Victorious Fruit Bearing

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]

– Fruit that Remains –

“But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.” Luke 8:15

It is erroneous to believe that one is right with God when there is no fruit to evidence such. In many circles today, eternal security is sold to the unknowing as something people irrevocably receive as a guarantee no matter what their behavior is like after that initial “decision for Christ.” Is this what Jesus and His apostles taught?

Jude states:

“These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots.” Jude 12

The theme of the book of Jude involves apostates (those who left their faith in Christ after having saving faith – 1 Tim. 4:1). Let’s observe a portion of what Jude says concerning those he addresses who were at one time saved and departed from the LORD:

“trees whose fruit withereth” – these people obviously had fruit. This we know because it says that the fruit they had “withereth.”
“without fruit” – some were fruitless instead of fruitful.
“twice dead” – these apostates he addresses were like all men – born dead in their trespasses and sins. They obviously got saved and then died spiritually again due to not continuing in their relationship with the LORD.
“plucked up by the roots” – a plant that is not first planted cannot be “plucked up by the roots.” It would be absurd to say that the plant (represents people) addressed here was not first planted in the kingdom. No plant could possibly be uprooted if it were not first planted in the ground. In the same way, no person could be removed from the vineyard of the LORD having not first been planted their by Him.

An authentic walk with the LORD is characterized and authenticated by the bearing of good fruit (Gal. 5:16, 22-23). When we flourish in our relational walk with the precious Savior, He grants us His enabling grace and we are able to bear His fruit.

Conversely, if the person once saved does not abide in Christ he forfeits the forgiveness he once received (2 Pet. 1:9-11). We are not free to live in sin and remain justified (Matt. 1:21; Jn. 1:29; Rom. 6:1-2, 15; Tit. 2:11-14; 1 Jn. 3:1-15). God dealt with sin at the cross when Jesus “who knew no sin” became sin for us in order to redeem us (2 Cor. 5:21). At the cross the Father momentarily turned His holy face from Christ who had become sin for us (Matt. 27:46).

Why did Jesus Christ come and die? Did He come to save us from some or all sin?

“Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from ALL iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” Titus 2:14

Burned or Blessed

Fruit is the proof that there is relationship. Obedience to the LORD is the expression that a person truly loves God and isn’t a mere professor, a counterfeit tare. Memorize Matthew 7:21, Titus 1:16, and 1 John 2:4.

ANY PERSON WHO ISN’T OBEYING GOD’S WORD DOES NOT LOVE GOD AND IS AS SURE FOR HELL AS IF HE WERE ALREADY THERE (Matthew 7:21; Titus 1:16; James 1:22; 1 John 2:3-6; Revelation 2:26, etc.).

Regrettably, some want to believe they are insulated from judgment whether they continue to trust Christ or not. Jesus gave the promise of eternal assurance to those who are currently in relationship with Him and also guaranteed that those who do not abide (remain, continue) with Him will become spiritually “withered” and “cast…into the fire, and they are burned.”

Notice the curse pronounced upon those who do not continue with Jesus and the abundant blessings for those who do:

“If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.” John 15:6-8

Obviously it is possible for “a man” to “abide not” in the relationship with the Vine (Jesus) or such a statement would never have been made by our LORD. Let’s look at two of the blessings bestowed upon the lives of those who abide in Christ:

Answered prayer – “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.”

Fruitfulness – “that ye bear much fruit.”

Bearing fruit in God’s kingdom is very important to Him, and in particular, fruit that remains. Fruit bearing is the premium measure of His abiding and sanctifying presence and work in each of His saints. He produces His holy and good fruit as the believer abides in fellowship with and obedience to Him. In Scripture we never witness the slightest hint that abiding is an automatic and salvation an involuntarily fixed state. The initial and perpetual involvement of the recipient is required by the One who so loved that He gave. Like a good farmer, the LORD told us that He prunes or purges His own so that they bear even greater fruit whereby He is glorified.

“…every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.” John 15:2

So, the child of God should rejoice that He is being purged. It reveals that the LORD is pruning him to be a vessel to bear even more of His fruit.

The Vine also tells us in John 15 of the end of those who do not remain or “abide” in Him.

“Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away…If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. “ John 15:2, 6

According to the LORD Jesus Christ, the person who does not continue to love the LORD supremely after He saves that soul, is taken away from the Vine, withered, and cast into the fire to be burned.

Notice closely in the above passage that it is the “man” who does not remain in Christ who is cast forth into the fire and not the branch. Our LORD only uses the imagery of the branch burning to help the hearer understand that He will cast forth into the eternal fires of damnation all who do not bear His fruit on that final Day. God’s Word is full of warning words like these about being burned up in unquenchable fire (Mk. 9:42-49).

Christ speaks in John 15 of “fruit…more fruit…much fruit,” and “that your fruit should remain.”

“Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.” John 15:16

Fruit and fruit that remains is of premium value in the kingdom economy.

“Bring forth therefore fruits meet for (consistent with) repentance.” Matthew 3:8

Who spoke these words? To whom was he speaking?

It is intriguing to note that John the Baptist spoke these words as he was speaking to men who were highly religious but not righteous in the eyes of God.

“But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance. And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father (religious affiliation): for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. 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 3:7-10

Didn’t Jesus tell us to know or discern others by their fruits? Also, aren’t we known by others by the fruit our lives bear? (Matt. 7:16, 20) He also informs us: “Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.” (Matt. 7:19)

We are told to bring forth the real and tangible evidence (fruit) that we have answered the divine call and laid down our lives to follow Christ. The focus, affections, and actions of our lives are to conform to that inward work Christ began in us when He saved us (Phil. 2:12-13). This fruit will be that which is consistent with the grace of God which granted genuine heart repentance. We are dead and our lives are hid with Christ in God (Col. 3:3). We no longer live – He does (Gal. 2:20). The fruit of the true believer will be divine grace at work. His life will be marked by certain landmark, irrefutable characteristics. For the one who is truly in Christ, old things are passed away and all things are become new (2 Cor. 5:17-18).

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:8-10

Recently, I spoke with a man who said he was saved and knew most of the correct things to say. He has been an active member of the most popular evangelical denomination in America, and has been taught that as long as he believes, he is saved. Yet, saving faith is defined much differently in Scripture. Saving faith is always seen in the fruit of the possessor’s daily life. This man’s perspective is all too common.

“Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.” James 2:19

It’s not enough to just say one has faith. In God’s economy, good fruit is an earmark of kingdom citizenship. Father, please bless us to abide in Christ and to bear His fruit.

“Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.” John 15:2

The fruit of being born again and remaining in Christ, is always according to Galatians 5:22-23. (love, joy, peace…)

Our works are the good fruit born out of Christ’s salvation and present work in our lives. Those good works do not save us but are a mere outworking of His great salvation in us.

Taking up the cross, suffering the death of self, is not earning us salvation… it’s simply rendering worship-filled “obedience to the faith” (Romans 1:5) – faith in the ONE who bled on that cross to earn salvation for us, all by Himself!

On this note of the premiere fruit of love, Cindy Rose Hatfield writes:

“Jesus taught us that the greatest commandments were to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind and to love our neighbor as we love our self (Matthew 22:37, 39 KJB). When we strive to keep these commandments, we take the focus off ourselves and place it where it should be—on God and on helping others. In the Christian life devoid of ego, the ‘I will’ becomes a ‘thy will.'”

The life that is truly submitted to Christ bears unmistakable telltale fruit. Every one of us can be known by our fruits.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.” Galatians 5:22-24

Hindrances to Fruitfulness

Jesus has a question for us to ask ourselves – before it is too late:

“And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” Luke 6:46

Why lie? Why pretend? Not remaining in fellowship with Christ means we are not abiding (remaining) in Him. Living in blatant disobedience to the commands of the LORD is clear evidence that one’s heart is not in fellowship with Him. The lack of fruit is the attestation of the lack of relationship. The existence of good fruit is the verification of a life-giving relationship.

The Alpha and Omega told us exactly why a person becomes unfruitful after hearing the Word.

“And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended. And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.” Mark 4:16-19

If I have more time to pursue the pleasures of this sinful world than I do to seek the face of the Savior I profess to know, I have deceived myself. The one who truly loves the LORD, counts Jesus more important than all else in this life and wards off the false prophets and temptations that call him to worship at the altar of false gods.

“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” James 1:22

In the Mark 4 text above, did you catch the 3 things Christ told us choke out the life of God in us – making us “unfruitful”?

“Cares of this world”
“The deceitfulness of riches”
“The lusts of other things”

Jesus said that these 3 things “entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.” “Unfruitful” here means lacking the fruit consistent with a life that is rooted, grounded, and abiding in Christ and therefore assured and blessed. Beloved, we should stop here to examine whether or not the evidence of our lives reveals us to be real believers. Please show us Jesus!

When I am not putting first His kingdom by seeking His face and doing His will, “the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.”

Remember what the Holy Spirit told us through Jude?

“These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water (have talk but not walk), carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots.” Jude 12

Jude tells us that those who once knew Christ and have since fallen away, have withered fruit that was once healthy, are without fruit, twice dead, and plucked up by the roots. Scary isn’t it?

“When we believe that Christ is our Righteousness … we’re empowered to bear the Fruit of Righteousness!” Lynn Blakeney

This world and all the sinfulness in it will soon pass away. The message of holy Writ tells us beforehand that the King of all kings is coming soon and will separate the wheat from the tares, sending the tares to a burning and eternal inferno. Our LORD was intent upon us understanding this truth. In Matthew 13’s account, He summed up His long parabolic discourse concerning the eternal separation of the real and counterfeit (wheat/tares) with these words:

“So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Jesus saith unto them, Have ye understood all these things? They say unto him, Yea, Lord.” Matthew 13:49-51

Is He Truly “First”?

Truly placing the LORD first in our lives and setting our affections daily upon Him and His kingdom work is paramount to our fruitfulness. What a blessed privilege to know Him and be known of Him! Help us love You more LORD Jesus!

In Matthew 6 Jesus was speaking to us about food and clothing and said “For after all these things do the Gentiles (those who do not have a covenant relationship with the LORD) seek.” (Matt. 6:32) He was conveying to us that is characteristic of those who do not know Him to greedily pursue the menial things of this fleeting life. Then He told us that as we – His children – seek first His kingdom, “all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matt. 6:33) So, is the insatiable, endless appetite and pursuit of that which will perish with the using ever going to fill or satisfy us? What is driving us? What do we lack inside that would drive us to chase that which those who do not know Christ strive after as if there is an answer in those things?

Learning to be thankful and content with what we currently have is not only a test, but it is also essential to kingdom living and the fruit of an abiding life.

“Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” Philippians 4:11

“And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.” 1 Timothy 6:8

“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Hebrews 13:5

The secret to keeping our relationship alive with Christ is the daily, ceaseless pursuit of Him with joyful thanksgiving for the “great salvation” He has graciously purchased for us with His own blood (Heb. 2:3, 9). The best defense against evil weeds in the garden of our heart and mind truly is a powerful, militantly advancing offense. As we awake each morning to burst forth in exuberant praise to our God, the enemy is hindered in his work and our day begins with advancing and conquering faith.

“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Hebrews 11:6

A person only falls into the pursuit of earthly pleasures when he is not seeking first – as his ultimate life priority – the King and His kingdom.

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” Matthew 6:33-34

If I do not daily seek Him in intimate prayer and in His Word, it is because I am engrossed in self-idolatry, seeking my own selfish ends, and not truly and duly worshipping, and upholding the God who made and bought me. “Ye shall have no other gods before me.” (Exod. 20:3)

Maintaining the “good works”, the disciplines of a holy life that is in communion with Christ, is essential to fruitfulness in God’s kingdom.

“And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.” Titus 3:14

Maintaining the first fruit time of Bible study and prayer communion is indispensable to continuing to keep our lives in vital union with the Vine Himself. Nothing can be more rewarding – now and forever. Rendering to the Master the first minutes of our day, our very initial waking moments, is crucial to abiding close with our Savior.

“And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.” Mark 1:35

“My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.” Psalms 5:3

If I don’t spend time with the Father in prayer communion, it must be due to the fact that something or someone else has become more important than Him. Heal our idolatry LORD! If my life is one endless pursuit to fulfill my own needs and desires (spiritual adultery and idolatry), it is because Jesus is not truly my first love. “First” means first.

Though they had works which looked good on the outside, the people in the church at Ephesus had faded from upholding Jesus Christ as Head of their lives. This is exactly what inevitably occurs when the believer leaves off to experience Christ in personal communion. To this gathering of believers at Ephesus, Jesus said:

“Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.” Revelation 2:4-5

The divine promise here is that if we do not repent and return to our first love, God will remove His holy presence (“candlestick”) from our lives – “quickly.”

“They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.” Titus 1:16

What’s the real score? Do I genuinely possess a relationship with Him or just profess or pretend to have one?

Our view of the One who is Judge of all is ultra important. He sees not as men see. Men see not as He sees (1 Sam. 16:7; Isa. 55:8-9). Jesus told us that those who are “born again” can “see (perceive) the kingdom of God.” According to how the born again believer lives in and by the Spirit and the Word, he is able to see or view or perceive the things the way God does.

IF you don’t love Jesus enough to lay down your life-you are none of His! (Luke 14:33; 17:33)

PRAYER: Holy Father, I ask You right here and now to grant my eyes to see and ears to hear what is priority to You. Do Your work in my heart and make me to be a rich and increasingly fruitful field for Your eternal glory. Please fill my heart afresh with Your love. Also, grant me the privilege to help others to be fruitful and that that fruit might remain to the end. LORD Jesus thank You for finding, saving, washing me and for continuing Your good pleasure in my life. I love You. Take full possession of my life Father, ground me in the cross life, and produce Your holy fruit in me. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

todd tomasella

Holy Ghost Baptism Study Guide (highly recommended)

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Becoming Rooted and Grounded in Christ

Bride of Heaven vs Harlot from Hell [podcast]

Fresh Start with God

The Glorious Church Jesus is Returning for

Preacher Viciously Attacked for Speaking the Truth! [podcast]

Articles

The Joy of Seed Sowing

“While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.” Genesis 8:22

Always remember, there must be a seed sown before there can be a crop reaped.

BEFORE Jesus saved me, He had several of His people along the way drop His precious Word into my sin-darkened, alienated heart. Read Ephesians 2. Wow.

“Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:” Ephesians 4:18

Some of this Gospel action from God’s people toward me, included the tangible, the printed page. These things all culminated into His saving me into His glorious kingdom (Isaiah 55:11).

“So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11

How about you? What was the process of our LORD saving you? Who did He use? How did they sow His seed into your life.

Think about how when we plant a seed in the ground. Do we plant that seed and stand back and expect to see the plant begin to rise up out of the ground? No. Jesus spoke of this very thing.

“As I was reading this article I was reminded of a time when I was at my Dad’s retirement home. And I went and spread Jesus tracts all throughout the home. They had a sanctuary which looked to be mostly Catholic. With rosary beads and a Catholic Bible. So I especially targeted this place. The next time I went back, I looked in the sanctuary, and saw, on one of the chairs, a lady’s sweater and a Jesus tract. But what really stuck out was how tattered this Jesus tract was! Apparently, she had been carrying it around with her for some time. All I did was plant not knowing what God would do! It was getting into the heart of this lady and was she then being used to spread more seeds? I was not blessed to meet this women but from the way this tract looked it was something she carried with her and treasured!” Karen Cochran

The Parable of the Seed Growing

Mark 4:26-29

“26 And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground;
27 And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how.
28 For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.
29 But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.”

We don’t know how a seed turns into a plant and a crop. We just plant them and go to bed knowing they will produce the desired outcome (crop), right? Isn’t that the same faith we should have when we plant God’s Word in the hearts and minds of people?

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth;” Romans 1:16

May God bless each of us to prayerfully and faithfully plant that seed of God’s Word beloved. God’s Word is the seed of salvation (Romans 1:16; 1 Peter 1:23). Just like the ground when a seed is planted into it. GOD will do the rest as we simply, lovingly, wisely, plant His precious truth into the hearts of those around us.

Speaking of such…. Yesterday, I gave a copy of the Moments with Our Master book to a dear young couple (they are about 18). This daily devotional comes in a dark or light cover. I asked if they like to read. As most people, they answered in the affirmative. Then I asked if I could gift them with a book. Most people won’t turn down a free gift, right? Right. She was given the lighter cover version and he the darker. As usual I opened the book (anywhere) and told them that “there is a Scripture at the top, a few words and then a prayer. One devotional for each day of the year.” Show and tell. I encouraged them by saying “this is a great way to start your day.” God was working.

Everyone on earth is being influenced by others on earth and it’s our calling from God to influence people toward Him.

“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

Personally, I love stopping by the thrift stores and finding every King James Bible they have. Great investment and it equips you to be armed and dangerous. Also, I like carrying, always, Scripture-rich resources. God will quicken. By doing these things (equipping) you are showing in earnest to the LORD that you want Him to use you.

“They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. 6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves (harvest) with him.” Psalms 126:5-6

Keep in mind that sowing the seed of God’s Word IS 100% a Great Commission operation and anyone participating in any fashion is obeying God and laying up treasure in glory – as He instructed you to do (1 Samuel 30:24; Matthew 6:19-21; John 4:36; 1 Corinthians 3:6-9, etc.). Perhaps you’d consider to not only buy yourself a supply of printed page materials for ministry but also supply another saint with the same. King James Bible.

“So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” Psalms 90:12

YOUR PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You so much for Your every blessing and for finding me in my sin and saving me into Your family by the blood of Christ my LORD. Please sanctify and use us for Your eternal glory. I love You Jesus. Please now fill me with the Holy Spirit and wisdom and open doors for me to sow the seed of Your Word in this late hour as we eagerly expect Your soon return. In Jesus’ Name.

Evangelism Adventures: Stories, Reports, and Testimonies of God's Amazing Love [podcast]

SO, we prayed for God to use us today right? …. He’s hearing our prayer. So, in the gym this morning, a lady near me was struggling to get a large plate on each side of the barbell. So, I began to help her and she said “No Ingles” which means she does not speak English. So, I affirmed that she speaks Spanish and I began to speak God’s Word to her in her language. Her face lit up and she thanked me. God is good! Jesus says “The seed is the word of God” and His people are planting […]

Following Christ's Great Commission Command [podcast]

The future belongs exclusively to Jesus Christ and His followers. Read the book of Revelation! “And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:62 Is your hand on “the plough” – that which God has called you to do in His kingdom work? Have you looked back? “Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.” Colossians 4:17 Have you grown weary in well doing? “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in […]

Mission Mexico Part 43

Had breakfast and coffee with brother Francisco and his lovely wife this morning. It was rich. He is a man of God’s Word for certain (Colossians 3:16). They brought a stack of Reina Valera Bibles which I am getting to our brother Juan who is going to the prison to minister next week. He will also be distributing the Spanish Bibles you sent! “So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.” Acts 19:20 “Hi Brother Todd, Praise the Lord! The Holy Spirit is moving powerfully saving hearts and lives. Praying for the elders and for Maria as they go […]

Abiding

The Good Shepherd and His True Sheep [podcast]

“Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant …” Hebrews 13:20

“To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.” John 10:3

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28 and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.” John 10:27-29

“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7 ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. 9 But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.

10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, 11 persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.” 2 Timothy 3:1-13

“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

“My Sheep Hear My Voice, and I Know them, and they Follow Me" [podcast]

There are 7 portraits of Jesus in the Gospel of John. One of those seven portraits is Jesus our “the good shepherd.” (John 10) The first thing the good shepherd of the sheep did was give His life to purchase the sheep with His own blood. “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.” John 10:11 Jesus who created us, then came to die to buy up back to the Father and Himself. The Bible, God’s Word, is full of illustrations of who God is, and who He is to us. He is our […]

"Feed My Sheep" [podcast]

The Paramount Divine Importance of Nourishing the Saints of Christ “Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.” 1 Timothy 4:16 Nourishing Christ’s Sheep “Feed the Flock of God.” 1 Peter 5:2 First, it’s God’s flock, paid for with the very blood of Jesus Christ (Acts 20:28). Jesus Christ is “that great shepherd of the sheep” (Hebrews 13:20). He instructed us to follow Him and, in doing so, to “FEED my sheep” (John 21:15-17). Tending to the sheep of Christ’s pasture involves nourishing […]

Favorite Eternal Security "Proof" Text? [podcast]

Excerpt from the book Lie of the Ages Does John 10:27-29 Prove “Eternal Security”? WHO are Jesus’ Sheep? Defined by, in God’s Word. John 10:27-29 “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.” ~ John 10:27-29 Verse 27 is the condition necessary to appropriate the promises of verses 28-29. Those […]

Abiding

“He that Loveth Pureness of Heart” [podcast]

IS YOUR HEART PURE BEFORE THE ALMIGHTY BELOVED?

DO I truly love “pureness of heart”?

“HE THAT LOVETH PURENESS OF HEART, for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend.” Proverbs 22:11

Without a pure heart, obtained from seeking, worshiping, knowing, and obey God …. no one “shall see God.” Not one.

“Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” Matthew 5:8

If you or I have every word of the Bible memorized and die today with a heart that is defiled with sin, we’d bust hell wide open – and be trapped there irrevocably forever.

TODAY is our day, it’s your day, to throw up those hands and that heart to the LORD who made you, and cry out to Him to grant you a pure heart, one that is innocent, clean, washed, delighting in Him.

“Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” Psalms 37:4

When the LORD is truly working in a man, that man is learning to love “pureness of heart.”

“He that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend.” Proverbs 22:11

Coming and continuing to come to the light is essential to final salvation.

“And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.” John 3:19-21

Choosing the Fear of the LORD

WE must surround ourselves with the Word, the people, the praises of our God! FLOOD your ear and eye gates beloved (Proverbs 4:23). Jesus is coming.

“But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.” John 3:21

Coming clean: To be sanctified by Christ, one must repent and believe upon Him. As the LORD works in them, there will be the response of honesty, humble repentance and a coming to the light, continually. If not, judgment will be incurred (Isaiah 1:19-20).

“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” Proverbs 28:13

Those who cover instead of bring their depraved hearts into the light to have them changed and cleansed by the LORD, “shall not prosper.” In other words, they are stifled. Those who remain humble, teachable, correctable, rebukeable, and obedient, will receive divine mercy perpetually.

“God shall hear, and afflict them, even he that abideth of old. Selah. Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God.” Psalms 55:19

Those who refuse to “choose the fear of the LORD” have no changes in their lives.

“For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:” Proverbs 1:29

Psalms 73

“Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand. 24 Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. 25 Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. 26 My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. 27 For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee. 28 But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.” Psalms 73:23-28

Drawing Nigh (close) to God Afresh

“But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. 9 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

Fresh Start with God

You can Have a … Jesus is the Great Shepherd of His Sheep (Heb. 13:20; Lk. 15) A FRESH START WITH GOD (First, if you are not certain that you are genuinely born again, please go here first) Let’s get something straight…. the disciple, the mere man writing this message is more in need of JESUS than anyone who ever lived! No one needs Jesus more than I do and yet, we must do things HIS way, not our own (Ephesians 3:8). “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Proverbs […]

Loving and Coming to the Light [podcast]

Recorded at a home fellowship. The first part of the audio reverberates then clears up. Father we come to You in the name of Jesus. Expose the darkness in our hearts and lives and deliver us in Jesus’ name. In Jesus’ name, Amen. May God vanquish all darkness in our own hearts, filling, flooding us with His holy light. “Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!” John 1:47 “HAVING NO PART DARK” “If thy whole body therefore be full of light, HAVING NO PART DARK, the whole […]

MAKING PEACE WITH GOD [podcast]

MAKING PEACE WITH GOD Are you ready to Pass from Death to Life? God desires to pardon you – before it’s too late. Jesus beckons you to “Come unto me” — while you can (Matthew 11:28-30). “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 GOD sees all sin and will either forgive or […]

"To Wait for His Son from Heaven" [podcast]

Waiting for His Son from Heaven “For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; 10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.” 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10 “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 I wonder […]