“And the LORD thy God will put out those nations before thee by little and little: thou mayest not consume them at once, lest the beasts of the field increase upon thee.” Deuteronomy 7:22
“This is my most favorite podcast of yours. And perhaps one of the first ones I listened to. I was wanting God to move faster in the sanctification process. After listening I realized Let God take it all! I am not in control. The Holy Spirit is! He shows me what needs to be crucified in my heart. It’s not my job to go look for it because I do not know what is in my heart. Only God does! I am only required to obey and take what He shows me to the cross of Christ!! The Lord led me to pour over this scripture this morning. 2 Corinthians 3:18. ‘But we all, with open face beholding as a glass the Glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from Glory to Glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.’ ‘Open face’ here means not hiding, taking off the veil over our eyes and hearts and seeing ourselves for who we really are before a Holy God. When we look into God’s Holiness, it’s like looking into a mirror and His Holiness exposes our sinful selves. If we are honest and dare to see our real selves against the purity of God, we see how much we are not like Him and need Him to make us into the image of Christ. This is sanctification. Philippians 2:12-13. We need to say ‘No’ to the flesh, crucify it, and allow God to control our lives, not self. Being changed little by little into the Glory of God.” Karen Cochran
God is perfecting that which concerns His beloved people!!! (Psalms 138:8; Philippians 2:12-13, etc.)
We can know that as we are taking the next “step”, the LORD is delighting in us! It is important that the LORD’s people, each of us, always remember that “The STEPS of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.” (Psalms 37:23) Notice here that God orders our “steps”, and not our leaps, or jumps or flights. Get the picture? Simply take the next step as you are seeking first His kingdom, putting Christ first, and “Take therefore no thought for the morrow.” – “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 34 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) Now, read Psalms 37:23 again and catch this, the truth that we can know that as we are taking the next step, the LORD is delighting in us!
“Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” 1 Timothy 2:4
Two things God desires to do:
-
- save “all men”, and then to those who are saved…
- to bring them to “the knowledge of the truth” or the full experience of the truth which is sanctification, full victory over the world, the flesh, and the devil
“Little and Little” = Little by Little
God changes us little by little and not all at once and He establishes us in Him, in His peace, love, joy, etc., “little and little.” (Exodus 23:30)
“By LITTLE AND LITTLE I will drive them out from before thee, until thou be increased, and inherit the land.” Exodus 23:30
As we abide in Christ, as we fight the good fight of faith, as we work out (not for) our salvation with fear and trembling, Jesus works in us to perfect us, by displacing the evil, the iniquity, and drives our enemies…. Fear, anger, hatred, lust, discontent, ungratefulness, etc., as He possesses more and more the battle field of our hearts and minds. He is establishing in us His praise – no matter what is going on – good or bad! It’s all Him.
“The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.” Psalms 138:8
“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14
Let’s read our main Bible passage again:
“I will not drive them out from before thee in one year; lest the land become desolate, and the beast of the field multiply against thee. 30 By little and little I will drive them out from before thee, until thou be increased, and inherit the land.” Exodus 23:29-30
God does not rid us of all our enemies, all that ails us, immediately upon saving us. We are “increased” and thereby the enemy is decreased “little and little” which means little by little. Incremental growth as we diligently serve Him, living by faith daily, as we deny ourselves, take up the cross, and follow Jesus.
This order is important. As God, the initiator, the author and finisher of our faith, our salvation increases, we are blessed to decrease as we worship and comply.
“Fret not” appears 3 times in Psalm 37. And beloved of God, this is His instruction to you – when you begin thinking that your growth in the grace of Christ seems to be miniscule. Do we realize that the LORD of His abiding saints, says that their growth will be incremental, “little and little” or little by little (Exodus 23:29-31).
“For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” Romans 15:4
Concerning the “patience and comfort of the scripture” and the “hope” they bring to our hearts, the Holy Ghost through Paul says:
“These verses remind me of the podcast Little by Little. One of my favorites! That podcast helped me to realize God only sanctifies us in small increments. As He is in charge and we are not. We are to work out our salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12). This is not a one time event. But a process so we can one day “be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the son of man” (Luke 21:36) and receive final salvation (Matthew 24:13).” Karen Cochran
This truth should comfort the hearts of every one of Christ’s disciples.
“He must increase, but I must decrease.” John 3:30
The people of God had been saved out of Egypt which depicts our being saved by Christ, the salvation from sin and the world. As we forsake the world and not the LORD….
Then comes sanctification.
The leavening effect of sanctification pushes out the evil, the enemies. The swelling of the truth in us pushes out the evil, replaces it. If at the moment of initial salvation, God just removed all our enemies, then what would fill that vacuum? We must be increased by Him, to grow in the grace of Christ and in proportion to that enlargement is the removing of the evil, the enemies, the conquering of that land of our hearts and lives.
The divine command, requirement to be sanctified, set apart to the LORD, to “come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,” is seen here: “Thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor with their gods. 33 They shall not dwell in thy land, lest they make thee sin against me: for if thou serve their gods, it will surely be a snare unto thee.” (Exodus 23:32-33; 2 Corinthians 6:17)
“Exodus 23:30: I see personally that is, that salvation is like taking the promised land. We are to fight daily to grow, and to take the Kingdom of God that belongs to us. Lots of fights with the devils, but if the fight is fought daily, there is progress going to be made. We submit ourselves to God, resist the devil, and he flees from us.” Gene Robbins
Believer’s Bible Commentary on Exodus 23:20-33:
“Laws Regarding Conquest (23:20-33)
Here God promised to send . . . an Angel (the Lord Himself) before the Israelites, to lead them to the Promised Land and to drive out the heathen inhabitants. If the Jews refrained from idolatry and obeyed the Lord, He would do great things for them. Regarding the warning against disobedience, Henry writes:
‘We do well to take heed of provoking our protector and benefactor, because if our defence depart from us, and the streams of his goodness be cut off, we are undone. Their land would extend from the Red Sea to the sea of the Philistines (the Mediterranean Sea) and from the desert (the Negev south of Canaan) to the River (Euphrates). Notice the command to drive . . . out the inhabitants of the land. There were to be no treaties, no idolatry, no intermingling. God had already promised to destroy the wicked Canaanites, but Israel had to cooperate. This enshrines an important spiritual principle: God will give us victory over our enemies (the world, the flesh, and the devil), but He expects us to fight the good fight of faith. Verse 33 finds its counterpart in 2Co_6:14-18. Separation from the world has always been God’s will for His people. Israel’s failure to obey this command led to her downfall. It is still true that ‘evil communications corrupt good manners.'”
Justification is Immediate – Sanctification is Gradual and Ongoing. Our LORD is the Author of both – “the author and finisher of our faith.” (Hebrews 12:2)
“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2
“Looking unto Jesus” is much more than a one-time or casual acknowledgement of the Son of God. It’s an abiding relationship with Him which always, without fail, produces good fruit. Read John 15.
God requires compliance – true worship, obedience (Matthew 7:21; 25:1-13; John 13-15; 1 John 2:3-6, etc.).
After He saves you, you are not free to leave Him or treat Him… and still be in Heaven. The Great Bridegroom Himself, Jesus, will shut the door on those who do not “endure to the end” with Him (Matthew 10:22; 24:13). Read His parable of the 10 virgins in Matthew 25:1-13.
How does sanctification happen? Notice what Jesus says to those who believed upon Him:
“Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, 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.” John 8:31-32
Jesus continues… Remaining in the Father’s House …
“Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. 35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. 36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” John 8:34-36
v35 – “the Son abideth ever”, continues, remains in the Father’s house, presence forever but the mere servant is not automatically, permanently kept in the house of God without condition. Those who commit, continue in sin will not remain in the Father’s house. Lucifer is the first sinner on record to be ejected from the Father’s house, His holy presence and then Adam and Eve who were also ushered out of the Father’s presence when they sinned (Luke 10:18; Isaiah 14:12-15; Ezekiel 28:12-19; Revelation 12:7-9; Genesis 3). Fact: The LORD is “Holy, holy, holy” and forever holds the authority over who remains in His holy house, presence.
v36 Then we are brought into the promise land of victory over sin.
Those who believe the myth of eternal security only embrace it because they want no part of personal responsibility. “Depart from me” will be what they hear from Jesus when they die.
The LORD says He’s only with you as you remain, abide “with him.”
“The LORD is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you.” 2 Chronicles 15:2
Some who have created a false god in their own wicked imaginations (image), somehow arrogantly believe that those God saves somehow now control Him and what He, the Almighty does with them. Utter foolishness. Anyone who is saved and doesn’t “abide” (continue with, remain in), will be cast into the fires of hell irrevocably (John 15:6).
“It is a faithful saying: For IF we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: 12 IF we suffer, we shall also reign with him: IF we deny him, he also will deny us: 13 If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.” 2 Timothy 2:11-13
Notice in the passage above, that God “cannot deny HIMSELF” and yet “IF we deny him, he also WILL DENY Us.” Notice that it doesn’t say He can’t or won’t deny us!!! It actually declares that He “WILL deny us” … “if we deny him.”
While God justifies His saints when He saves them, sanctification transpires and is according to, in proportion to how that justified believer attends to and complies with the LORD instead of self – continues in His Word, knowing and obeying Him (John 15; Romans 6; Ephesians 4:21-32, etc.). The cross is central to this putting off the old man, crucifying the deeds of the body (Luke 9:23-24; Colossians 3:1-17, etc.).
Fasting and prayer is the cross and greatly aids in the putting off of the old man and putting on of the new man (Isaiah 58; Ephesians 4; Colossians 3).
This brother, your brother in Christ, would like to take this opportunity to exhort you to obey God and begin fasting and praying, at least once weekly. Your life will be changed for the glory of Christ Jesus our LORD. – Fasting and Prayer
Your growth in the grace of Christ, and consequent victory over the flesh and devil, will be according as you submit yourself daily to the LORD.
Our LORD’s stated desire is to multiply His grace to each of our lives – for our hearts to be evermore established in His grace (Hebrews 13:9).
“Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord … But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.” 2 Peter 1:2; 3:18
“Wow! Little by little..he has followed James 4:6-10 and looked unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith! Hallelujah to the Lamb of God! The narrow way, when kept faithfully will inevitably squeeze out all sin, and allow us to experience an even deeper, more intimate relationship with Christ.” Jon Crane
The Cross is Essential in our Growth, our Victory in Christ
“The people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play.” Exodus 32:6
This is a depiction of the flesh and why it must be ruthlessly crucified, daily (Luke 9:23-24; Galatians 2:20; Colossians 3:3, etc.).
The flesh, the evil fallen and iniquitous nature, the old man, must be crucified daily or it will rule in place of Christ and will perpetrate its corruption in you and those around you. Romans 6! The cross, the crucified life is the only divine solution. There is no short cut.
Jesus cannot and will not reign in my life unless I lay it down before Him (Luke 14:33).
In all things Divine, Faith is an Imperative
“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
“WHERE is your faith?” asks Jesus (Luke 8:25).
What we truly believe will proceed from our lips.
“We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;” 2 Corinthians 4:13
The LORD is monitoring our hearts and listening to what is proceeding from our lips (1 Samuel 16:7; Matthew 12:34, et.).
“Say unto them, As truly as I live, saith the LORD, as ye have spoken in mine ears, so will I do to you:” Numbers 14:28
As we submit ourselves to the LORD the iniquities that once control our lives, leading us into sin, will be conquered. The cross.
Like the beloved Jacob, our iniquitous tendencies must cause us to walk with a limp, a crutch of dependence upon Him for He has dealt with them, with you (Genesis 32).
“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. 11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; 12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.” 1 Peter 2:9-12
YOUR PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I thank You that You found and saved me into Your eternal kingdom through the precious blood of Jesus Christ. Here and now I thank You dear LORD for continuing the good work You began in me, for working in this your vessel both to will and do of Your good pleasure, and perfecting that which concerns my life with You in Christ. In the name of Jesus, amen.
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Articles
The One Essential to Victory [podcast]
Victory is at hand!! This message is at the heart of the original Gospel message Christ and that His apostles gave. Yet, this is seldom if ever heard today. Victory awaits you!!!!! God desires to give it to you!!!! You be careful though saint. Be not deceived. Get this truth in your heart and life and God will raise you upward to the victory that brings Him glory and where you belong. Paul said that there are many “enemies of the cross of Christ.” (Phil. 3:18-19) Discover who they are and what is divinely required for you to be blessed with victory in this life and in eternity with Christ!
The Victory is in Jesus [podcast]
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Abiding
Kiss Jesus Or be Crushed as His Enemy! [podcast]
Satan’s Pitiful Petty Perverted Pawns have an Expiration Date!
“Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it.” Isaiah 13:9
Psalm 2 is Prophetic of Christ and of His Return to Take back Possession of His Planet, Earth
The Reign of the Lord’s Anointed
1 Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?
2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying,
3 Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.
4 He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.
5 Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.
6 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.
7 I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.
8 Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.
9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.
10 Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.
11 Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.
GOD told us He’s laughing at these luciferians and all their “elaborate plans” to control humanity. Read Psalms 2. Jesus is coming. His enemies will be crushed under His holy, Almighty feet (Romans 16:20).
“And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.” Romans 16:20
The future belongs exclusively to Jesus Christ and His followers. Read the book of Revelation!
“And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.” Matthew 21:44
Jesus is coming back “In flaming fire taking vengeance.”
“And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; 10 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.” 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10
The Coming of the Son of Man
“And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; 26 Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. 27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” Luke 21:25-28
Just as Aaron’s rod swallowed up the rods of the sorcerers of Egypt (the world), so shall Christ’s kingdom swallow up the kingdoms of this world! (Exodus 7:12; Daniel 2:44; 7:14) Will you be a part of Christ’s eternal kingdom?
“And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.” Revelation 11:15
Bow now or burn forever.
All who refuse to repent, bowing down to “kiss the Son” of God will perish in their own corruption and be violently vanquished into the bowels of eternal damnation, the prison of fire, which will then be “cast into the lake of fire.”
“And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20:14-15
“EVERY Knee”
“Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:9-11
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Abiding
WHAT is the Context of Fighting the Good Fight of Faith? [podcast]
Dancing on the Defeated Devil’s Grave! Get some! Now!
What was Paul speaking of when he declared that Christ’s disciples must “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses”? (1 Timothy 6:12)
First off, it’s a “good fight” because we are going to win – yet only if we do things God’s way with no compromise. What do we fight against? What must we put under foot, conquer and reign victorious over?
What did the Holy Spirit in Paul mean by fighting the good fight of faith? Think context.
You have to “fight” to keep these damning sins out of your life – and the way you “fight” is to be rich in giving – otherwise you will have a sand foundation that will not stand in the judgment. You will go to Hell irrevocably. This is the clear teaching of Scripture, throughout. Read this closely:
“But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. 9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. 12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.” 1 Timothy 6:6-12
Wisdom is fellowshipping with those who are on fire for Jesus, who refuse to be lukewarm, who are fighting the good fight of faith, who are finishing their course, who are keeping the faith (2 Timothy 4:7) …. who make you wonder if you are saved. Conviction.
The cross is an absolute essential in the life of every saint of Christ. There will be no overcoming without putting the cross at the center of our daily lives. Paul said:
“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
Eternal security is the fairytale of counterfeits.
Jesus told us that the cross is “daily” (Luke 9:23-24). It must be daily or you will fall away. No one can truly serve God on any other terms but the ones He has set forth. The cross must be at the center of your life. You must plant, drive that stake in the ground. Your heart and life will never be flooded with His love, peace, power, and joy until you do.
Those who don’t endure to the end after being saved are going to hell (Matthew 10:22; 24:13; Hebrews 10:26-39).
Do you truly love God above self and all else? That’s the big question. If you love God supremely, you will give Him the preference in the life He gave you and for which you will give full account to Him.
Do you truly desire the power of God to function in your life? The cross is His way beloved.
YOU, yes you are in a war. The cross is the instrument of your death so that Christ, who is “the resurrection and the life” might reign in and through your life (John 11:25). Don’t even think you’re going to conquer devils, principalities, when you haven’t even conquered your own heart, soul, lusts, and life.
“He must increase, but I must decrease.” John 3:30
Scarcely will we hear a man preach on the cross – the crucified life – which proves he himself is not taking up his cross. And the cross is a non-negotiable essential in the divine economy. Never wait for any other man to take up the cross or preach it. You do it. God holds you 100% responsible to do so – and you will appear before the Almighty to give full account for doing so, or not.
The war is won within – as you push your love upward to God and outward to men. This must be the labor of love deliberately won by fighting, battling through everything that seeks to assume first place in your life, time, your thoughts, your heart, your affections, etc. God only raises up crucified – dead and buried disciples. THAT’s when the victory is won and such a crucified disposition must be diligently procured daily by the cross – knowing that God is only going to raise up the surrendered soul.
Memorize:
“Let us labour (fight) therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.” Hebrews 4:11
Treasure that will be Eternally Tremendous or Trouncing
Where your money is proves where your heart is …. Take a look at your bank statement and see where the money is going and also your investments and property. There is where you will see where your heart truly is. Your bank statement will reveal to you who you really are – as in contrast with who you may claim to be. The self-deception will be exposed.
Getting “honest” in your “heart” and life are a required essential to bear fruit unto everlasting life with Christ, the Father, and the saints (Luke 8:15).
Jesus says: “WHERE you treasure (money) is, THERE will your heart be also” (Matthew 6:21).
Are you pouring into Christ’s kingdom? If not, what does that actually reveal about your life at this moment? – It reveals that you love this world, you love your life in this world.
Isn’t it time to lose your life in this world?
“So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:33
Is Christ your Protector or is your money? Remember, you will soon be separated from your money – and stand naked before the Almighty (Job 1:21; 1 Timothy 6:6-11). What shall you say to Him in that day? Will He declare over you “Well done” or “Depart from me”? Read Matthew 25:40-46.
“Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.” Luke 17:33
If you are rich toward yourself instead of “rich toward God” – you chose to forsake Christ, even though you were running a lot of religious interference. God sees through it all. Read what Christ taught in Luke 12:15-21 and 16:19-31.
Are the authentic ministries you know of, who feed you and others, well stocked with supply, fuel to function? Do you realize they have monthly bills and have a family to provide for as they have answered God’s call to do the infinitely most important and only eternal work in the earth?
Jesus spoke of those who are and those who aren’t “rich toward God.” Those “rich toward God” have God first and nothing else. Nothing gets spent before Christ’s workers and work are supplied. They make sure Christ’s work and workers are fully fueled. They are the bless-ed Obadiahs and Epaphroditus’ of our day.
Who was Epaphroditus? Well, he was like Obadiah in the days of Elijah and the other true prophets of God. He kept laborers of the Gospel supplied so they could function in the calling of the LORD on their lives.
“Lay up for yourself treasure in Heaven, not things on the earth. Because it will all burn up one day, all will be lost. Can’t take anything of this earth’s wealth with you. Only all you’ve given to God will last. Give as a cheerful giver. Jesus cheerfully gave His life for you. He died for you to save you. Our giving will not out give God. Supporting the work of the Lord is laying up treasures in Heaven. God Bless.” Darlene
Epaphroditus is the New Testament Equivalent to Obadiah
Timothy and Epaphroditus
“And Ahab called Obadiah, which was the governor of his house. (Now Obadiah feared the LORD greatly: 4 For it was so, when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the LORD, that Obadiah took an hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.)” 1 Kings 18:3-4
Read Philippians 2:19-30 to discover how this man, this brother in Christ named Epaphroditus, supplied Paul and the ministry of Christ.
WHO was Obadiah in the Days of Ahab and Jezebel?
“And Ahab called Obadiah, which was the governor of his house. (Now Obadiah feared the LORD greatly: 4 For it was so, when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the LORD, that Obadiah took an hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.)” 1 Kings 18:3-4
“Jezebel cut off the prophets of the LORD” (1 Kings 18:4). Through his ministers that held high positions within the kingdom of God, the devil “cut off” the supply of finances to those prophets who remained in the truth, refusing to compromise with the system and majority. God-fearing Obadiah secretly supplied these servants of Christ with food and water to sustain their lives. Is there any new thing under the sun? No. In our day, when those few who refuse to compromise are being cut off from financial supply by those who have a stranglehold on the control of 99% of the finances flowing in the church world, we, the remnant, have been called out to be like Obadiah and supply those who remain true to the LORD in serving His people. See 1 Kings 18.
The Most Dangerous and Prevalent Sins?
“For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor COVETOUS man, who is an IDOLATER, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.” Ephesians 5:5-6
One man of God noted that “More people will be in Hell for covetousness and greed than all other sins combined.” The honest student of Holy Scripture cannot but agree to this. There is a direct connection between your money and the Messiah, your supply and the Savior.
Those not laying up treasure in Heaven (digging their way into Hell) prove such by not being “rich toward God” but are rather rich toward the god of self, who cannot save them from eternal damnation.
“Yes! Amen. Jesus shine your light into my heart and reveal your truth to me. I can hide and not want to know what is in me. Turn up the heat so I will surrender to you what is not of you.” Karen Cochran
Jesus Instructs You to Lay Up Treasures in Heaven
“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. 22 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. 23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness! 24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” Matthew 6:19-24
At the end of his earthly life, the apostle Paul could declare with clear conscience:
“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:7-8
Sin must be warded off, must be kept at bay, must be put under foot by the cross, the crucified life. There are not shortcuts. Knowing you are expected to cling to and know and walk with Jesus is one thing – and walking it out is another. Here’s a memory verse:
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7
Those who answer the call of God to do His work forego, waive, give up their own earnings in this passing world in order to obey God by feeding and equipping His precious sheep for whom He died and rose again (John 15:16; 21:15-17; Acts 6:4; 15:26; 20:24; 1 Corinthians 9:1-14, etc.). It’s a blessing for us to be able to contribute, to get behind this most important and only eternal work of our LORD transpiring in His earth as His children live in fervent expectation of His glorious and soon return.
“Earth is planning for war.
Heaven is preparing for a wedding.” unknown
This is not our home beloved saints of Christ. NO ONE is going to do His glorious Gospel work except HIS own children – and that’s us!
“WE are labourers TOGETHER with God.” 1 Corinthians 3:9
Jesus Christ is KING.
YOUR PRAYER OF REPENTANCE: Holy Father, I come to You now in the name of Jesus Christ and ask You to forgive my sin of self-idolatry, of spiritual adultery. I have lived in sin, in pride, in self-love and am now turning wholly to Thee my God – asking You to wash me clean, to clear my sin by Your precious blood LORD Jesus. Here and now I denounce all covetousness for the trinkets of this world and choose, from this moment forth, to be rich toward You dear LORD – in getting behind and fueling Your Gospel work in the earth. In the name of Jesus Christ – let’s roll Jesus! Amen.
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