WHAT Happened to the Cross?

Paula White Exposed [video]

THAT’s My King! Pastor Lockridge [video]

Powerful Prayers from Children-This Will Shake You [video]

The Fear of the LORD is to Hate Evil: Pride, and Arrogancy #shorts [video]

Going to Church – Never Hearing Christ’s Cross Message

Beloved, where O where is the message of the cross that Christ and His holy apostles taught as an essential component of the original Gospel?

The offense of the cross is gone, vanquished from the midst of that which claims to be Christ’s church. Instead of “holding forth the word of life,” and “striving together for the faith of the gospel,” self-serving moral cowards have replaced the message of the cross with entertainment and ear-tickling messages that pander to the selfish, sinful, and base nature of unregenerate men (2 Timothy 4:2-4). The message of Christ’s propitiatory cross (where His redeeming blood was shed) is absent from most messages and local churches. These “enemies of the cross of Christ” have also denied Him in refusing to peach the daily cross He commanded must be taken up if one will truly know and follow Him (Matthew 16:24-25; Luke 9:23-24; John 12:24-25; Philippians 3:18-19).

The daily cross Jesus taught, the crucified life, is a non-negotiable and essential component and command of the original Gospel.

These essential and core Gospel doctrines have been replaced with messages about how to become financially rich, how to cope, how to be a better husband or wife, better parenting, how to be happy in this fleeting life, etc. (Philippians 2:16). The message we see today, that has replaced the Gospel of Christ’s cross, was long ago foretold (1 Timothy 4:1-3; 2 Timothy 3:1-7). This soul damning message is all about self and serving the god of self and sacrificing Christ on the altar of that which pleases self. But the LORD’s apostle Paul spoke of much different things to the body of Christ as we abide in Christ in this brief journey on earth (Hebrews 13:14). Paul speaks to us about standing fast in the unity of the Spirit and the faith – in the original Gospel – and enduring persecution and suffering.

“Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; 28 And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God. 29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; 30 Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.” Philippians 1:27-30

MESSAGE RECEIVED:

“What a shocker to learn there is no good thing in me! But I was always seeking a deeper relationship with Jesus. I just didn’t understand dying to self was how I would find that relationship I was seeking. I am grateful to Him for showing me your ministry and for showing me what a wretched person I am. If I didn’t truly see the truth of my heart I would not have a deeper and richer relationship with Jesus. I desire that more than anything in my life! More of Jesus and less of me!” Karen

REPLY:

Definitely sister….. and oh what a relief it is when we can just be shown, admit, and realize that we are nothing and He is our everything! Whew! Then we begin to cease trying to be something we are not and allow Him to be our righteousness, our life, our peace, the One who resurrects us up out of that death and burial posture right boom.

Regrettably, many are indoctrinated to believe that going to their “church” equals fellowship. But honest Bible students know that the cross message, central, inseparable from the original Gospel, is nearly if ever taught or even mentioned in the vast majority of apostate local churches. Such was foretold (2 Timothy 3:1-7, 13; 4:2-4, etc.).

After church goers boast about their “church” or “pastor,” I usually ask them if they can explain and are they walking in the daily cross, the crucified life. Silence. Then I ask them how many Scriptures they are learning, memorizing from the King James Bible. “Are you anointed and overflowing with the Holy Ghost?” Dead silence. The simple fact that they are not being equipped but rather exploited is clear proof of epidemic apostasy in that which calls itself the “church.”

Many go to church, few go to Christ and obey Him by going to the cross with Him (Romans 6; Galatians 2:20). Therefore, in the end, so very many go to hell instead of Heaven – all while being convinced they are saved. Read the future scene in Matthew 7:21-23 and 25:40-46. “Depart from me” is coming. | Will You Hear “Well Done” or “Depart from Me”? [podcast]

God never told you to “go to church” but rather commanded that you repent and go to the cross – to deny yourself daily and follow Christ (Luke 9:23-24).

Most will go to a “church” and become part of that social club but “few” will go to the cross – live the crucified – life (Matthew 7:13-14). And there you have the Heaven bound remnant which Jesus says will be “few.”

The prophet Isaiah described the “remnant” as those in Christ’s cross…. taking root downward (death and burial) and bearing fruit upward (resurrection)!

Isaiah 37:31
“And the remnant that is escaped of the house of Judah shall again take root downward, and bear fruit upward:”

Perhaps “escaped of the house of Judah” speaks of escaping Babylon, escaping the false church, the “many false prophets,” the mere false prophets and false professors – as in “Come out of her my people…” (Matthew 7:15; 24:11; Revelation 18:4 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1).

“I would rather go to the cross of Christ where Jesus is than go to church where you wonder where Jesus is.” Karen Cochran

Anyone not learning the cross – to be “crucified with Christ” – has fallen away, is in darkness, is being misled.

Jesus did not come and die to forgive our sins so that we could go back and live in them. He died to “taketh away the sins of the world” (Matthew 1:21; John 1:29), to separate us to Himself and away from, free from living in sin. Prayerfully read Romans 6 each morning this week.

“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” Romans 6:1-2

And in the ensuing verses, the Holy Spirit in Paul reveals that it’s the crucified life – to be dead and buried with Christ – that ensures God’s victory over all sin!

Jesus did not die to give His people a license for sin. Such is the teaching of “ungodly men” who are “turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ” (Jude 4).

YOU and I can’t win with God unless we do it HIS way beloved. Die. Now (Colossians 3:3). Depart from the frauds who have refused to preach the cross – the crucified life. And ask God to forgive you for patronizing, for bidding Godspeed to those “enemies of the cross of Christ” (Philippians 3:3, 18-19; 2 John 10-11). You are guilty of funding the enemies of Christ. Grave sin.

Sometimes we just have to camp out in Psalm 51, crying out to the LORD till He delivers us (Proverbs 28:13; 1 John 1-3). You MUST “fight the good fight of faith” (1 Timothy 6:12; 2 Timothy 4:7). Never back off, never cower. Just die, lay down your life – death and burial – and Christ will raise you up in His victory (2 Corinthians 4:10-12).

WHERE O WHERE is the cross in the modern church? WHERE? It’s up to you and me to preach it saints!

You cannot claim to be “led by the Spirit” and not live and preach the cross!

IF you’re not doing your life God’s way – the cross, the crucified life – you will not make it. Either die the death or get ready to suffer the vengeance of eternal fire with all other rebels. You are of the pitifully foolish priesthood of Cain, of Saul, of Judas, and every other betrayer of the Son of God. Repent now. Lay down your life and follow Jesus. Or perish.

“The love of many” is waxing cold already due to iniquity abounding (Matthew 24:10-13). And things haven’t even gotten started in this sprint to the finish, in this wrapping up of all things, and we already have people falling out, falling away. And it’s because they’ve been doing their own thing and not God’s – which is the cross, the crucified life. These are the patronizers of the “MANY false prophets” Jesus warned us about (Matthew 7:15; 24:11; 1 John 4:1, etc.).

“The Mind of Christ” is the Cross of Christ! Read Philippians 2.

It’s one thing to speak of the biblical reality, the absolute necessity of personal holiness, and yet we must give our hearers the divine solution which is Christ, the cross!

“Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that THROUGH DEATH he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;” Hebrews 2:14

There is no conquering without dying! Jesus conquered sin, death, hell, and the grave by dying. It was only then that the Father raised the Son of God from the dead! No grave could hold Christ from being raised and no man or devil or power can hold down the dead and buried disciple from being gloriously resurrected in and by the power of God!

“The enemy thought that the cross would bring death to Jesus and God’s kingdom. But, it was actually the power of God to destroy his (Satan’s) kingdom and set the prisoners free in Christ. Hallelujah! The cross is the gospel working in the lives of the redeemed! Rom. 1:16” Jon Crane

“Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.” 1 Corinthians 2:8

“Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; 15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” Hebrews 2:14-15

“And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:” Romans 1:4

God will not raise up anyone who is not dead and buried with Christ (Romans 6).

“But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.” Romans 8:11

Holiness is not manufactured, is not achieved in the flesh, by the self-will of mere men. No. Holiness is the very nature of the LORD and is the work of God in the life of the yielded, the crucified saint (Isaiah 6:3; Romans 6-8; 1 Peter 1:15-16).

YOU don’t press into the presence of God because HE controls that, not YOU. You DO press into the cross – the death and burial of the self-life – and He reciprocally raises you upward. Now is the hour to cry with our beloved brother John the Baptist – “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30). Please do it Jesus! “Ye are dead and your life is hid with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3).

“It seems the more you get of Jesus the more you want … And the less you want of yourself.” Karen Cochran

There’s only one way to be “Hid” safely from the firestorms of this life – the firestorms of strife, hatred, persecution, affliction, lack, etc.

“For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” Colossians 3:3

Until we die, door nail dead – in other words, die and be buried, stay dead, stay buried – we shall continue to take on and be harshly affected by the fiery darts of the enemy coming at us from all about us.

“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. 8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; 10 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 4:7-12

Holiness is NOT the way to Jesus.
Jesus is the way to holiness!

Pharisee preachers work from the outside in (Matthew 23).
God works from the inside out! (Colossians 1:27)

No one can be holy to the LORD until they are raised up into that holiness out of death and burial (John 12:23-25; Romans 6; 2 Corinthians 4:10-12).

^“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.” 2 Corinthians 4:10-11

“Downward mobility is the way of the Cross. Whatever brings you down is progress. Dying and rising with Christ.” Hilario Guerra

A popular praise song says things like “There’s an army rising up.” Yet, we must make sure that “rising up” is preceded by a going down deep into the death of Christ – the cross, the crucified life. Thereafter shall be resident in us the resurrection life, glory, and power of GOD and not our own futile, fleshly, self-will.

Only after the fact that Jesus saves us – as only He can do…. we “work out” not work for our salvation He granted us with fear and trembling.

“…work out (not for) 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

Holiness is essential and holiness come from God into His submitted saints (Hebrews 12:14; 1 Peter 1:15-16). God is “Holy, holy, holy” and holiness in us is His work that is wrought, it’s brought about through our submission to Him, to His cross message where we are dead and buried and raised up by Christ into that holiness (Romans 6; 2 Corinthians 4:10-12, etc.).

The contrasting Outward and Inward – the counterfeits and the authentic disciples of Jesus – who trust HIM, not self.

“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.” Matthew 23:24-28

Done Deal! Settled Reality!

“And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.” Galatians 5:24

IF you’ve been taught that submitting to God is anything but dying to yourself, being crucified with Christ, you’ve been misled.

Satan hates the cross that defeated him on Calvary. He wants to prevent you from experiencing the victory of Christ – the victory Jesus died and rose again to give you (1 Corinthians 15:57). This is why he has conquered the vast majority of “Christian” leaders today. You will know who the fake ones are by the fact that they do not directly and continually put the cross that Christ mandated in your face! As if that wasn’t clear enough, let me say it another way: If the preacher(s) you listen to aren’t calling you to die the death, on the authority of Christ’s Word, such a man is 100% a fraud.

There can be no resurrection until there is a death and burial. The divine economy is a cross economy. Die or lose all. Die and be buried and win all. The only way up is down in Christ’s kingdom. Are you doing it HIS way? If it’s not death to self via the daily cross life, you are doing your own way, you are walking the way of Cain, Saul, Judas, etc.

“And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. 23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.” 1 Samuel 15:22-23

Doing life your own way – or any other way – than the cross, the crucified life, makes you a liar, a rebel. God has not changed, nor will He.

This is even more reason to realize that there is no shortcut to the crucified life – daily. Let us cease looking for an alternative. There is none. Get down low, today. Confess your sins to the Almighty, asking for His anointing on your life to be dead and buried so that Christ is reigning! Boom. Devil going down hard! Do it.

Satan is only defeated by the cross! Christ did it and ordained that you enforce that defeat of sin and Satan in your own life! He set the example! Christ conquered death by dying – which was essential for Him to be raised again in absolute victory of sin, death, hell, and the grave (Hebrews 2:14-15; Colossians 2:14-19)!

“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

We do “sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:”

“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 (made us alive) 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:” Ephesians:2:4-6

“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.” Colossians 3:1-4

He Purchased You with His Own Blood!

YOU are now Christ’s new creature and YOUR life is over concerning being relegated to the dictates of flesh, and so is all the misery, the shame, the guilt, heartaches, and the dismal darkness your sin brought upon you (Romans 6:23). It’s time to celebrate! You are a child of the KING! And He’s coming to get you – to bring you to His forever paradise called the New Jerusalem. Check it out in Revelation 21. You must stay the course. You must do things HIS stated way heretofore! This is how you “endure to the end” (Matthew 10:22; 24:13).

You serve a new Master – the Savior and no longer self. And in doing so, you deny the self-life daily, take up the cross that frees you, and walk with Heaven’s conquering KING of all kings.

“For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.” Romans 14:17

“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

If you are truly born again, please be exhorted to repent afresh and begin obeying the Word of God instead of worshipping at the altar of self. The cross – crucified life – is the only way we can be separate from the flesh and world and savor the things of God, not men, not self! (See Galatians 6:14.)

“But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.” Matthew 16:23

The biblical definition for enduring to the end is to live the crucified life now till you are with Christ.

“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

PRAYER: Holy Father, thank You for sending Your only begotten Son to die on that cross for my sins and the sins of the whole world. Let my heart never ever forget, never cease to weep for the price that my LORD Jesus paid to purchase myself and Your body back to Yourself! Please begin a fresh, a deeper work in me right now LORD. Father, break me! Let my life be poured out for Your glory dear LORD Jesus. I love You Jesus. Please fill me afresh with Your Holy Ghost and use me to spread Your glorious Gospel. We know You are coming soon! Unite our hearts to fear Thy name LORD. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

No Cross, No Growth

The Conquering Cross of Christ [podcast]

Will You Hear “Well Done” or “Depart from Me”? [podcast]

Apostasy

Billy Graham Promoted and Sent People to Go Join the Catholic Church

“One of the most troubling problems within the church today is the unwavering loyalty to a ‘christian’ personality rather than to Christ and His Word. The unwillingness to test every man’s teaching with God’s Word, coupled with a stubborn lack of discernment, produces fertile ground for deception to flourish.” Evangeline DiChristi

from Chick Publications

Billy Graham Still Sending Converts Back to the Pope

Billy Graham. We know that his messages are solid gospel. Few in or out of the Christian World have not heard of him. Since 1949 he has held the spotlight as the most prominent evangelist in Christendom. He has just finished his 416th crusade in Pasadena, California that drew over 300,000 people in four days. 13,000+ responded to his altar calls. Graham is now 86 years old and has one more crusade scheduled in New York City next year, health permitting.

The Pasadena crusade was on the anniversary of his first Los Angeles revival 55 years ago. It was after that meeting that Graham was “kissed by William Randolph Hearst” according to Dr Cathy Burns in her book, Billy Graham and His Friends. This meant that Hearst had decided to promote Graham’s ministry in his nationwide chain of newspapers.

Immediately, reporters and photographers were crawling all over the Graham meetings. Front page articles began to appear in the leading local papers wherever Graham held meetings. One reporter was assigned full time to travel with Graham’s team.

In 1991, Graham claimed that this sudden attention remained a mystery. Burns describes a more complex scenario. Regardless, the publicity propelled Graham into the national, if not international, limelight.

Jesus warned, “Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you.” Over the years, Graham became the friend of presidents and kings, a beloved “America’s Pastor.”

But the fame came with a price. In his book, Smokescreens, written in 1983, Jack Chick describes how Roman Catholic leaders viewed and used Graham as a key player in their ecumenical plans. As early as 1965, he was a guest speaker at Catholic Belmont Abbey College in North Carolina where he received an honorary doctor’s degree. A college official’s letter describes Graham’s address as “theologically sound” as may have been given by “any other Catholic preacher.” The letter further states, “I would state that he could bring Catholics and Protestants together in a healthy ecumenic spirit.” Graham was also speaking at several other Catholic colleges at that time.

This prediction was fully realized. In Smokescreens, Chick shows various illustrations. In 1971 Graham is shown meeting with Oakland, California, Catholic Bishop Floyd Begin who lauded Graham’s ministry. In 1972 he received a Franciscan Friars’ award for true ecumenism. In 1979 Graham praised the pope as a “moral and spiritual leader that believes in something.”

In 1981 he was closeted for almost two hours with Pope John Paul II. After the 1982 New England crusade, thousands of those who went forward for salvation were turned over to Catholic clergy for follow-up.

And this hasn’t changed. Before the Pasadena crusade this year, The Tidings, official newspaper for the Los Angeles diocese, reported that Cardinal Mahony had written to parish priests to encourage their members to attend the crusade.

Crusade officials bragged that they had “a marvelous agreement” with Graham to give all registration cards to the diocese, of the inquirers who identified themselves as Catholic. The object was to “reincorporate Catholic Crusade participants back into full sacramental life in the Catholic Church.” “This is ecumenicity at it finest,” said Alexei Smith, Ecumenical and Interreligious Officer for the archdiocese.

There is no doubt that hundreds of thousands have been swept into the kingdom during the Graham crusades. But how tragic that so many who responded to Graham’s call to salvation were then sent back to the spiritual bondage and pagan rituals of the pope’s prostitute church?

Jack Chick concludes the Smokescreens chapter: “Yes, beloved. Billy Graham, as much as I love him and hate to say it, I believe was cleverly used as a smokescreen and as a pied piper for the whore of Revelation.”

In Graham’s 1952 Pittsburgh crusade, the Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph reported that Graham said:

“Many of the people who reach a decision for Christ at our meetings have joined the Catholic Church and we have received commendations from Catholic publications for the revived interest in their Church following our campaigns. This happened both in Boston and Washington. After all, one of our prime purposes is to help the churches in a community. If after we move on, the local (sic) churches do not feel the efforts of these meetings in increased membership and attendance, then our crusade would have to be considered a failure.” [Emphasis in the original.]

Did you notice that Graham was only interested in a church’s increased membership-but nothing was said about a person receiving Christ as his or her personal Lord and Savior. This is what is important-not church membership! Church membership could increase a 1000-fold but if people are not being saved, then all is in vain.

Graham also gave a boost to the Catholic Church (in 1952) when he added that he “hoped to hear Bishop Fulton J. Sheen at one of the masses at St. Paul’s Cathedral tomorrow. ” [Emphasis in the original.]

“In 1968, Graham was in a meeting in San Antonio, Texas. He said that the Roman Church had given ‘tremendous cooperation’ in areas where he had held crusades. He added, ‘A great part of our support today comes from Catholics. We never hold a crusade without priests and nuns being much in evidence in the audience.”
By 1973 nuns were singing in the choir at Graham’s crusades.

Continuing on with Graham’s ecumenical outlook, the June 10, 1966 issue of Time said that volunteers “will tactfully receive those stepping forward to make a decision for Christ, [and] steer them to the nearest church of their chosen denomination….”

In Poland in 1978, “Graham taught nuns and priests how to evangelize. A picture taken at the famous Polish Shrine of the Black Madonna shows Graham welcoming pilgrims to the worship of their Virgin.”

Historical List of Atrocities of the Popes [video]

Peter was not the first so-called “pope” because there’s no such thing in Christ’s kingdom. Not one mention in the Bible and such would actually blaspheme the only Head of HIS truth believers, the nail scarred risen Savior Him, “the blessed and only Potentate (Supreme Ruler), the King of kings, and Lord of lords;” (1 Timothy 6:15) Therefore we rightly conclude that the pope is the head of a false church. 1 Timothy 2:5 Historical List of Atrocities of the Popes Speaking of things not found in God’s Word ….. Can anyone please show us where there is a novena […]

Paul Washer Exposed: Pope Connection Exposed! [video]

IF we want to see who the antichrists are among us, just look at the frauds who get their picture with the pope. By doing so they told you with shameless impunity that they are antichrists. Should we be quoting this guy? NO. …. Watch the demons manifest when one of the puppet idols of Satan is exposed. Those who’ve put their trust in these false prophets garnered to themselves demons which manifest when these dark agents of hell are exposed. … We already know that Paul Washer is a Calvinist which alone makes him a diabolical heretic. WANT to […]

Did Mary Die for Our Sins? [podcast]

Mary is just one of millions of people who have obeyed their Maker. That doesn’t make the immaculate conception heresy correct, that doesn’t make her anything other than a sinner, which she admitted (Luke 1:47). If Mary had refused to obey God, He would have simply replaced her (Esther 4:14). Did Mary walk on water? Did Mary tell anyone to pray to her? Is there even one prayer in the Bible to Mary? No. Did Mary raise the dead, open blinded eyes, heal the lepers, or die for anyone’s sins? No. THE CATHOLIC CHURCH TEACHES THAT MARY IS THE MEDIATRIX/co-redeemer: […]

Abiding

“David Encouraged Himself in the LORD his God” [podcast]

“And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, … but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.” 1 Samuel 30:6

Gathering from several commentaries on this passage, one source notes the following:

“Faced with the devastating loss of Ziklag and a mutinous army threatening to stone him, David found supernatural resilience. Rather than yielding to panic or despair, he actively turned his focus away from the overwhelming crisis and strengthened his faith directly in God.

Key Context and Lessons

- The Crisis: Amalekite raiders had burned the city and captured all the women and children, including David’s own wives.
- The Breaking Point: His loyal men were now grieving and broken, turning their deep anguish into violent anger against their leader.
- The Shift: David did not look to his men, his own strength, or his circumstances for hope. He preached truth to his own soul, drawing on his past history with God’s faithfulness and inquiring of the Lord for his next steps.

Practical Takeaways

- Self-Talk: When no one else is around to lift you up, you must learn to speak God’s promises to your own heart.
- Refocusing: Encouraging yourself in the Lord means anchoring your identity and security in His unchanging character rather than shifting public opinion.
- Actionable Faith: David’s inward strengthening immediately led to outward action—he sought God’s direction and pursued the enemy, resulting in complete victory and restoration.”

“Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.” Acts 14:22

“In the world ye shall have tribulation”

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

During seasons of great stress, this man after God’s own heart sought the LORD. This time only served as a blessing, hastening David to the feet of Christ. Beloved David gave us the most amazing Scriptures concerning seeking God.

“My soul followeth hard after thee.” Psalms 63:8

“As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. 2 My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?” Psalms 42:1-2

“One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.” Psalms 27:4

“When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.” Psalms 27:8

Prayer: Father in Heaven, in the name of Jesus, please grant me, Your mere servant, to be possessed with a heart after You dear LORD. I love You Jesus. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Having a Pure Heart Requires the Cross Life [podcast]

“Great Podcast. Thank you. When I think about Matthew 5:8 I think of Psalm 24:3-4, ‘Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place? 4 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.’ Who is worthy to stand in God’s holy presence? Only those who are living holy and righteous lives! Those disciples who are free from pride and sin and are maintaining inner purity. With no idolatry, hypocrisy and deceit in their hearts! They are hungry and thirst […]

The Importance of Pureness of Heart [podcast]

“He that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend.” Proverbs 22:11 With pureness of heart, our words shall issue forth with grace and seasoning and be more readily received by those who hear. “Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.” Colossians 4:6 David’s Prayer “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.” Psalms 19:14 “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they […]

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 […]

Abiding

10 Clues Your Love for God has Waxed Cold [podcast]

The wise virgin saints are keeping their lamps full of divine oil, they are taking personal responsibility for their own spiritual state with Christ the great and soon coming Bridegroom. Read Matthew 25:1-13.

“The Love of Many Shall Wax Cold”

“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. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” Matthew 24:10-14

Did you notice in verse 14 that those who hot for Jesus are participating in the preaching of His Word to the end of the earth (Mark 16:15).

Anyone not devouring God’s Word daily is falling away, is not enduring to the end, is choosing the let their love for Jesus wax cold, and on the wrong, the losing end of this prophecy Jesus gave here on record in Matthew 24:10-14.

“I will spue (vomit, reject) thee out of my mouth”

“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:” Revelation 3:16-17

Praying God will help you love Him more (Matthew 22:37-40). It really all boils down to WHO we love most. THAT is exactly who we are serving (Romans 6:16).

Loving God is everything as far as what’s in our control – because it’s a choice, daily, and will determine if one remains in Christ to the end.

“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” Matthew 22:37-40

“Thou hast left thy first love”

“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

1. When you are choosing not to spend quality time with God in prayer each and every morning… When you are choosing not to spend quality time with God in His Word each and every morning (Luke 9:23-24; 1 Chronicles 16:11).

2. When your love for God’s people is being reduced instead of increased (Philippians 2:12-13; 1 John 5:1) Marks of the True Christian …. “Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. 10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; 11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;” (Romans 12:9-11) See John 13:35.

“And it was told him by certain which said, Thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to see thee. 21 And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it.” Luke 8:20-21

“We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.” 1 John 3:14

“Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.” 1 John 5:1

Reading 1 Corinthians 13 today will refresh your heart and mind on the divine importance placed upon LOVE.

3. You are not denying self and not taking up the cross daily (Luke 9:23-24; 19:27; Galatians 2:20; Colossians 3:3, etc.).

4. You aren’t communicating the light of truth to others because you no longer seek or fear the LORD and so His divine virtue isn’t teeming in and flowing out of you. Your cup no longer runs over but instead is running empty (Psalms 23). You have a lampshade over the light and are not letting His light shine in and through your life and words… “Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.” (Isaiah 58:1)

5. You live in fear instead of faith and the joy of being with Jesus (Luke 21:28; 1 John 4:16-18; Proverbs 28:1; Psalms 2:11).

6. You preach promises and not conditions…following the apostate modern church and you don’t preach the cardinal doctrines of the original Gospel which we are commanded to “earnest contend for.” (Jude 3) You begin meditating on and living by trends instead of truth (Jeremiah 9:3; 2 Timothy 4:2-4; Philippians 4:8; Romans 12:1-2).

7. You have little or no true fellowship with other born- again Bible believing disciples of Jesus as is defined in God’s Word and not by the modern church world (Acts 2:42).

The Word of God is to run rich, to be abundant among God’s people … “In all wisdom” and “all in the name of the Lord Jesus” … “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” (Colossians 3:16-17)

8. You know you are backsliding when your main thrust and identity become politics, not the work of the Gospel. YOU are a blood bought disciple of Jesus, not a conservative. You are a Bible believing follower of Christ (Luke 9:62; Galatians 6:14).

9. When you love this world…..When you spend more time and money on hobbies and the things of this fleeting world than you do on attending to knowing, walking with the LORD and preparing to be used of Him (Mark 4:17-19; 1 John 2:15; James 4:4).

10. When you spend more money on trash and trinkets then helping the work of the One you claim to love and the poor. You know you are backslidden when you are not obeying God with what He’s placing in your temporal possession. He shall bring you into full account for this.

Regrettably, people will give their money to any and every pleasure under the sun but make excuses when the opportunity to support the work of the One they claim to love and serve. The Holy Spirit foretold that in the final days before the return of Jesus, there would be those with a mere “form of godliness”, “men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous,” and “lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God.” (2 Timothy 3:1-7) According to the LORD, one of the main ways to measure our true love for Him or lack thereof, is by peering into our personal stewardship of the resources He’s placed into our temporary possession. Luke 12 and 16 offer a plethora of divine wisdom and warning concerning the judgment to come, the judgment we shall endure in giving account for our stewardship in this life.

The clear proof that God is working in our lives, that we are truly following Jesus, is that we are becoming less and less vested in this fleeting, fallen world (James 4:4; 1 John 2:15-17). And that we, our good works, our giving are more and more invested in eternity – in the eternal kingdom of Christ, laying up treasures in Heaven, sending them before us, relinquishing the things of this world for the glory of God – putting them to work for the eternal Gospel of Christ – for saints to be fed and equipped and the lost to hear the Word of God (Matt. 6:19-21).

“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. 22 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. 23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness! 24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” Matthew 6:19-24

To underscore the importance of stewardship, we should realize that 16 of our LORD’s 38 parables involved stewardship. Those who now do not wish to face and confront this truth, are apparently those who are in the most need of hearing it.

PRAYER: Father I come to You now in the name of Jesus Christ. Please cause my conscience to be super sensitive to Your conviction, Your leading, and to evade all that defiles me in Your holy eyes, sin. Here and now I submit my life afresh to You dear LORD. You must increase but I must decrease. I am crucified with Christ and thank You for conforming me to His holy image. I am all Yours LORD and thank You that You are all mine. I love You Jesus. Please make me one with You and the Father and with Your beloved body. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Fresh Start with God

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Dollar Dialogue [podcast]

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The Love of Many Shall Wax Cold [podcast]

If someone’s love toward God’s people has waxed cold, it’s only because their love for the LORD first waxed cold (Matthew 24:10-14). Today is the best day to repent and return to the LORD. “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. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all […]