Trusting Miracles or Christ?

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THAT’s My King! Pastor Lockridge [video]

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

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Miracles or the Master?

“Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.” Colossians 2:18-19

Like all Latter Rain deceivers, in his pride Todd Bentley believes he can go into the heavenlies and the glory of God anytime he so chooses and get whatsoever he wishes to get. He is simply and plainly “intruding into those things which he hath not seen.” That’s why this is written here – to warn us of people who do such. In other words, he is his own god and in control – in place of the one true God. This is antichrist, which means in place of the real Christ/God. This is a classic example of what the Holy Spirit was warning us about here in Colossians 2 when He warned us all of those who do not uphold Jesus Christ as the only Supreme Ruler and “Head” of His body. He speaks of those who are “intruding into those things which he hath not seen” as they are “vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind.” Bentley and many other popular false prophets today are presumptuously venturing into things they know nothing of – if they did they would not dare do such a thing. These men do not fear God. The preposterous stories Todd Bentley tells are things he “hath NOT seen” by the LORD but rather in his own depraved imagination and that which is fueled by devils. He is speaking of visions of his own sinful heart like the false prophets have always done. Jeremiah 23:16 says: “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.” No true disciple speaks of things on his own (1 Pet. 4:11). In fact, the deceiver is identified by not teaching only from God’s Word (Isa. 8:20). The one who is true to the LORD Jesus comes only from God’s holy Word. He is true to the LORD alone and this is proven in that he refuses to preach any other gospel.

Anytime someone goes beyond what Scripture tells us, he is “intruding into those things which he hath not seen.” (Col. 2:18) Speaking of “intruding into those things which he hath not seen” and being “vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,” check this out:

Here are a couple of excerpts from Todd Bentley’s 2003 article entitled Angelic Hosts:

them go into the four corners of the earth and gather me money.’”

There is no mention of Jesus Christ here in Bentley’s praying. He just partners with angels to get what he wants as he presumptuously intrudes into things he has no true knowledge of because “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (Prov. 1:7) Any person who does things like this openly reveals (as their true fruit) that they do not fear God and therefore do not have His true knowledge and understanding because they do not know Him.

Bentley has figured out what works to create the phenomenon to draw the crowd and yet there are no verifiable miracles and true biblical fruit to validate his claims and the claims of the deceived people who support him. It’s all hype. Though he throws in some Gospel here and there to court those who care, in the overall picture, there is no true divine substance in his meetings. He is what the Bible calls a cloud and wind without rain (void of true divine substance – Prov. 25:14; Jude 12). People support this movement and “revival” because they are wanting something to happen. Because they are looking to man and for a sign, they forfeit relationship with Jesus and in fact, He calls them “evil and adulterous.” (Matt. 12:39) – Jesus said: “An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign.” Left without His discernment due to not seeking His face with a whole heart and placing His Word as final authority, these sign-seekers are willing to believe the hoax and further the cause of a false prophet against the LORD Almighty (2 Jn. 7-11). Their faith is not grounded in Jesus so they are left to desire seeing something that will help fill the void only Christ fills in the hearts of those who simply and fully trust Him. Those who know and seek Him are “complete in him.” (Col. 2:10) He is their all sufficiency and supplies their every need and desire – spiritually and otherwise.

Not only are miracles not the sign of a true prophet, God foretold that false prophets would actually utilize lying signs and wonders to deceive those who do not truly love Him and His holy truth (2 Thess. 2:9-12; Rev. 16:14; 19:20). Signs, dreams, miracles, or prophesies, are not proof that a person is a true prophet. The LORD actually foretold us that especially in the last days lying signs and wonders would be performed by those who actually call Him “Lord, Lord”and yet do not know Him and are on their way to hell as they lead others with them (Matt. 7:21-23; 2 Thess. 2:9-12; Rev. 16:14; 19:20). It’s about doctrine and godliness, not signs and wonders (Deut. 13). Jesus is coming and He told us that it is “An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign.” (Matt. 12:39)

Looking to these externals (signs, wonders, dreams, miracles, etc.) is tied with looking to mere men. They become idols of our hearts. If we are going to look to men, look to the apostle Paul, John, and Peter. They were authentically His disciples, filled with His Spirit, honored His holy Word above all else, and walked with Him. The Bible tells us they were “holy men of God.” (2 Pet. 1:20-21) God Himself approved these men as opposed to the many self-proclaimed prophets and self-promoting deceivers on the scene today. Look to Jesus Christ. His Word is final authority (Rom. 3:3-4). Didn’t Jesus tell us that false prophets who come in His holy name would deceive “many”? (Matt. 24:5, 11, 24) Also, did He not foretell that “MANY” who call Him “Lord, Lord” and even use His name in vain to do miracles, prophesy, and do many wonder works, are going to hell? (Matt. 7:21-23)

Do you really know Him? Do you truly desire more of Him? Do you really love and seek His face? Where re the affections of your heart?

We are to “be not moved away from the hope of the gospel.” (Col. 1:23) Why such a warning if there were no possibility of being “moved away from the hope of the gospel”?Is God a lunatic? Or, was He, as “the great shepherd of the sheep” lovingly warning His sheep/people to beware of the wolves who are sent by their master Satan to move you away from Christ using any method they so choose? (Heb. 13:20)

The whole verse of Colossians 1:23 says: “IF ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister.”

Looking to man is a sin – it is spiritual adultery and idolatry. Looking for signs and wonders reveals that we have an un-redeemed heart and is “evil and adulterous.” (Matt. 12:39)

“Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.” Isaiah 45:22

God is Calling Us to Get our Feet on the Ground!

“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.” Psalms 1:1-4

It is essential to the believer to be rooted and built up in Christ and this comes from learning of Him and walking daily with Him and not be seeing supposed signs and wonders or getting prophetic words. The book of Colossians establishes His utter and exclusive supremacy as the only Creator, Sustainer, and Redeemer. God be praised forevermore! This wonderful, marvelous, and monumentally important book of Colossians is especially so vitally important in this late hour as we look for the soon return of our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ. I don’t believe there has ever been a day where the following passage is more pertinent to the saints of 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. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power.” Colossians 2:6-10

The Christian life is all about being “Rooted and built up in him” – Jesus! Chasing signs and wonders is not consistent with being a disciple of Jesus. Those who truly know Him seek and love Him and walk with Him by faith in victories, testings, chastening, and fruitfulness. They do not abandon the eternal Savior by going to seek after a mere temporal sign.

Colossians 2:10 tells us that we are “complete” (perfectly filled up and supplied) in Christ and not in signs and wonders or miracles.

The Greek word for “spoil” here is sulagōgeō and means to be seduced away from Christ.

Before we close, let’s break down the Colossians 2:18-19 passage we began with:

“Let no man beguile you of your reward” – the reward of eternal life can be forfeited. Just a few verses prior this warning the Holy Spirit issued another warning. He warned us of being spoiled which means robbed of eternal life through philosophy, tradition, etc. Why in the world would God warn us of something if there were no danger of losing out? Are we not warned in the New Testament Scriptures how Esau gave up his very birthright for a temporary bowl of soup? (Heb. 12:14-17)

“in a voluntary humility” – this speaks of self-imposed false humility undergirded by a self-serving agenda.

“and worshipping of angels” – a preoccupation with angels. Involving angels outside of what Scripture reveals and thereby moving the heart affections of God’s people away from Jesus Christ (Col. 3:1-4).

“intruding into those things which he hath not seen” – this is when people tread into places that Scripture does not sanction such as the worshiping of angels and today’s so-called “prophetic” movement, etc. This comes from people who are not rooted and grounded in a relationship with Jesus and therefore use God’s Word for their own personal agenda – to deceive others (2 Cor. 2:17; 4:1-5; 2 Pet. 3:16). These beguilers use Scripture with private interpretation in an unsound and out-of-context manner.

“vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind” – deception emanates out of a prideful heart that does not put God first and foremost and does not fear the LORD though it sports an outward image of doing so – a “form of godliness.” (2 Tim. 3:5)

“And not holding the Head” – this is the whole crux. The true disciple loves, clings to, studies about, and preaches Jesus Christ. The counterfeit is identified in that he simply emphasizes something (anything) other than the Person of Jesus Christ revealed in Holy Writ.

“from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God” – proper nourishment from Heaven and spiritual growth can only flow to and through believers who are set apart to, upholding, and looking to Jesus Christ and not angels or mere men or any other idol.

It is essential to believe what God has revealed to us about Jesus Christ. We must remain in those fundamental doctrines of Christ or we will lose out in the end. The mission of the enemy is to use one of his many deceivers to move you away from the doctrinal and spiritually pure worship of Jesus Christ our LORD. Examine this next passage closely. 2 John 7-11 says:

“For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not (does not remain) in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth (remains) in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.”

Let’s Get Fat!

“The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing.” Psalms 92:12-14

PRAYER to be set apart to the LORD completely: Father in Heaven, I this moment return to You! I repent of seeking to something or another person or angel in place of You. Thank You Jesus for shedding Your sinless blood for me on the cross and rising from the dead to justify me completely. I am complete in You alone. I love You my LORD Jesus and am looking to You and Your soon return. In Jesus’ name Father, Amen!

MORE

“So is God still working miracles today or not, or are you taking a cessationist position?”

ANSWER:

Jesus Christ hasn’t changed (Heb. 13:8). So, we know He still heals and does miracles (Mal. 3:6). Yet He told us repeatedly to TEST all who come in His name and He also warned that “MANY” who prophesy and cast out devils and do many wonderful works don’t know Him (Matt. 7:21-23). “Beloved, believe not every spirit but try (test) the spirits to see whether they are of God, for MANY false prophets are gone out into the world.” (1 John 4:1) See Deut. 13. Also, it seems that many times in the book of Acts and in the sequence of Mark 16:15-20, there is FIRST the preaching of God’s Word (to bring forth the greatest miracle – men coming to repentance and being born again), and then miracles. In either case (regardless of what happened first) there WAS ALWAYS THE PREACHING OF THE WORD OF GOD at the forefront and as the centerpiece of the work of the kingdom. “Preach the Word…” – and especially in light of the foretold reality that many would turn away their ears from the truth, not enduring sound doctrine, and would be turned to fables (2 Tim. 4:2-4). In His ministry Jesus Himself preached, taught, and did miracles (Matt. 4:23-25). He taught and preached the kingdom of God and then healed and cast out devils, THEN He gave (preached/taught) the “sermon on the mount” which was a long teaching about His kingdom (Matt. 5-7). THEN, immediately following in Matt. 8:1, Jesus heals a leper…wow. LORD, please grant us understanding. Seems like the preaching of God’s kingdom Word and healings, miracles, etc., were intertwined – yet we should remember that the true works of the kingdom are never divorced from the Word of God and communicating it boldly. The point is, that when someone like Todd Bentley gets up and is supposedly doing miracles and signs and doesn’t preach the Word of God, he should immediately be marked for what he is – FALSE (Rom. 16:17-18). There “is NO light” in those who don’t preach God’s Word (Isa. 8:20). In fact, it is the very Word of God that gives the light of God (Ps. 119:105, 130).

“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” Hebews 13:8

Has Jesus changed? No. Impossible. Did Jesus do miracles while on earth? Yes.

Does God still do miracles? YES. Hebrews 13:8. He does miracles and gives prophecy but not fake stuff. The LORD’s works are real, tanglible. They can be proven and not just propped by false ministers (2 Corinthians 11:12-15). God’s miracles are authentic and bring glory to Him and not the mere men (1 Corinthians 1:29-31; Colossians 2:18-19). Lots of frauds pretending to raise the dead and prophesy and do miracles – Jesus foretold this very thing and told us that they’d be cast into hell (Matthew 7:21-23). These are Satan’s counterfeiters and yet, their evil in no way negates the miracle working power of our unchanging LORD Jesus today!

“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Matthew 7:21-23

God the Father answers prayer and does miracles in the name of Jesus and on His perfect merit alone! (John 14:13-14; 16:23-24) Anything added is of Satan in order to draw attention from and steal the glory from Christ! (Colossians 2:18-19)

THE NEW “APOSTOLIC REFORMATION” DECEPTION

LET’S LEARN GOD’S WORD TOGETHER – ONE TRUTH AT A TIME: Are you ready to begin retaining the Word in order to mediate upon it and communicate it with others? Are you tired of reading Scripture or hearing a good message from the Word and not retaining it? We can help you. This message was sent out to each person who is on the Moments For My Master e-mail devotional list. In supplementation to your personal daily study of God’s Word, we would love to add you and have the privilege of nourishing your heart with God’s Word (Jn. 5:39; 1 Tim. 4:6, 16; Heb. 5:11-14; 1 Pet. 2:2). Sign up here.

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Articles

A Word of Encouragement on Ministering to Others

“Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” 1 Peter 1:23

It’s God’s Word, the “incorruptible seed” of the truth of God that shatters that which stands between Him and sinners. Listen closely and grasp these divinely inspired Word through the prophet Jeremiah:

“Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?” Jeremiah 23:29

The rock of unbelief is broken by the words of God entering the hearts of men. The light of divine truth pierces the darkness:

“The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.” Psalms 119:130

When the very words of God enter the human heart, by its nature – light – darkness is exposed for what it is.

“The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.” Psalms 19:7

YOUR PRAYER: Father, please make me a consummate soul winner, in Jesus’ name, amen.

Many times, due to a lack of the cross in our lives, are we not rather in the flesh instead of the Spirit and therefore do we not attempt to force or coerce the truth of God on others?

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

EVER BEEN THERE? There are times when we are to “earnestly contend for the faith once delivered to the saints” and other times when the enemy is trying to get us to take the bait, to bite on something minor and not be quiet, listen, and meekly minister the Word and love of God (Jude 3-4; Ephesians 4:15; 2 Timothy 2:24-26). May God bless each of His children to be led by His Holy Spirit in each instant and glorify Him, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Preaching AT someone and ministering TO someone are mutually exclusive. Are we preaching in our own self-righteous wrath and don’t yet realize it? The words of James are stinging and should be memorized:

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

May God fill us with His love and bless each of us to edify (build up) the members of His body.

Both rebuking and ministering are certainly Scriptural and yet, personally, I can look back in regret and see that when God wanting me MINISTERING TO someone, I was instead preaching AT the intended target/person. They are not a target but an eternal soul heading to Heaven or hell. And at times, God will mercifully lead His people to send forth a strong rebuke in order to turn the sinner to Himself.

There are many instances in Scripture where unrepentant rebels are dealt a hard blow with strong preaching, strong rebuke – the call to repent (Matthew 23; Acts 13:10; Revelation 3:19, etc.).

I wonder if it would help up today if we paused to consider the process that transpired in our own lives. Though salvation is instantaneously imparted upon repentance, it most likely took a few people sowing the seed of God’s Word in our hearts before we repented and received Christ, right? Is that what happened in your life? It sure is in mine. I didn’t stop and get saved the first time some bless-ed disciple ministered to me. Did you?

When we put a seed in the ground to get a crop, it has to first be planted and then it begins to germinate, right? Then comes the crop and the fruit. This is a process and Paul speaks of it when he writes:

“I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. 7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. 8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. 9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.” 1 Corinthians 3:6-9

Here below is a passage the LORD quickens my heart to pour prayerfully over on a regular basis:

“And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, 25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 26 And 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

PEOPLE go public about a lot of things. It’s time for God’s people to GO PUBLIC about JESUS!

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

Like everything in Christ’s kingdom, nothing works outside of the cross – the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ happening in our lives daily.

Evangelism | The Cross in Ministering

Preach the Word [podcast]

“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 man who is truly faithful to God will search out, diligently study, devour, and learn the words of God and be used of Him to communicate them to others. “So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.” Nehemiah 8:8 They read the Word itself. They gave the sense to help the people understand it. Phillip was able to give the sense […]

Getting Gospel Grounded [podcast]

Explosive Podcast Featuring Expose’ of the prophesied end times wolves and rich Christology! Refusing to sit under the false gospel, false doctrines, false teachers, and wolves is not forsaking the assembling of the saints. It’s obedience to the LORD! See 2 Corinthians 6:17-18) There is a “difference” between the true and the false leaders today. True disciples will always warn and help God’s people distinguish the false teachers and “discern between the unclean and the clean”: “And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.” Ezekiel […]

Articles

Recovering Biblical Womanhood [podcast]

by Lindsey Griffin

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝗳 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 ‘𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝘄𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗱’ 𝗶𝘀 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗚𝗼𝗱 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝘂𝗽𝗼𝗻 𝗺𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝘀 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝘂𝗻𝗳𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗹𝘆 𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗲𝗱?

The more I think about this, the more I wonder whether we have been taught to look at male responsibility through the eyes of a child watching someone else get something she didn’t get.

“He gets to be in charge? That’s not fair! I want a turn.😠”

But what if what we have been calling a privilege was actually a responsibility?

The more I study the responsibilities Scripture places primarily upon men, the less I find myself coveting them. Headship sounds wonderful if all you see is the seat at the head of the table. It looks very different when you realize that the man sitting there is supposed to answer for what happens at that table.

Biblical authority isn’t simply getting your way. It comes with responsibility, sacrifice, service, provision, protection, difficult decisions, and ultimately accountability before God. Scripture repeatedly connects greater authority with greater accountability. “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.” (Luke 12:48). James even warns that not many should become teachers because teachers “shall receive the greater condemnation” (James 3:1).

“My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.” James 3:1

And that has made me rethink the entire way women have been encouraged to view male leadership.

Maybe instead of asking, “Why does he get to have that authority?” we should have been asking, “What does God require from the person to whom He gives that authority?”

Because I don’t think we can demand all of the authority traditionally associated with men while simultaneously asking society to make allowances for us whenever the realities of being women become inconvenient. We cannot insist, “Don’t treat me differently because I’m a woman. I can do anything a man can do,” and then turn around and argue, when accountability becomes painful, that our hormones, emotions, reproductive stage, or sex should substantially change what is expected of us.

If we want identical authority, then logically we are also asking for identical accountability.

The Bible never says that men are more valuable and women are less valuable. God gave men and women DIFFERENT RESPONSIBILITIES, with DIFFERENT BURDENS attached to them, and neither sex needs to covet what God entrusted primarily to the other.

I’m increasingly grateful that I don’t have to occupy every position a man occupies simply to prove that I am his equal in value.

I have a seat at the table. I don’t need to usurp his seat in order for mine to matter.”

“I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.” 1 Timothy 5:14

Abiding

Either Crucify the Flesh or it will Crucify Christ out of Your Life [podcast]

Fight the temptation or die the death?

Where’s the victory come from?

The Cross – something counterfeits intentionally evade (Philippians 3:18-19). The cross is how we know who is real and who is fake. Refusing to take up the cross means one has denied Christ. This would account for the vast majority of men in ministry today. They are cross-less.

The only people who are truly following Christ are those who are doing it HIS way – and His stated way is the cross, the crucified life (Luke 9:23-24). There is no other way to follow Jesus.

If we don’t crucify the flesh, the evil deeds of the body, the flesh will crucify Christ out of our lives. Pray and read Romans 6 each morning this week.

Jesus conquered sin, death, and Satan by dying and not by first rising up (Hebrews 2:14). This is how we also are brought forth into His victory by Him – through our own weakness. Let’s give our ear to hear Christ’s apostle Paul:

“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

It’s interesting that the vast majority of pastors today insist that it’s impossible to stop sinning and be delivered – as if Jesus failed, didn’t provide a perfect redemption that dealt with past, present, and future sin and complete victory through it all (1 Corinthians 15:57-58; Titus 2:11-14).

“If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. … 36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” John 8:31-32, 36

Victory and our place with Christ are contingent upon our continuing in His truth, abiding, remaining in Christ after He saves us (John 15:1-6).

They have no faith in the overcoming grace of Christ but instead treat it like a license to justify their sin, as they pretend to be trusting God by grace and faith… yet they never make the connection that Jesus came to redeem us and establish us with Him in His holiness as we look with joy for His soon return (Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 12:14; 1 Peter 1:15-16, etc). | Walking in the Full Victory of Christ!

The cross is surrendering. Don’t try harder, just die deeper!

The reason so many don’t take sin seriously and sit under sin-justifying wolves in sheep’s clothing, is because they do not fear nor take God seriously. Then they attack the true messengers of Christ who are declaring that God is holy and His requirement is non-negotiable: that anyone who will know and be with Him eternally cut off occasion for all sin as Jesus commanded in Mark 9:43-49 KJB. They talk about grace but only in the respect that their sins were initially forgiven, yet never in respect to divine grace being the divine influence and enablement in their daily lives to overcome all that displeases Him – as they worshipfully with great gratitude deny self, take up the cross and follow, abide in Jesus (Titus 2:11-14; Luke 9:23-24; John 15:1-6, etc.).

Death, Burial, Resurrection – You go down and God raises you up, daily. That’s the Gospel re-enacted in your daily life. There’s no other way to walk with, to follow Jesus (Luke 9:23-24).

“Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. 11 For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you.” 2 Corinthians 4:10-12

Once He shows you this cross revelation it’s over for your sin and Satan! This is the way we “Taste and see that the LORD is good” beloved (Psalms 34:8). The divine economy is a cross economy which cannot be short circuited. There are no shortcuts.

The safest place in His Universe is for us to be “HID with Christ in God.” How does such occur? (Colossians 3:1-4)

“For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” Colossians 3:3

The more His Word runs rich in your spirit, soul, and mind, the richer, the more cutting and divinely blessed your praying is going to become.

We are crucified with Christ today saints. Christ alone is reigning supreme in us, raising us up out of that death and burial posture. In Jesus’ Name, the “old man” is dead and buried and Christ now lives and reigns in His resurrection power in our lives through us! (See Ephesians 4:22-24.)

Say, pray, memorize Galatians 2:20 beginning right now. Let it be the original Gospel anthem of your life from this day forward.

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20

Becoming prayerfully and steadily saturated in the cross message, concept, and application, is the only thing that brought a consistent victory over sin to this disciple.

In the divine economy, the death and burial guarantees the resurrection!

When we His people are dead and buried, His resurrection power is guaranteed. Nothing could stop the resurrection of Jesus Christ when the stone was rolled away! And nothing can stop the resurrection power of Christ working in His saints as they lay down their lives in this fleeting world!

“Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:” John 11:25

Must Take a Ruthless Stand

Concerning the necessity of a ruthless perspective toward the flesh via the cross, we must recognize that the flesh is a terrorist which means it cannot be negotiated with.

Yet there must be forged in us a ruthless perspective, toward our perception of the “never-going-to-die” flesh, a veritable terrorist with which you cannot negotiate or give place to. It will not die until forced, therefore the disciple must take a ruthless posture toward it – showing no mercy to the enemy of God! See Romans 6, 8; Galatians 5.

Never ever underestimate the depth of the deceit that is in the fallen human heart, human nature 1 (Corinthians 10:12; Hebrews 3:12-14; Genesis 6:5, 12; Jeremiah 17:9).

We must allow no mercy for what God calls sin…the iniquities, the relentless evil within. It must be honestly dealt with, and perhaps we can observe that there are onion-type layers of evil, of deceit that we are buried in from which only God calls us and brings us forth (Proverbs 8:13; Psalms 97:10; Mark 9:43-49).

While Satan and his masquerading ministers seek to diminish the violation and penalty of sin, Jesus exponentially heightens our awareness of sin’s offense against a holy God when He warns us to cut off the hand and pluck out the eye that cause us to offend Him (Mark 9:43-49).

There is nothing in existence more important to stay safe from than HELL. That’s exactly what Jesus Christ taught. Read Mark 9:43-50 in the King James Bible (new versions have butchered that passage).

Rom 7. The cross must be applied with no respect to the evil desires, the sinful dictates of the flesh.

Our outlook toward the flesh should be “kill or be killed.”

“For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.” Romans 8:13

Kill or be killed – picture yourself being put in a room, locked in with just one opponent. Only one of you will be exiting.

A showdown – conquer or be conquered.

Life or death.

Sink or swim.

“But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway” 1 Corinthians 9:27

Either the cross will keep you from sin or sin will keep you from the cross.

“The Cross = The Signature of Jesus.” A disciple

“WHEN THOU WAS LITTLE IN THINE OWN SIGHT”

The LORD removed Saul from his place of kingship due to the pride found in his heart that previously was not there. We must remain humble before our God and the only way this can happen is the daily cross.

“And Samuel said, WHEN THOU WAS LITTLE IN THINE OWN SIGHT, wast thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the LORD anointed thee king over Israel?” 1 Samuel 15:17

The Bible clearly teaches us that if we do not obey the LORD, He will replace us. We are not irreplaceable and only pride in the heart of a person would convince him of such a lie.

When Esther was called upon by the LORD to go before her husband, the king of Persia, and intercede for the people of God, she was warned that if she chose not to obey God, she’d be replaced and her father’s house destroyed.

“For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14

Ruthless simply and only applies to the PERSPECTIVE the believer must take toward the terrorist, the flesh.

There can be no concession, no compromise, no negotiating with the flesh. It must die and that only happens as we submit to the LORD.

The flesh will never be reformed, it is inherently evil, and must be crucified.

Those who’ve been saved and aren’t learning the daily cross, the crucified life, will never grow in Christ. The cross life is at the center of the kingdom economy of Christ. There are no shortcuts. Jesus taught that in order to follow Him, we must “deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23-24). Any person whom Jesus has saved and isn’t learning the daily cross, is not truly following Jesus. Listen to the Lamb:

“And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.” Luke 9:23-24

PRAYER: Holy Father, in Jesus’ Name, please do Your deeper work in me. Bless this life You died for to be truly crucified with Christ. Please make me Your authentic disciple. Cut away, circumcise every falsity, fakery, deceitful thing from my heart – everything that defiles me in Your holy eyes. Use me LORD, please. I love You. In the name of Jesus, amen.

Cross Cache, Cross Saturation

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