What Did the Laodiceans Lack?

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WHY Did Jesus Say
He was Going to Reject (“spue”)
These People who Once Served Him?

Quality of life is not found in obtaining more money or material items. In fact, such a consumerism lifestyle guarantees, with no exception, misery, spiritual poverty, and a trip to hell (Luke 12, 16; Ephesians 5:5-7; 1 Timothy 6:4-11; Revelation 3:14-21, etc.). Do we not all know people, even people who were once saved, who are not now abiding in Christ and “have need of nothing” materially in this world, and yet are not happy? And what did Jesus say of their hell bound spiritual state?

“Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:” Revelation 3:17

WHAT do modern Laodicean “Christians” say in their own hearts and minds?

“I am rich”
“I am … increased with goods”
I “have need of nothing”

Yet Jesus says that they “knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:”

“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. 4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. 5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? 6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:1-6

Is your mansion here or in eternal glory with Christ?

Like Laodicea
do we have
a false sense of
prosperity?

You are not prospering/prosperous because you drive an expensive vehicle. In fact, such reveals that you are shallow, care about what mere sinful men think in lieu of what God thinks, and are wasting God’s resources and will give account accordingly. You are not prosperous because you live in an excessively large, lavish earthly home. In fact, such may prevent you from a “mansion” in Heaven and will definitely downsize your “mansion”(rewards) in eternal glory (John 14:1-6).

Quite frankly, most people are not impressed with your little trinkets you use to prop up your insecurities based on your lack of a real relationship with Jesus Christ.

Anyone who relates material or financial wealth to one’s spiritual state is to be departed from (1 Timothy 6:3-5 KJV).

Jesus is all you really have. The sum total of the richness of your life (or lack thereof) is what you have of Christ who is the “exceeding great reward” (Genesis 15:1). Prosperity is primarily spiritual, not material:

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:” Ephesians 1:3

“Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?” James 2:5

Jesus’ Message to Laodicea and Equally to Us

We are seeing, we are living in the prophesied days of Noah (Genesis 6:5, 12; Matthew 24:37-39).

And Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19; Ezekiel 16:49-58; 2 Peter 2:6; Jude 17).

And Laodicea (Revelation 3:14-22).

“God’s people had strayed from the “old paths” that the Lord had given them (Jeremiah 6:16). This is no different than in these last days. How many today do we hear who preach and hold to the original gospel “once delivered to the saints.” (Jude 3)? The Lord is telling them that if they would obey Him, they would “find rest for your souls.” Yet they refused to hearken unto His words. And this is why, in this late hour, we have a “famine in the land”, a famine of “hearing the words of the Lord:” (Amos 8:11-12) This is a severe judgment upon those who do no longer yearn for His truth!” Karen Cochran

The crass, hard hearted disposition of so many who claim to be saved, is penned here by the Holy Ghost via John the apostle:

“Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:” Revelation 3:17

While addressing the last of the seven churches of Revelation 2-3, Jesus said that the people of the apostate church of Laodicea were “wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.” What led to them becoming backslidden? Here’s the answer:

“And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; 15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. 17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: 18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. 21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. 22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.” Revelation 3:14-22

Firstly, let us acknowledge that when the Son of God says “thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked,” one thing’s for certain – you are not right with Him. Christ exposed their sins to them in order to get them to return to Him (to repent).

If you are “lukewarm” you no longer fear or truly serve God, but rather the false god of self.

WHY did Jesus say He was going to reject (“spue”) them? … Jesus is God and knows the hearts of all men. In their hearts these people were saying “I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing.” They were serving the false god of self and mammon. These people were financially prosperous and yet “miserable.” Sounds like many in America today who claim to be “Christians” and yet whose lives consist in nothing more than searching out new ways to entertain themselves, further pampering the miserable god of self. Consumerism has consumed the vast majority. Those who claim to be saved are willing to go to a church building to be told they are okay and yet, they lift no finger to obey Christ’s Great Commission command. Why? – Because they have not truly repented and are therefore consumed with trying to pamper the already overstuffed, gorged god of self. They are “miserable” just as Jesus says they would be here in this letter to the Laodiceans (American “Christians”).

Open your Bible and look at what God said about Sodom. Her sins are paralleled with Laodicea. There is truly “NO new thing under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9). We can also look at the days of Noah leading up to the flood judgment. Christ warned about the days of Noah where Genesis 6 cites the sins men were committing. Today is no different. So many in the western world have never really suffered a day in their life. They are shallow, substance-less, sin-sick, self-serving, boasters, evil hearted, cowardly, and judgmental lovers of self (2 Timothy 3:1-7). These would rather curse the darkness instead of shining Christ’s light into it. They sit back and hurl their stones of condemnation at others while lifting no finger to help them in their hardship or struggles (Galatians 6:1-2). Compare this to the Good Samaritan who asked no question, made no hesitation, and hastened to help the man he came upon who was in a hardship (Luke 10:25-37).

Like the Laodiceans who were previously saved and yet had since backslidden, so many today also have no fear of God in their hearts. Many ignore and don’t even search out what Christ warned about in light of His coming. They are not ready to meet Him (see Luke 21:33-36). This is evidence of a hardened heart – one hardened “through the deceitfulness of sin” (Hebrews 3:12-15).

“There is no fear of God before their eyes.” Romans 3:18

The reason some have “no fear of God” in their lives is due to the pervasive influence of the OSAS (once saved always saved) mythical, diabolical lie.

The people in the city of Laodicea were wealthy. The commerce of that area of the world at that time was flourishing and yet, many of the people who had gotten saved there didn’t continue steadfastly seeking the LORD. Jesus said they trusted in their earthly wealth and Jesus told them that as a result they were “naked.” This simply means that His robe of righteousness no longer covered them and they were pending to go to eternal damnation if they didn’t repent. Let’s look at it again:

“Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:” Revelation 3:17

Though rich in material goods, the members of the Laodicean church – who were once saved and yet now backslidden, were:

“wretched”
“miserable”
“poor”
“blind”
“naked”

Hoarding instead of dispensing earthly wealth will always lead one to trust in those fleeting riches instead of God who requires us to trust Him. This always leads to a hardened heart and apostasy.

Jesus warned us of this late hour before His soon return. He said that men would be living in total disregard for Him and for their own souls which hang in the balance. He told us they would largely have forgotten the LORD.

“For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, 39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” Matthew 24:38-39

Does the Bible speak of people forgetting God and the consequences of such?

“The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.” Psalms 9:17

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

This citing of the sins of the Laodiceans clearly shows that they were hell bound and in need of returning to the LORD (Hosea 14:1-3). Because He loves them and is “not willing that any should perish (go to hell),” Jesus therefore instructs them to “repent”:

“As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent (turn back to the LORD). 20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” Revelation 3:19-20

There is a direct correlation (connection) between your true spiritual state and your giving or lack of giving.

The people who get upset when stewardship is spoken about reveal that they are serving mammon/self and not the LORD. They have an evil eye or an idolatrous focus for living. Listen to Jesus:

“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 (purely focused on Christ), thy whole body shall be full of light. 23 But if thine eye be evil (focused on self), 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

The reason many who claim to be serving the One who gave all do not give of their temporal substance is due to the fact that they are not giving their lives to Christ daily (Matthew. 10:8). When we truly give over our lives (including our will) to the Savior, all else then belongs to Him. Jesus came and gave it all – that was His purpose when He came (John 15:13; 10:17-18, etc.). Just what are you giving? Have you begun by giving your life (the complete control of it) over to the One who came and gave His all for you?

The more of us we give over to Christ, the freer He blesses us to be. While working with another ministry on Wednesdays over the last few months, I’ve been blessed to begin many new friendships with older Christians. Many times they tell me about how they are getting rid of stuff, downsizing, and consolidating their lives and living quarters. You can see the joy in their eyes and the liberty as they are breaking free of the encumbrances of this life they allowed themselves to become entangled with. They were bogged down for years and are rejoicing to be getting free.

The more we give, the freer we become – free from the sins that cause us to stumble in sin and from the love of this sinful world.

“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” 1 John 2:15

Think about this in light of what our LORD Jesus taught when speaking to those who had just initially repented and begun an abiding walk with Him:

“Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word (obeying Him via what He said in His 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

You see, it’s not those who simply hear the truth that are made freer and freer by Christ, but rather those who hear it and obey it.

Only as we continue to obey Him through His Word are we made free. Church attendance will never make any soul free. As we truly follow Jesus, we are divesting ourselves – giving ourselves over to Him more and more, holding on to nothing of self. We begin to learn that our existence is not about us but rather about the One who gave us life and came and gave His life to buy us back to Himself from a life of sin (Ephesians 2:1-13).

If you are not giving more and more of yourself to the LORD, you have backslidden, are apostate, and in need of true repentance (getting back to/with the LORD). Walking with Christ – continuing in His Word – always (without fail) produces a life of giving. We give our lives as a living sacrifice to Him who offered for His Father and us the ultimate sacrifice.

We owe a debt we cannot pay. Jesus paid a debt He did not owe.

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:1-2

Your life is no longer your own but rather Christ’s:

“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

Who are You Living For?

“And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.” 2 Corinthians 5:15

WE ARE most miserable when we are hoarding instead of giving – our lives.

What’s the “more blessed” life look like?

“I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35

RED FLAG: You attend a “church” and aren’t digging into, devouring, and memorizing God’s Word daily. Backslidden!

So you have time to read the news in the morning but no time or desire and discipline to seek God in His holy Word and prayer when you first awake in the mornings? Self-idolatry!

God’s Word cannot and will not get into you until you get into it!

If anything is more important to you than knowing the LORD through studying His Word, you are not ready to meet Jesus.

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 and onto myself. For this I ask You to forgive me and I right here and now turn to You. Right this moment I lay my life in Your holy hands. Into Your hands I submit my spirit – my whole being. Not my will but Thine be done! 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.

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“The goats feed their carnal appetite. The sheep of Christ feed on the Word of God! Jesus’ sheep know His voice. They follow and obey their Lord Jesus (John 10:27). The goats obey their fleshy desires (Galatians 5:16-21), and follow the hirelings and not the Great Shepherd, the LORD Jesus (John 10; Heb 13:20). Christ’s sheep are known by Him! (John 10:14,27; 1 Corinthians 8:3). The goats will be cast out and told, ‘I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity.’ (Matthew 7:23). Terrifying words! Are you Jesus’ sheep, or are you a goat, a counterfeit? Search your heart today. Ask God if He knows you! It matters not if we claim to know Him. He must also know us, as this Scriptures clearly reveal!” Karen Cochran

“Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: 24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalms 139:23-24

Of sheep and goats, one source notes:

“Jesus shares the story of the Sheep and the Goats in Matthew 25:31–46 to describe the final judgment. In the story, the Son of Man separates all of humanity just like a shepherd sorts sheep from goats, placing the sheep on His right side and the goats on His left.”

The Naked Truth about Who’s Going to Heaven and Who’s Going to Hell

WANT to see those whom the LORD calls His own? Want to see who the true Heaven bound remnant are? Look at those who are about the “Father’s business” which is the Great Commission (Luke 2:49; 24:47; Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; Acts, etc.). Everyone else is doing their own thing.

“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 7:21

With their life, the rebel declares “Not Thy will but mine be done!”

With their life, the righteous declare with Christ “not my will, but thine, be done” (Luke 24:42).

“At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. 21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. 22 Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? 23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. 24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me.” John 14:21-24

“And hereby we do know that we know him, IF we keep his commandments. 4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. 6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.” 1 John 2:3-6

Walk and live as Jesus lived? Yes. Those who know and love Him are about the work and “the will of him that sent” them.

Take a look:

“Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work” (John 4:34). Jesus then speaks of evangelism, something every one of His people are to be doing (John 4:34-38).

“For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.” John 6:38

“And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.” John 6:40

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

Anyone not fully with Jesus, is against Him, the only Savior.

So you claim Christ as Savior but don’t participate in prayer, support, and Great Commission action? Time to repent for real. The fruit of your life is rotten. You are presently a Savior-rejecting, self-serving counterfeit.

Read 1 Corinthians 9. The first half is concerning our privilege to give to HIS work. Then the apostle Paul speaks of running the race, to the end, becoming all things to all men to see them saved, being crucified with Christ.

The more I read God’s Word, the more convinced I am that the Heaven bound remnant are known in that they are about the “Father’s business” —the Great Commission—and not their own (Luke 2:49). They have laid down and are forsaking their own lives in this fleeting world in their supreme love for Christ Jesus (Acts 20:24). Anyone claiming to be Christ’s and not doing, participating in the Great Commission command … clearly reveals that they are in need of repentance, before it’s too late. Jesus is not their “first love” —which means they are committing spiritual adultery on Christ, the Great and coming Bridegroom (Revelation 2:4-5). Repent and obey Him or perish.

If you are committed to Christ, with no exception, you are committed to studying, knowing, and walking out His Word. You are committed to carrying out the Savior’s Great Commission command.

YOUR PRAYER: Right now dear holy and heavenly Father, please begin a fresh work in this heart. May Your love fill this heart and may You alone be my “first love.” May the love in me for You burn. Let it far exceed all other loves and interests! In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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Dirty Ox Stalls bring Dividends [podcast]

An intriguing proverb that applies directly to our daily lives and the stewardship of the time our LORD has afforded us in this brief life. Gaining traction via the wisdom of our great God and King Jesus Christ. How to avoid spending our lives “spinning our wheels.”

“Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.” Proverbs 14:4

The blessing of a dirty ox stall…. What’s most important to God is productivity, not neatness, not tidy-ness, not a clean stall.

Here’s a proverb from the Holy Spirit and Solomon which breathe wisdom into our lives. Let’s read it again:

“Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.” Proverbs 14:4

The proverbs of the LORD we have in His Word hold hidden meaning which breathe wisdom into our lives.

A proverb is a figure of speech, words that impart truth by using natural illustrations to convey spirit truths.

Jesus taught in parables. Parables are earthly stories with heavenly meaning, divine wisdom to establish us in our relationship with Him as we love, worship and obey the LORD.

This is exactly what we have in Proverbs 14:4, where an ox and his stall are featured in order to convey the divine truth that productivity is more important to God than the pettiness of cleanliness.

The proverbs often use simple images to convey a deeper moral or practical lesson.

Active, working oxen bring dirt and dividends. Clean ox stalls glitter but produce no gold.

When commenting on this proverb, one man said: “Don’t be deterred by the dung.”

Fruitful saints aren’t known by how clean their house is but rather how full, how abundant their treasure in in Heaven (Matthew 6:19-21). Their prayer and work is focused upon pleasing their LORD Jesus and not with how clean their temporal living space looks, by how sparkling clean their life looks to mere sinful men.

One pastor notes the following about the divine truth imparted to us in Proverbs 14:4:

“There are some proverbs that stick in our heads more than others and this is one of them for me. The image is memorable and the lesson is unforgettable. Solomon paints the picture of a barn without oxen and because of no oxen, the stalls are clean and pristine. This is a barn that the perfectionist likes; a barn that can be organized, cleaned and maintained without interruption. This is a barn that the neat freak and the clean freak crave; a barn that they can come into and know that everything is clean and tidy. This is a barn that needs no work. This is a barn that, after working in the field, demands no additional time or effort to clean. This is a barn that needs no attending to after hours. It demands no thought when heading out of town. It never smells. It doesn’t even make a sound. There is no sickness in this barn nor does death ever visit its crib. This is a barn that requires no food or water and as such, it doesn’t require any constant removal of dung. It’s clean and pristine! … While that sounds appealing to the average man or woman, the average farmer doesn’t pursue an empty crib. He knows that the tradeoff is well worth it. It’s the cost of doing business in agriculture. He knows that he could farm his land on his own and that he could produce “some” increase on his own. He knows that he doesn’t need oxen to till the ground, to sow the seed or to harvest the crops but if he’s going to have “MUCH” increase, he needs oxen and there are no oxen that clean up after themselves.”

The mess is worth the money.

The dirt is worth the dividends it brings.

Dirty spaces bring special graces.

The progress and productivity are worth the pile of trash.

Men who are dirty from working all day will go home with fruitfulness for their family. They are satisfied and blessed to do so and so we wake up the next morning and gladly go do the same. The trade off that brings wages is worth it.

This proverb also brings into mind the harvest that can being produced by you alone, in contrast with the harvest produced having others to labor with you to bring forth “much increase.”

Also, by not inviting others to join you in doing our LORD’s work, we deprive them from being blessed to lay up treasure in Heaven as our LORD commanded each of us who His children to do (Matthew 6:19-21).

The following is from Josh Denhart:

“In ministry we think, “If you want a job done right, do it yourself.” You may avoid messes, but you have just stepped into the “Trap of the Clean Stall”.

Proverbs 14:4 reads, “Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox. “

In the ancient agrarian world, animals brought a massive advantage. To have an animal meant you could accomplish so much more. Today we refer to a car as having a certain amount of “horse power”. In times past, an animal brought with it a certain amount of power. Power to increase the harvest and get the job done. Here, the writer of Proverbs is referring to “Ox Power”. The power and advantage is brought through the strength of an ox.

The writer of Proverbs says that it is really a trade off. On one hand you get a significant increase through the strength of an ox, yet with it you get, poop. Yes, good, ol’ fashioned ox poop.

Goal: Huge Harvest

Let’s compare the alternative. You have no oxen, but you have an amazingly clean manger stall.

More harvest with a poopy stall vs. a perfectly clean stall and a diminished harvest.

Our goal is not a clean stall. Our goal is a huge harvest. A natural side effect of a huge harvests are messes. What do you want? Do you crave a super clean stall over a bountiful harvest? Listen, a tidy stall in and of itself is a bad trade for a compromised harvest.

Let me shoot straight with you. I have a well-managed case of OCD. I crave order. If you serve in children’s ministry, you probably do too. I hate disorder. Yet the calling of the harvest trumps our neurotic desire for order.

Do not fall into the trap of the clean stall.

You Can’t Do It Alone

We must define our goal for the harvest over and over! Our goal is reaching the lost through equipping the fold. Our ultimate goal is not order for order sake. Our goal is the good news of Jesus going deep into the hearts and heads of kids, which brings messes. Get used to it. And get over it.

We can have order as we achieve a large harvest, but uncomfort with messes can short circuit great harvests.

Let’s take this proverbial analogy a step further. You as a ministry leader are essentially the farmer. You can’t and don’t want to do it alone. You need help. Those willing to help you from a staff or a volunteer perspective can bring great strength and accomplish more for the harvest than you by yourself. And, yes, I am equating associates and volunteers to oxen.

The Harvest is Plentiful

Oxen and people are living beings. Both bring messes. Farming, like ministry, is just messy. Jesus said He came not for the healthy but for the sick. Sick people vomit physically and emotionally, have issues and need attention. That is our job. Years ago, someone sarcastically said, “Ministry would be great were it not for all these people!”

Listen, if you want order more than you want the harvest, you may find yourself doing it alone. Doing it alone equals to a field white for harvest with no one to get the job done. The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. More workers means more messes. We as farmers must manage the messes and rise above the stall to see the harvest.

Do you want a harvest more than you want order? Absolutely. Therefore, we had better embrace the reality of a poopy stall. Do not fall into the trap of the clean stall.”

One has to roll up his sleeves and get dirty to produce dividends to the glory of the divine.

Ever see construction works at the end of a work day? They are dirty and yet earned dollars, dividends. They will do it the next day also. Why? – because the trade off is productivity, earning that which is desirable.

Lots of work brings movement and a mess.

Lot’s of dirt when you much to diligently do and bring dividends.

A clean workspace brings no coin.

Do you want to work and get dirty, cause a mess, and yet make a profit? Or do you want to keep your place clean with the outcome being no coin?

The blessing of “much increase” comes at the expense of a clean crib, work space. It’s a bless-ed trade-off, right?

Personally, I could care less about a disheveled work place. My goal is to be fruitful, fruit-filled for Christ, bearing – “fruit … more fruit … much fruit.” (John 15)

In your business life, would you rather a disheveled work space and work to do, or a clean work space with no work?

It is better to have dirt to clean up with work that brings wages than to have a clean work place with no work.

Increase in material prosperity, productivity, fruitfulness comes by utilizing the oxen for labor and as a result there will be a mess made. The fruit produced far outweighs having to clean the stall, the work place.

“A barn can be kept cleanly swept where there are no oxen, but isn’t it better to have some dust and dirt around, knowing that the labor of an ox will lead to a bountiful harvest? The rewards of toil more than compensate for its disagreeable aspects.

This proverb is not intended to encourage homes or chapels that look like disaster areas. But it does discourage that passion for order and dustlessness that puts the brakes on progress and productiveness.” Believer’s Bible Commentary

Dust and dirt bring dividends.

Productivity makes for progress.

The grind brings the goods.

Labor brings some loot.

Someone has wisely stated:

“Salons always have hair on the floor.
Garages always have oil on the floor.”

The oxen serve a good purpose and produce productivity.

What is it to have a clean work place? That just means you aren’t being productive, you don’t have work that is bring wages and blessings.

“Straining at a gnat”…. Swallowing a Camel

This idiom Jesus uses means over-emphasizing the minors while under-emphasizing the majors, “the weightier matters of the law.”

Matthew 23

“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

24 Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.

25 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.

26 Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.

27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness.

28 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. “

Martha and Mary – Mary had the Divine Priorities in their Rightful Place

“38 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.
39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.
40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.
41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:
42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”

At His Feet

No, it’s not a sin to keep things clean, to be organized. Yet, at the judgment, Jesus is not going to say “Oh wow, you kept your living and workspace clean! Enter thou into the joy of the LORD.” No, but rather….

“His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” Matthew 25:21

At the coming judgment what we did for His glory, in His holy name, will be rewarded.

Matthew 25

“And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.

34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:

36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?

38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?

39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”

Read John 15 and underline “fruit” and “more fruit” and “much fruit.” “Fruit” emanates from the life that is soundly grounded in an abiding relationship with Jesus Christ.

“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. 17 These things I command you, that ye love one another.” John 15:16-17

Fruitfulness is Found in Abiding in Christ [podcast]

“A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.” Proverbs 28:20 Jesus is the True Vine “I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. 2 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. 3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; […]

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“True Christiany will cost a man favor of the world. He must be content to be thought ill of by man if he pleases God. He must count it no strange thing to be mocked, ridiculed, slandered, persecuted and even hated.” -J.C.Ryle If you don’t have people leaving you due to what you’re preaching, you’re not preaching the Gospel Christ’s preached. “From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.” John 6:66 Ministry work always comes with “much contention.” There is a devil and he has human agents. Jesus will settle every score, will balance […]

Abiding

Top 12 Missing Essential Doctrines in the Modern Church World! [podcast]

DOES THIS SOUND LIKE YOUR “CHURCH” OR FAVORITE PREACHER? It’s real simple… if they are not preaching the cardinal doctrines of the original Gospel given to us in the New Testament, they are preaching “another gospel” and are “accursed.” (Galatians 1:6-9).

“For MANY DECEIVERS ARE ENTERED INTO THE WORLD, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. 8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. 9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. 10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: 11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.” 2 John 1:7-11

Modern church wolves refuse to preach the original Gospel of Jesus Christ from the pages of Holy Scripture and in the power of the Holy Ghost. No, instead they preach sermonettes that cater to the self-worshiping idolaters they entertain and collect money from (2 Timothy 3:1-7). They don’t even use the King James Bible but rather some cheap counterfeit. Their ear-tickling topics range from healing damaged emotions, 5 love languages, best life now, recovery, learning to love yourSELF, coping platitudes, loneliness, psychobabble band aids, law of attraction, being a successful single, purpose driven delusionment, etc.

Fake “bibles” Exposed

LOTS of lying going on when we have counterfeits peddling affirmation without salvation, the “promise” of things “getting better” when their prey are heading straight to hell. Especially certain social media platforms are flooded with this false gospel coming out of “Christians.” There is no sin or repentance in their message which alone identifies it as a false gospel. You see, the things that are happening to the sinners around us are allowed by God in order to lead them to repentance and yet, the counterfeits among us are assuring those sinners it’s all going to get better and never giving them the 10 Commandments to show them they are sinners (Galatians 3:24) and then, leading them to Jesus (Romans 10:9-10, 13, etc.). 10 Commandments Evangelism

In the modern church world, there is …..

No cross. No Jesus. No blood. No judgment. No sin. No repentance. No hell. No readiness for the soon return of Jesus. No Heaven. No equipping preparation for ministry. No Scripture memory. No holiness. No Messianic prophecies and their fulfillment. No Christology. No fear of God. No repentance. etc., all of which are Bible doctrines essential to salvation and/or essential to sound foundation in Christ and are missing in the modern church world.

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15

The only reason we, each of us has been deceived in the past is due to our own biblical ignorance (Proverbs 24:5; Hosea 4:6; 2 Timothy 2:15). Lacking the knowledge of the Word, we didn’t see what they were LEAVING OUT. We didn’t know to discern what they were teaching and what they were NOT teaching. Now, as we grow in the knowledge of the LORD through diligent daily study of His Word, we know to look for the cardinal doctrines of the Christian faith.

THE TOP ESSENTIAL BIBLICAL DOCTRINES NEVER HEARD IN THE APOSTATE MODERN CHURCH WORLD!

The divinity of Jesus Christ (John 1:1-4, 14; 1 Timothy 3:16). | Jesus Christ is God
The virgin birth of the only begotten Son of God (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23). | The Virgin Birth of Jesus
The essential precious blood of Jesus Christ (Matthew 26:28; Hebrews 9:22; 1 Peter 1:18-19). | The Blood
The inherent fallen nature of mankind (Genesis 6:5, 12; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 7:18). | Fallen, Sinful Man
Worshipping God not idols (Exodus 20:3-5). | Idolatry
The essential doctrine and necessity of repentance (Luke 13:3). | Repentance
The Return of Christ and being ready for it (Luke 12:40; 21:34-36). | The Return
Who Jesus is returning for and who will be shut out of His eternal kingdom (Matthew 25:1-13; Ephesians 5:25-27). | Ready for Christ’s Return
The essential of enduring to the end to be with Christ eternally, initial and final salvation (Matthew 10:22; 24:13; Hebrews 3:6, 12-15; 10:26-30; Revelation 2:26). | Enduring to the End
The essential daily cross, the crucified life, which Jesus required in following Him (Luke 9:23-24). | Living the Crucified Life
Forgiving all others from the heart (Matthew 18:21-35). | Forgiveness
Walking in God’s love (Ephesians 5:1). | The Love Walk
Holiness – including the necessity of personal holiness (Hebrews 12:14; 1 Peter 1:15-16). | Holiness
Judgment (Psalms 9:15-17). | Judgment
Hell (Matthew 8:12; Mark 3:29; Luke 16:19-31). | Hell
Fearing God (Psalms 2:11; Luke 12:4-5). | Fearing God

When’s the last time you heard verses like this in the modern church?

“So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:33

“Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.” Luke 17:33

The modern church is going down in flames into the flames of hell. It cannot be reformed. Come out from it.

“And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.” Revelation 18:4

In 2 Timothy 4:3 to “endure sound doctrine” means to hold oneself accountable to it. WHAT’s at the root of those who refuse to “endure sound doctrine”? – They simply do not love Jesus like He commanded them to (Matthew 22:37-39). They profess Christ as Savior and yet love self supremely and therefore serve the god of self. The Holy Ghost through Paul told us this of those who have a mere “form of godliness” in the last day resumé found in 2 Timothy 3:1-7.

Notice by divine design the very first thing he reveals is that “men shall be lovers of their own selves.” All the following evil comes out of self love, refusal to love God supremely and therefore repent, deny self, take up the cross and follow Jesus:

“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 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.” 2 Timothy 3:1-7

God is toppling all the heart idols (Ezekiel 14:3)… because He’s Jealous and wants us looking to Him and not these mere men, these vile wolves, these celebrity sinners posing as His representatives (Exodus 34:14).

“For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God:” Exodus 34:14

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So you are listening to some slick talker preach and yet he’s not using the essential BIBLE doctrinal words like hell, repentance, holiness, the cross, the blood of Jesus, the return of Christ, etc? Repent and RUN! DOES THIS SOUND LIKE YOUR “CHURCH” OR FAVORITE PREACHER? It’s real simple… if they are not preaching the cardinal doctrines of the original Gospel given to us in the New Testament, they are preaching “another gospel” and are “accursed.” (Galatians 1:6-9). Fresh Start with God | Backsliding | Modern Church | Eternal Security Exposed | Fake Bibles Exposed | Ready for the Return […]

The Lust of the Flesh, and the Lust of the Eyes, and the Pride of Life [podcast]

Jesus Christ is our promised land, NOT getting that house or spouse we lusted after…. or that education, job, or money we sinfully greedily, coveted after. “Thou shalt not covet …” “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s.” Exodus 20:17 IF you are still trusting the world’s system, your “insurance”, your financial investment, etc., today is your day to repent and be saved (Matthew 6:24). You are as sure for the bowels […]

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