Wow. So, his beloved wife is praying for him to be saved and God answered her prayer in part by connecting me with him. This opportunity is because of your support for this ministry. Can we please pray for Jose and his family?

I am continuing to learn to assert Romans 8:28-29 into everything:

28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose. 29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate [to be] conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Can anyone relate?

Mark is encouraging me in helping more people, one person/family at a time. Your prayers and giving are more than important, it is essential.

I found out Clara was in need again and was moved upon by the LORD to get her and her 3 sons some food. Her whole monthly money needed to sustain her, and her boys is about $350. The house she rents is $120 per month. I will leave it there.

It is amazing how much further our contributions go in Mexico, how much more it’s multiplied. A little bit of money and ministry here goes a long way to bless and expand Christ’s kingdom! …and to give hope to the hopeless.

We continue to pray for a few more saints to assert themselves into this opportunity. God is able, amen! All I can do is let these things be known. I am blessed by your support as I am encouraged by the fruitfulness of Mission Mexico both in the reach of the spiritual needs and the physical needs of God’s children. You are responding to Jesus’ instructions in Matthew 6:19-21

19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Clara’s Cry Video was featured recently. Click here.

Please lift a prayer in Jesus’ name for the fruitfulness and supply of our LORD’s work here with Mission Mexico. God be praised. Multitudes being reached daily with Jesus Christ’s bless-ed Gospel – spoken to them and given in print in the JESUS tract in Spanish.

BELOVED ANTONIO came by again tonight to get something to eat. I warmly received and welcomed him. Had him sit down and rest with fresh water to drink while his delicious meal was cooking. When he left I broke down while hugging him and letting him know you are lifting him in prayer and that God loves him. I played the Spanish Bible audio of Scripture to him while I was cooking so the Word would be planted in his heart…. WHO wants to cry out with me to our LORD for this young man? WHO wants to seek God for a complete change in his precious life? Salvation and good employment/work, etc. Let it not be that he could ever say that “No man cared for my soul.” – “I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul” (Psalms 142:4). Jesus is coming saints. Let us pour out His love to the hurting. Jesus Christ died for this beloved young man! Mission Mexico is rolling! “WE are labourers TOGETHER with God” (1 Corinthians 3:9). This is what it’s all about dear saints. Jump in. God will bless.

“The LORD upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down.” Psalms 145:14

Mission Mexico!

Beloved brother in Christ, Cesar, spent the last 14 days with his beloved mother before she passed. Mark and I went to visit Cesar the day after his mother passed. Mark and I agreed that Cesar was ministering to us. We went to comfort him and he ministered to us! Whew! You are invited to lift our beloved brother Cesar in prayer.

Oh and Cesar took about 50-60 JESUS tracts to distribute.

The plans are to be spending more time fellowshipping with Cesar again soon.

Months ago, I handed Cesar a JESUS tract and we begin to talk and he shared that he is a born again disciple of Jesus. Yesterday, with tears in his eyes, Cesar shared his testimony of Jesus’ salvation of his life 24 years ago. This is a beloved brother in our LORD Jesus for certain. Unpretentious.

As is so often the case, we gave this man a JESUS tract and spoke the Word to him. A few moments later here he is hungrily reading about His Maker and King, and Savior Jesus.

Saints we are supporting a missionary in the Philippines and am thanking the LORD for your prayers and supply to our LORD’s Gospel work …..

Anyone wish to pause and lift this man to our LORD in prayer? When ministered to, Victor asked questions. He is searching. God is able.

Thank you for praying for the beautiful people of this country. More Mission Mexico coverage here.

Remember brother Justin (from Australia) whom God miraculously saved here in Mexico? He is very grateful that you are lifting him in prayer. Praying for Christ’s saints is an essential (Colossians 4:12). Today Justin sent this:

“I was reading the book of John and the woman at the well last night, contemplating how some plant seeds to be harvested by others (John 4). Just being grateful to serve the Lord without needing to see results. Bless you. You certainty planted some seeds with me. I’ll check out Titus! Thank you brother. I am working out my salvation with fear and trembling, for sure, and I wouldn’t be doing it so much harder now without your support.” Justin B.

UPDATE ON BROTHER JUSTIN B.

Thank you for lifting in prayer our brother Justin B. (Australian) here in Mexico. He was saved just a few months ago here. Here’s the latest from our brother. Please pray the Word for him. John 15; Colossians 4:12.

“I am good, brother. I am back in the slipstream of the Word. Felt like I had to experience the desert of doubt to come out with more clarity. Though, ultimately, trust in God is not necessarily clear. Getting confident in God with that ‘cloud of unknowing.’

“Daily brother. It’s my clarion call/prayer now. Diminish me but increase my faith. Purify my heart, Lord, so I may glorify Your name. Thank you for showing me the way and keeping faith in me, brother.” Justin B.

Do we recall how Jesus told Peter: “And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: 32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren” (Luke 22:31-32).

Here’s the post where the account of Jesus saving Justin is contained.

Jesus Saved Justin [podcast]

This is beloved David (pictured above) who received extensive ministry of God’s love and Word. Please lift up David, Daniel, and Justin. Colossians 4:12.

Omar was invited to have you pray for him. He readily agreed and is glad to know you are lifting him to our LORD in prayer. Jesus told us He desires to save Omar (1 Timothy 2:4).

“My Dear Brother, I will continue to lift Clara and those precious children in prayer; for I know firsthand the hardship of raising 3 little ones alone in this selfish world. I am thankful to the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY for sending strangers into my life during my time of despair and brokenness. Thank you brother for being a good steward with the gifts that the people of God send into the Lord’s Ministry. May the Lord God bless and keep you all the days of your life.” Jacquie