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Smiting, Slander, Strife

“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! 2It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; 3As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.” Psalms 133:1-3

Christ’s body should relish, edify, exhort, admonish, teach, and to nurture one another as much as is possible. The opposite would be to rail on another member of Jesus’ body. Railing is listed 9 times as a sin in the Bible.

Beating and betrayal instead of unity clearly reveals who are the wheat and who are the tares among us (Luke 12:45).

May God bless us to afford to others the same grace we personally need in working out our own salvation with fear and trembling before our God (Philippians 2:12-13).

Do you truly love God’s people? To the degree you love God, you love His people. Prayerfully read, repent, and relish 1 Corinthians 12-13 this week.

Recently, I was abruptly attacked by a man I have tried to help and fed God’s Word to for a few years now. I was always there for him. He used to come to our home fellowship. When others shunned him, I was there for him. When he kept backsliding, I was there to tell him the truth and pray for him. I never attacked him but dealt with compassion towards him. It seemed that the LORD had me to be patient with his sinful living, seeking to help him by giving him God’s Word and praying for him. Yet, last night, perhaps because he had been drinking alcohol, he found something small to nit-pick and attack me with. He didn’t come to me in gentleness to just make something known that I may have overlooked. No, he shot with both barrels up front about something that wasn’t very important. So, I gave him the following passage and he kept attacking, so cut him off (Titus 3:9-11).

“Judge not, that ye be not judged.  2For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.  3And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?  4Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?  5Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.” Matthew 7:1-5

One of the signs of an apostate heart and/or generation is being merciless or “unmerciful.” (Romans 1:31)

We are not fit to condemn. When we do usurp that mantle, only evil can result.

“For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.” James 1:20

You see, there’s only One qualified to judge and that One is God, not us.

“Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.  12There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?” James 4:11-12

Who, Who, Who?

“Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth.  34Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.” Romans 8:33-34

As I reflect upon the problem this guy had concerning something small he thought I was compromising about, I think of just how simple it would have been to hear his concern and do something about it. Actually, I would have been glad to be corrected and sharpened if only he had approached with concern and not condemnation. The approach is important. We must walk with God’s wisdom which is “first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. 18And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.” (James 3:17-18)

The main reason I share these things is:

1) Just as Jesus predicted, the love of many is waxing cold before our very eyes and God’s love is the key fruit that proves we are still in Christ or not (Matt. 24:10-13; 1 John 4:7-8). Without love we are nothing (1 Cor. 13). Some are now smiting or railing on the servants of the LORD which proves they have fallen away and are no longer saved (Matt. 24:48-51).

2) If you have a question about another believer, DO NOT attack them! If you do, YOU are the sinful one who needs to get right with God and your lack of concern and care (love) prove it. We are to be restoring agents, not attack agents. Like the sons of thunder, we do not know what spirit we are of (Lk. 9:49-56). If we don’t yet understand and walk in God’s restorative love, perhaps we don’t yet have a clue as to who Jesus is and why HE came (Lk. 9:56; John 3:17). If this is our hardened, depraved state, we have forgotten what manner of man we once were. – “But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.” (2 Peter 1:9)

“Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual (mature), RESTORE such an onein the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.  2Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. 3For if a man think himself to be something (pride), when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.” Galatians 6:1-3

What did the LORD mean to communicate to you when He said this?

“And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, 25In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure (perhaps) will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 26And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.” 2 Timothy 2:24-26

In fact, the LORD told us that He is coming soon and that we are not ready to meet Him if we are grudging against one another:

“Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. 8Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. 9Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.” James 5:7-9

As we treat His people, so are we treating Him, literally. Jesus taught:

“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. 41Then 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.” Matthew 25:40-41

To mistreat one of His children, is to mistreat Jesus. Those who have done or do such without repenting, are as sure for the lake of fire as if they were already there!

The utter necessity of love and walking in love must be declared without ceasing.

“Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 8He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.” 1 John 4:7-8

Love is an essential. Anyone who does not possess and is not possessed by its fruits, does not know the One who “is love” and is hell bound as sure as your eyes are reading these words.

If we truly serve Christ, we shall, like Paul had an Alexander and many “false brethren,” also endure our betraying Judas’. God is able to comfort and bring us through and teach us His wisdom. We can “count it all joy!” (James 1:2-4)

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Apostasy

Pride and False Prophets [podcast]


“And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.”  Matthew 24:11

What’s the difference between true and false servants of the LORD?

Jeremiah 23 is essential concerning recognizing the “MANY false prophets” which Jesus foretold would “deceive MANY” in this late hour before His return (Matthew 24:11).

True servants of the LORD stand in the counsel, the WORD of the LORD and not in the evil imaginations, dreams, or visions of their own wicked hearts.

Jeremiah 23
“Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the LORD.
17  They say still unto them that despise me, The LORD hath said, Ye shall have peace; and they say unto every one that walketh after the imagination of his own heart, No evil shall come upon you.
18  For who hath stood in the counsel of the LORD, and hath perceived and heard his word? who hath marked his word, and heard it?
19  Behold, a whirlwind of the LORD is gone forth in fury, even a grievous whirlwind: it shall fall grievously upon the head of the wicked.
20  The anger of the LORD shall not return, until he have executed, and till he have performed the thoughts of his heart: in the latter days ye shall consider it perfectly.
21  I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran: I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied.
22  But if they had stood in my counsel, and had caused my people to hear my words, then they should have turned them from their evil way, and from the evil of their doings.”

ARE YOU in God’s Word daily or have you backslidden? It’s either one or the other.

True servants of the LORD, as was the case with Paul and Timothy, will get YOU into God’s Word for yourself…

“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

“As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:” 1 Peter 2:2

So both the LORD’s apostle Paul and the apostle Peter instructed believers to get into the Word of God for themselves – to “study” and to “desire” it. Any man pretending to represent Christ and not do this very thing repeatedly is a bona fide wolf in sheep’s clothing, a devil.

Imagine parents who continued to feed their infant and never taught that baby to pick up the spoon and feed themself….  so that child would perpetually be dependent upon someone else feeding them…. in the natural this is unheard of, yet it’s rampant in that which claims to be Christ’s “church.”

Read Jeremiah 23.

But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.”  James 4:6-10

“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” 1 John 4:1

Pride vs Humility

“Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.” (Proverbs 16:18) True humility before God first, then men, always wins – “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” (James 4:10)

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“Come unto Me, all Ye that Labour and are Heavy Laden, and I will Give You Rest” [podcast


God is “Holy, holy, holy” and “God is love.” (Isaiah 6:3; 1 John 4:8, 16; Revelation 4:8)

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” John 3:16-18

Jesus came and died to save us “while we were yet sinners.”

“For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:6-8

The Proof of God’s Love for all Men

“In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. 10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” 1 John 4:9-10

“And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” Revelation 22:17

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. 5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. 6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.  7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. 8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” Revelation 21:4-8

“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

Prayer: Heavenly Father, please do Your ever-deepening work in my heart and life. Please imbue my innermost being with your holiness, holy fear, and love. Bless this vessel to be purified, cleansed of all iniquity and falsity, made authentic by You dear LORD. In Jesus’ name, amen.

For a daily dose and feeding of God’s Word, as a component of your study of the LORD, of His Word, the Moments with Our Master 365 daily devotional is available. | STORE

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Abiding

Have We Misunderstood Why Christians Meet Together? [video]

“We’ve created a whole culture of Christians who are just known for going to church.” Dr Wadsworth! 



It is hard to convince a man (modern pastor) he is wrong when his livelihood ($) depends on not knowing he is wrong.” Unknown



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