Turning to God [podcast]

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]

“We love him, because he first loved us.” 1 John 4:19

—- In their own Self-Righteousness, have some gone so far as to make an idol of repentance? Or, perhaps they’ve made an idol of self.

“It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.” Lamentations 3:22

Sometimes those who gain an understanding of the absolute necessity of repentance go off in an imbalance and are unteachable, calling others false teachers who attempt to help them learn a bit more about the LORD.

In this type case, perhaps such a person should consider their own need to repent afresh and to rely upon the LORD who would grant them this gift. Instead of just calling everyone else to repent, perhaps they should consider doing so themselves. We can get to the point where we are calling others to repent and it’s coming out of our own self righteous hearts which are actually in need of repentance (Matthew 7:1-5; Romans 2:1-3).

Many times, sinful human nature is to project our own darkness on others rather than take personal accountability for our own sins (Romans 2:1-3).

Cache in on God’s Mercy The sins that should concern me the most are my own (Job 19:28; Matthew 7:1-5; John 8:7; 1 Corinthians 11:31-32; Ephesians 4:32; James 2:13).

“He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.” John 8:7

This is an important topic to say it lightly …. there are those who seek to impose a self-righteousness upon salvation …. and CHRIST Himself is lost in the mix and so anything in place of HIM is an idol. Read Colossians 1-2.

We must not lose site of CHRIST Himself in all our preaching about what He commanded (Colossians 2:18-19). The whole reason He came is so we could know Him and the Father – a truth seldom ever heard today (John 17:3).

THERE are some even well meaning people who misunderstand the things of God. They subtly place repentance before CHRIST Himself. Please listen closely and judge this against the whole counsel God’s Word: Repentance is utterly necessary to be saved (Luke 13:3, 5) and you know this is preached often here. Yet isn’t true repentance more a turning TO God than it is turning FROM sin?

“Ye Turned to God from Idols”

“For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye TURNED TO GOD from idols (sin) to serve the living and true God.” 1 Thessalonians 1:9

“You can never be sorry enough to be saved.” Lisa Seiler

Of this imbalance, one believer writes:

“Holiness is first and foremost agape love. Unconditional love for all, including enemies of us and enemies of God. This over emphasis on repentance can make us the initiator and God the responder if we are not careful. God is always the initiator.”

—- Overcoming sin and living a holy life begins with receiving the very mercy of God which each of us is so very desperately in need of. Many times, especially in some circles, God Himself gets left out of His own salvation plan. The chief purpose for which God sent His only begotten Son was so that we could “know” Him (John 17:3). Paul told us that knowing the LORD was his all-encompassing goal. Everything else (including a holy life) will follow (Philippians 3:7-14). THIS is what he pressed toward. An ever-deepening relationship with the LORD breeds or produces that holiness which is necessary (John 17:3; Hebrews 12:14; 1 Peter 1:15-16).

—- WITHOUT EXCEPTION, any person who repents, changes their whole lifestyle. If a person doesn’t worship and love and obey Christ, they have not repented.

“Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: 9 And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. 10 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.” Matthew 3:8-10

—- TRUE HOLINESS can only come by way of knowing CHRIST. There is a true and therefore a false or counterfeit holiness. “True holiness” – Watch this:

“And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and TRUE HOLINESS.” Ephesians 4:23-24

Remember how Jesus said that the self-righteous religionists had a false form of godliness as they cleaned the outside of the cup and neglected the inside – knowing Him in their hearts and therefore yielding the fruit of “true holiness.” (Matthew 23:23-25; Ephesians 4:24)

—– If we are preaching and not personally ever deepening our fellowship with our LORD, we can easily fall into this trap and imbalance. This is the sin of idolatry and while we may be busy calling everyone else to repent, God may be attempting to get our attention and lead us to repentance. Right? Like Mary, we must make sitting at His beautiful feet to know Him our highest priority around which all our life revolves (Luke 10:38-42).

Remember, Jesus says that without HIM we can do nothing at all to please God and that we are to LOVE the LORD with all our being (John 15:5; Matthew 22:37-39). Does He matter to us? Or, have we forgotten the One we claim to be serving?

“Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver.” Psalms 50:22

One comes before the other. Repentance saves no one – Only Christ can save. Repentance is the divine condition for knowing Him which is what saves us – He does. Yes He without exception requires repenting and when we hearken to His drawing and obey by repenting, HE saves us. We must be very careful about the subtle idolatry of displacing CHRIST Himself even with the preaching of the imperative of repentance (Luke 13:3, 5). Some become so very heavy handed on repentance that they themselves need to repent of their own imbalance due to their own need to actually repent. Repentance is clearly a gift also and only God Himself can draw the sinner to Himself (John 3:29; 6:44; 2 Timothy 2:24-26, etc.).

On judgment day Jesus didn’t say He was going to say to the counterfeits “Depart from me because you didn’t repent” but rather “Depart from me ye workers of iniquity, I never KNEW you.” (Matthew 7:21)

Relationship mean alot to God…. you know, the ONE who invented relationship? Please memorize John 17:3.

Some preach as though God hates sinners. They misunderstand and take out of context things from Psalms. If God hated sinners so much, why did He so love the world, including you and I, that He gave His only begotten Son to come to die for us “WHILE we were yet sinners”? (Romans 5:6-8)

Listen to Jesus:

“For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.” Luke 9:56

“For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” John 3:17

Your input welcomed. I am simply attempting to prayerfully be in God’s will in this understanding.

Memorizing Titus 3:5-6 has greatly helped me understand the relationship between God and us, His people. Can anyone relate?

“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;” Titus 3:5-6

Will we give thanks today because WE have repented and obeyed OR because of the GREAT MERCY God showed to send His only begotten Son to die for OUR SINS and “while we were YET sinners”? (Romans 5:6-8) Oh and by the way, no man can possibly partake of the divine gift of repentance unless and until God blesses Him with that gift (John 3:29; 6:44; 2 Timothy 2:24-26, etc.).

“But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us…” Ephesians 2:4

Do you think that the patriarch Jacob could have understood a truth we also need to understand? When he really met with the LORD, here’s what he stated:

“I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which thou hast shewed unto thy servant; for with my staff I passed over this Jordan; and now I am become two bands.” Genesis 32:10

A holy life is the fruit of truly coming to HIM, repenting and putting our faith in Him … obedience doesn’t save, JESUS saves, amen? And when He saves a soul that soul will choose to abide (remain) or not and if he remains/abides in Christ, he will live a holy life. To GOD be that glory! John 15

“We love him, because he first loved us.” 1 John 4:19

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Can a Believer be Cut Off After being Saved? [podcast]

Preacher Viciously Attacked for Speaking the Truth! [podcast]

Calvinism’s Origins and Historical Roots [podcast]

Articles

JT with Todd Tomasella of SAFEGUARD YOURSOUL – Evangelism Encouragement [video]

Joe Telford and Todd Tomasella – Evangelism Encouragement

Evangelism [study guide]

Evangelism (PDF) (Duplication encouraged. An open King James Bible should accompany your study of this topic. Carefully, prayerfully study each verse given in order to answer each question correctly. Print this document out and pencil in the answers in the blanks provided. It may be best to cut and paste it to your word processing software and then print it out. Your life in Christ will be enriched forever as you embrace and put into practice His Word.) “Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.” Matthew 9:38 God so loved […]

Ten Commandments Evangelism [podcast]

Use the 10 Commandments to bring conviction to the consciences of the lost and backslidden. THAT’s exactly how New Testament saints are instucted to use the Law. Do you have them memorized? Do it now. GOSPEL/KINGDOM TRUTH: People must become convicted of their sin before they are broken and shown the need to repent. This truth is essential to successful ministering. Gal 3:24; 1 Tim 1:7-10; Ps 19:7 … You cannot and will never talk anyone into being saved. You don’t have that power. God does. And He instructs us to give them the divine sword which cuts straight […]

Kingdom Breaking! 5 Souls Saved! Live Action of Jesus! [podcast]

KINGDOM BREAKING: The work of God through His born again “ambassadors” who are about the “Father’s business”, is the infinitely most important and only eternal work transpiring on the earth. Nothing even remotely compares (Matthew 9:35-38; Luke 2:49; 2 Corinthians 5:17-20). After hearing the extensive preaching of the Word of our God (see podcast above), 5 souls repented before God and received Christ as the LORD of their lives! Also, all the believers present asked our LORD to fill, to baptize them with His Holy Spirit and to use them mightily (Acts 1:8; 2:1-4, 37-39; 8:14-17; 19:1-6, etc.). (keep in […]

Abiding

7 Ways to Forgive [podcast]

PRAY

“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;” Matthew 5:44

LOVE AND DO GOOD TO THE OFFENDER

“Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.” Romans 12:9

REFUSE TO SPEAK EVIL OF THE OFFENDER

“Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.” Romans 12:14

RELEASE THEM FROM YOUR PUNISHMENT

“Recompense (repay) to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” Romans 12:17-19

DON’T CELEBRATE THEIR FAILURES

“Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth: 18 Lest the LORD see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.” Proverbs 24:17-18

TREAT THEM THE WAY YOU WANT TO BE TREATED

“And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.” Luke 6:31

STOP DWELLING ON THE PAST

“Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.” Isaiah 43:18

The blessedness of being merciful to others:

“Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.” Matthew 5:7

The only way to prevent holding a grudge, is to simply forgive them – as God freely forgave you through the infinite price Christ paid for your sins on the cross, of which you don’t deserve (Psalms 103:10).

“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. 8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. 9 Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.” James 5:7-9

“And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:30-32

Being kind and forgiving towards others becomes simple as we look in the mirror and declare with Paul the apostle: “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing.” (Romans 7:18)

“He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.” Psalms 103:10

Forgiveness becomes easy when we look in the mirror to see the person (us, me) who needs God’s mercy more than any other person alive on the earth! Memorize Ephesians 4:32 now. KJB

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

“Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.” Colossians 3:12-14

Forgiveness Quotes

Forgiveness is ultra important to God. If you don’t forgive all others, you are not forgiven of your own sin and are as sure for hell as if you were already there. If you refuse to forgive you damn your own soul, non-negotiably. irrevocably.

“Forgiveness does not mean what happened is okay. It means not letting what happened take any more of your happiness.” Michelle Maros

“There is no love without forgiveness, and there is no forgiveness without love.” Bryant McGill

“Love is an act of endless forgiveness. Forgiveness is me giving up my right to hurt you for hurting me. Forgiveness is the final act of love.” Reinhold Niebuhr

“Holding a grudge doesn’t make you strong; it makes you bitter. Forgiving doesn’t make you weak; it sets you free.” unknown

Forgiveness | Fresh Start with God | Making Peace with God

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LESS than the Least! Filthy Rags Fellowship! [podcast]

The cross reveals your sin, and God’s love, not how wonderful you are! Repent! FACT: NO ONE, not one person on this earth needs Jesus more than this fool, this pauper who is nothing without Christ! (Romans 7:18; Ephesians 3:8; 1 Timothy 1:15) Jesus died, was buried, and raised again from the dead to forgive, regenerate, redeem, and grant complete victory in this life to every one of His people. Yet, we must do things God’s way and no other way. JESUS JUDGED SIN ON THE CROSS SO WE DON’T HAVE TO BE JUDGED FOR OUR SIN AND SO WE […]

Stone Cold Truths about Mercy, Judgment, and Forgiveness [podcast]

HOW did God say He is known? – “by the judgment which he executeth.” Get ready! (Read 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10; Revelation 19:11-16.) “The Lord is known by the judgment which he executeth: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah.” Psalms 9:16 “By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.” Proverbs 16:6 So let me get this straight…. you don’t mind that God forgave you, sinner, but now you want to control who else He chooses to forgive and have mercy on? Repent now you vile hypocrite! The flames of […]

Abiding

Christ’s Non-Negotiable Original Gospel Imperative [podcast]

“He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.” Matthew 12:30

It’s one thing to claim we are with Christ and He with us, and it’s another thing to prove we are with the Savior by adhering to His words. Jesus told us that those who are “of God” hear and obey His words (John 8:47).

If one chooses not to love Jesus enough to obey His stated terms, such a man has rejected the Son of God for the love of sinful self and will perish in his own corruption (Matthew 22:37-40; Luke 9:23-24; 14:33; 17:33; John 14:15; 1 John 2:3-6, etc.).

“Repentance is to TAKE SIDES with God against yourself. It is a CHANGE of attitude toward SELF, toward SIN, toward GOD, toward CHRIST that is so REAL that it RESULTS in a changed life. It is raising the WHITE FLAG in SURRENDER to God and turning to Christ as your only LORD and Savior. Repentance is NOT a work … works are the fruit of repentance (Ephesians 2:8-10).” Trent Austin

Only the counterfeit will get upset at this Gospel message because such a rebel wants nothing to do with taking personal responsibility for his sin, the denial of self, the crucified life to be set apart, holy, and having the Savior reign!

Notice how Jesus knits the denial of self, the daily cross, the putting off the deeds of the body, of keeping under the body (the iniquitous fallen nature) with the destiny of the eternal soul.

“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. 25 For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?” Luke 9:23-25

Jesus made it clear here that the cross is an original Gospel essential, an absolute imperative to eternal glory with Him!

Each of us proves exactly who we love the most by the way we are living! – God or self!

Everything that is happening in your life now is being allowed by God in order to get you down low into the death and burial with Christ. Read 2 Corinthians 4.

“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. 8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; 10 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 4:7-12

What Did Paul Mean by "I Keep Under My Body"? [podcast]

In spite of all the evil that is me, dear LORD You have been so gracious (Genesis 6:5, 12; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 7; Titus 3:5-7). Thank You Jesus. Please bless this life to be crucified with Thee! If OSAS/eternal security is true, WHY did Paul say he himself that he could be “castaway” from God in the end if he didn’t endure to the end, perpetually keep under his body (the cross life)? “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 […]

A Living Sacrifice unto God [podcast]

The burnt offering means a complete consumption. What did God illustrate to us when He required His people under the Old Covenant to offer burnt offering sacrifices? His coming Messiah’s perfect sacrifice for the sins of mankind. The ordained way He requires that His people serve Him. Jesus was the ultimate burnt offering. He gave all of Himself freely in obedience to His Father and to redeem mankind. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” Romans 12:1 In His […]