What is the Gospel of the Cross? [podcast]

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]

The Cross is a Non-Negotiable Original Gospel Imperative [podcast]

Grasping the Concept of the Cross

Are we looking for a promotion or a demotion today? Jesus alone can promote and He only does such in the lives of those whose lives are laid down! (Matthew 23:11; John 12:23-25; Psalms 75:6-7).

“Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain (death), and be raised the third day (resurrection).

23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.

25 For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?

26 For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father’s, and of the holy angels.” Luke 9:22-26

In the above passage, we see Jesus speaking of His own death, burial, and resurrection. Then immediately following, Christ speaks of the necessity of the daily cross for those who will follow Him. Please read the passage again. His obvious inference is that those who do not lay down and lose their lives in this world for His sake, will “be cast away” and “ashamed.” Of these the Son of man will be ashamed at His soon return.

The First Act of Surrender

One disciple noted that: “True freedom is not choosing our own way, but submitting to God’s way.”

Choosing to love the LORD with all our being requires the living sacrifice of self – as we choose the LORD Jesus over ourselves.

“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

Those who are full of self cannot love God or others as Jesus commanded (Matthew 22:37-39). Their capacity to love is being wasted on the false god of self. The cross exes out self so Christ can reign and His love will fill the heart of the disciple! Self love is not what the LORD made us for nor His intention for our lives. His stated reason for creating us is to know Him, to love and worship Him, and to humbly serve others. If you read this following passage prayerfully every morning this week, your life will change forever. Philippians 2:3-5.

Next: Admit Your Own Utter Spiritual Poverty

TODAY: We declare with Paul:

There is NOOOO good thing in me except Christ! … “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth NO good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not” (Romans 7:18).

This is the first step to victory! Get very familiar with this truth in Romans 7:18.

“Self control” is not Bible but rather NIV (Not Inspired Version). The real Bible, the King James Bible, uses the word “temperance” in the list of the 9 fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23. Big difference. We don’t control self (self control). No, we die to self. deny self, lay down self in surrender to Christ and He raises self up by His resurrection life (Luke 9:23-24; Romans 8:11; 2 Corinthians 4:10-12, etc.). This is the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ – the Gospel – in our daily lives…. We cannot control self but rather must release self to the Savior in surrender. The use of the term “self-control” instead of “temperance” (KJB) is yet another corruption of God’s Word found in the new versions as a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Please get a King James Bible beloved of Christ.

“Romans 8:7-8 ‘Because the carnal mind (flesh) is enmity (hostile) against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.’

“Our flesh is our sinful selves! I lived many years in my flesh! Works of the flesh. (Galatians 5: 19-21). If we live out of our sinful selves we cannot please God.

“We must take it to the cross of Christ to die.

“Dying to self is a total surrender of yourself to Jesus. Just as Christ did in the garden when He said not my will but yours be done! (Luke 22: 42). You have to want a relationship with Jesus and be willing to give up whatever He asks of you. I have had to give him my shame, anxiety, pain, anger, all of my heart! So He can purify me and make me more like Him! And we then begin to take on His characteristics and attributes. Which are holiness,( 1 Peter 1:15-16) righteousness (Romans 3:21-31), and purity (1 John 3:3). Fruits of the spirit Gal. 5: 22-23.

“It’s a choice to allow your flesh to control you or to live by the Spirit of Christ! John 3:30. “He must increase, but I must decrease.” Karen Cochran

The Daily Cross

Overcoming Sin Requires Surrender

Overcoming sin is a Gospel necessity and all who don’t will be damned.

THE more I let go, the freer in Christ and from sin I become! This original Gospel truth of the cross of Christ is catching on among His remnant body!

To this point, Anita Armagnac writes:

“SELF EFFORT CAN BE IDOLATRY; KEEPING SELF ON THE THRONE, THINKING THAT WILL PLEASE GOD WHEN IN REALITY WE FIND WE FALL AGAIN AND AGAIN. IT’S GOT TO BE A WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.”

PRAYER! “JESUS PLEASE GET ME OUT OF YOUR WAY!” Insert the cross here! WHATEVER words I use cannot top God’s WORDS …. ministry is all about simply putting forth HIS words and not making a brand out of ourSELVES which need to die. You are going NOWHERE in God without this!

Let go and let God is a Bible truth – we must LOSE our lives to gain them Jesus taught. “Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it” (Luke 17:33).

The cross. Surrender is the key, and that is faith – in GOD not us (Romans 4:4-5).

Overcoming Sin? Yes!

Surrender is what Jesus did at Gethsemane and that’s what made Calvary possible! Surrender IS following Christ – His pinnacle, ultimate example set forth for us (1 Peter 4:1-2). Focus on JESUS! In the Garden of Gethsemane, as the Son of God agonized, sweating blood, He cried to the Father “Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done” (Luke 22:42). And, while dying for our sins on that cross, Jesus cried to the Father “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit” (Luke 23:46).

See if you catch the divine Gospel prescription for overcoming sin in this 1 Peter 4 passage:

“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

Jesus was submitted, surrendered to the will of His Father and so should we be.

“I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.” John 5:30

ADDICTION WARNING

If you begin to learn the daily cross – laying down your own feeble life – and saying “JESUS YOU reign in this life” …. letting go and letting God….. settling that issue every morning as you awake ….. you are going to get addicted and wonder why you didn’t obey the Savior much earlier!

WARNING: If you get this message of the cross in you, the full victory of Jesus will begin manifesting in your personal life! Don’t say you haven’t been solemnly warned! The Daily Cross: Let the Addiction Begin!

God requires and has ordained that His children walk in full victory and yet it must and can only be done HIS way. That is the problem because most of us have been misled to believe that it’s just up to us! No! This should concern us utterly and cause a desire to search out what the LORD’s prescription is for total victory! David says He HATES “EVERY false way” and there are many false ways being peddled by the pied piper pastors today (Psalms 119:104, 128).

Are We being Foolish?

“Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?” Galatians 3:3

Shall we overcome sin and Satan in the flesh? If so, why did Jesus come? (Galatians 2:20-21)

IF WE DARE BOAST OF ANYTHING EXCEPT THE CROSS OF CHRIST – the altar he chose to shed His blood for our sin – WE ARE AMISS (GALATIANS 2:20; 6:14).

The original Gospel of the cross of Christ will no longer be withheld! God’s men are preaching it! Be gone devil! (1 Corinthians 2:2; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Galatians 6:14; Jude 3-4)

Are we being “foolish”? See Galatians 3:3 … Are we not in utter need of proclaiming …

“It’s no longer I that live but Christ! I am dead and my life is hid with Christ in God! Without JESUS I can do nothing to glorify God! I give up Father. I lay my life in Thy holy hands right this moment. Into Thy hands I commend, release, and submit my spirit, in Jesus’ name! Amen LORD!”

When you struggle with sin, being tempted as we all are, surrendering is the divine answer, not more self effort which is what has gotten us in sin instead of out of it, right?

THE WORK OF CHRIST IN APPLYING THE CROSS IN OUR LIVES IS NOT A WORK OF THE FLESH BUT RATHER A CRUCIFIXION OF THE FLESH AND WILL OF MAN SO THAT CHRIST is REIGNing SUPREME (JOHN 12:23-25; ROMANS 8:11-14).

The Bible prescription scares the legalist, the immature, misled believer who has been taught that through his own self-effort, trying harder, he can overcome sin. Such is a false notion saints and it’s proven in that it never has nor ever will work, right? In his blinded mind the misled believer sees surrender as justification of sin. NO, never! To please God in all things, which brings complete victory over all sin, is letting go so GOD can prevail in victory over sin! Faith – in CHRIST instead of self (Romans 4:4-5; Hebrews 11:6). YOU and I are no match for sin and Satan! Christ is the Victor over sin and Satan and only IN HIM are we victorious and not in our flesh or self. We must say with the angel of God “The Lord rebuke thee” (Jude 9). We are dead with Christ and our lives are hid with Christ in God. Memorize Colossians 3:3 today!

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

Yes, the Bible says “Be ye holy; for I am holy” and so such is not nor ever will be in question. Yet, reading further, what is the biblical prescription for being holy and not mere human self-effort? Our part is to die and Jesus, the resurrection and the life, then raises us up in HIS victory! Child of God, please prayerfully catch this, okay:

“Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. 11 For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you.” 2 Corinthians 4:10-12

Make this passage (above) your spiritual meat, feeding daily on it.

“But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:15-16

The Imperative of Personal Holiness

God requires personal holiness and anyone with the spot of sin will not be with Him eternally (Ephesians 5:25-27, etc.). But being spotless comes by surrender, by faith resting in Christ from our own self-effort, allowing the power of the grace (divine enablement) of Christ to have full victory!

“But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:57

WHEN IT’S ALL SAID AND DONE, IT’S JESUS CHRIST PLUS NOTHING THAT EQUALS JUSTIFICATION AND ALSO SANCTIFICATION – BOTH OF WHICH ARE ESSENTIAL FOR FINAL SALVATION INTO ETERNAL GLORY!

To Be Holy, We Must Get Lost!

NOT one of us is without the daily necessity of dying! As we do, Christ raises us up in HIS victory! (Colossians 3:3)

WHO is “the resurrection and the life”? Is that you, I, or is it Jesus?

“I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:” John 11:25

The resurrection life of Christ is essential to victory in our own lives and such happens only as we lay down our lives in death and burial with Him! (Romans 6:1-14; 2 Corinthians 4:10-12, etc.). God will never raise up someone who is not dead with Christ! And, the Bible says we are fools to think He would (1 Corinthians 15:36).

Lay it all Down or Lose it All

“He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. 25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.” Matthew 16:24-25

“For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it.” Mark 8:35

“For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.” Luke 9:24

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

“He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.” John 12:25

Yes it’s God. Christ! He initiates and enables. We respond, and as we do, the LORD Himself works His good pleasure in our lives:

“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

Dying is not a work of the flesh…. However, it does take our choice …. Then “through the Spirit” of God it’s accomplished – see Romans 8:13-14.

Yes we make the choice daily to obey Christ in participating in co-death with Him – Romans 6:1-12; Galatians 2:20. Make these passages your spiritual meat!

It’s surrender to the Savior and not asserting self that brings God’s glory. That’s the obedience, that’s “the faith of the Son of God” (Galatians 2:20).

THIS DISCIPLE (TODD) IS NOTHING BUT FILTHY RAGS WITHOUT JESUS TODAY AND LESS THAN THE LEAST OF ALL WHO ARE OUTSIDE OF JESUS! EPHESIANS 1:6; JOHN 15:5

Exerting Our Energies in Surrender

“There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. 10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. 11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.” Hebrews 4:9-11

“REST”! OVERCOMING sin requires surrender, not more SELF-effort. Our part in laboring to enter into HIS rest (Hebrews 4:11) is surrender, not self-effort. That is a lie being peddled by many a preacher today. Beware. “Not I but Christ” (Galatians 2:20)! SELF-effort comes out of self-worship in place of SAVIOR worship. Selah. That never works nor does it bring glory to the only One who died for our sins and who alone can presently deliver us from all sin! Jesus!

The Essential Cross of the Believer [podcast]

Excerpt from the book I Die Daily The Essential Cross of the Believer “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it.” Matthew 16:25 Now that we know who the Way is—Jesus, let’s look into what this very Son of God Himself said concerning those who would follow Him. After all, if a person is going to go to God’s Heaven, he needs to find out what God Himself said is essential to get there, right? Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If ANY man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and […]

The Gospel of the Cross [podcast]

“And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.” Luke 9:23-24 “Dying to self I have learned is the key. I wonder what took me so long but I never heard that message. SafeguardYourSoul was the first time I heard that message. Romans 8: 7-8. I had no clue what that scripture meant. That is why I am so […]

What Happened when Moses Held Up His Hand? [podcast]

Holding Up the Hands of Moses and the Members of Christ’s Body Exodus 17 Perpetual or intermittent victory? What shall it be for thee? May Christ’s body abandon our own things and hasten to the edification of the members of His beloved body. We are lifting up the brothers and sisters of our Savior today (Hebrews 6:10). Upholding Christ by holding up our relentless worship, our praise to Him, seeking His face continually, assures eternal glory with Him, His victory over sin, Satan, hell, and the grave! Holding up the hands of leaders, of others, is an ancient practice and […]

Articles

Gospel Action in Mexico Part 37

UPDATE – DELIVERED FOOD TODAY; – I purchased numerous food items for Clara and her boys today. Traversing difficult terrain to deliver the goods God supplied through your faithful giving left me with a sidewall puncture. A sidewall puncture cannot be patched and replacement was quoted at $274. Settled for a used tire. In this challenge came opportunity.

God used the punctured tire for me to meet a wayward man. Jose has spent time in the USA and has family there. His wife is presently in Colorado; he expressed strain on his family. Jose received God’s Word preached to him and the JESUS tract and said “You know what?, my wife is also a Christian.” Wow. So, his beloved wife is praying for him to be saved and God answered her prayer in part by connecting me with him. This opportunity is because of your support for this ministry. Can we please pray for Jose and his family?

I am continuing to learn to assert Romans 8:28-29 into everything.

— 28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose. 29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate [to be] conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Can anyone relate?

Mark is encouraging me in helping more people, one person/family at a time. Your prayers and giving are more than important, it is essential.

I found out Clara was in need again and was moved upon by the LORD to get her and her 3 sons some food. Her whole monthly money needed to sustain her, and her boys is about $350. The house she rents is $120 per month. I will leave it there.

It is amazing how much further our contributions go in Mexico, how much more it’s multiplied. A little bit of money and ministry here goes a long way to bless and expand Christ’s kingdom! …and to give hope to the hopeless.

We continue to pray for a few more saints to assert themselves into this opportunity. God is able, amen! All I can do is let these things be known. I am blessed by your support as I am encouraged by the fruitfulness of Mission Mexico both in the reach of the spiritual needs and the physical needs of God’s children. You are responding to Jesus’ instructions in Matthew 6:19-21

—19 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.

Clara’s Cry Video was featured recently. Click here.

Please lift a prayer in Jesus’ name for the fruitfulness and supply of our LORD work here with Mission Mexico. God be praised. Multitudes being reached daily with Jesus Christ’s bless-ed Gospel – spoken to them and given in print in the JESUS tract in Spanish.

BELOVED ANTONIO came by again tonight to get something to eat. I warmly received and welcomed him. Had him sit down and rest with fresh water to drink while his delicious meal was cooking. When he left I broke down while hugging him and letting him know you are lifting him in prayer and that God loves him. I played the Spanish Bible audio of Scripture to him while I was cooking so the Word would be planted in his heart…. WHO wants to cry out with me to our LORD for this young man? WHO wants to seek God for a complete change in his precious life? Salvation and good employment/work, etc. Let it not be that he could ever say that “No man cared for my soul.” – “I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul.” (Psalms 142:4) Jesus is coming saints. Let us pour out His love to the hurting. Jesus Christ died for this beloved young man! Mission Mexico is rolling! “WE are labourers TOGETHER with God.” (1 Corinthians 3:9) This is what it’s all about dear saints. Jump in. God will bless.

“The LORD upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down.” Psalms 145:14

Mission Mexico!

Beloved brother in Christ Cesar spent the last 14 days with his beloved mother before she passed. Mark and I went to visit Cesar the day after his mother passed. Mark and I agreed that Cesar was ministering to us. We went to comfort him and he ministered to us! Whew! You are invited to lift our beloved brother Cesar in prayer.

Oh and Cesar too about 50-60 JESUS tracts to distribute.

The plans are to be spending more time fellowshipping with Cesar again soon.

Months ago, I handed Cesar a JESUS tract and we begin to talk and he shared that he is a born again disciple of Jesus. Yesterday, with tears in his eyes, Cesar shared his testimony of Jesus’ salvation of his life 24 years ago. This is a beloved brother in our LORD Jesus for certain. Unpretentious.

As is so often the case, we gave this man a JESUS tract and spoke the Word to him. A few moments later here he is hungrily reading about His Make and King, and Savior Jesus.

Saints we are supporting a missionary in the Philippines and am thanking the LORD for your prayers and supply to our LORD’s Gospel work …..

Anyone wish to pause and lift this man to our LORD in prayer? When ministered to, Victor asked questions. He searching. God is able.

Thank you for praying for the beautiful people of this country. More Mission Mexico coverage here.

Remember brother Justin (from Australia) whom God miraculously saved here in Mexico? He is very grateful that you are lifting him in prayer. Praying for Christ’s saints is an essential (Colossians 4:12). Today Justin sent this:

“I was reading the book of John and the woman at the well last night, contemplating how some plant seeds to be harvested by others (John 4). Just being grateful to serve the Lord without needing to see results. Bless you. You certainty planted some seeds with me. I’ll check out Titus! Thank you brother. I am working out my salvation with fear and trembling, for sure, and I wouldn’t be doing it so much harder now without your support.” Justin B.

UPDATE ON BROTHER JUSTIN B.

Thank you for lifting in prayer our brother Justin B. (Australian) here in Mexico. He was saved just a few months ago here. Here’s the latest from our brother. Please pray the Word for him. John 15; Colossians 4:12

“I am good, brother. I am back in the slipstream of the Word. Felt like I had to experience the desert of doubt to come out with more clarity. Though, ultimately, trust in God is not necessarily clear. Getting confident in God with that “cloud of unknowing.”

Daily brother. It’s my clarion call/prayer now. Diminish me but increase my faith. Purify my heart, Lord, so I may glorify Your name. Thank you for showing me the way and keeping faith in me, brother.” Justin B.

Do we recall how Jesus told Peter “And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: 32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.” (Luke 22:31-32)

Here’s the post where the account of Jesus saving Justin is contained.

Jesus Saved Justin [podcast]

This is beloved David (pictured above) who received extensive ministry of God’s love and Word. Please lift up David, Daniel, and Justin. Colossians 4:12.

Omar was invited to have you pray for him. He readily agreed and is glad to know you are lifting him to our LORD in prayer. Jesus told us He desires to save Omar (1 Timothy 2:4).

“My Dear Brother, I will continue to lift Clara and those precious children in prayer; for I know firsthand the hardship of raising 3 little ones alone in this selfish world. I am thankful to the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY for sending strangers into my life during my time of despair and brokenness. Thank you brother for being a good steward with the gifts that the people of God send into the Lord’s Ministry. May the Lord God bless and keep you all the days of your life.” Jacquie

Support Mission Mexico here. Takes seconds.

“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10

Mission Mexico – See more here.

Download. Read. Print out your supply of the JESUS tract – English and Spanish.

Abiding

Seeking the Will of God [podcast]

“Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his face continually.” 1 Chronicles 16:11

Maturity in Christ is seen in those who unrelentingly seek His face! 1 Chronicles 16:11

YOU are either going to clearly prove you love God by perpetually flooding your heart and mind with the Word, prayer, and praises of our LORD Jesus Christ…. or you absolutely will fall away (Luke 8:13; 1 Timothy 4:1-2, etc.).

“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

“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” James 1:5

“Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.” Jeremiah 33:3

Notice that those not seeking the LORD today, are forsaking Him.

“if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.” 1 Chronicles 28:9

“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” Romans 8:14

YOUR PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please forgive my sins afresh. I have had other gods before You and so have committed the sin of idolatry and spiritual adultery. Please wash me afresh with Your blood dear LORD Jesus. Create in me a clean heart, an heart of flesh and remove the stony places. Please help me to sense Your leading and impressions. You are my Great Shepherd and I am Your sheep. Fill me with Your Holy Ghost dear LORD and please use me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

"NEVER take a Vacation from God" [podcast]

God’s Word teaches us to be diligent in knowing and following Christ – even when the word diligent is not used. “Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his face continually.” 1 Chronicles 16:11 Make the deliberate decision to “set… “Now set your heart and your soul to seek the Lord your God; arise therefore, and build ye the sanctuary of the Lord God, to bring the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and the holy vessels of God, into the house that is to be built to the name of the Lord.” 1 Chronicles 22:19 “Don’t you EVER take a vacation from God!” said my first […]

What is our Highest Priority as we see Christ's Return Nearing? [podcast]

What’s most important? How do we want Christ to find us when He splits the eastern sky? “And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:62 “Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.” Hebrews 10:38 “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:58 “And he […]

Apostasy

Beware of the Manipulating Monsters: Spiritual Identity Theft [podcast]

Instead of fostering a deeper love for CHRIST in their hearers, local churches have diverted that loyalty, the faith of their hearers to themselves (1 Corinthians 29-2:5). This is “the spirit of antichrist” at work (1 John 2:18; 4:1-3). Anti in “antichrist” means “in place of” and the vast majority of local churches seek to replace Christ with themselves – to intercept the heart affections of their audience from loving Jesus Christ supremely – to rob Him of His glory for their own self-serving agenda! Beware! This was Paul’s warning of Colossians 1-2. Christ alone is the Supreme Creator, Sustainer, Reconciler, Redeemer, and Savior! Pour prayerfully over Colossians 1 and 2 this week beloved of God.

“…do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.” Galatians 1:10

You cannot and won’t please everyone and such should not be your goal. Please God beloved and in NON-essentials, make your own decisions – void of the undue, unwarranted interference of others! (Read Romans 14.) Some people are operating in witchcraft and don’t realize it. They haven’t repented and learned how to mind their own business. And, so many live under the witchcraft of pleasing family and friends and the whims of others. If that’s you, you are not yet free but you can be. Seek the LORD in special prayer. Repent afresh and ask God to strip off every trace of witchcraft and control over your life. Ask Him to establish your life in His love and truth and all fear shall be vanquished from your life! See 1 John 4:16-18.

Note: Anything that is not specifically named as a sin in the Bible, is a NON-essential and that means that God gives YOU the liberty to conduct yourself as you see fit. Read and get to know Romans 14. | Learning to Mind Our Own Business

Those who insidiously seek to position themselves, to maneuver things to manipulate you, are fully arrogant and that’s why they believe THEY know better than God and you concerning your life, your decisions, your ministry, your direction, etc.. Beware. These are the very enemies of Christ. Like snakes in the grass, people like this are insidiously operating in witchcraft and as sure for hell as if they were already there (Galatians 5:19-21). Beware.

Untold scores of men, all of which had a calling from God, have allowed wicked manipulators to derail, destroy, and waste their lives. Beware.

Beware of those with an agenda….. an agenda that is not God’s agenda/will. With Jesus our LORD, the true disciple declares to God – “NOT my will, but thine be done” (Luke 22:42). All of the unsaved are under the control of Satan, the enemy of all souls.

“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:” Ephesians 2:1-2

Most if not all of us have realized that there are lots of manipulators around us who vie for the control of our lives, who attempt to push their agenda, their personal will on us. Solidifying our identity in Christ, becoming increasingly rooted and grounded in Him, is essential to be kept from such witchcraft. The aim, the stated will of God, is to root and ground every one of His saints ever more deeply into Christ. Pour prayerfully, meticulously over Colossians 1 and 2 beloved, and ask the LORD to root your heart and life deeper into Christ in whom alone you are “complete.” Ask the Father that your constitution, your innermost identity would be Christ and Christ alone! (Read Galatians 2:20; 6:14; 1 Corinthians 2:2, etc.)

“But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” Galatians 6:14

If your life is not all about CHRIST, you are in trouble. Stop. Re-turn afresh to the LORD. Declare JESUS CHRIST as the LORD, Savior, Master, First Love of your life in this world! Do it with force! Memorize Galatians 6:14.

Satan is behind every attempt to derail God’s people from walking in His perfect will. Spiritual warfare. In light of the desire to get God’s Word into the hearts of the people, Paul requests prayer to be “delivered from unreasonable and wicked men.”

“Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: 2 And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith. 3 But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.” 2 Thessalonians 3:1-3

Escaping the Witchcraft, the Manipulation

ANY person participating in the work of Satan is a child of the devil. Satan’s work is “to steal, to kill, and to destroy” (John 10:10). Any questions? Any activity, operation, or plan to steal the freedom or money or anything from another, is the work of Satan himself. So is to killing or destroying people or property unjustly.

May the LORD continue to increase His discernment in us – in order to see the enemy working through people from afar. Once we’ve allowed them in, they are within striking distance, right? Yes. See Matthew 7:6.

“And I find more bitter than death the woman, whose heart is snares and nets, and her hands as bands: whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her.” Ecclesiastes 7:26

Did you see that? Did you see in Ecclesiastes 7:26 how those who obey God will escape the seduction and the clutches of manipulating people?

A careful reading, study, and meditation upon the words of this verse above, will yield important truths concerning spiritual warfare and overcoming through Christ.

“Witchcraft” is a soul damning sin – which means that any person operating in this sin is outside of Christ and as sure for hell as if they were already there (Galatians 5:19-21). Eternal security/once saved always saved is a lie from hell.

Any person who seeks to usurp authority over another person (his will and decisions, etc.) is operating by his own agenda and not the LORD’s. Such a person is rebellious and self-willed and therefore seeks to exert their witchcraft over the lives, the decisions, the will of others.

“And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, 25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.” 2 Timothy 2:24-26

Remember how manipulating Delilah was as she sought to manipulate and derail Samson? Read Judges 16.

There are many examples of manipulation in the Word of God, beginning in the Garden of Eden.

In the Scripture below, notice the interaction with Paul and the false prophet, Elymas. All interference of the Gospel is from Satan. Below is but one example. This man sought to exercise control over Paul and the deputy and how the LORD judged him:

Barnabas and Saul on Cyprus

Act 13:4 So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.
Act 13:5 And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister.
Act 13:6 And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus:
Act 13:7 Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God.
Act 13:8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith.
Act 13:9 Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him,
Act 13:10 And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?
Act 13:11 And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand.
Act 13:12 Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.

THE DEEDS AND DOCTRINE OF THE NICOLAITANS (Part 1)

(Excerpt from the Deceivers and False Prophets Among Us book) “But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes (means conquer the laity), which I also hate…So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate.” Revelation 2:6, 15 Some years ago, after being found and apprehended by God, and saved by the grace of Jesus, I lived in a city where there was a cartel of eight volatile and controlling pastors. These men organized and operated a control ring where they tracked church attendants and their movements and dealings. This intelligence system was […]

Learning to Mind Our Own Business [video]

Hint: If something is not specifically named as a sin in God’s Word, leave others alone about it. MYOB, right? (Mind Your Own Business) “Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.” Romans 14:4 You know you are in need of true repentance when you focus on the faults of others and yet spend no time praying sincerely to God for them. “If we would judge” WHO? Read closely: “For if we would judge ourselves, we should not […]

Witchcraft Among Us [podcast]

Those who have control issues simply have not given the control of their own lives over to the LORD and therefore operate in the witchcraft of controlling others – something that God forbids as they usurp HIS place in the lives of others. True repentance needed and to denounce the sin of self-idolatry, spiritual adultery, and witchcraft. Undue control over others is “witchcraft” which is a soul damning sin (Galatians 5:19-21). God has not called us to control others or even seek to but rather allow them the freedom to grow in His grace as they work out their own […]

Ministers who Operate in Witchcraft [podcast]

Attempting to exercise control over another person is witchcraft and it’s always perpetrated by those who don’t even have their own life in order. Jesus calls them hypocrites and if they don’t repent, they are 100% guaranteed to be in hell (Matthew 7:2-5). “Witchcraft” is a soul damning sin (Galatians 5:19-21). All “sorcerers” are as sure for hell and the lake of fire as if they were already there! A sorcerer is anyone who uses drugs or anything else in order to control another person – to kill them, to manipulate them, etc. “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and […]