“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven … A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;” Ecclesiastes 3:1, 4
“A time to weep (death, burial),
and a time to laugh (resurrection);
a time to mourn (death, burial),
and a time to dance (resurrection);”
Though we don’t initial or dictate those seasons, we do participate with the One who does, the LORD who is in control.
A breaking down followed by a building up is the rhythm of the cross in our lives – and as it was in the case of our LORD, it’s the cross which will always precede the resurrection victory (John 12:24; Hebrews 2:14-15, etc.).
We can be fully assured that as we lay down our life, Christ who is “the resurrection and the life,” will reciprocally raise it up for His glory (John 11:25; 2 Corinthians 4:10-12).
This is how we walk with the LORD and there’s no other way. Remember this as you scratch your head the next time you hear yet another cross-less sermon on coping, relegating the believer to a life of defeat. When we taste and see this cross life, we shall be blessed to see that as we die downward, that guarantees that Christ will raise us upward. With our brother Paul, we shall declare “but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” (Romans 5:3-5)
In his sufferings, which God allowed for His divine purposes, Paul discovered and said…
“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
“The condition of this strength is sour consciousness of our own utter weakness. We are too strong for God. Our self-confidence shuts Him out of our lives. We require to be taken down to Gideon’s brook, that we may be reduced to the minimum of our own energy, and be filled to the maximum of His. It was this that made Paul glory in his infirmities, where other men would have thought their infirmities debarred them from Christian usefulness. He accounted that they were the greater reason for anticipating success. Tell him that his words lacked eloquence, or that his appearance was unprepossessing, or that his thorn in the flesh made him a cripple in Christ’s army – he would have answered, ‘I rejoice in them all – nay, I glory in them. All hail, ye blessed arguments for self-abasement, and for reckoning more completely on the mighty power of Christ!” Joseph, F.B. Meyer, p. 140
In Christ, when we close our eyes in death, when we resign ourself to dying, we awake to the resurrection bliss of eternal joy.
MOURNING vs MIRTH
The 2 Houses: Which house are you spending the most time in?
So many professing Christians today run from, evade all messages on repentance, the cross, and laying down the life in this fleeting world. They are not following Jesus on HIS terms. No, they are living their best life now, having been coddled by the wolves who are using them (2 Timothy 4:2-4). It’s sad that so few of them are hearing and answering the call of God to come unto Jesus and serve Him on HIS terms, which always begins with true repentance and proving that repentance by bringing forth good fruit (Matthew 3:7-10). They have chosen a cheap counterfeit over the Son of God and are forfeiting the blessings of God in this life and the next.
MANY WANT THE COMFORT YET REFUSE THE CROSS
“For men shall be lovers of their own selves … Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;” 2 Timothy 3:1, 4
WHEN we spend time in the house of mourning (the cross-death, burial), the house, the place of mirth (celebration, resurrection) follows, awaits us!!!!
“It is better to go to the house of mourning (lamentation, sadness, grief), than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart. 3 Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better. 4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth (Heb. celebration, glee, gladness, rejoicing, festival).” Ecclesiastes 7:2-4
This is an amazing revelation: Watch what King Solomon says here below. Foregoing self-serving gratification, feasting, celebration, always results in experiencing the death, the burial, and the resurrection joy and fulfillment that God alone can and desires to delight us with as we do things His way – the cross. The cross, the death and burial (house of mourning) always precedes “the house of mirth.”
“the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men” (v2): Pride was the root cause of the fall of Lucifer and a third of the angels of God in Heaven, and every civilization of mankind that came and went, destroyed in their rebellion. Perhaps Sodom and Gomorra are the most popular biblical example (Ezekiel 16:49-51). | The FORGOTTEN Sins of Sodom [podcast]
The Wise and the Foolish Contrasted
Notice: “The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.” (v4) When divine wisdom begins to take up more real estate in our hearts, we begin to realize that His wisdom teaches us to get down low, into the death and burial, while foolishness tempts us to seek out “the house of mirth,” to excessively indulge in celebration.
We shall never experience God on the mountain as we will in the valley.
When we “take it on the chin”, we get knocked down, humbled low and it puts us in the place of weakness and God in the place of strength, ruling in us with His divine might!!!
“And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:7-10
So many clueless parents today are destroying their own children by filling them with sugary desserts when the child hasn’t even eaten the meat and vegetables. In the same way, false leaders today are spiritually, eternally assassinating their gullible, biblically illiterate audiences by feeding them the cotton candy “best life now” gospel instead of teaching them the cross of the original Gospel of Jesus (2 Timothy 4:2-4).
Our LORD Jesus suffered greatly in “the house of mourning.” The divine resurrection followed the mourning, the great suffering of our Savior.
“He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. 7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. 8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. 9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. 10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. 11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. 12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.” Isaiah 53:3-12
Jesus warns us of the dangers, the eternal danger of soul, associated with “the house of mirth” when He says:
“And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. 35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.” Luke 21:34-36
The lifestyle, the sin of over indulgence will always lead to eternal damnation. As is at times used in Scripture, wine in the title of this message merely speaks of celebration, not drunkenness, which is misuse and sin (Psalms 10:15; Proverbs 3:10; Ecclesiastes 9:7; 10:19; John 2; Ephesians 5:18, etc.).
“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” Matthew 7:13-14
Jesus is now again reigning as supreme LORD at the right hand of the Father, having accomplished the cross, redemption through His death.
“And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:” Philippians 2:8-9
Based on His earthly sufferings, He is rightly called “the suffering Servant.” (Isaiah 53, etc.) Jesus suffered, died, was buried, and raised again from the dead. He calls us to also suffer the death of self that He might exalt us in His resurrection power, for His glory.
“Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; 2 That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.” 1 Peter 4:1-2
Suffering is also part of the life of the true disciple, every disciple, namely the suffering of the death of self so that Christ reigns (2 Corinthians 4:10-12; Galatians 2:20, etc.).
Suffering our own death so that Christ is reigning (resurrection), is the Gospel in action in our personal lives. Laying down our lives as Christ raises them up is the Gospel reenacted daily in our lives – death, burial, resurrection.
“For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;” Philippians 1:29
When Israel was in rebellion, the LORD warned that He was going to remove the mirth from them …..
“Then will I cause to cease from the cities of Judah, and from the streets of Jerusalem, the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride: for the land shall be desolate.” (Jeremiah 7:34) Jesus is going to judge all men and eternally remove all “mirth”, that is, all joy, bliss, and celebration from the wicked – those who refuse to mourn.
“Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.” Matthew 5:4
Those who mourn in this life are already experiencing a foretaste of glory divine – comfort from the “God of all comfort.” (2 Corinthians 1:2-5).
The counterfeit is characterized by his selfishness. He’s only in it for himself. He could care less about the God he falsely claims to be his savior – because it’s all about him, not the LORD. Therefore he wants no part with repenting, laying down his life in this world, denying self, taking up the cross, and following Jesus. He just wants the crown while refusing the cross. He wants instant gratification and hates waiting and this is why his handlers have to keep pumping him up with false hope – stringing him along, milking his money (2 Peter 2:1-3).
In the divine economy, there is much value in the seasons of suffering.
“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. … 12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” James 1:2-4
Serendipity: You really don’t begin to enjoy your life in this world until you lay it down – until you do it God’s way and not your own (Matthew 6:33; Luke 9:23-24; 14:33; 17:33). Every true disciple can testify to this – because every true disciple, by biblical definition, has truly repented, has laid down his life in this world and is daily denying self, taking up the cross and following Jesus. And, the result is resurrection grace and joy!
No, in this observation of the great joy that fills the heart of the true saint, I didn’t say or hint of loving this world – but rather in loving the LORD, truly (1 John 2:15). Yet, having a clear conscience and deep inner peace granted by God Himself, is essential to the fulfillment that glorifies Christ (Psalms 23).
Those in Christ will suffer and mourn and weep in this life and yet, in the end
“Ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.” John 16:20
“For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” Psalms 30:5
“For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
In Christ’s kingdom, there’s the need to “Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.” Here’s the passage:
“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
There are death, burials, and resurrections in our lives. There can’t be the resurrection (mirth) till there’s first the death, and burial (the mourning). The following passage from 2 Corinthians 4 gives us the rhythm of the cross life in the divine economy. Pouring prayerfully over these divinely-inspired words is sure to be instrumental in bringing about God’s will in our lives.
“Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. 11 For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you.” 2 Corinthians 4:10-12
Only through the cross lifestyle can the disciple experience practically the riches of Christ.
Let us “taste and see that the LORD is good” as we forego on our own idea of feasting, excessive celebration in the things of this world, and get down low in worshipful humility, allowing God to bring us upward into His lavish chambers of fruitful delight, a foretaste of glory divine!
“O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.” Psalms 34:8
In Ecclesiastes 7, Solomon is in no way saying that celebration is wrong and yet, allowing God to fill our hearts with the joy and occasions of celebration is infinitely sweeter than perpetually avoiding pain and mourning in order to seek out celebration.
“Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” Psalms 16:11
Throughout Israel’s history, they rebelled and suffered greatly. The celebration of the people of God followed great suffering, as God liberated them. When the LORD set Israel free, releasing them from the bondage of enemy nations, from Babylon, they “were like them that dream”, and instructed by Him to be fruitful to His glory.
Psalm 126
“A Song of degrees. When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion (set them free), we were like them that dream. 2 Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them. 3 The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad. 4 Turn again our captivity, O LORD, as the streams in the south. 5 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 with him.”
“Turned – Brought the captive Israelites out of Babylon into their own land. Dream – We were so surprised and astonished.” John Wesley
God’s people would later become unthankful, unholy, and overly indulge in “the house of mirth.” They were therefore allowed to be led back into the slavery, under the bondage the enemy.
Those whom Jesus saves are required by Him to “deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.” (Luke 9:23-24)
The believer is to live an abiding life with Christ, bearing the fruit that testifies to such (John 15). The Bible is full of warnings concerning falling away (Luke 8:13). If falling away were not possible, no such warnings would exist in Holy Writ.
“Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. 2 For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; 3 How shall we escape (eternal judgment), if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;” Hebrews 2:1-3
On a personal note: In the past, I could never and have never been possessed by the deep satisfaction and fulfillment that now fills my life as I choose to do things GOD’s way, and not my own. The cross is God’s way. Every disciple reading this, who is learning that cross truth, can certainly concur!
“Better is the end (resurrection) of a thing than the beginning thereof (death and burial): and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.” Ecclesiastes 7:8
Surely the resurrection is better, more pleasurable than the death and burial, the dying, and yet the resurrection cannot occur without the death and burial first happening.
Adam Clarke on Ecclesiastes 7:2:
“It is better to go to the house of mourning – Birthdays were generally kept with great festivity, and to these the wise man most probably refers; but according to his maxim, the miseries of life were so many and so oppressive that the day of a man’s death was to be preferred to the day of his birth. But, in dependently of the allusion, it is much more profitable to visit the house of mourning for the dead than the house of festivity. In the former we find occasion for serious and deeply edifying thoughts and reflections; from the latter we seldom return with one profitable thought or one solid impression.” Adam Clarke
Adam Clarke on Ecclesiastes 7:4:
“The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning – A wise man loves those occasions from which he can derive spiritual advantage; and therefore prefers visiting the sick, and sympathizing with those who have suffered privations by death. But the fool – the gay, thoughtless, and giddy – prefers places and times of diversion and amusement. Here he is prevented from seriously considering either himself or his latter end. The grand fault and misfortune of youth.” Adam Clarke
“I walked a mile with Pleasure;
She chatted all the way.
But left me none the wiser
For all she had to say
I walked a mile with Sorrow,
And not a word said she;
But oh, the things I learned from her
When sorrow walked with me”
by Robert Browning Hamilton
“And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God. 21 Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh. 22 Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake. 23 Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets. 24 But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation. 25 Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep. 26 Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.” Luke 6:20-26
Beloved of God, may we no longer run from the pain associated with the dying to self. Instead, let us embrace it, for therein in our own demise is the supreme reign of Christ.
Concerning our dying and the resulting heavenly treasure, one writer notes:
“In the cross there’s:
. . . freedom from self comes forth.
. . . new creation comes forth.
. . . new perspective comes forth.
. . . transformation by a renewed mind comes forth.
. . . glory (or “weight of glory”) is realized.
. . . immunity to (or resurrection immunity to) pain is realized.
The only real way to escape pain is to embrace it. It only gets worse when one uses human ways to numb it or escape it, pass it on or put it off on someone else.”
“Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:” Joel 2:12
Sodom and Gomorrah | The Cross Life | Joy Comes After the Mourning
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Abiding
The Imperative of Private Prayer [podcast]

We must be aware of our prayers we throw up while they have no congruence with our personal life – when they are shot gun prayers void of the foundation of private prayer, private praying, and holy living.
Private prayer with God is an essential to set your life up for success.
“But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.” Matthew 6:6
Private prayer is essential to the disciple. Jesus reveals here that those who seek His face in prayer privately, will be used of Him publicly!
Are you at Christ’s feet? Do you live a life of prayer? Have you ever studied the life of Christ and beheld the many instances of His prayer life?
“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
“Solitary” simply means uninhabited.
If we want to assess our true spiritual state with God, we need only look to our prayer life or lack thereof. Show me a man’s prayer life, and I will show you who that man is! When God is truly first in a person’s life, all else will be demoted in importance!
“Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 5 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
Backsliding begins with neglect of our relationship, our prayer life, our life of prayer with our LORD and Savior.
“Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:41
I will either pray my way into glory, or I will not be there (Matthew 26:41).
“Hebrews 10:22: ‘Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.’ This is how we are to come to God in prayer and fellowship. With a true (honest) heart that has been washed in the pure blood of Jesus, confessing our sins so our conscience is clear, and we are cleansed from the filthiness of the flesh. Then we can come boldly before the throne of grace! Hebrews 4:16.” Karen Cochran
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I return to You now. Please forgive my sin of prayerlessness. Break me LORD. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Moments with Our Master [book] 365 Day Devotional book available at safeguardyoursoul.com/store and amazon. English and Spanish.
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Abiding
What Eternal Security Wolves Refuse to Teach [podcast]

THE 5 SINS THAT KEPT ISRAEL (God’s own covenant people) OUT OF THEIR PROMISED LAND OF BLESSINGS and will keep us out if not relinquished. Friend, please read 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 with all your might. Make this text your meat.
The world seeks to romance sin but if God says it’s sin, that’s what it is. Toning down the terms changes nothing. Judgment Day is on the way.
We are fighting the good fight of faith, “striving against sin” and “more than conquerors” over sin through Jesus who loves us and bought us with His own blood! (1 Timothy 6:12; Hebrews 12:4; 13:12; Acts 20:28; Romans 8:37)
There are the 5 sins listed here that kept God’s people out of His blessings. We all need to L.I.F.T.M. up to the LORD in repentance and for His perfect forgiveness and cleansing. God the Holy Spirit warns us here through Paul’s pen (1 Cor. 10:1-13), that Israel and these sins are “examples” (vv. 6, 11) to all NT believers. God destroys those who go back on Him after knowing Him (transgressors – Ps. 68:21; 73:28; 125:5, etc.). If not ridden out of our lives, any one of these 5 sins WILL keep us out of our promised land. God is holy (Heb. 12:14). As taken in order from 1 Cor. 10:6-10, here are those 5 sins:
-
Lust
-
Idolatry
-
Fornication
-
Tempting Christ
-
Murmuring
This simple acronym should help us to remember these sins and remain separate from them as we grow today to know and love our Savior more fervently. “Keep thyself pure” (1 Timothy 5:22).
Committing the sin is one thing (1 John 1:8-10, right) and refusing to repent of it is yet another. Refusing to acknowledge, repent, confess, and cease is what snares the soul and ousts us from Christ (Proverbs 28:13).
“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” Proverbs 28:13
If the Holy Spirit has quickened any offences of your heart, simply L.I.F.T.M. up to Christ the Redeemer, Forgiver, Cleanser, and Transformer of lives.
Fornication Defiles
“It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have (Gr. possessed and wouldn’t repent) his father’s wife. 2 And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.” 1 Corinthians 5:1-2
1 Corinthians 10 completely destroys the OSAS / eternal security argument.
Notice the word “OUR” in verses 6 and 11. This is directly spoken to warn NEW Testament saints that they are going to hell if they live and die in sin.
Case closed.
1 Corinthians 10:1-12
1 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;
2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;
3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat;
4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.
5 But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.
6 Now these things were OUR examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also LUSTED.
7 Neither be ye IDOLATERS, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.
8 Neither let us commit FORNICATION, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.
9 Neither let us TEMPT CHRIST, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.
10 Neither MURMUR ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.
11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for OUR admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
The cross. Christ raises up those who are crcified with Him – outside of which no man can overcome sin. Romans 6.
“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 a false teaching. 1 sin separated Adam and Eve from God and “The wages of sin is (still) death” because God is Holy (Rom 6:23, etc.). Moral coward counterfeits hate, despise the Gospel essential of the cross, the crucified life. They want Jesus to save them to Heaven but not from sin. These are the sin-justifying, grace-perverting “ungodly men” Jude warned us about (Jude 4).
The divine declaration that “The wages of sin is death” which means separation from God, appears throughout Scripture (Romans 6:23).
“He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; but he that despiseth his ways shall die.” Proverbs 19:16
Die or death always means separation.
OSAS/eternal security is a lie from hell. OSAS was Satan’s first lie and so it’s blasphemy to teach this doctrine of devils and claim it’s part of the Gospel. You are attributing Satan’s lie to the LORD Jesus. Repent now sinner. See Genesis 2:17; 3:4; Romans 11:20-22; 1 Timothy 4:1; Hebrews 3:6, 12-14; 10:26-39; 2 Peter 2:20-21; Jude 4, etc..
The concept of an un-conditional eternal security is not established in Scripture … Except for it being Satan’s first teaching, His first lie – the “Ye shall NOT surely die” lie (Genesis 2:17; 3:4).
“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” Ephesians 5:25-27
“Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. 8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. 9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.” Revelation 19:7-9
“Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” 2 Corinthians 7:1
“And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.” 1 John 3:3
“Psalms 51:1-19
Psalm 51: Sweet Perfumes of Penitence
Alexander Maclaren once said, ‘The alchemy of divine love can extract sweet perfumes of penitence and praise out of the filth of sin.’ We have an illustration of this in Psalm 51. As the heading explains, it was written by David after Nathan the prophet had boldly exposed him for committing adultery with Bathsheba and for murdering Uriah. Utterly convicted of his sin, David pours out this torrent of penitence from his broken and contrite heart.” Believer’s Bible Commentary
Read and pray Psalm 51.
Prayer of Returning: Holy Father, You gave all when You gave Your only begotten Son who came and died for our sins. You’ve also called me to lay down my life, to lose my life in this fleeting world. I have not done well at giving over my life to You … You alone who are worthy of my full, unreserved worship. Right this moment I ask You to forgive my sin of having another god before You which is self idolatry and spiritual adultery. I have alienated the affections of my heart away from You LORD and onto myself. For this I ask You to forgive me and I right here and now turn to You Jesus. Right this moment I lay my life in Your holy hands LORD. Into Your hands I submit my spirit – my whole being. Not my will but Thine be done LORD Jesus! I am no longer my own. I am Yours. I am dead and my life is hid with Christ in God. I love You Jesus and am ceaselessly grateful that You bought me with the price of Your own blood! You must increase but I must decrease. I ask You to unite my heart to fear Thy holy name! Teach me daily to lay myself aside and to give the reins over to You! In Jesus’ Name, amen.
Eternal Security/Once saved always saved is a lie from hell.
If you truly desire to know more about how to really know the LORD, go here: Born Again: What is It?
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Abiding
Purifying Ourselves even as He is Pure [podcast]

Ready or Not – Jesus is Coming
“And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.” 1 John 3:3
Here’s how you know if you are ready to meet Jesus—whether by dying or His soon return. The context of the Bible verse above is the return of Jesus and being ready for it (1 John 2:24-3:3). Those who live for Christ long to see Him and look expectantly for His soon return. This world is not their
home.
“But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:15-16
God is holy and He says to …
“Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:” Hebrews 12:14
Holiness simply means pure, sanctified.
Clearing out everything that defiles us in His holy eyes is the sign that we are living in fervent expectation of our LORD’s return for His bride.
“His wife hath made herself ready”
“Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. 8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. 9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.” Revelation 19:7-9
We see here again, the earmark fruit of the Heaven bound remnant of Christ, the bride of Christ – “his wife hath made herself ready.”
2 ways to purification
- The precious blood of Jesus (Matthew 26:28; 1 Peter 1:18-19; 1 John 1:7
- The washing of water by the Word of God (Ephesians 5:26).
Washed in His Precious Blood
“Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:” 1 Peter 1:18-19
The Washing of Water by the Word
“Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” Ephesians 5:25-27
Your present spiritual state is what matters most to God. In Ephesians 5:25-27 carefully note the state of the Church—the people for whom Jesus will soon return.
Those not purifying their lives (washing daily in the blood and water of His Word), do not live daily with the hope of Christ’s return.
Memorize 1 John 3:3 today.
“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. 18 And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, 19 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 4:17-19
Jesus warns us here of …
- the cares of this world,
- and the deceitfulness of riches
- and the lusts of other things
We are “espoused” to Christ the Bridegroom. We are not yet married to Him and will not be if we are not purifying ourselves before Him (2 Corinthians 11:2).
“For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 11:2
All 10 virgins in Jesus’ parable were engaged, invited to attend the the marriage, the wedding (Matthew 25:1-13). Only 5 of them made it in and the other 5 were rejected. Why?
One source summates the importance of the parable of the 10 virgins – where 5 made it and the other 5 were shut out.
“The parable of the ten virgins teaches about spiritual readiness for the return of Jesus Christ, with five wise virgins who prepared by bringing extra oil for their lamps and five foolish virgins who did not. The foolish virgins were turned away by the bridegroom when he arrived, as they were unprepared and missed the feast. The parable, found in Matthew 25:1-13, encourages constant vigilance and preparation for the unknown time of Christ’s coming.”
Here is a picture of our abiding fellowship and relationship with Jesus…..
“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.” Psalms 73:23-24
When your vessel is full of the oil of Heaven via fellowship, you will be purifying your life of everything that defiles you in His holy eyes, in the eyes of the Great Bridegroom.
We are no longer our own. We are Christ’s. He bought us, purchased us back to Himself and the Father with His blood.
“What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
“The flesh and spirit”
“Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” 2 Corinthians 7:1
Prayer: Father, I know You are holy and will have Your holy Bride whom Jesus died to purchase. Please purify my heart, mind and life of all that defiles. Make me holy dear LORD, as You alone can do. In Jesus’ name, amen.
“Loved this podcast. I think it was important to stress that women need to be submitted to their husbands as our country is infested with Jezebels. Who refuse to lay down their lives and submit to God and their husbands. Who can find a virtuous woman? Proverbs 31:10. Do men ask that question? And more importantly our relationship with our husbands is a direct result of our relationship with the Lord. If a woman is not submitted to Jesus she will never submit to her husband. It starts at the feet of Jesus. We must be like Mary. Bringing all of our alabaster box (ourselves) to Him. I love what Job says, ‘The root of the matter is found in me.’ Job 19:28. This is always true! If my husband or anyone else upsets me I must go before God and let Him search my heart and see if there be any wicked way in me! Psalm 139:23-24. And I can guarantee there is. It all starts with me!! Allowing God to purify and cleanse my heart. My heart!!” Karen Cochran
Moments with Our Master [book] 365 Day Devotional book available at STORE page and amazon. English and Spanish.
See what others are saying about this devotional book.
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