WHERE to Give Your Money and Where Not to Give it

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]

Sending Up Treasures to Heaven

“It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35

You’re going to spend your life and energy doing something. Should it not be that which holds eternal value? Isn’t everything else waste? Why waste your time and energy in this brief life on temporal trinkets and pursuits? Riches

There’s no heavenly treasure to be gained by giving to political causes.

Sending support overseas? Did you know there is a priority laid out in God’s Word as to where we are to give? First, we should only fund full-counsel Christ-centered ministries. Then, we are given instructions on the geographical scope. Read Acts 1:8 and note that we are first and foremost responsible to help that which is in our Jerusalem (immediate local-city/state/country), then out a bit to Judea, Samaria, and only then to the uttermost parts of the earth.

“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” Acts 1:8

The first priority of support is that which is in your immediate surrounding – Acts 1:8.

One writer notes writes: “Misguided ‘Christians’ who AREN’T SEEKING GOD are putting their tithes and offerings into the FAKE, COUNTERFEIT churches (buildings, religion) instead of giving to the REAL TEMPLE, the REAL BODY of Christ where it is needed.”

God won’t reward you for supporting His enemies-He will judge you for doing so! Discern (2 John 10-11; 2 Chronicles 19:2).

DISCERNMENT: IF a man isn’t preaching some serious volumes of literal BIBLE and doesn’t yet have a proven track record over a long period of time, proving himself, I’m not giving to it. “And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;” (1 Thessalonians 5:12)

Are you supporting the WORK of Christ or some mere man’s “church” enterprise?

CLUE: Modern wolves repeatedly invite their gullible prey to give them money to perpetuate their circus act they call “church” and yet can never be heard calling people to come in repentance and faith before a holy God through His only begotten Son Jesus Christ! Run!

“You go to a ‘church’. You are encouraged to contribute financially. The Bible backs up this concept. But if you don’t ask yourself the next question, ‘give to what’?, you may well be propping up a false gospel.” Jeffrey Siegfried

Personally I do not and will not in any way support non-King James Bible ministries, nor OSAS heresy ministries, or judaizers devils, or calvinistic heretics, etc. These are bad FRUITS and Jesus says “Ye shall know them by their fruits.” (Matthew 7:16, 20; Romans 6:22; 1 John 4:1; 2 John 7-11, etc.)

SUNDAY MORNINGS: Did he preach Christ? The cross? Hell? Repentance? Holiness? The return of Jesus? If not, run! The Apostate Modern Church: SO much about raising money for man’s “building projects” and little or nothing about Christ! Hint: They are raising more money to entertain more goats!

EVERY believer should support Christ’s work-in a discerning manner.

True servants of Christ do not minister for the money. No, in fact, because they are true to God they are usually broke. In spite of the lack, they preach the LORD’s Gospel (1 Corinthians 9:16).

Among the earliest followers of Christ, we see New Testament Christians giving only to ministers and the poor CHRISTIANS – and never to dogs, to cancer research, the lost, or any other worldly cause. “Let the dead bury their dead.” (Luke 9:60) Think. Act wisely. Be biblical. God is watching and will judge according to what we do (Matthew 25:40, 45-46).

“Now concerning the collection FOR THE SAINTSSSS, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. 2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.” 1 Corinthians 16:1-2

THE EARLIEST followers of Christ are our example and they gave to the body of Christ, not the lost! Divine priority! (Acts 2:44-45; 4:32-35; 1 Corinthians 16:1-3; Galatians 6:10, etc.) “And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. … Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.” (Matthew 25:40, 45)

The earliest Christians gave to the needy Christians, not the world.

“But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints. 26 For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.” Romans 16:25-26

“Let the dead bury their dead.” (Luke 9:60) The lost will help the lost in most cases. The lost will not help the righteous. God is all wise saints. Let’s humble ourselves and simply obey, follow the wisdom of His Word.

In Acts 2:44-45 and 4:32-35 we see the earliest saints of Christ helping the CHRISTIANS in their own locale, then, we see them sending support specifically to the poor CHRISTIANS in Jerusalem (1 Corinthians 16:1-3). Galatians 6:10 tells us the LORD’s priorities for our giving: “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” (Galatians 6:10)

Christians and authentic Gospel ministries in America need our support saints. Many of the calls for donations overseas are fraudulent scams disguised as Christian. Muslims and other thieves prey upon the giving nature of God’s people. Yet. believers must be wise and harmless:

“Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.” Matthew 10:16

Do you spend more time in “church” than in the Bible itself? Wow! Red flags flying!

Beware of the Self-Righteous

It seems we should beware of self-righteous false watchmen and pastors who pat themselves on the back by saying things like “I don’t take any money from the ministry. I work and make my own money.” Then they spurn the pastoral watchmen who give people the opportunity to do what Jesus taught us to do – to “give.” (Luke 6:38; Acts 20:35).

Don’t buy this so fast. They may sound noble until you look closer at the whole counsel of God’s Word which defies such a notion and exposes these who assert such.

Did the apostle Paul and the early church take up collections? Answer: Yes. See 1 Corinthians 16:1-2. To refuse to allow God’s people to give is a sin and out of the order of God established from Genesis to Revelation. In Exodus 35, God’s people gave so much that the LORD had to tell them to stop. Would to God we had that problem these days. It’s quite the opposite in this late hour unless you look at the masses of gullible dupes who empty their pockets on the end time wolves who are making merchandise of them (2 Peter 2:1-3).

–— Nearly half of Jesus’ parabolic teachings deal with stewardship. Remember, in the temple Jesus never told the Jews to remove the treasury (coffers where people have the privilege to give). No, in fact, He sat right next to it in order to watch how people were giving and neglecting to give (Mark 12:41-44).

Giving is instituted by the One who gave all and on record for us from Genesis to Revelation. It’s the givers privilege to give (1 Chronicles 29:14; 2 Corinthians 9:6-11; Acts 20:35). Also, God forbid that those called out by God to do His work shut up the blessing by not allowing their audience – those they feed – to contribute and thereby lay up treasure in Heaven while warding off the false god of mammon (Matthew 6:19-24).

Where we give is important.

Barry Bugh says it correctly when writes: “Sow…where you see fruit.” And saints, the building based local churches are not fulfilling the Great Commission our Master gave us and therefore are producing bad fruit. As usual, as we see throughout biblical history, God is calling a remnant out from among the apostate system.

It seems that church going people feel they need to pay their dues to the country club, entertainment center they call the “church building” and it’s associated organization.

If you are born again and abiding presently in Christ, you have “mansion” in glory awaiting you! (John 14:1-6) Did you know that you also have an “account” in Heaven? Now, what’s in that “account”? Is it empty or full?

“Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.” Philippians 4:17

Paul, Christ’s apostle, wanted to see the heavenly accounts of God’s people full!

God is not going to reward you good for not contributing to that which He stated is most important.

Saints let’s support REAL ministry and no longer fund the bureaucratic religious frauds of the apostate modern church world.

Are we going to be biblical? WHAT does 1 Corinthians 9:1-14 establish? What does Galatians 6:6 and 1 Timothy 5:17-18 say? Do you know what the LORD told us for His church in these passages? Read God’s Word and get in the know – ledge.

The LORD instructs us to give to, to support the ministry(ies) that are feeding us His Word.

“Let him that is taught in the word communicate (give) unto him that teacheth in all good things.” Galatians 6:6

The LORD instructs His people to “lay up treasure in heaven” and He brings to us the places to sow, to lay up treasure in heaven (Matthew 6:19-21).

It’s all in God’s Word … The fact that wolves have made merchandise of the biblically illiterate, including us in the past, does nothing at all to negate or diminish aught from the clearly stated will of God. In this late hour, as the remnant is being delivered out of the deceptions of these wolves, it is not the will of God that they cease giving but rather that they re-appropriate that giving to where there is true New Testament, Great Commission fruit being born. Why should the LORD further suffer through our lives by cheating His true work out of the fuel needed? Was it His fault that we were deceived and funded false ministries in the past? This is an ugly picture saints. Let’s not abandon to abuse (throw the baby out with the bath water).

Think with me for a moment ….. Some love the fact that tithing is not a New Testament teaching? Why? Is it because they can now spend all their money on self? Many of these cease all giving and go back to spending all their money on the false god of self. They will spend and waste dollar on top of dollar on trash and entertainment and give little or nothing to God’s work while they soothe themselves in the knowledge that tithing is not a New Testament teaching. Yet, 100% of what we receive is from God. Jesus commands us to give. What about putting God (not self) first place in every part of our lives – including stewardship of the monies He allows us to bring in?

“Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: 10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.” Proverbs 3:9-10

In all things God must be “first” Jesus says (Matthew 6:33; Proverbs 3:9-10).

Saints, may our LORD bless each of us to have His wisdom concerning giving back to Him. May He bless us not to lean to our own understanding, but to fully trust in what He told us in His Word (Prov. 3:5-6).

The unchanging God will never contradict His holy Word and will only lead His children in accordance to it.

Please allow me to exhort you in the matter of your giving – according to the all-wise Counsel of the Most High.

Speaking of previously funding false prophets, one sister writes:

“Yep! Been there done that as many have! We need to continue to give but we need to truly know where the monies are going! Investigate before you give.” Darlene T.

Is it a sin for people doing God’s work to give the ongoing opportunity for others to give/donate? No. – “And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.” (Mark 12:41-44) Jesus never told them to remove the treasury/coffer/place of opportunity to give. No, instead He sat right next to it in order to watch people giving and how they gave. He never rebuked the idea of coffers, only the misuse of them such as when He drove out the money changers (Matthew 21; John 2).

First of all, giving should be a joyful event. Our hearts should rejoice to release God’s money back into His work.

“The LORD loveth a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:7

Our LORD tells us that all that we have comes from Him and what we give Him came from Him (1 Chron. 29:14). We will be brought into accountability before His Holy Throne of Judgment concerning our stewardship of every penny He gave us, and “To whom much is given, much shall be required.” (James 4:17) We should proceed with fear and trembling in this matter. It is no small one.

Where are Christians to Give?

So many times, we have all heard Christians say things like: “It doesn’t matter where I give. God is going to bless me anyway. He handles the rest after I give.”

BE NOT DECEIVED: God is not going to violate His own Word by blessing those who are funding His enemies. By giving to a ministry or local church that is not fulfilling Christ’s Great Commission command to teach and preach His Word to saint and sinner alike, you are bidding God speed (helping, condoning) His enemies. See 2 John 7-11. To think that God doesn’t watch exactly where you give – to fruit-producing or fruitless ministries – is naive and untrue.

“Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse…” Malachi 3:8-11

His “storehouse” is not a physical building, but rather the place where His original Gospel is truly being obeyed and furthered in His love – where His Word of truth is being proclaimed and upheld with all boldness. 1 Peter 2:5 says the body of Christ is a “spiritual house.” 1 Peter 5 says to “Feed the flock of God.”

We must carefully place every dollar we give – into rich Gospel soil. The LORD holds us accountable for how and where we give – and what it promotes. For the disciple of Christ, the only ministries that qualify are those which are authentically carrying out the Great Commission Christ gave – holding forth the original Gospel unwaveringly. Christ’s Gospel program consists of building up the saints, preaching the Gospel and seeing people saved, water baptized, and filled with the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:37-39, 3:19, etc.). See what the early Church did in the book of Acts for a view of what the Original Gospel of Christ really is. God is good.

Saints, untold thousands of Gospel workers are in lack right here and now in America. Thousands of called men of God have had to go back to their secular work, due to the lack of giving among those who claim to know Christ. In light of these facts, How can the true child of God possibly give revenues to already well-funded, secular organizations?

When we truly begin to aggrandize divine truth, we will then begin supporting only those who truly endeavor to preach all of it (full-counsel) fearlessly and cease from funding the ministries of hireling false prophets who allow most of their ministry revenues to be absorbed on things other than that which is at the core of importance in the divine economy, like the true building up of the saints – getting them into the Word for themselves, and winning lost souls.

Concerning the work, workers and building up of God’s kingdom, the Bible instructs us in Ezra 6:8 – “forthwith expenses be given unto these men, that they be not hindered.”

The reason all of God’s people are to give to His authentic work is “that they (His servants) be not hindered.” (Ezra 6:8)

The Almighty who is all-knowing and all-just, is going to bring to light the pain suffered by those He called to serve Him and yet were “destitute” (Heb. 11:37). Today some in our midst are without basic necessities and/or funds to operate their divinely-inspired and called ministries. This is directly due to the disobedience of those who possess the ability to give to help sustain their lifestyles so they can continue to further the eternal Gospel (all get rewarded for eternity). Saints, God is going to judge us according to how we spend every dollar and punish the disobedience. Much eternal treasures remains to be laid up in your account. See 2 Corinthians 9:6-10.

Authentic, born again saints must cease from funding worldly organizations, ministries or causes that are not divinely inspired, eternal works, according to the original Gospel. Those causes and works which align with the mission and mind of Christ are to be funded joyfully by His true disciples. They will always involved the very first Word and command of the Gospel – “Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matt 3:2; 4:17; Lk. 13:3, 5; Acts 2:38; 3:19)

We should also refrain from supporting any entity furthering the cause of their own organization/denomination, or the leader(s). Jesus is the KING of the eternal kingdom and He alone will be reigning when all men are laid low (Is. 2:17-18; 42:8). In our giving, we must make certain that every dollar is put to use to the end person in need and not to be absorbed into some religious bureaucracy (denominational, etc.). Of course, we must keep in mind that the Bible says in both testaments that “the workman is worthy of his hire” and those who do the most important work -the Gospel – are to be well taken care of so they are not hindered in their work (Matt. 10:10; 1 Tim. 5:17-18)

“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Matthew 6:21

HIS CAUSE

Jesus told us He came on a mission from the Father to “seek and to save that which was lost” (Lk. 19:10), and instructed us to “Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:60) The Son of God says here plainly to “let those that are of the world fund and further their own fleeting cause, but you my people, do all that you can to further my eternal Gospel, to rescue the perishing from eternal damnation in the lake of fire from which there will be no escape.”

“He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” 1 John 5:12

Make No Mistake: There are and will be souls in hell due to the lack of obedient and charitable giving of those today who call themselves by the name of Christ and yet disobey Him in not giving their lives and revenues to His work (Matt. 7:21). The disobedience of withholding has tied the hands of God’s workers and greatly hindered their ability to do what the LORD has sent them to do in the care of souls and winning the lost.

True believers are to be possessed with the exact vision and passion of the One who came to shed His very own blood for all/our sins on that wooden cross. He was raised again 3 days later. We are to use every possible resource He gives into our hands to further His unaltered cause – preparing men to meet Him/the care of souls. On top of all this, Christ our LORD promised unending eternal rewards for every penny we give to His work in this life. He instructed us to lay up for ourselves treasure in heaven and not on earth, and He told us that where we put our treasures is exactly where our hearts will to/follow/be (Matt. 6:19-21). Where ones money flows, ones heart goes. The certain recipe for backsliding, is to not give to the furtherance of God’s Word. One of the quickest ways to have a revival in your own heart is to write a check to the work of Christ. Do it now and the LORD promises to reward you.

Remember, we should Let the dead (unsaved) do the work of the dead – and we as the living, should do the work of the living (those made alive by Christ).

“There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself. He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.” Proverbs 11:24-26

“I believe GOD WILL hold Christians ACCOUNTABLE for sinking HIS MONEY into man-made ORGANIZED RELIGION rather than helping poor, struggling families!!! THOSE who SINK GOD’S MONEY into CHURCH BUILDINGS OBVIOUSLY are NOT SEEKING GOD to know HIM by his HOLY SPIRIT!!! I believe that those who put tithes into a “religion,” a “church building,” are a SIGN that they are LUKE WARM CHRISTIANS!!!” A.

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fruit

Jesus Sat Over Against The Treasury [podcast]

WHAT is Jesus Looking at in Your Life? Jesus Never Changes because He is Divine and Eternal Perfection Read this account carefully: “And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. 42 And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. 43 And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: 44 […]

Fruit Abounding To Your Account: Divine Incentive [video]

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Why Did Jesus Say the Rich Man went to Hell?

First Off, Let’s Get Something Straight! “For all things are yours.” 1 Corinthians 3:21 You are Already Infinitely Rich in Christ and God Wants You to Know It – Now in this world, and forevermore! “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;” Ephesians 1:7 The LORD does not forbid His children to be rich in this world and yet, He promises to damn those who covet worldly riches and any rich person who is not generous in giving. “But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we […]

Apostasy

Jesus Promised Judas an Eternal Throne in Heaven but He Chose to go to Hell #shorts [video]

Judas died and went to eternal hell, irrevocably as every lost soul shall experience (Acts 1:25). Judas is the “son of perdition” and “perdition” means damnation (John 17:12).

Here’s all the ministry’s shorts (60 secs) videos. Feel free to share:

See all shorts videos here on ministry youtube channel.

Judas was even sent out with the other apostles to heal the sick, raise the dead, and preach Christ’s Gospel (Matthew 10:1-8). He was real, then backslid and is in hell (Acts 1:16-25).
The Truth about Judas

“And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones (not 11), judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” (Matthew 19:28)

Judas wasn’t kept and Jesus specifically and irrefutably promised him an eternal throne in Heaven – Matthew 19:28. “TWELVE” not eleven~!

At the time of this divinely-given promise, it is more than abundantly clear that Judas was eternally secure, otherwise Christ would have never given this promise to the “twelve” which includes Judas Iscariot (Matthew 19:28). It is only after this that Judas allowed iniquity in his heart and by his own deliberate will fell by his own iniquity (Acts 1:25; Heb. 3:12-15).

“Saying, I (Judas) have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that.” Matthew 27:4

“Eternal security”? Don’t kid yourself. Moral cowards who refuse to take person accountability for their every thought, motive, and deed love this lie. Satan’s first lie – which led to the fall of mankind (Gen 2:17; 3:4).

“For if AFTER they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are AGAIN entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, AFTER they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.” 2 Peter 2:20-21

WHAT ABOUT JUDAS? [podcast]

The Son of Perdition Exposed Dear eternal security adherent: You cannot take one verse or passage and make a conclusion without the whole of Scripture agreeing. Judas was chosen, sent out by Christ to preach Christ’s Gospel, raise the dead, and heal the sick (Matthew 10:1-8), and was promised a throne in Heaven (Matthew 19:28) and died and went to Hell for betraying Jesus (Acts 1:25). He followed Christ and then departed from the Son of God. Jesus says that one can believe and then “fall away” (Luke 8:13). Are you going to call the Son of God a liar? […]

John Calvin Exposed

The Cult of Calvin: Exploding the Diabolical 5-Point Mythology of Calvinism In my personal opinion and from decades of observation, it appears to be evident that those in ministry who teach Calvin’s doctrines were subverted by those who taught them before they ever personally learned God’s Word themselves. They were taught this lie growing up and/or in the seminaries they attended before they had studied unto the LORD and gained a foundation in His Word (2 Tim. 2:15; 3:16-17). Like most false doctrines, Calvinistic teachings have an inoculating effect upon those who have been deceived by this teaching. Beholding John Calvin’s abominable […]

Grace vs Holiness [podcast]

“The horrible travesty we have in America today is Christianity without holiness.” A.W. Tozer Grace and holiness come only from God. The LORD is Holy and He extends salvation by grace to repentant, believing sinners at the moment of conversion. Grave vs Holiness: WHY is one of these two so overwhelmingly overemphasized by today’s pastors and self-appointed “grace teachers,” when the other is prioritized by God as is demonstrated by the number of times it appears in Holy Scripture? Which word appears more times in the Bible?: Grace, or Holiness LET’S DO THE MATH: Comparing Grace and Holiness 170 […]

Articles

Obedience or Love – Which is Most Important? [podcast]

“IF ye love me, keep my commandments.” John 14:15

Have you ever noticed the “If” of this statement by our LORD Jesus?

Okay, reread the words of Jesus above and see what comes first in the sentence – “love” or keeping His commands.

“IF you love me, keep my commandments” says Jesus (John 14:15)…. IF we don’t know and love Him there’s no use trying to keep His Word…. He’s not speaking of keeping His Word in order to earn His justification but rather as the fruit of knowing Him in a saving relationship….

“Few seem to understand the huge difference between obedience and legalism. We obey because we love God and we know obedience doesn’t save us. Legalism believes by obeying they are saved by it. We that are born again know only the blood of Jesus saved us but we also know that obedience proves we are saved and keeps us saved. It is joy to obey the Lord as we love what He loves and we hate what He hates. Amen.” Shirley Bruso

—- JESUS IS NOT GLORIFIED BY THE KEEPing OF HIS INSTRUCTIONS/COMMANDS BY THOSE WHO DON’T LOVE HIM …. LOVE COMES FIRST – LOVING AND WORSHIPPING HIM IS MOST IMPORTANT TO GOD. “IF IF, IF YE LOVE ME, KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS.” JOHN 14:15

“Ye are my friends, IF ye do whatsoever I command you.” John 15:14

LOVE is the governing factor:

“We love him, because he first loved us.” 1 John 4:19

Of John 14:15 and 15:14, one source notes the following:

“In John 14:15 and 15:14 (KJV), Jesus teaches that love and obedience go together, meaning real love for Him naturally leads to doing His commands rather than separating love from works.

What the Verses Say

- John 14:15: Jesus says, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” He makes keeping His words the direct proof of love.
- John 15:14: Jesus says, “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.” He shows that friendship with Him requires action and obedience.

How Love and Works Connect

- Love is the root: Jesus starts with love as the inner heart motive.
- Works are the fruit: Doing His commands is the outward action that proves the love is real.
- They are not separate: Jesus does not say love replaces works; He says love produces obedience.”

Love begins with God and any relationship requires reciprocating love – love flowing from each of the 2 parties to one another.

“And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, FOR THE LOVE HE HAD TO HER.” Genesis 29:20

Jacob didn’t mind serving a whole 7 years for Rachel, because he loved her so much. The true disciple doesn’t view serving God as drudgery but rather delight – because he loves God supremely!

“A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.” John 16:21

“His commandment are not grievous”

“For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.” 1 John 5:3

IF I don’t love Jesus, do you think He’s honored when I try to obey what He said? No.

“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God…” Matthew 22:37

“IFFF ye love me, keep my commandments.” John 14:15

IF WE LOVE JESUS, OBEYING HIM IS JOY, JUST AS IT WAS FOR JACOB AS HE SERVED A WHOLE 7 YEARS TO OBTAIN A LIFELONG MARITAL RELATIONSHIP WITH HIS BELOVED RACHEL (GENESIS 29:20).

Perhaps we are not understanding the divine economy as Christ meant us to understand Him. Jesus says “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.” (John 15:14) It’s only IF I love Jesus that He is interested in my doing the things He told HIS true people to do, otherwise, my good works are in vain, even if I suffer martyrdom by burning my body – “And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.” (1 Corinthians 13:2) IF WE DON’T LOVE HIM – truly – with our whole heart, mind, and strength He’s not interested in us obeying Him (Matthew 22:37-39). Now, of course, if I truly do love Him, I will obey Him and yet Jesus doesn’t want us to think we are impressing Him by outward obedience only. In the divine economy, it all begins with LOVE – “God so LOVED the world that He gave ….” (John 3:16) The Bible informs us that “The Lord looketh on the heart” and if He sees that I don’t truly love Him, He’s not interested in my vain outward show (1 Samuel 16:7).

“IFFFF you love me keep my commandments” and not “prove you love me by keeping my commandments” (John 14:15) … big difference. Jesus isn’t interested in any law keeper keeping His commandments …. He desires and calls His people to love Him! If not, there’s no reason to try to obey Him.

“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 truly know and love Him do His commandments. They don’t live on their own terms but rather on His. They delight to do His will because they truly seek, know, and love Him who bled to redeem their otherwise hopeless, wretched souls. Yet, obedience saves no one. Keeping His commandments doesn’t save you – the pharisees claimed to do that while refusing to come to Christ whom (John 5:39-40). No, God alone can save and He does so on His terms – initial and ongoing faith “which worketh by love” which is relationship. Yes, “faith … worketh by love.” (Galatians 5:6) Remember that even if a person goes so far as to give their body to be burned and has no love – they don’t love God, their obedience, their sacrifice is in vain (1 Corinthians 13:3).

1 Thessalonians 1:3 speaks to those already saved using the phrases “work of faith, and labour of love.” Please pay close attention to the words “faith” and “love.” “Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;” (1 Thessalonians 1:3)

When God initially saves us, He puts a love in our hearts for Him which is manifested by putting our faith in Christ. Jesus taught that knowing the Father and Himself were cardinal in His kingdom. – “And this is life eternal (the whole purpose for it), that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” (John 17:3)

“And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.” Exodus 25:8

“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

DID GOD send His only begotten Son to create an army of mechanical law-keepers OR a family who knows, worships, and adores Him? What does the Bible say is the cardinal reason for the whole plan of redemption? Why did God send His only begotten Son to bleed, be buried, and raised again to justify all who would come to Him? Are you familiar with what the LORD told us in Exodus 25:8, Matthew 22:37-40, and Philippians 3:10? We must have anchored in our hearts this glorious truth of knowing Him! Nothing else matters if we don’t relish Him, adore Him, and worship Him. If you name the name of Jesus Christ, it would greatly benefit your life, understanding. and ministry to memorize the words of the very Redeemer Himself as is recorded in John 17:3. More on that later.

If we love the LORD truly and our neighbor we will not steal, lie, covet, bear false witness, hate, commit adultery, OR any of those other sins and be walking in God’s perfect will. It’s really quite simple actually. But first we must examine this day whether or not we truly love Him.

One writer notes:

“Holiness is first and foremost agape love. Unconditional love for all, including enemies of us and enemies of God. This over-emphasis on repentance can make us the initiator and God the responder if we are not careful. God is always the initiator.”

IT IS MY OPINION THAT WE SHOULD BEGIN TO BE VERY CAREFUL NOT TO OVER-EMPHASIZE OBEDIENCE WHILE NEGLECTING TO PREACH THE COMMAND TO KNOW, LOVE, AND ABIDE IN CHRIST. ALL OF OUR OUTWARD OBEDIENCE IS IN VAIN IF WE DON’T AUTHENTICALLY LOVE HIM. MANY WHO PREACH SEEM TO BE DOING THIS AND ARE CALLING MANY TO WORSHIP AT THE ALTAR OF SELF BY PERPETRATING THE FALSE NOTION THAT CHRIST’S ONE PERFECT SACRIFICE WAS NOT ENOUGH. THIS SEEMS TO RESONATE IN THE HEARTS OF THOSE WHO ARE NOT TRULY AND UNRESERVEDLY SURRENDERED TO CHRIST AND WHO WANT TO FEEL AS IF THEY ARE HELPING TO EARN THEIR OWN SALVATION WHICH IS IMPOSSIBLE. WHAT DOES ROMANS 4:4-5 TELL US?

“Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” Romans 4:4-5

So, while it’s absolute that ALL who have saving faith in Christ are obedient and have good fruit in their lives, those good works and good fruit aren’t what saves them. No, good fruit merely evidences that there is a relationship. Christ alone can save and He does that instantly when a lost soul believes upon Him (John 6:47; Acts 16:31; Romans 5:1, etc.). The Great Shepherd of His sheep keeps His people saved as they keep themselves in the love of God, “looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” (Jude 21: 1 Peter 1:5)

“Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” Jude 21

The story of Jesus, Mary, and Martha is yet another place in the Scriptures of truth that clearly reveal what God is looking for from us – to love and to worship Him supremely.

“Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. ³⁹And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. ⁴⁰But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. ⁴¹And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: ⁴²But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:38-42

Jesus speaks to us of an abiding union/relationship with Him where He calls us His friends. I want to encourage you to read John 15 closely this week. In this discourse on the Husbandman (the Father), the Vine (Jesus), and the branches (us), you will note that the relationship precedes the fruit bearing. While the fruit reveals the root – testifies to the relationship – fruit doesn’t save, neither does obedience. God does require us to obey Him by putting our faith in Christ to save us, but it’s He who saves us. Jesus Christ alone can save. Ephesians 2:8-10 reveals that we are saved by His grace through our faith and that we are “his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works.”

Consider that our LORD was “moved with compassion” toward those in need (Matthew 9:36). The great apostle said “the love of Christ constraineth (compels) us.” (2 Corinthians 5:14)

At times we quote 1 John 2:4 and yet, let’s look at a wider angle of this passage:

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

“But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice…” Matthew 9:13

“And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.” Joel 2:13

Is loving God more important that obeying God? Both are obviously important and yet, in the divine economy, which is most important?

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

Am I choosing and learning to “love the Lord” with my whole heart?

Andre Alexis writes: “Christianity is more than merely believing and obeying commands and reaping the promises of God. Christianity is not a religion: it is a relationship. And a relationship requires communication. Therefore, prayer is essential, because it is through prayer that you and I communicate with our heavenly Father.” …. This is a simple truth and yet bears stating as brother Andre did above. This is especially important due to the epidemic of charlatans which have promulgated a “what’s in it for me?” self-serving lifestyle upon millions who don’t bother to truly lay down their lives and see with their own eyes the full counsel of our LORD’s Word which actually communicate the very “thoughts of his heart.” (Psalms 33:11). The LORD wants a relationship with each of His children. He’s not just there to answer our every prayer while we commit spiritual adultery by wasting our time/lives in this fleeting world playing games, giving hours to frivolous foolishness, etc. He wants our hearts. Jesus told us the reason the Father sent Him in John 17:3. This was David’s and Paul’s whole goal in their respective earthly lives (Psalms 27:4, 8; Philippians 3:10). Jesus told us He wants an abiding relationship that bears fruit that remains to His eternal glory (John 15:1-16).

After being saved, under the new covenant, it’s not law keeping but rather abiding in Christ, amen? John 15 “Abide in me.”

“My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.” 1 John 3:18

LOVE IS THE CARDINAL EVIDENCE OR FRUIT THAT ONE KNOWS GOD.

Do we truly know Him who “is love”? (1 John 4:8, 16) Love is a divine attribute that is, without exception, resident in every man who is truly in right standing with God (Galatians 5:22-23)

PRAYER: Holy heavenly Father, I come to You impoverished in spirit. For without You dear LORD, we can do nothing. You are love and I am not and yet, I ask You here and now to more deeply imbue my innermost man with and teach me Your love. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Uphold Jesus (audio)

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What Did Paul Mean by "I Keep Under My Body"? [podcast]

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Confused about how grace, faith, and works correlate? “We are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works.” Ephesians 2:10 We are saved by God through Christ’s perfect sacrifice, by grace through faith, and yet true saving faith ALWAYS produces the fruit of an obedient, holy life. Obedience saves no one and yet is the fruit, the proof one truly knows and is known of God. Anyone teaching otherwise is fulfilling the grace-perverting prophesy of Jude 4. Read James 2; 1 John 2:3-6, chapter 3, etc. “Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep […]

Abiding

FROM THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT by Jon Crane

By Jon Crane

“Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.” Matthew 5:5

A life surrendered to Christ and led by the Holy Spirit is made able to become a child of the kingdom of God (John 1:12-13; Romans 8:14-16; etc.).

The grace that saved us: the blood of Jesus Christ at Calvary is our atoning sacrifice and become the entrance into the eternal kingdom of God for the purpose of living from the new creation we have become in Christ (born-again John 3:3-7; John 15:1-5). Putting off our old man with his worldly mindset by washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost (Titus 3:3-7).

Let us therefore, press into this inward holy life of living faith.

“But be ye doers of the word, and NOT hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:

24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.

25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a DOER of the work (Matthew 7:24-25), this man shall be blessed in his deed.” James 1:22-25

More Thoughts…

“Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.

8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath (vengeance belongeth to the LORD who created us all

9 For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD (actively doing God’s will in their lives; making full proof of the hope of redemption which they have by exercising their faith by works of love – Matthew 22:37-40; 1 Corinthians 13; etc.), they shall inherit the earth.

10 For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be.

11 But the MEEK shall inherit the earth (Matthew 5:5); and shalt delight themselves in the abundance of peace.” Psalms 37:7-11

When pressed above measure read Psalms. 94.

Remember whose you are …

“And ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s.” 1 Corinthians 3:23

Take heart…

“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.” Titus 2:11-14

If you do not know Jesus Christ as your Savior yet and would like to make peace with God…

“That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” John 3:15-18

Romans 3

“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein in ye stand;

2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.” 1 Corinthians 15:1-4

“Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith unto them who are under the law: that every mouth (Jew, Gentile, Muslim, etc.) may be stopped, and ALL the world may become guilty before God.

20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

21 But now the righteousness of God, without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;

22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith (Romans 1:16-17) of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

26 To declare, I say, at this time (today if you hear his voice: Heb. 3:7,15 conviction in your heart) his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.” Romans 3:19-26

Confession made…

“But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;

9 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.

12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.

13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:8-13

Call upon Jesus Christ according to faith and be saved!

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.” Romans 1:16-17

Making Peace with God

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