Titles and Trappings

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]

9 Bible Passages to a New Life – And Deliverance from False Leaders who Elevate themselves in Place of Jesus

We see people running around calling themselves “doctor” and “bishop” and “prophet,” etc., and they don’t even know the Word. Think: If they had even cursory knowledge of God’s Word, and just a smidgen of conviction, would they be using a title to draw attention to themselves? No (Matthew 23:8-12).

It’s actually quite astounding to see how so many today trade in Christ and their own eternal souls for a cheap, temporary substitute just as Esau traded his birthright for a bowl of soup (Hebrews 12:14-17).

“Let me not, I pray you, accept any man’s person, neither let me give flattering titles unto man. For I know not to give flattering titles; in so doing my maker would soon take me away (remove you from His kingdom).” Job 32:21-22

IF you are calling yourself a prophet or apostle, you are not one! Repent!

Repent and drop the title. Jesus’ kingdom is about HIM, not you!

“Titles serve no purpose other than pandering to the flesh.” David Clifton

Make no mistake: Those using titles are doing so to bring attention to THEMSELVES and not the Savior!

“Reverend” appears just once in God’s Word and it’s speaking about HIM, not a man – “He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is HISSSS name” (Psalms 111:9).

OTHER than the Hell bound “doctors of the law” Jesus lambasted, does the title “doctor” appear in God’s Word, Christ’s kingdom? No! Repent.

The gifts and callings of God are gifts and callings to serve and not titles to tout!

Make no mistake, idolatry of mere sinful men is soul-damning sin (Galatians 5:19-21; Ephesians 5:5-9, etc.). God is a jealous God – He says His very name is “Jealous” (Exodus 34:14).

“I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.” Isaiah 42:8

Jesus says “ye are all brethren” and teaches against the use of titles among His people since such elevates mere sinful men and steals the glory from Him who bled, was buried, and rose again.

It doesn’t matter WHO among us, Christ’s body, preaches the Word, it just needs to be preached! Jesus is the featured One, not any mere sinful man. “All ye are brethren” (Matthew 28:8-12). Concerning preaching, the Gospel writes: “Therefore whether it were I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed” (1 Corinthians 15:11).

You think you are an apostle or prophet? Read what Jesus taught in Matt 20:20-28; 23:8-12. Repent and stop calling yourself such. Shut your mouth and humbly serve!

We just don’t get it. We don’t begin to understand that He is everything and we are nothing. We have nothing good except Him – Christ! See Romans 7:18, 24. We don’t perceive that Jesus Christ, the LORD, is our only wealth – that He is our “Exceeding great reward” (Genesis 15:1).

“That no flesh should glory in his presence. … 31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:29, 31

— YES, there are gifts and callings and functions given by God to the members of His body but not in order to elevate themselves above Him. Certainly we must just listen to Christ and drop all titles (Romans 12; 1 Corinthians 12; Ephesians 4). Here’s a simple question: Why does a person use a title unless he is elevating himself? Why not use the title of “servant” or simply “disciple”? Those words are found all over Holy Scripture, so why not use them? Why O why can’t we just DO God’s will and work and leave the rest to Him? Why do we seek to draw attention to our sinful selves? Have we not the slightest clue from Scripture in our lives as to what Jesus says about humility, laying down our lives, becoming of no reputation, etc.? Think about this. Reason according to Scripture (Acts 17:11; 2 Timothy 3:16). We are not to use titles and especially those not even designated in God’s Word as callings in the true body of Christ, such as the use of the word “doctor” which we see all around us today. The only doctors mentioned in the Word are religious pharisees who are not saved and who used their education (from men) and titles to oust Christ and elevate themselves above others unduly in order to manipulate and to exploit them for their own self-serving purposes (Matthew 23:8-12; Philippians 3:18-19).

Jesus taught against using titles. What title touters are doing is positioning themselves deceitfully over others by using any titles like “apostle” or “prophet.”

“But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.” Matthew 23:8-12

1 Corinthians 3:21 “Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours;”

2 Corinthians 4:5 “For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.”

John 7:18 “He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.”

1 Corinthians 2:2 “For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.”

Galatians 6:14 “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.”

Regrettably, and according to Christ’s warnings, the overwhelming majority of men in leadership positions today are not there to simply glorify Christ but rather are “enemies of the cross of Christ” and that’s rather obvious in that their “God is their belly (self-serving carnal appettites),” and “who mind earthly things.” In other words, you don’t get the sense of Christ alone and eternity when you listen to them. The Holy Ghost is not involved because that man has put Jesus aside for the idolatry of building his own ministry or church business.

“(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.” Philippians 3:18-21

Regrettably many today run around calling themselves prophets and apostles and bishops, etc.. They are quick to let you know just how wonderful THEY are. These are biblical callings (not titles) and yet we must not pump up ourselves but rather simply do the function of the divine calling. We must simply do the serving and not draw attention to ourselves with titles and the applause of mere men.

In Matthew 20:20-28 Jesus taught that He came to serve us and that we should go forth and serve others, not self. Unduly using and attaching titles to ourselves is under girded with the pride of life.

WHEN a man really repents, he will have no title to tout but only his own depravity and God’s mercy through Christ’s cross to celebrate! Memorize Titus 3:5-6. Posture of Dependency

God’s Not Impressed with Gifts

Recently the question of apostles, prophets, etc. came up:

“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:” Ephesians 4:11-12

Ephesians 4:11-12 … The question is, are these titles to be touted or simply functions to serve in? Matthew 20:24-28 right? It seems clear that most who call themselves “apostles” today are using this as a title to self promote…. which would make them “false apostles” which we are specifically warned about (2 Corinthians 11:13). This doesn’t mean there aren’t any apostles (messengers) today though, as you point out, they must be “known” (discerned) “by their fruit” (Matthew 7:15-16, 20). It seems obvious that there ARE elders in the form of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers, etc., as Ephesians 4:11-12 was written decades after Pentecost, after the original 12 were selected by Christ. These are functions to serve in to be a blessing in humbly serving God by serving His people to perfect/mature/equip them, and not to build a ministry on how wonderful the man is. Jesus is “the apostle and high priest” of our salvation, right? See Hebrews 3:1.

The use of these callings to self-elevate is clear proof one is false. If someone is truly called out by Jesus to be an apostle, which simply means messenger, they aren’t using such a calling as a title to promote self or their ministry. Such would be in violation of what Jesus taught about using titles in specific:

Jesus teaches (Matthew 23):

8 “But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.
9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.
10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.
11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.
12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.”

Greg Locke is a “false apostle”…. and the function, gift of an apostle comes with great suffering such as was the case for Paul. False apostles will never be seen going through what Paul and the other true apostles went through. The frauds of today don’t bear the marks of a true apostle. Genuine apostles today are too busy serving their LORD to stop and glory in what God never intended to be a place of self glory and glamour. Like all true servants, they humbly serve and all the glory goes to Jesus, not them.

Sign up for free email devotional HERE… The Moments with My Master email devotional is sent out for the edification of the body of Christ.

Feedback:

“I have heard plenty of people on TV insist that you refer to them by a title Pastor, Evangelist, Prophet, Prophetess, among others. I even heard one man who says he is a prophet go by master prophet because he said he put in the hours like when someone goes to school to earn their masters degree so he is to be called master prophet….what???? So serving God is compared with punching a clock and putting in time???? Another one said a woman approached her and called her sister so-andso, and she rebuked her saying it is prophetess so-and-so. SO much insisting on titles. I agree how about servant so- and-so” Stephanie J.

“Amen to this! Too many w!ant a title to elevate themselves above others ( i.e., Apostle, Pastor, Minister, Prophet, etc.). Personally, I choose ‘Sojourner’ as I am sojourning here on earth as Heaven is my home. I am a wanderer and bondservant of Christ. Humility is found through serving, not being served.” Turk B.

The High Treason of False Leaders [podcast]

PWT = Preach, WARN, Teach “Whom we PREACH, WARNING every man, and TEACHING every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:” Colossians 1:28 Did you catch what the apostle Paul did to prepare the church to meet Christ? Preach WARN Teach Letting God Speak for Himself “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” Matthew 7:15 Bible truths/words you never hear from wolves: Repent, obedience, the cross – crucified life, holiness, judgment, eternal hell, the lake of fire, being spotless and ready for Christ’s […]

A Generation of False Prophets Unleashed [podcast]

“There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness.” Proverbs 30:12 Why would any true child of God run around looking for “a word” or supposed vision from a mere human when they have THE very word of God – the Bible? “Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets (false leaders) that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth (written Word) of the LORD.” Jeremiah 23:16 “I have […]

Are Christians to Mark False Prophets Publicly? [podcast]

Loving the Light and Exposing the Darkness Any man not guarding, not protecting Christ’s flock, by warning of false teachers and false doctrine, is himself a wolf! Jesus and His holy apostles often rebuked and exposed false leaders and false doctrine (Matthew 23; Acts 13:10; 20:29-31; Galatians 5:11-12; 2 Timothy 4:2-4; 2 Peter 2; 2 John 7-11; Revelation 2:6, 15, etc.). Therefore we know that part of following Jesus includes doing the same. In fact, the body of Christ is mandated to do just that (Romans 16:17-18; Philippians 1:17; Jude 3-4). “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them (scope […]

Articles

Exhort One Another Daily [podcast]

“But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” Hebrews 3:13

“Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. ²³Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) ²⁴And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: ²⁵Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” Hebrews 10:22-25

Saints, let’s always remember that other disciples have the SAME exact iniquitous flesh to deal with daily as we do (Genesis 6:5, 12; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 3, etc.). They are just like us – absolutely wicked and depraved without the present working of the saving grace of our God at work in us! (Romans 7) Each of Christ’s followers are like us, working out their own salvation with fear and trembling as the LORD works in them both to will and to do of His good pleasure (Philippians 2:12-13).

“We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.” Romans 15:1

“Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. 2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:1-2

Let’s lift up our LORD’s disciples instead of wrongly judging them in our attitudes, etc. Seeing and treating them with God’s love is important ( 1 Peter 4:7-8; 1 John 4:7-8, 16-18; 5:1, etc.).

“And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart.” Zechariah 7:10

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

“Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11

DOES the Bible tell us to “Go make disciples” OR to “Teach others God’s Word”? Interesting. Does the Bible Ever Say “Go Make Disciples”?

Sign up for free email devotional HERE... The Moments with My Master email devotional is sent out for the edification of the body of Christ.

Exhort One Another Daily [podcast]

“But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” Hebrews 3:13 “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) 24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much […]

Neither Give Place to the Devil! [podcast]

“Neither give place to the devil.” Ephesians 4:27 “This is a really good message!” CB — MANY have been blinded and duped to believe that either 1) there is no devil, or 2) there is a devil but he’s not active. But God’s Word tells us that Satan, the archenemy of Christ and mankind, is active and has an organized kingdom structure: “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Ephesians 6:12) Warning: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as […]

Fulfilling Your Calling [podcast]

MINISTRY which pleases God is simply helping people know and grow in Christ for themselves – by the cross life and getting into HIS Word for themselves so they can follow HIM, not you! True ministry fosters in the hearers faith in God, not the preacher or local church organization! Read 1 Corinthians 2:1-5; 2 Corinthians 1:9; 3:5; 4:5. Your communications and ministry are fed and fueled by your personal daily study and knowledge of God’s Word (Proverbs 22:17-21; 2 Timothy 2:15). Ephesians 4:1-14 “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation […]

Technology in End Times Prophecy

GOD foretold of the explosion of technology in the final days leading up to our LORD’s return (Daniel 12:4). The internet is a neutral medium of communication to be used by believers to teach the truth of God in fulfillment of Jesus’s Great Commission command. “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, […]

Apostasy

“Shall I not visit for these things?” [podcast]

Widespread Corruption – Evidence of God’s Judgment on a Nation

IMPORTANT: Read Matthew 24 and Luke 21 this week. Jesus foretold this would all be happening right before He returns! Jesus is coming. Get ready.

A cursory introduction to Jeremiah 5-7. God’s people were in rebellion to Him and reaping what they’d been sowing (Galatians 6:7-8). Read, pour prayerfully over these chapters this week beloved. This message is designed to launch the God fearing saint to pour over this passage as they examine their hearts, their lives before Him honestly.

“Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withholden good things from you. 26 For among my people are found wicked men: they lay wait, as he that setteth snares; they set a trap, they catch men. 27 As a cage is full of birds, so are their houses full of deceit: therefore they are become great, and waxen rich. 28 They are waxen fat, they shine: yea, they overpass the deeds of the wicked: they judge not the cause, the cause of the fatherless, yet they prosper; and the right of the needy do they not judge. 29 Shall I not visit for these things? saith the LORD: shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this? 30 A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land; 31 The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?” Jeremiah 5:25-31

Judgment on America for the Rebellion of those who Falsely Claim to be Saved

“And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: 10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?” Revelation 6:9-10

The LORD blesses those who are with Him. Anyone who forsakes Him will be forsaken by 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

The word “if” in God’s Word denotes a choice that will be made.

The LORD is not with you if you are not with Him – doing life on HIS stated terms. That’s exactly why He gave you His recorded Word in tangible form. Read John 14-16.

Notice “IF ye seek him” and not if you go to church or just claim to be His. Are you seeking His holy face “continually”?

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

“Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: 13 And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.” Joel 2:12-13

“O Israel, return unto the LORD thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity. 2 Take with you words, and turn to the LORD: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so will we render the calves of our lips.” Hosea 14:1-2

Notice here in the verse below how setting, allowing wicked things into our eye gates leads to turning aside, departing from Christ, backsliding. Notice how the psalmist views backsliding as a plague. And it sure is. Millions irrevocably occupy the bowels of eternal damnation right this moment and forever who made one bad decision which led to their backsliding. It’s time to read God as if our eternal souls depended on it – because they do. safeguardyoursoul.com

“I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.” Psalms 101:3

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please break me, make me to be poor in spirit and pure in heart. In Jesus’ name, amen.

The Return of Christ | Support | STORE | Podcasts |

Judgment to Come [podcast]

The original Gospel prominently includes the judgment of hell coming to every person who dies in sin (Mark 9:43-49, etc.). EVERY preacher not preaching hell is a false prophet who is preaching “another gospel” and is “accursed” (Galatians 1:6-9). Jesus and His holy apostles taught it and there’s no excuse for not doing the same. Repent now. We must understand that God is severe in His judgment of rebels of which there are “many” who claim they are saved. Eternal damnation awaits all rebels (Matthew 7:13-23, etc.). “Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but […]

Judgment is Coming on the Whole Earth [podcast]

DIVINE JUDGMENT IS NOT GOING AWAY JUST BECAUSE YOU OR SOME FAKE PREACHER IGNORES IT!!! Jesus Christ is Creator and LORD. He’s Large and in Charge “The earth is the LORD’S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.” Psalms 24:1 The LORD owns this house, this earth and is returning to take His rightful authority over it. Nothing can stop it! Anyone who isn’t in agreement with and in obedience to the Son of God will be crushed by Him – crushed under the power and weight of His holy justice. “Serve the LORD with fear, and […]

Revelation Bombshell! PREP THIS!!!! [podcast]

Revelation Bombshell! A Refreshing Biblical Perspective of the Last Days Are You Fretting, Worried, OR are You LAUGHING?? Biblically Based Apocalyptic Prep —– HERE’S WHAT’S Coming to this planet …. “And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible” (Isaiah 13:11). “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9 […]

Abiding

Tried. Trusted. Blessed. [podcast]

CAN God Trust You?

WHO is God going to bless? WHO is going to “abound with blessings”?

“A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.” Proverbs 28:20

Beloved of God, let us always remember that God only rewards and promotes those who are faithful right where they are with whatever they have in their possession to use for His glory. This is the truth we see throughout Holy Scripture, including in Jesus’ parable of the talents in Matthew 25. May God bless each of us to serve Him by serving others—right where we are, right now, with whatever we have—taking no thought for tomorrow but rather trusting Him to provide all (Matthew 6:33-34).

Christ’s Parable of the Talents: What is our LORD Teaching us here?

Trustworthy Faithful ABRAHAM—Faithfulness

“Always remember that God is looking to see if we will be faithful in the small things before He puts us in charge of much.” Frank Telford

Read Hebrews 11 this weekend. See what the heroes of the faith endured and yet remained faithful to the LORD. God remains faithful, even when men do not remain faithful to Him. Yet He’s faithful to Himself — not to those who deny Him. “He cannot deny himself” and yet He will deny those who deny Him the place of reigning in their personal lives (Revelation 2:4-5).

“It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: 1 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: 13 If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.” 2 Timothy 2:11-13

The lives of the patriarchs and apostles make it clear that none of us could possibly come to know and to trust the LORD deeply until we walk with Him, love, worship, serve, and obey Him by faith as He leads us through this life—through seasons of thick and thin, little and much. Faith is forged in fiery trials and not in fairy tales of false faith by those who recline on fancy furniture instead of fighting ferocious foes. Jesus Christ is KING—and we can’t know Him closely until we begin to suffer with Him.

“The goodness of God! Wow! Love it! I have never seen Gods goodness more than I have in the last few months! It makes me cry whenever I realize all He has done for me. I have been blessed beyond measure. I am so blown away that God has met me in the deep valleys.” Karen Cochran

“Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: 9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.” 1 Peter 1:5-9

Might you choose to pray as did the apostles? – “Increase our faith” (Luke 17:5).

Not only should we ask God to “Increase our faith” but also to teach us to be faithful to Him. God will bless those who are faithful to Him—those who are loyal and serve Him obediently through thick or thin, in riches or poverty, through sunshine or rain.

WHERE are God’s eyes and blessings focused?

“Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me.” Psalms 101:6

Does this verse above remind us of the words of 2 Chronicles 16:9?

WHO wants God’s gaze, gifts, and blessings upon them?

I do!

“For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.” 2 Chronicles 16:9

Are you presently blessable beloved of God?

The LORD could trust Abraham. Can He trust us? Can the LORD trust me? Am I faithful to Him?

Even before God tested Abraham to see if he would offer his only and promised son, the LORD says this of Abraham:

“For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.” Genesis 18:19

Of the heroes of the faith who’ve gone before us, God’s testimony of them is that they “confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.” Remember beloved of God, like them, we are passing THROUGH this life on earth. We are not here to stay.

“These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. 15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. 16 But now they desire a better country (heavenly New Jerusalem), that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.” Hebrews 11:13-16

Abraham’s willingness to offer his beloved son Isaac as a sacrifice to God is a type, a foreshadowing of the Father offering up Christ to be crucified, buried, and raised again to pay the ultimate redemption price for the sins of mankind (Genesis 22).

“By faith Abraham, when he was tried (tested), offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,” Hebrews 11:17

Investing in Christ’s eternal kingdom while on earth. This is what Jesus instructed us to do.

“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.” Matthew 6:19-21

“God commands obedience first and foremost! Abraham obeyed the Lord God’s call on his life when he was told to go and leave the country he was in and leave all behind for a destination unknown. He had to completely follow and depend on the Lord. A test of his faith. We know he did obey the word of the Lord, packed up his family and left all behind for a land unknown to him. Genesis 12.” Karen Cochran

The LORD is always faithful. He has never failed one of His children, ever. Dare we stop here to reminisce how He found and saved us?

Liza Young writes: “At first, life seems to be at a dead end, then we make our way to the SAVIOR, realizing we dare not go forward without the assurance of HIS presence. As we completely trust in HIM, HE helps us face the future by walking with us each step of the way. GOD ‘S wonderful promise in Isaiah 41:10.”

Heavenly Father, please grant Your people to have clean, clear, pure hearts and consciences. Right this moment, I re-turn to You now, afresh dear LORD—bringing words of repentance and confession of all and any sin. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Fresh Start with God

“But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.” James 1:25

Get saved.

Continue. Abide. Or perish (John 15:1-6).

“And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. Joshua 24:15

Are We Blessable?

Or, are we…..

out of Bible order

and

out of Bible blessings?

God will bless no man who doesn’t love Him enough to obey Him.

God doesn’t need us.

We need God.

God’s Testimony of Abraham

WE CAN TRUST GOD BUT CAN GOD TRUST US? The LORD could trust Abraham, our example of faith (Romans 4). Can He trust you? Are you trustworthy? What do you do when no man is looking? God sees all, right?

“And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do; 18 Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? 19 For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.” Genesis 18:17-19

What did God know about Abraham? Shall we review?

There are conditions to receiving God’s blessings. One must meet those conditions to walk in God’s blessings. The LORD reveals to us here that He is going to bring His full blessings on Abraham because He could trust Abraham to trust Him and obey Him. Note that God could trust Abraham because Abraham was obedient to Him and also notice that the promises the LORD made to Abraham were contingent upon Abraham continuing to obey the God. They were conditional.

“And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: 12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” Hebrews 6:11-12

“He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich“ (Proverbs 10:4). If you will be rich you must diligently seek the LORD…

“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

Who is Going to be Blessed?

“A FAITHFUL MAN shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.” Proverbs 28:20

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please unite my heart to fear Thy name, to number my short days upon the earth, and to bless my life to be fruitful for Your eternal glory this day, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Faithfulness to God

PARABLE OF THE TALENTS [podcast]

The Eternal Consequence of Obedience vs Neglect A parable is an earthy story with a heavenly meaning. Jesus’ parable of the talents is a teaching and severe warning of stewardship and the eternal consequences of obeying or disobeying God in the matter of our handling of His resources in this fleeting life. “And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away.” 1 Corinthians 7:31 It is said that of the 38 parables Jesus taught, 16 of them involve stewardship. To further underscore the divine importance placed on stewardship, we should note that […]

Jesus Sat Over Against The Treasury [podcast]

WHAT is Jesus Looking at in Your Life? GOD sees what you leave behind, what you keep in store for your “safety”, what percentage you keep, the waste. Read Luke 12, 16. WHAT did Jesus mean when He said that the woman who gave all, a mere two mites, gave the most? HOW could she possibly have given more than those who gave thousands when all she gave was a mere two mites which equal less than a penny in today’s economy? Jesus Never Changes because He is Divine and Eternal Perfection Read this account carefully: “And Jesus sat over against […]

Lay Up For Yourselves Treasures in Heaven [podcast]

“LAY UP FOR YOURSELVES” The only wealth that will last, forever, is that which is gained by obeying God in this life – thereby laying up treasure in Heaven. Money Has Wings “Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.” Proverbs 23:4-5 Instruction: “Labour not to be rich” v4 Instruction: “cease from thine own wisdom” v4 Question?: “Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not?” v5 Wisdom to ponder: “for riches certainly make themselves wings; they […]