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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.

Support | STORE | PodcastsBecause You Care Page | The Greatest of these is CharityBe Ready in the Morning [podcast]The Sure Mercies of David [podcast]That Repentance and Remission of Sins should be Preached [podcast]At His Feet | Prepared to be Used of God Word of Faith Wolves and Delusion ExposedConfess ThisPersonal Testimony of Todd TomasellaBeware of False Promises and Half TruthsExposing the False Prophetic Movement [podcast]

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Abiding

The Eternal Danger of Trusting Mere Men [podcast]


Idol Shepherds Abounding!

The LORD is Holy and will not share His glory with any other.

“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

Your favorite pastor, evangelist or teacher among men is “at his best state … altogether vanity” (Psalms 39:5). God be thanked for the life of every true servant elder and yet they are mere men. God did not send His only begotten Son to die and be buried and raised again to make you a good church member or fan of a mere man who is supposed to be a servant leader. Jesus came to take away our sins, make us new creatures so we could know Him and His Father – and serve them and not man (John 1:29; 17:3; 1 Corinthians 7:23). We are each called to “know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death” (Philippians 3:10). Let’s read the whole verse: “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death” (Philippians 3:10).

RAVI ZACHARIAS is just another pawn of Satan whom gullible dupes clung to, they hung to his every word. He rarely even mentioned the cardinal doctrines of the Christian faith – the holiness of God, the precious blood of Jesus, the crucified life, repentance, etc.. Why did they cling to him, a mere man? They were unrepentant and therefore weren’t choosing to truly worship, seek the face of, love and obey Christ. The vacuum left by their idolatry facilitated their delusion. Then Ravi died in sin. When you love the LORD, truly, you love and devour HIS Word, daily. Read 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12.

“LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am. 5  Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah. 6  Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them. 7  And now, Lord, what wait I for? MY HOPE IS IN THEE.” Psalms 39:4-7

When O When will we truly repent and genuinely follow JESUS, pouring over and hanging on HIS every Word – from Genesis to Revelation? Isn’t that why He gave us HIS Word, the Bible? (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21)

“And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” John 17:3

“But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.” 20:31

“Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.” Jeremiah 17:5

The ministries of mere men are not an end in themselves.

They are called to simply teach God’s Word itself – and to get you into God’s Word daily for yourself.

Notice how the apostle Paul reveals how the disciples at Thessalonica “received the word of God.”

“For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when YE RECEIVED THE WORD OF GOD which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.” 1 Thessalonians 2:13

“Ye received the word of God – Ye received the doctrine of God, not as any thing fabricated by man, but as coming immediately from God himself, we being only his messengers to declare what he had previously revealed to us. And ye have had the fullest proof that ye have not believed in vain; for that doctrine, under the power and influence of the Holy Ghost, has worked most powerfully in you, filling you with light, life, and holiness.” Adam Clarke

They were “taught of God”, not men (1 Thessalonians 4:9).

The ministries of the servants of God are merely designed to get you to discern ….. and to get into God’s Word FOR YOURSELF – to study to show your own self approved unto God! (Acts 17:10-11)

” And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11  These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Acts 17:10-11

“For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.” 1 Thessalonians 2:13 

YOU do it.

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15

The lazy, those who don’t truly love the LORD are being eliminated as goats. This all comes on the heels of their refusal to seek God…. and study His own Word.

No, instead the idolaters of mere men will read and listen to endless messages by mere men, their favorite preachers, mere men. They then bond with those mere men, there is an unnatural soul-tie created.

“Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of?” Isaiah 2:22

“Isaiah 2:19-22 People will seek for shelter wherever they can hide. It will be clear then that fleeting man is unworthy of trust. Only the Lord is worthy of the undivided confidence of His people.” Believer’s Bible Commentary

“Cease ye – Never admire or place your trust in man. Breath – Whose breath is quickly stopped and taken away. Wherein – What excellency is in him, considered in himself, and without dependence on God?” John Wesley

“Cease ye from man – Trust neither in him, nor in the gods that he has invented. Neither he, nor they, can either save or destroy.” Adam Clarke

The church world is full of wolves in sheep’s clothing. The list of “idol shepherd(s) is long…. Here is but a sampling:

See all shorts videos here on ministry youtube channel.

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  | Waste | Stewardship | GivingLet Him be Your Fear [podcast]Why We Need Not Fear DeathFear Not Little Flock | The Glorious Church Jesus is Returning For [podcast]

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Articles

4,500 JESUS Tracts have been Hand-Delivered !

These JESUS tracts in Spanish have been handed out person to person with the love of God and the Word of God spoken to the recipients in Spanish!

You have integrally participated in this mission by your prayers and support. We are not finished yet saints.

Saints, you are the ones who make this possible – by your prayers and support. There is no support from any church, ministry, or corporate support. Individual disciples support this work.

FYI: I also help support this work financially in a limited fashion and yet there’s kingdom opportunity for more saints to participate. There are less than 10 saints monthly who support this work financially. God be praised for their participation in our LORD’s Great Commission work (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-20). Jesus is coming and remember, Jesus says “No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:62).

God be praised that nearly 4,500 JESUS tracts in Spanish have been distributed in Mexico thus far – with a personal touch, a speaking of the Word of God in Spanish to the recipients.

This week I am going to be speaking with a local printer to get another 1,500 printed or 2,500, depending on what resources come in.

The following words of our LORD are specifically spoken to and the grand opportunity and responsibility of the saints in the earth now in this last hour before Christ’s return.

“And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” Matthew 24:14

Reprinting the JESUS tract is at hand. New supply needed. A grand kingdom opportunity is before each of us in this mission.

“Glory hallelujah! God is sure blessing you and the ministry for your faithfulness to Him! And we who pray and support rejoice with you for His Word going out among the beautiful people of Mexico! And we know His Word will not return void but will accomplish that which He set it out to do. Isaiah 55:11.” Tom and Karen Cochran

In general the prices are higher where I am now. $300 should take care of 1,500 copies of the JESUS tract.

Feel free to participate clicking on the Support button on here on safeguardyoursoul.com Takes seconds to contribute.

See the Mission Mexico category for many more pics, videos, and testimonies.

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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. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 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? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 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. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:   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. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: 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. And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words. 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. As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. 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. 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.

Christology | The Cross

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