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Feel Alone Sometimes?

“Who is among you that feareth the LORD, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the LORD, and stay upon his God.” Isaiah 50:10

The lady who was most instrumental in leading me to Christ, who invited me to the meeting where I was saved, later departed from Christ. The man who preached that night when the LORD saved my wretched soul also departed from Christ, committing heinous crimes. So, who saves us saints? CHRIST! Why would we ever blame our dear LORD and Savior for what mere sinful men do?

We must continue to choose God – to love Him with all our being, heart, mind, spirit, and strength.

“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

The LORD is with us as we are with Him.

“The LORD is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you.” 2 Chronicles 15:2

When our LORD Jesus had fed the 5,000 and they departed, He turned to His 12 and asked “Will ye also go away?” (John 6:67) In other words, Jesus asked them, “are you also going to leave me?” Watch Peter’s answer:

“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? 68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. 69 And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.” John 6:66-69 

WHERE would we go if we left the Almighty? Where is there to go? Selah.

“Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.” Psalms 73:25

“I am realizing that the closer we get to Jesus’ return, the tougher it is to find those who want to go with you.” Stacy Strother

Remember when Elijah thought he was the only one left following the LORD?

“Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.” 1 Kings 19:18

Jesus assured Paul that he was not alone either ….  “For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city.“ (Acts 18:10)

Will we follow Him, even when it costs us “friendships” with people we thought were true friends? Consider this important question which should test our hearts as to whom we love the most.

“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

Even when “no man stood” with Paul, He knew Christ was with him and He pressed toward the mark for the high calling of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:13-14). The apostle Paul is a blessed and God-given example given to us. We are following Paul as he followed Jesus – no matter who else does or doesn’t!

Is Jesus worth it to you? Is He truly your very “FIRST love”? (Revelation 2:4-5)

Have you driven this stake in the ground yet? If not, would you consider doing so today?

The girl who invited me to the meeting where I was saved backslid shortly afterward. So, I was faced with the life decision as to where my attention – the affections of my heart – were going to be focused. And, I was forced to seek the face of the One who saved me and who I was going to serve. This was not difficult due to having that personal, intimate relationship with the LORD. – “For I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.” (2 Timothy 1:12)

The man who preached when God saved my wretched soul was a false prophet.

So what? Shall this be my excuse for not serving the LORD? Shall I walk away from God for what men do? How foolish would that be!?

I used to drive an Acura (an old one), so should I go dump it in the lake since I found out that a bank robbery was performed in an Acura?

“They are without excuse.” Romans 1:20

Am I not 100% responsible before my LORD, God, and Maker for my own life?

“For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.” Romans 14:10

Judgment Day is on the way. Can you see this? On Judgment Day, there will be many who say “But LORD, the people who were supposed to be following You weren’t truly following You and when I found that out I waned, and then that caused me to backslide.” Then will He say to them “Depart from Me ye cursed and ye worker of iniquity, into everlasting fire!” (Matthew 7:21-23; 25:46)

Should I have left the LORD Jesus Christ because of what men were doing?

Should I have condemned them or prayed for them? What shall I do today toward them? Condemn or lift them up? Is God wanting them to perish or is He “not willing that any should perish”? (2 Peter 3:9)

The LORD is calling us to soundness of doctrine, soundness of heart and mind, and soundness of Christlikeness, being evermore conformed to the image of the Son of God who is coming soon (Romans 8:29).

Beloved, let us never blame the Almighty, immutable God, even Jesus Christ who is “the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever” for what faulty, sinful men do! (Hebrews 13:8).

“For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.” Malachi 3:6

It’s only those who are not truly seeking the face of the LORD who condemn and turn aside their hearts from the LORD when others fail. Instead of praying for them and being sorrowful for the lapse of another, they foolishly scorn, never stopping to admit their own failings, heart wanderings, and sin.

“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32

Are you a restoring agent (Galatians 6:1-2) or are you a self-righteous modern Pharisee who sits in the seat of the scornful? (Psalms 1; Matthew 23)

Never forget that the self-righteous need to be saved too!

While witnessing with a pastor on the streets as a new believer, we came upon a lost man who was down and out, living on the street. When he heard the Gospel, the sinner said “There’s too many hypocrites in the church!” To this the pastor immediately responded with: “Would you rather go to church with the hypocrites OR do you want to go to hell with them?”

That pastor stated this well over 20 years ago and it stuck in my mind by God’s grace. He’s so good to us!

Never judge God for what men do!

Never judge God for what men do! Jesus taught that those who have been saved MUST “endure to the end” or they will be lost in hell forever.

“And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.” Matthew 10:22

“But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” Matthew 24:13

Many Believers have and are Currently Suffering for Christ

YOU are not alone in your sufferings and afflictions and persecutions our LORD promised to ALL who will truly follow Him (2 Timothy 3:12). In fact, if you are not being persecuted, you’d better “examine yourself whether you are in the faith” (2 Corinthians 13:5)

“Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. 10 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 5:7-10

Note 1 Peter 5:9 – “knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.”

it’s Time to get happy if you are being persecuted for Christ OR it’s time to mourn that you aren’t!

“Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” 2 Timothy 3:13

Being hated, shunned, and persecuted is a reason to rejoice! Jesus told us so! Listen to your Master, your LORD, your Savior:

“Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” Matthew 5:10-12

Some are so very clueless because they are not walking in the light and therefore walk in darkness.  Though they are church attenders, they are out of touch and out of step – not abiding in and with Christ and therefore don’t know Him and have no fruit to prove such (John 15). These will be cast into the fire (Matthew 7:21; 25:14-30; John 15:6; 2 Peter 2:20-22, etc.).  These counterfeits have not chosen to truly engage in a relationship with Christ and therefore have borne no fruit and do not qualify for the blessedness of being purged by the Potter who is the Savior – “Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.” (John 15:2) They mock and scoff and wonder about the true body of Christ – that minute remnant of saints who are genuinely following their LORD and consequently suffering greatly as was foretold. They ask “Why” such and such is happening to you without ever stopping to realize that as a remnant, rare disciple of Jesus, you are actually obeying Him and doing what HE told you to go do and that’s spread His Gospel. And for such you are suffering “the afflictions of the gospel.” (2 Timothy 1:8)

Those who said a prayer to be saved in the past, attend church, confess they are saved, etc., and yet have no real walk of obedience to Jesus, have a mere “form of godliness, but denying the power” or rule and reign of Christ in their lives because they are “lovers of their own selves” and “lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God.” (2 Timothy 3:1-7)

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Articles

“That Ye all Speak the Same Thing” [podcast]


Yes some abandon the sound doctrine which is the Holy Scriptures (2 Timothy 3:15-17). Let such cease.

“That ye all speak the same thing” right?

“Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” 1 Corinthians 1:10

Satan is introducing doubting, casting doubt upon what God has said, His Word, when he said to the woman in the temptation, “Hath God said?” See Genesis 3:1. And Satan in this exchange, changed, altered what God said, God’s Word. See Genesis 2:17 and 3:4. Game changer! The enemy has not changed and we are not be ignorant of his devices, right? (2 Corinthians 2:11).

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” Colossians 3:16

We stand with both feet and every ounce of our weight on God’s Word with utter impunity to Satan and his kingdom of evil.

“God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.”  Romans 3:4

The final blow of death is coming to him, soon.

“And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.” Romans 16:20

“But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:” Titus 2:1

“If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 4:11

Support | STORE | Podcasts | Jail/Prison MinistryMexico Mission here | All Ministry Updates | Because 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 Walking with Jesus on His Stated Terms – the Cross | Fasting and PrayerThe Old Man Must be Put Down [podcast]The 5 Sins That Keep God’s People Out of Their Promised Land [podcast]What Did Paul Mean by “I Keep Under My Body”? [podcast]“Jesus the Author and Finisher of our Faith” [podcast]A Living Sacrifice unto God [podcast]Departing from Hell BeneathPrayer

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Abiding

Fruitful Life. Fruitful Evangelism. [podcast]


The Life God Blesses to Bear Fruit for His Eternal Glory

A fruitful life for God’s glory involves first being genuinely born again, abiding in Christ via the crucified life, bearing spiritual fruit—such as Christlikeness in character, good works, and evangelism—by remaining in vital union with Jesus, the true vine (John 15).

“Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.” John 15:16

JUST as Jesus multiplied the little with the boy who gave the loaves and fishes, so He does with our efforts. Jesus multiplied that little and fed 5,000 men, and that doesn’t count the women and children present. Try Him.

“O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.” Psalms 34:8

“And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
41  Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
42  For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
43  I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
44  Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
45  Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
46  And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.” Matthew 25:40-46

God blesses the lives of His faithful saints. His faithful saints seek His face continually.

Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his face continually.” 1 Chronicles 16:11

God prospers us according as we seek His face and stay upon Him. Of king Uzziah king of Judah, God’s Word says:

“As long as he sought the LORD, God made him to prosper.” 2 Chronicles 26:5

At times in this life there are season of uncertainty, where our vision may not be clear. We must “stay upon” the LORD.

“Who is among you that feareth the LORD, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the LORD, and stay upon his God.” Isaiah 50:10

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
12  Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.
13  And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
14  And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the LORD; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.” Jeremiah 29:11-14

“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

“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.” Ephesians 3:20

“And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.” 2 Corinthians 9:8

We’ve never been so reminded of this as of the miraculous events of late where beloved brother Juan dropped some plastic water bottles that hit me in the feet. Only God could have orchestrated this collision of Juan’s life and mine.

“The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.” Psalms 37:23

Ask Him.

Recently brother Stacy Strother reminded me that God simply wants us, His people to be available, to pray and watch Him work!

“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16  He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 17  And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18  They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. 19  So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. 20  And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.” Mark 16:15-20

It has been wisely stated:

“Show me a man’s prayer life, his life of prayer or lack thereof, and I will show you who that man truly is and who and what he loves most.”

All who are zealous for the LORD are zealous about His work, to do it. Not build a church, but to see Christ work in the hearts of men—to strengthen and equip His body and convict and save lost souls to Himself.

One source notes:

“Evangelism is the act of sharing the Christian gospel—the ‘good news’ of Jesus Christ’s life, death, and resurrection—with the aim of inviting others into a relationship with God. It is considered a core mission for believers to spread this message of salvation, hope, and love, often stemming from Jesus’s command in the Great Commission.”

“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.” Proverbs 11:30

YOUR PRAYER: Holy Father, in Jesus’ name, unite my heart to fear Thy name. Do your work in and through my life. I am all Yours. Maximize the fruit produced to Your eternal glory. You must increase but I must decrease. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Support | STORE | Podcasts | Jail/Prison MinistryMexico Mission here |All Ministry UpdatesThe Greatest of these is Charity | Be 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  | Great Commission

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Abiding

Washed. Sanctified. Glorified. [podcast]


“Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.” John 13:8

Jesus’ true bride is known in that she is making herself ready for Him.

“Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. 8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.” Revelation 19:7-8

“This morning I read Psalm 45. Titled the Kings marriage. The story of the King and His bride. This is a beautiful picture of the marriage supper of the Lamb in Rev 19:7-9. The Bridegroom is adorned in glory, majesty, righteousness and truth. Sitting in His royal throne. Then enters the Bride. Holy, without spot or wrinkle. Wearing the righteousness of Christ. And Jesus says, you are in thy Father’s house and He desires thy beauty and worship. Wow! Because she is wearing the beauty of the Lord (Psalm 27:4). His attributes. And she is wearing gold. Fine gold because she has been tried in the fire of affliction. And she is one of the five wise virgins who is invited to enter into the King’s palace. What a glorious picture of all who make themselves ready and are clean and white before their King Jesus! Alleluia!” Karen Cochran

The person who repents, puts their faith in Jesus Christ, and is saved, and continues rooted in Christ, continuing/abiding in Him, will confess any sin committed and be perpetually transformed by Him (Proverbs 28:13; 2 Corinthians 7:1; 1 John 1:7, 9; 3:4-10).

Many have been misled. Jesus invented the term “FALL AWAY” (Luke 8:13). The Son of God does not lie. If falling away isn’t possible, why did Jesus say it is possible? Jesus is returning for those who are looking for Him by the way they live.

Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” Ephesians 5:25-27

Only those hearing and obeying God’s Word are being washed by it.

“So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto THEM THAT LOOK FOR HIM shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” Hebrews 9:28

“Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10  Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 11  And such were some of you: but ye are WASHED, but ye are SANCTIFIED, but ye are JUSTIFIED in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

The explanation below is modified from another source and notes the following:

“‘Washed, sanctified, and justified’ (often replacing glorified with justified) describes the comprehensive spiritual transformation of a believer in 1 Corinthians 6:11. It signifies being cleansed from sin, set apart for God’s purpose, and declared righteous through Christ, moving from a past life of disobedience to a new identity and a life of obedience to God (2 Corinthians 5:15).

    • Washed: Refers to being cleansed of the defilement and stain of sin, often linked to baptism and the washing of regeneration by the Holy Spirit.
    • Sanctified: Means being set apart to God for His holy purpose. It involves both a position of holiness in Christ and a progressive, lifelong process of becoming more like Him.
    • Justified (Glorified/Righteous): Means being acquitted of all guilt and declared righteous before God on the basis of Christ’s finished work.

Contextual Meaning
    • Transformation: The Apostle Paul reminds the Corinthians that while they once lived in sin, their identity changed upon following Jesus.
    • The Power Source: These changes are accomplished in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of God, not by personal merit.
    • Living the New Life: This transformation signifies that believers are no longer defined by their past sins, but by their new, holy standing.”

Prayer: Jesus, I know You are going to return for a Bride that is without spot, wrinkle, or sin of any kind. Purify this life LORD Jesus which I now submit to You without reserve. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Support | STORE | Podcasts | Jail/Prison MinistryMexico Mission here | All Ministry UpdatesBecause You Care Page | Bible/Word of God | Gifts | Prophetic or Pathetic? | ChristologyFinal Divine Authority At His Feet | Prepared to be Used of God Grace and Truth Bible School [modules] | 7 Study Guides to a Greater Foundation in Christ | Knowing God | The Cross Life |

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