
What Does it Mean to be a New Creature in Christ?
THE LORD JESUS brought my wicked soul into His family because the witness of His people was overwhelmingly loving and filled with joy and peace – something I never witnessed in the Roman cult or anywhere else in this fallen world. In my heart I longed for what they had. There was no doubt that it was God! Jesus Christ is KING – always has been, always will be! – “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace…” (Galatians 5:22-23).
“For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: 9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) 10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.” Ephesians 5:8-10
Making Peace with God Now – before it’s too late.
“Born again” (John 3:3, 7), “born of God” (1 John 4:7), “regeneration,” and being a “new creature” in Christ go hand in hand or we can say are synonymous.
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;” 2 Corinthians 5:17-18
Though it be true that we were “in times past sinners,” we who have been born again are saved by grace. As such we are “his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works.”
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:8-10
And, in such a glorious salvation, we are no longer sinners but rather Christ’s saints. We are no longer under the power of sin, no longer regulated to lawlessness but rather now regenerated, saved by grace, made new creatures in Christ and given power over sin that “we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world” (Romans 6:14, 17, 22; 2 Corinthians 5:17-18; Titus 2:11-14, etc.). Being saved by Christ, by His grace, we are “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:11-14). This “so great salvation,” when possessed, will produce the fruit of holiness and “everlasting life” (Romans 6:22; Hebrews 2:3).
“For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. … But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.” Romans 6:14, 22
Titus 2:11-14
“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”
Ephesians 2:1-10
This passage is contrasting our old life in sin to our new life in Christ!
“And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7 that in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”
God intends to continue His good work in those He has saved and yet will not do so against the free will He gave to every person.
“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:” Philippians 1:6
God is presently working in the lives of those He’s saved into His kingdom. They must walk out, they must “work out” this so great salvation of Christ – a freedom to choose He never retracts.
“Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” Philippians 2:12-13
God is bringing to perfection that which He began in each of His saints. This will culminate in eternal glory – never ending joy! See Revelation 21.
“But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9
Those whom Jesus saves must “endure to the end” of their lives with Him. The Bible repeatedly teaches initial and final salvation (1 Peter 1:9, etc.). The apostate modern church world is filled with false teachers who teach that salvation is a “one and done” event. Yet the whole counsel of God’s Word teaches that initial salvation is God bringing us into His kingdom and yet we must continue with Him – on His stated terms – to receive final salvation (Hebrews 3:6, 12-14; 10:26-39, 2 Peter 2:20-22, etc.). Jesus warns His very own:
“And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.” Matthew 10:22
The overwhelming majority of ministries today will not mention this biblical truth to you because they are tickling your ear while leading you into lukewarmness and eternal damnation – all while pretending to represent Christ. Beware. See 2 Timothy 4:2-4 and Revelation 3:15-16.
Jesus says to His people:
“And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. 11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. 12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. 13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” Matthew 24:10-13
Those whom Jesus saves who then don’t “abide” or remain with and continue in Christ, will be “cast … into the fire.”
“If a man abide (remain) not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.” John 15:6
“For Ye are Bought with a Price”
Upon being born of God, the miracle of regeneration whereby God makes us His “new creature” in Christ, we immediately become the temple or dwelling place of His Holy Spirit.
“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
Jesus came and died to save His people to Himself and the Father and therefore our “reasonable” response is to present our bodies to Him as a “living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God.”
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” Romans 12:1
Jesus “died for all” and those who’ve appropriated His salvation by responding repentance and faith to His drawing and conviction, are to live for Him, not themselves (Acts 20:21).
“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
Here’s proof that God’s people must be who HE created us to be, as new creatures. God will use every bit of it! Boom Jesus!
“Jesus brought me to a house where they were all praying in the name of Jesus. At first It freaked me out because I had never heard anybody praying like this. But all of sudden, I knelt down and said I don’t know what you guys have but I want it.” Karen Cochran
One commentator states:
“The new creature is described in 2 Corinthians 5:17: “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” The word “therefore” refers us back to verses 14-16 where Paul tells us that all believers have died with Christ and no longer live for themselves. Our lives are no longer worldly; they are now spiritual. Our “death” is that of the old sin nature which was nailed to the cross with Christ. It was buried with Him, and just as He was raised up by the Father, so are we raised up to “walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4). That new person that was raised up is what Paul refers to in 2 Corinthians 5:17 as the “new creature.”
To understand the new creation, first we must grasp that it is in fact a creation, something created by God. John 1:13 tells us that this new birth was brought about by the will of God. We did not inherit the new nature from our parents or decide to re-create ourselves anew. Neither did God simply clean up our old nature; He created something entirely fresh and unique. The new creation is completely new, brought about from nothing, just as the whole universe was created by God ex nihilo, from nothing. Only the Creator could accomplish such a feat.
Second, “old things are passed away.” The “old” refers to everything that is part of our old nature—natural pride, love of sin, reliance on works, and our former opinions, habits and passions. Most significantly, what we loved has passed away, especially the supreme love of self and with it self-righteousness, self-promotion, and self-justification. The new creature looks outwardly toward Christ instead of inwardly toward self. The old things died, nailed to the cross with our sin nature.
Along with the old passing away, “all things are become new.” Old, dead things are replaced with new things, full of life and the glory of God. The newborn soul delights in the things of God and abhors the things of the world and the flesh. Our purposes, feelings, desires, and understandings are fresh and different. We see the world differently. The Bible seems to be a new book, and though we may have read it before, there is a beauty about it which we never saw before, and which we wonder at not having perceived. The whole face of nature seems to us to be changed, and we seem to be in a new world. The heavens and the earth are filled with new wonders, and all things seem now to speak forth the praise of God. There are new feelings toward all people—a new kind of love toward family and friends, a new compassion never before felt for enemies, and a new love for all mankind. The things we once loved, we now detest. The sin we once held onto, we now desire to put away forever. We “have put off the old man with his deeds” (Colossians 3:9), and “put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness” (Ephesians 4:24).
What about the Christian who continues to sin? There is a difference between continuing to sin and continuing to live in sin. No one reaches sinless perfection in this life, but the redeemed Christian is being sanctified (made holy) day by day, sinning less and hating it more each time he fails. Yes, we still sin, but unwillingly and less and less frequently as we mature. The new creature hates the sin that still has a hold on us. The difference is that the new creation is no longer a slave to sin, as we formerly were. We are now freed from sin and it no longer has power over us (Romans 6:6-7). And “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). Now we are empowered by and for righteousness. We now have the choice to either let sin reign or to count ourselves “dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:11-12). Best of all, now we have the power to choose the latter.
The new creation is a wondrous thing, formed in the mind of God and created by His power and for His glory.”
PRAYER: Father thank You for finding and saving me by the precious blood of Jesus. I come in His holy name and ask You to do Your deeper work in me. Please continue the good work You began in this life and work in me both to will and to do of Your good pleasure. Amen
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Articles
Mission Mexico Part 23

Just handed a tract to a man named Ruben. He said “Thank you. I’ve been searching and was thinking of visiting the JW (Jehovah Witness) church near me. Thank you.” Ruben said. Then a conversation ensued. He was informed that that JW and Mormons are cults. Ruben was given the law to convict and saving Gospel and exhorted to pray in repentance today and receive Jesus for the remission of his sins. He was told by way of testimony and the Word that Jesus us exactly Who he was looking for.
We exchanged numbers and will be meeting again soon. Please pray for this man. He’s in ripe mode if you will….. ready to repent and receive Jesus, Heaven’s Treasure, Salvation! Would you like to pause and lift Ruben in prayer?
*** Saints, as your brother in Christ, let me encourage you to dare pray something like this today if you are inclined: “Dear LORD, I am all Yours. You created me. You came and died for me. I am Yours. Please put me on Your planet, just exactly where You want me, and use me dear LORD! In Jesus’ name. Amen.”
Could the LORD be shaking off the dust of His holy feet against America?
“And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.” Matthew 10:14
Saints the JW and Mormon cults are here in Mexico. There are few if any Christian missionaries. – “The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;”
“And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. 36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. 37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; 38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.” Matthew 9:35-38
I don’t believe any American would regret moving to this great country. The peace and tranquility are off the charts. If you need someone to talk to, let me know.
One thing is certain, you will be immediately spoiled by the preciousness of the Mexican people and their acceptance of the message of Christ! You will minister to no one who won’t say “gracias.”
Are you printing out your supply of JESUS tracts to pass out daily? Never leave home without your supply of the Gospel of Jesus to share with others. Download Jesus tract PDF with one click here – English and Spanish
Francisco repented and received Jesus! As our LORD would have it, our paths crossed by divine ordination. Francisco was preached to and gladly received a Jesus tract. Upon showing him the prayer of repentance and faith on the back, he immediately raised his hands to pray. It caught me off guard, in a good way, and so he was instructed to pray in repentance and faith… as he was led, and he did. Out loud, acknowledging that he has sinned against God and then calling on our LORD Jesus to forgive, save, wash away his sin.
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. … 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:9-13
Beloved Francisco was showed and encouraged to download the Reina Valera Spanish Bible onto his devices and wake up to seeking God in His Word and prayer first thing each morning (Matthew 6:33). He was given the idea also of reading the Proverb of the day each morning.
This continues to happen here with these precious people. They are so hungry for Christ and only need someone to show, to lead them to Him. Several times when instructed to go home and pray in repentance and faith, they overtly lift their hands and hearts and begin praying right on the spot – which demonstrates that they’d been waiting eagerly to hear the message of Christ’s Gospel!
“HOW shall they hear without a preacher?” Romans 10:14
Ensuing his repentance toward God and faith toward our LORD Jesus (Acts 20:21), the discipleship began. We’ve already been communicating and he’s got the Born Again book in Spanish with 3 more of the ministry books which will be sent to him this week.
As you can imagine, there is no shortage of great food in Mexico.
“As you guys look the harvest is plenteous (Matthew 9:37)and the fields are ready for the harvest! Your wages are the joy of gathering the fruit unto enteral life. John 4:35-36. And we as fellowhelpers rejoice with you. As His truth is being spread aboard into the hearts of the Dear people of Mexico! We are team Jesus! Appreciate all the pictures and stories of the many who are receiving with meekness the engraved word of the Lord! Hallelujah! Bless you and Justin.” Tom and Karen Cochran
Brother Justin and I were able to minister our LORD’s Word to several people this evening. Justin was elated to see the interaction, the response of these amazing people of Mexico. Here’s one of the beloved people who received a thorough preaching of the Word of Jesus Christ. HIS Word was 100% received. As usual each person is instructed to go home and pray the prayer on the back of the JESUS tract and repent, receive Jesus, and let Him wash you clean in His precious blood. Boom. 1 Cor 3:9 When asked if he wished for Christians in the United States to pray for him, Manuel was happy to know you will pause to lift him in prayer.
Brother in Christ Vicente contacted me today to try to help this young man. Please pray for beloved Dario. We know God has a plan. Hopefully I can meet him soon and lead him to our LORD Jesus, if he’s not yet saved.
Thank you for lifting Dario in prayer.
Remember Jesus taught us the prayer power is in His holy name – JESUS CHRIST – and not how long or emotional we get in prayer (John 14:13-14; 16:23-24). Just ask Him (Matthew 7:7).
The people of Mexico are so sincere, earnest, meek, and diligent. He’s growing up, in transition and God will hear the prayers of His saints in Jesus’ name for this man. God is able!!!
“And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.” Mark 10:27
TODAY, a man named David was ministered to and was captivated by Christ. He couldn’t stop reading and even praying aloud the prayer on the back of the Jesus tract. Would you like to lift beloved David in prayer? I will see him soon. He owns a store. Jesus is moving on the hearts of men. He’s not willing that any should perish (2 Peter 3:9).
“And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.” John 12:32
Our LORD Jesus was lifted up on the cross, crucified between the holy Father in Heaven and fallen mankind on earth – in order to “draw all men” to Himself to be saved.
Neighborhood bodega (store).
Mission Mexico
https://safeguardyoursoul.com/mexico-mission/
God is moving on the hearts of men, saving souls…. and using His people’s prayers and labor…. “WE are labourers TOGETHER (plural) with God.” 1 Corinthians 3:9
SAINTS of Christ, we are Team JESUS. And remember that your prayers and supply are just as powerful, effectual for Christ as those, boots on the ground, are giving out God’s love in the form of those Gospel tracts and food, assistance, the spoken WORD of God, etc. 100% acceptance down here!
“WE (plural) are labourerS TOGETHER with God.” 1 Corinthians 3:9
Jesus is coming – Let’s roll saints!
WE, TOGETHER, are continuing what Jesus started, right? Check this Great Commission action of our KING:
“And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. 36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. 37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; 38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.” Matthew 9:35-38
If you are not personally involved in the Great Commission it could only be due to you not yet knowing the One who gave that mandate.
Jesus sent you on a mission and if you are not fulfilling that mission with the other members of the “little flock” of Christ, you are out of God’s will and have rejected Christ (Luke 12:32). To reject, to refuse to fulfill Christ’s commands, including His Great Commission command, is to openly reject Christ.
OUR LORD IS HEARING AND ANSWERING THE PRAYERS OF HIS BELOVED SAINTS IN THE NAME OF JESUS!
THIS JUST IN: “He never fails” says our brother Justin who is Australian and was saved here on the street in Mexico. Justin was recently water baptized you may recall with brother Daniel. You’ve lifted him prayer and he continues to grow!!
“And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith. ” Luke 17:5
Justin is experiencing the bless-ed hand of God as he continues to grow in grace and in the knowledge of Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18).
Thank you for lifting brother Justin in prayer afresh.
Let’s not wait till there’s a crisis, right? Why not pray that our LORD will propel those of His whom we pray for to deep death and burial and therefore great resurrection heights!
IN MEXICO, the people are more interested in pleasing you than they are that you pay them. For example at restaurants …. They are more interested in making you happy with their delicious food and hospitality, etc. They will not bring your check until you ask for it, with no exception. Their joy is to make you happy, to delight you. Refreshing.
Read Acts 2:44-45 and 4:32-35 to see what happens when people truly get saved.
YOUR PRAYER: Father, please make my life count for You! In Jesus’ name. Amen.
“Thank you Lord for all you are doing in Mexico among the people! We give you all glory, honor and praise!” Karen Cochran
Any person not living a Great Commission life, is living a wasted life. They are out of the will of God. They are doing their own thing and not God’s will.
Read that again.
“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
Maria received ministry today and took a stack of JESUS tracts to pass out. She was blessed to know that disciples of Christ in the USA would be pausing to lift her in prayer.
The only “building fund” I will ever give to is that which is building Christ’s kingdom. Everything else is waste. Let that sink in. Consider jumping in – funding Christ’s kingdom work (Matthew 6:19-21; 2 Corinthians 9:6-11).
IF you aren’t all about Christ’s Gospel, you are living a wasted life. Mk 16:15
YOUR PRAYER: LORD, break and use me! In Jesus’ name.
Jesus and his friend had our LORD’s Gospel of salvation thoroughly preached them and given some coin and a JESUS tract. They were both captivated at the hearing of God’s Word.
Your prayers are vital. God is answering. Philippians 1:19
Jesus’ name amen. I actually set google map to go to a completely different store and it took me to this one! God is in control!
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Abiding
Hostile Watching vs Grounded Readiness for Christ’s Return [podcast]

So let me get this straight…. we are frantic about the timing of the most anticipated event in human history, the return of Heaven’s King …. yet we don’t love that coming King enough to diligently seek His face and be preoccupied, consumed with serving Him – as we obey Him by daily denying self, taking up the cross, worshipping and executing His Great Commission mandate that He gave us? If this is the case, does it not prove that we are all about ourselves and not the LORD we feign to follow – as in we don’t truly love Him but rather seek to self-preservingly keep ourselves out of hell?
“And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, WHEN the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation (hostile watching): 21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.” Luke 17:20-21
Are we frantic about the WHEN and not fervent about seeking, knowing, worshipping, and obeying the WHO? Should we be crying “WHEN?!” OR “WHAT do You want me to do LORD, HOW do You want to use me?!”
The Coming of the Kingdom
“And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, WHEN the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:
21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.
22 And he said unto the disciples, The days will come, when ye shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and ye shall not see it.
23 And they shall say to you, See here; or, see there: go not after them, nor follow them.
24 For as the lightning, that lighteneth out of the one part under heaven, shineth unto the other part under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in his day.”
In this passage it seems to fit that “observation” refers to hostile, anxious watching. Notice the setting. The Pharisee enemies are demanding “WHEN the kingdom of God should come.” Jesus then answers them and seems to communicate that we are not to seek to determine by physical evidence “WHEN” He’s returning and that “the kingdom of God is within you.” (v21)
Of Jesus’s words in Luke 17:20, the Pulpit commentary notes:
“The kingdom of God cometh not with observation. This answer of our Lord’s may be paraphrased: “The kingdom of God cometh not in conjunction with such observation and watching for external glorious things as now exist among you here. Lo, it will burst upon you suddenly, unawares.” The English word “observation” answers to the signification of the Greek as meaning a singularly anxious watching.”
Our preoccupation should not be with the timing, the exact day or hour of His coming but rather in knowing Him, being rooted and grounded in our abiding relationship with the Savior. Living in readiness (Luke 12:40; 21:34-36). Our relationship with Him, moment by moment is what is most important and determines our present abiding fruitfulness (John 15:1-16) and future place with our coming King.
“Help me Jesus to keep my eye on the prize. You are my exceedingly great reward! And there is none upon the earth I desire more than thee. Those that are yours are preparing their hearts to be with you in glory for ever and ever! Behold Lord you are the God of our salvation!” Karen Cochran
Jesus came and died to give us a relationship with the Father and Himself.
“And this is life eternal (the whole divine reason for it), that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” John 17:3
We must let God be God, letting Him determine the orchestrating and timing of His coming and rather be preoccupied with seeking, loving, knowing, and obeying our coming King.
“That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;” Philippians 3:10
When lightening strikes “EVERY EYE” sees it (Revelation 1:7). Speaks of … He is coming with such force that lights of the whole sky escapes no one. So shall it be when the Author of lightening splits the eastern sky beloved! When Jesus Christ splits the eastern sky no one will miss it.
“For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened. 23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. 25 Behold, I have told you before. 26 Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not. 27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” Matthew 24:21-27
God knows and is in control of the end of all things, the return of the Son of God.
“But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.” Matthew 24:36
We need not run around frantically looking for the coming of the KING and His kingdom because “the kingdom of God is within you.” The domain of the KING is in us—KING-dom! That’s what it means.
The preoccupation of the Heaven bound saint of Christ should be his relationship with King Jesus.
“Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.” Luke 12:40
Some people are so busy trying to figure out exactly when Jesus is coming back and how the end time events are going to unfold that they aren’t preparing themselves to meet Him! They live in unwarranted anxiety, in hostile watching instead of settling down to know Him and therefore they aren’t ready to meet Jesus nor helping others to be prepared for the soon return of Christ. Fruitfulness comes from an abiding relationship with Christ.
Living in hostility, anxiety and fear destroys present abiding and fruitfulness. Many today jump from one end times ministry to another, fueling their anxiety with speculations. They are perpetually incapacitated from the daily abiding and fruitfulness Jesus ordains (John 15:1-16).
I’ve seen many who spend more time worrying, monitoring and trying in vain to determine what month or day Jesus would return. It seems that those same people are not fervently seeking the face of the LORD, are not evangelizing, do not have their hand to the plow of the Great Commission work of Christ. Rather they are foolishly seeking to play God by frantically attempting to figure out the exact or approximate timing of Jesus’ second coming. And yet they don’t have an heart after God and are therefore not ready for when Jesus returns (Matthew 26:41; Luke 12:40; Ephesians 5:25-27).
God is calling us to settle down and seek His face.
“Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.” 1 Chronicles 16:11
“My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.” Psalms 63:8
God is calling us to be anchored in Christ, our “blessed hope.” Titus 2:13
Titus 2 seems to be speaking of our lives, our spiritual state in light of Jesus’ coming.
“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. 15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.” Titus 2:11-15
Hope in Christ, as we truly abide in Him, in the crucified life He ordained, is the “anchor of the soul” of the remnant disciple.
“Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;” Hebrews 6:19
“Love this podcast! And the word you used was hysteria. That is exactly what I am seeing. Many want to escape the tribulation out of fear! So if they can somehow figure out when Jesus is coming then maybe they will be able to escape the difficult times ahead! But we know the Bible says we must go through much tribulation to enter the kingdom of heaven. Acts 14:22. So there is no escape. Our job is to continue in the faith, eye on the prize which is Jesus! Always keeping in view the Kingdom of God. Like the 5 wise virgins.” Karen Cochran
The reason people live in fear is that they don’t have the love of God in them, through oneness with, through abiding relationship with Christ, which otherwise cast out all fear.
“And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. 17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.” 1 John 4:16-18
Prayer: Father, please ground me in You, establish Your kingdom and fruitfulness in my life. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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Articles
Stripped and Sanctified with Travis Bryan III [podcast]

“See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.” Jeremiah 1:10
“God allowed Job to be stripped. And I was also thinking of Jer 1:10. God uses what Satan meant to harm us for His good. Providence. Romans 8:28. As we know he did in Joseph’s life. I could be wrong but in this title is satan getting credit for stripping us?” Karen Cochran
Why Did God allow Job to Suffer, to be Tested?
Job’s Suffering, Testing
“The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth.” Psalms 11:5
The accuser of the brethren claimed that Job only loved and served God for what blessings God brought upon him – for selfish reasons.
“Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? 10 Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. 11 But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.” Job 1:9-11
“Job 1:11
a [put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath]
God’s Role in Affliction and Destruction
When Satan suggested that God put forth His hand and touch Job’s possessions, it was really a suggestion that God withdraw His hand of protection so Satan could destroy Job’s property (Job_1:11-12). Satan and evil forces are the agents of destruction, not God. The only sense in which God destroys is to withhold His protection and thereby turn an individual over to the devil to carry out his work upon that person. This truth is plainly demonstrated in the case of Job. Who was it that destroyed (Job_1:12-19) and afflicted the body (Job_2:7) when God permitted it to be done? The answer is Satan, and this will always be the case in instances of affliction and destruction (Luk_13:16; Jhn_10:10; Act_10:38). Satan brings about the actual happenings of accidents, sickness, disease, and calamity, then causes men to think that God brings these things to pass. Thus, He is blamed erroneously for the work of the devil by millions, even Christians who should know better. Permission by God is never the same as the work of Satan after permission is granted him: withdrawing protection and allowing another to destroy is not the same as the destruction itself. God’s work is that of deliverance; Satan’s is that of destruction (Jhn_10:10; Act_10:38).
b [he will curse thee to thy face] Satan’s theory was that no man serves God without personal material gain. If He withheld such blessings, any man would automatically curse and hate Him. This, of course, is not true, for millions have loved and served God without material gain.” Dake
“Job 1:6-12
B. Scene II: Heaven—The Lord’s Presence (1:6-12)
As the story unfolds we are told of a scene in heaven when the sons of God (angels) appeared before the LORD. Satan (the word is Hebrew for Accuser) also was present. When God spoke to Satan concerning the uprightness of His servant Job, Satan implied that the only reason Job feared God was that He had been so good to him. According to Satan, if the Lord had not put a protective hedge around Job, then he would have cursed his Creator to His face.” Believer’s Bible Commentary
Hebrews 12:5-12
“5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:
6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?
10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.
11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
12 Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;”
We must ask “Who am I when everything has been stripped, taken from me?” Job 1:21; 13:15
TODAY, in the crucified life, the mind of Christ, we worship God and serve others.
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