Abiding

WHY were 24,000 of God’s People Killed at Peor? [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]

“Baal was most often portrayed as a strong warrior and was considered the god of storms and fertility. He was said to rule from his palace atop Mount Zaphon, the highest peak in Syria. Baal is referenced several times in the Bible’s Old Testament, where he is depicted as the main rival of the god of the Israelites.”

We must understand that God is severe in His judgment of rebels of which there are “many” who claim they are saved. Eternal damnation awaits all rebels (Matthew 7:13-23, etc.).

“Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.” Romans 11:22

DIVINE JUDGMENT, the “severity of God,” IS NOT GOING AWAY JUST BECAUSE YOU OR SOME FAKE PREACHER IGNORES IT!

Christians avoid doing as did the Israelites when they worshipped baal by worshipping the LORD, the Father and Jesus Christ “in spirit and in truth.” (John 4:23-24; 1 Corinthians 8:6; 1 John 1:3) This begins with fresh and complete repentance, confession of all sin, and denouncing of all dependence, idolatry, all pagan practices like yoga and mantra chanting, etc., and by understanding that truly worshiping the LORD, the one true God, is based on sincere loyalty to Him and not to get things from Him like success or possession in this fleeting world. The heart of the disciple of Jesus must be circumcised perpetually and this is happening as we examine our hearts for idols, the daily crucified life, living a life of prayer, setting boundaries against temptations, and being wholly accountable to the LORD, while avoiding syncretism (mixing pagan rituals with Christian practice) and prioritizing God’s Word.

Deuteronomy 4:1-10

24,000 of God’s own people, men, departed from obeying the instruction, the standard, the Word of God and were destroyed. They partook in the soul damning sin of fornication.

“Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers giveth you. 2 Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you. 3 Your eyes have seen what the LORD did because of Baalpeor: for all the men that followed Baalpeor, the LORD thy God hath destroyed them from among you. 4 But ye that did cleave unto the LORD your God are alive every one of you this day. 5 Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the LORD my God commanded me, that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it. 6 Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people. 7 For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the LORD our God is in all things that we call upon him for? 8 And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day? 9 Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons’ sons; 10 Specially the day that thou stoodest before the LORD thy God in Horeb, when the LORD said unto me, Gather me the people together, and I will make them hear my words, that they may learn to fear me all the days that they shall live upon the earth, and that they may teach their children.” Deuteronomy 4:1-10

Departing from the pure Word of God always leads to sinful living as was the case with 24,000 of God’s people’s worship at Baal Peor.

“And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.” Luke 4:4

In Deuteronomy 4, Moses warns God’s people not to change or depart from the LORD’s Word and brings up the example, reminds the people of God’s judgment upon 24,000 of His own people for doing so (Numbers 25).

Of the worship of Baal-Peor, one writer notes:

“Yet what was this worship of Baal-Peor and why did it draw such wrath from God? Baal-Peor is a Moabite god who was worshipped with obscene rituals. The name means ‘Lord of the Opening’ from Baal meaning owner/ husband and Peor coming from pa’ar meaning ‘open wide.’ ‘I found Israel Like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your fathers As the firstfruits on the fig tree in its first season. But they went to Baal Peor, And separated themselves to that shame; They became an abomination like the thing they loved.’ (Hosea 9:10) The worship of Baal-Peor IS an abomination. Notice that those who join themselves to Baal-Peor also ‘become’ an abomination before the Lord.”

Every person who has an idol, just one, has demons (Deuteronomy 32:17; 1 Corinthians 10:19-21). Repent now. Follow Jesus.

In Deuteronomy 4:3, Moses brings back to the memory of God’s people the judgment that fell upon the 24,000 of His own people for their idolatry and fornication. This idolatrous abomination is recorded in Numbers 25.

“And, behold, one of the children of Israel came and brought unto his brethren a Midianitish woman in the sight of Moses, and in the sight of all the congregation of the children of Israel, who were weeping before the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. 7 And when Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he rose up from among the congregation, and took a javelin in his hand; 8 And he went after the man of Israel into the tent, and thrust both of them through, the man of Israel, and the woman through her belly. So the plague was stayed from the children of Israel. 9 And those that died in the plague were twenty and four thousand.” Numbers 25:6-9

Dear reader, camp out on Numbers 25, the whole chapter. Your life is not complete without this vital component of divine truth.

Of Baal, one source notes:

Baal was a major ancient West Semitic storm and fertility god, meaning “lord” or “master,” prominent in Canaanite and Phoenician cultures, associated with rain, thunder, and agriculture, and often depicted with a thunderbolt. He was seen as a powerful deity, central to life, but became a focal point of biblical opposition as Israel’s worship of him (linked to lust and sometimes child sacrifice) was seen as idolatry against God, culminating in Elijah’s famous challenge on Mount Carmel. In later demonology, Baal (or Bael) is a powerful archdemon, and the name appears in various modern media as a demon or powerful entity.

In Ancient Religions

Identity: A powerful god of fertility, weather (rain, lightning, wind), war, and kingship, often identified with the storm god Hadad.
Worship: Widespread in the Levant (Canaan, Phoenicia) and beyond, with temples and rituals often involving cultic prostitution and sometimes human sacrifice, especially during droughts.
Mythology: Key myths involve his battles with the sea god Yamm and the god of death Mot, representing natural cycles, and his dwelling on Mount Zaphon.
Biblical Conflict: The Bible portrays Baal worship as a major temptation for Israelites, a rival to God, whose priests (including those of the Phoenician goddess Asherah/Astarte) were famously confronted by Elijah.

In Demonology & Culture

Demon: In demonology, Bael (Baal) is a powerful archdemon, often the first of the three kings of Hell in grimoires, associated with invisibility and wisdom.
Modern Media: The name appears in many forms, from Diablo and Dungeons & Dragons (Bhaal/Bael) to anime like Gundam and Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-kun, often as a powerful demon or god.”

Not one of us has lived perfectly holy and yet, at this moment in time, some will choose to truly repent and confess their sins and others will refuse (Proverbs 28:13). Eternity depends on true repentance which always, without fail, yields a changed life, a holy life (Matthew 3:7-10; Luke 13:3).

“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

These 24,000 Israelites were slain for their sin. God is still holy and “The wages of sin” is still death (Romans 6:23; Ezekiel 18:4).

“The soul that sinneth, it shall die.” Ezekiel 18:4

Zimri, a Simeonite (of the tribe of Simeon) was the Israelite whom Phinehas, grandson of Aaron, did slay for his utterly audacious display of sin, having brought the fornication in the middle of the camp of God’s people and even into the midst of their worship (Numbers 25:6, 14).

The great apostle brings this very incident to account 1 Corinthians 10:1-12 and warns New Testament saints never to partake lest they also be destroyed. The sins Paul cites form the natural acronym L.I.F.T.M. = lust, idolatry, fornication, tempting Christ, murmuring.

5 Soul Damning Sins Named! Learning from History! [podcast]

The spear of Phinehas must begin with ourselves – as we truly repent, lay down our lives in this world, and cut off the hand, pluck out the eye of any sin in our lives. The conscious eternal suffering, the severity of eternal judgment coming on any person who dies in sin is most profoundly declared by the Son of God Mark 9:43-49. Many of the new fake “bibles” removed this important passage.

The new “bibles” have lowered the standard and weakened many by their changing of God’s Word which Moses specifically warns us of in this main text, Deuteronomy 4.

“For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.” Revelation 22:18-19

Departing from the Word of God, not obeying God on His stated terms, is the sure way to be weakened, destroyed, here and eternally. The LORD speaks often in His Word about this.

“Thus saith the LORD; Stand in the court of the LORD’S house, and speak unto all the cities of Judah, which come to worship in the LORD’S house, all the words that I command thee to speak unto them; diminish not a word:” Jeremiah 26:2

Each Man is Choosing to Drink from One Cup or the Other

Baal was ultimately Satan himself and involved things like sacrificing ones own child in exchange for being blessed by this false good. Jesus informed us that Satan has come “to steal, to kill, and to destroy.” (John 10:10).

As was the case at Baal Peor, Satan is behind every idol and so all idolatry is the worship of Satan.

“What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing? 20 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. 21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils. 22 Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?” 1 Corinthians 10:19-22

This passage above is speaking of the Baal Peor event and also to the temptation of Satan and his children today. Baal worship is alive and well today, calling God’s people to worship at the altar of devils, to partake is vile atrocities that separate one to Satan and away from the LORD. “No man can serve two masters” and anyone living in sin is not serving the one, true, holy LORD and Savior (Matthew 6:24)

“They joined themselves also unto Baalpeor, and ate the sacrifices of the dead. 29 Thus they provoked him to anger with their inventions: and the plague brake in upon them. 30 Then stood up Phinehas, and executed judgment: and so the plague was stayed. 31 And that was counted unto him for righteousness unto all generations for evermore.” Psalms 106:28-31

One writer notes:

“Baal Peor, or the Baal of Peor, was a local deity worshiped by the Moabites. When the Israelites, following Moses to the Promised Land, were in the vicinity of Peor, some of them fell into idolatry and worshiped Baal Peor. As a result of their sin, the men of Israel were judged by God.”

Baal Peor consisted of the worship of a false god, Satan, and fornication. Satan is behind the worship of all idols and such idolatry is filled with his devils/demons (1 Corinthians 10:19-22).

Modern day types of Baal Peor are the pornography, strip clubs, and everything in our society that has to do with any form of fornication. Movie and media are filled with such evil. The 24,000 who were destroyed in Moses day (Numbers 25), departed from the Word of God and the standards set forth there for holiness and the divine prohibition of sex outside of marriage between one man and one woman (1 Thessalonians 4:1-8). Read Deuteronomy 4 and Numbers 25 side by side.

“Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more. 2 For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus. 3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: 4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; 5 Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: 6 That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. 7 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. 8 He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.” 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

Before their blunder at Peor, after God brought them out of Egypt (the world), Israel was innocent. Judgment, destruction ensued their sin of all who participated. Today, we can witness that many who once worshipped God with a pure heart, have now turned away to the worship of idols involving fornication of all kinds. Those who would rebuke these backsliders could be liked unto Phinehas.

“I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your fathers as the firstripe in the fig tree at her first time: but they went to Baalpeor, and separated themselves unto that shame; and their abominations were according as they loved.” Hosea 9:10

“I found Israel – The Lord speaks of himself in the person of a traveler, who unexpectedly in the wilderness finds a vine loaded with grapes; such love did God bear to Israel. Your fathers – Whom I brought out of Egypt. As the first – ripe – As the earliest ripe fruit of the fig – tree, which is most valued and desired. Separated themselves – Consecrated themselves to that shameful idol. Their abominations – Their idols, and way of worshipping them. As they loved – As they fancied.” John Wesley

Deuteronomy 4, Numbers 25, and 1 Corinthians 10 speak of the same event – the sin of God’s people in Baal worship at Peor and the consequent divine judgment that fell upon 24,000 of them. This is an eternal memorial for the judgment of God against all sin, namely idolatry and fornication.

“To abstain from idol feasts was the clear duty of all Christians. By partaking of heathen sacrifices which were offered to demons, they became one with the demons and their votaries; just as in the Lord’s Supper we show our oneness not only with the Savior but with each other. It was clear, therefore, that the Corinthian Christians could not consistently partake of idol feasts and the Lord’s Supper. What an incentive is given here to frequent and reverent participation in the Lord’s Supper! It proclaims our union with Him and His people, and it gives us a distaste for all that is alien to its spirit.” FB Meyer

Those who depart from the standards set forth in God’s Word separate themselves to idols, to devils and are under divine judgment from the unchanging God (Malachi 3:6).

The Examples of Phinehas and Jael

Perhaps we can liken what Phinehas did in spearing the sin out of the camp of God’s people, with those who call His people to worship Him in Spirit and in truth and according to His pure, uncorrupted Word (Numbers 25:10-18; Psalms 12:6-7; Proverbs 30:5-6; Revelation 22:18-19). Phinehas boldly, courageously in the fear of God stood up and stamped out sin in the camp. The judgment ended. Those who stand and boldly, fearlessly declared the Word of God and call out sin among God’s people, are the Phinehas’ of our day. Do we have a Phinehas priesthood in our midst?

“Who will rise up for me against the evildoers? or who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity?” Psalms 94:16

In Job 4:21-22; 5:24-27 we read about another bless-ed patriarch of the faith who stood up, who rose up against sin, slaying a wicked king.

In both the cases of Phinehas and Jael, these biblical accounts make specific record that the LORD greatly blessed these faithful followers of His, and their families, and He will do the same today for His true bold witnesses who stand against the evil of this late hour.

The 5 Sins That Keep God’s People Out of Their Promised Land [podcast]

Learning from History! (below) THE 5 SINS THAT KEPT ISRAEL (God’s own covenant people) OUT OF THEIR PROMISED LAND OF BLESSINGS and will keep us out if not relinquished. Friend, please read 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 with all your might. Make this text your meat. The world seeks to romance sin but if God says it’s sin, that’s what it is. Toning down the terms changes nothing. Judgment Day is on the way. We are fighting the good fight of faith, “striving against sin” and “more than conquerors” over sin through Jesus who loves us and bought us with His own […]

The Lure of Adultery

BOMBARDED WITH IMAGES, ENTICEMENTS, AND ADVERTISEMENTS FOR ADULTERY! Marriage is Sacred in the Eyes of a Holy God The joy of sex has context. When removed from that context, great danger occurs. Context. Context. Context! To have sex outside of the context in which our Maker requires it to be, is like a man who tries to row a boat on dry land. He’s going no where. And those doing ANY kind of sex outside of the marriage between 1 man and 1 woman are going nowhere except eternal hell. Repent now and follow Jesus before it’s too late. Sex […]

The Curse of Spiritual Adultery [podcast]

“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 Simply put, whether physical or imagined (imaged, conjured up in one’s mind) an idol is the figment, the God-less object of one’s sinful, corrupted, defiled, unrepentant, and demented heart and therefore […]

Abiding

The Surrender of the Cross [podcast]

One writer notes:

“Your sin is not the disqualification. Your refusal to repent is.

The strongest men in scripture weren’t the sinless ones. They were the ones who fell and did not stay down.

David: adultery, a murder ordered from a throne, a dead son. And the psalm he wrote on his face: “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.”

Peter: three denials in one night. “And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.” Fifty days later he stood in the same city and preached the sermon that saved three thousand.

Paul: dragged Christians to prison and death. “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.”

“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.”

God is not collecting monuments. He’s raising men who get on their face, get clean, and get back in the fight.”

Brother Billy, a friend of mine, asked “What is the cross?” We’re going to talk about that in this podcast message.

So many today have this idol image of the cross. They do not understand what Jesus and His holy apostles taught us about what the cross is as it pertains to our daily life in following Jesus.

Some think there is power bowing down before an image of the cross. Not.

Some believe it’s of God to carry a little cross in their pocket, nearly like a good luck charm. Not.

Others believe that making the sign of the cross is of God. Not.

In one word, the cross, as it applies to us as Jesus taught, is surrender in repentance and thereafter daily.

When we’ve repented and received Christ as the LORD and Savior of our lives, He washes us clean of all our sin. That is initial salvation and thereafter we must walk with Christ and live in the victory He died and rose again to grant His people.

Did Jesus die on that cross to set us free to sin for the remaining of our days on the earth after He saves us? No.

The cross separates us from self and therefore sin. Jesus knew we’d need this in order to walking holy after He initially saves us, washing us of all sin. That’s initial salvation and in order to thereafter walk with our LORD, we must be crucified with Him which will keep us from living in sin.

“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7

Jesus Christ is the only One who can save and sanctify us. Regrettably, so many stop at initial salvation and as Satan would have it, they are told the “eternal security” lie. This is the lie that led the first man and woman to sin which plunged the human race into darkness, separation (Genesis 2:17 > 3:4).

Jesus died to “take away our sins” – initially and ongoing as we “endure to the end” abiding, remaining, continuing in and with our LORD (Matthew 10:22; 24:13; John 15:1-6, etc.).

“he was manifested to take away our sins”

“And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. 6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.” 1 John 3:5-6

“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

Ask God to let His message of the cross be absorbed and deeply permeate your heart and mind.

“Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men.” Luke 9:44

Karen Cochran writes:

“’Only in the light of Calvary will we discover how the pain of our suffering can be transformed into a ministry.’

Our deepest transformations happen during our times of sufferings! I have found Jesus more in my darkest valleys than on the mountain tops, because in the high places I did not think I needed Him. But when I am in the valley of the shadow of death, and cry out, ‘Please Jesus I am poor in spirit and can doing nothing without You.’ In His grace He reaches down into that place and gives me the comfort of God, and raises me up out of my troubles. The cross life! Romans 6. We go down into death and He raises us up into newness of life.

When we experience His compassion, we are then required to comfort others with the same comfort we have received from God. 2 Cor 1:3-5. That is how He births ministry in us!”

IF in your fellowship you are not hearing the cross, the crucified life biblical message and knowing Jesus and the Father, you are sitting under “another gospel.” (John 17:3; Galatians 1:6-9; 2:20; 6:14; Philippians 3:10; Colossians 1-2)

Jesus is “the life” and Jesus taught and demonstrated by His own life and mission that death and burial must of necessity precede resurrection (John 14:6). YET, you will seldom if ever hear this original, central Gospel cross truth mentioned in a modern church. Think: “Life Surge”, another fad ministry campaign. They speak of the “surge” or resurrection and yet they will never mention the death and burial Christ requires as a condition to raise, to cause one to surge. This means they are raising themselves up instead of dying and letting God raise them up.

Beware of the false gospel being peddled at nearly EVERY so-called “church” in this late hour. The wolves who occupy those pulpits are “accursed” for preaching “another gospel.” (Galatians 1:6-9) A gospel without the cross of Christ and the one He mandated that you take up, is a false gospel .

“And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.” Matthew 24:11

WHO ELSE needs a rest from the vile rage of the flesh?

“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. … O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” Romans 7:18, 24

There is nothing good in me, nor in you, other than Christ. This is why we must be “crucified with Christ.”

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20

Without being born again and living the crucified life Jesus has called us to, there is no hope of remaining in Christ – of abiding in Christ and seeing God produce “fruit … more fruit” and “much fruit.” See John 15:1-16.

Putting to rest the deeds of the body is the crucify the flesh.

WHO are truly Christ’s?

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

IF one is not crucifying the flesh daily, he is living in the flesh, in sin.

Reading Romans 6 each morning will be a blessing to your life.

“Not my will, but thine, be done.”

Jesus tells His disciples to “Watch and pray” – to remain vigilant perpetually in prayer and watching. Then He tells us why – because “the flesh is weak.”

“Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. 42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.” Matthew 26:41-42

“Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.” Luke 22:42

Our Savior demonstrated the cross, before the cross when He declared to His and our Father “not my will, but thine, be done.”

This is divine prayer material for us saints – “not my will, but thine, be done.”

One source notes the following concerning Jesus’ submission and surrender to the Father:

“Jesus yielded up His spirit to the Father after completing His perfect sacrifice.

- Luke 23:46: “And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.”
- John 19:30: “When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.”
- Philippians 2:8: “And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”

The Meaning of Surrender at the Cross

- Complete Submission: Jesus willingly submitted to the Father’s will, finishing the work of redemption.
- The Believer’s Response: Scripture calls followers of Jesus to model this surrender by taking up their own cross daily (Luke 9:23).”

Slaves to “Christian” or “Church” Conmen and Cross-less Counselors

The cross is the opposite of what the fake “church’s” calls “self-care.” “Self-care” is a fake “solution” that brings repeat busine$$ to those who perpetrate it. The cross is God’s solution – beginning at the foot of Christ’s redemptive cross and the cross He mandates you to take up daily. Beware of the cross-less deceivers. There is no salvation or solution from sin outside of Christ’s cross and thereafter the one He commands you to take up daily.

There are lots of people peddling the lie of “self care” which is ultimately nothing more than absolute self-idolatry. Pure evil. We need SAVIOR care! Such “self-care” only perpetuates the prey, the victim, in their misery. The only way to deal with the wicked iniquitous nature, is to crucify it, not pamper it (Luke 9:23-24). It’s your time to get into God’s Word and follow Jesus (KJB). Repent, deny yourself, lay down your life and serve God and others, not yourself. Loving your wicked self IS your problem and so all “self care” is accomplishing is to make your problem bigger, to fortify the evil within (Galatians 5:16-24). Crucifying that evil by the power of the Holy Spirit who is then raising your upward in His grace, glory, and power, is the divine prescription (Romans 8:13; Colossians 3:3, etc.). Read Philippians 2:3-5 each morning this week. Jesus commands you to love God. Worship God. Obey God (Matthew 22:37-39).

Jesus conquered sin, death, hell, and the grave by surrendering – by dying to self and honoring and executing the will of the Father.

“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

The daily cross, the surrender of self, is essential to keep sin out of our lives. It is our submission to God – giving back to Him the life he gave which is us – and came and died to redeem.

“He must increase, but I must decrease.” John 3:30

“ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price”

“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

Surely we don’t believe Jesus initially saved us only to approve of us thereafter living in sin.

“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

Beware of the cross-evading “eternal security” deceivers whom Jude calls “ungodly men”, who by their serpentine heresy, are “turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness (license to sin)” and by doing so they are “denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Jude 3-4) These are “enemies of the CROSS of Christ.” (Philippians 3:18-19)

How do we know that those who teach “once saved always saved” are of the devil? – Because that was Satan’s first lie which led to the fall of mankind in the Garden and it’s resulting in the same falling away today. Read what God said in Genesis 2:17 and then what Satan said in Genesis 3:4.

Now read Romans 6 each morning for the next 3 days. Ask yourself: Can you live in communion with God who is holy, without the crucified life”? No.

“For he that is dead is freed from sin.” Romans 6:7

Read that verse again and ask: “WHO are the only people ‘freed from sin’”? – It’s exclusively those who are “dead” and buried with Christ. They are then raised upward in the glory and power of Jesus Christ, walking fruit-filled lives for His eternal glory (Romans 8:11-14).

PRAYER: Holy Father, I come to You afresh, and I ask You to have Your way in my life. Please overcome all evil dear LORD. You must increase but I must decrease – now and till You return. Not my will but Thine be done Jesus. Please help me to love and trust You more. In Jesus’ name.

The Flesh will Never be Reformed it Must be Crucified [podcast]

The Divine Prescription is Clear and there are No Shortcuts “And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.” Galatians 5:24 The law brings repentance, salvation while thereafter the crucified life, the cross keeps us from that sin which once separated us from the LORD, who now has saved us (Psalms 19:7; Romans 6). There are lots of people peddling the lie of “self care” which is ultimately nothing more than absolute selfishness. Pure evil. Such only perpetuates the prey, the victim, in their misery. The only way to deal with the wicked iniquitous nature, is […]

Either Crucify the Flesh or it will Crucify Christ out of Your Life [podcast]

Fight the temptation or die the death? Where’s the victory come from? The Cross – something counterfeits intentionally evade (Philippians 3:18-19). The cross is how we know who is real and who is fake. Refusing to take up the cross means one has denied Christ. This would account for the vast majority of men in ministry today. They are cross-less. The only people who are truly following Christ are those who are doing it HIS way – and His stated way is the cross, the crucified life (Luke 9:23-24). There is no other way to follow Jesus. If we don’t crucify […]

The Cross in My Pocket Deception [podcast]

Any person who has to wear a big cross, have a cross in their pocket, or have a cross tattoo, to “prove” they are a Christian, very likely doesn’t know the One who died on that cross to take away our sins. “For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.” Philippians 3:3 Having “the fruit of the Spirit” is the proof one is born again in Christ (John 3:3, 7; Galatians 5:19-24). The Savior never instructed anyone with this understanding: the idea of needing or using […]

Abiding

The Benefits of Knowing and Delighting in the LORD [podcast]

Delighting ourselves in Him

“Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” Psalms 37:4

Loving God with a Whole Heart, our Whole Being

“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

Abiding in Christ, Asking

“If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” John 15:7

Jesus Must Be Our “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

“That Your Joy May be Full”

“And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. 24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.” John 16:23-24

“That is the only place I want to be at the feet of Jesus drinking in His word. Soaking up all He has to say to me! I do not ever want to be arrogant enough to believe I can make it without Jesus. Everyday I tell Him how much I need Him. I am nothing without Jesus!! Oh how I long to be with Him! Yearning for the day when I shall see Him in the clouds. Coming to take us home! Hallelujah!” Karen Cochran

Truly Delighting in the LORD

“Many take this verse out of context (Psalm 37:4). For many years all I would hear Christians say was, ‘He will give you the desires of your heart.’ This then becomes all about you. They would leave out the first part, which says you must delight yourself in the Lord. I came to realize that when you delight in Him, He changes your heart, and you begin to desire what He desires. He aligns your heart with His heart!” Karen Cochran

The subject matter of your prayers reveals if you are about you, or about Jesus.

To illustrate our relationship with Christ, one write of old noted:

“The life of self is death.

The death of self is life.”

There cannot and will not be a resurrection until there is a death. Death and burial must precede raising up. Read Romans 6 each morning this week and ask God to help you life a doornail dead life!

Am I delighting in the LORD? If not, how can He possibly grant the desires of my heart?

“Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” Psalms 37:4

When we delight in the LORD, our lives are crucified with Christ, we are one with Him and He is filling our hearts with His desires – to worship, love, and obey Him. What we ask Him for in prayer will change. Instead of “LORD, please give me this or that fleeting trinket,” it will be “LORD, please let this life be crucified with Thee. Help me to love You more. Use me to edify Your people and minister Your bless-ed Gospel to the lost souls You died and raise against to save.”

“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.” Romans 8:29

Run from any wolf who is not squaring you up regularly to inform you that the LORD mandates your death so that He can fill and raise your life upward, Heavenward, for His eternal glory.

YOUR PRAYER: Holy Father, thank You so very much for sending Your only begotten Son to find, rescue, forgive, and save me into Your glorious eternal kingdom. Please help me to know and love You more. Sanctify my life and conform me to the image of Christ. Please wash me afresh with Your precious blood LORD Jesus. Use me to help others know You dear LORD. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

The Importance of Private Prayer [podcast]

“But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.” Matthew 6:6 Private prayer is essential to the disciple. Jesus reveals here that those who seek His face in prayer privately, will be used of Him publicly! Are you at Christ’s feet? Do you live a life of prayer? Have you ever studied the life of Christ and beheld the many instances of His prayer life? “And in the morning, rising up a great while […]

How to Know You are being Led by the Spirit [podcast]

Firstly, since there are many ungrounded flakes today claiming God is telling them things or leading them, let’s speak of the danger of using God’s holy name in vain. “Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.” Exodus 20:7 It’s a dangerous proposition to be attaching the holy, the very name of the LORD to things He is not saying. Such is the work of counterfeits, false prophets. Read the severe warning in Jeremiah 23:30-40 on this matter. We know for […]

Is Loving God Enough? Must We Fear Him? [podcast]

Often, I’ve heard seminarians and modern “Christians” reject the biblical concept, the divine command to fear God. Both loving God and fearing God are divine commands (Ecclesiastes 12:13; Matthew 22:37-39; Luke 12:4-5, etc.). Yet we must ask: Is loving God enough? Is loving the LORD all we need to do? Will saying we love God keep you out of sin? It’s a nice platitude, yet this is false humility. Trite. Holiness by way of the fear of the Lord is an essential to remaining, abiding in Christ. May God instill in the depth of our being His holy fear – […]

Abiding

Cons and Crooks who Do Not Preach the Cross [podcast]

“For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:18

Those who do not preach the cross prove that they believe the cross is “foolishness.”

The know that many will leave if they were to preach the crucified life. And they are in it for the money, the acceptance of mere men, not Christ. Make no mistake, the Holy Ghost through Paul warned us specifically about this generation of counterfeits, these “evil men and seducers” who “wax worse and worse.” (2 Timothy 3:13) They’ve raised up a generation of self-love counterfeits who have a mere “form of godliness” and are “denying the power (authority of Jesus) thereof: from such turn away.” (2 Timothy 3:1-13)

The con men who commandeer today’s apostate church world want you “in church” so they get paid and yet where did the apostle Paul or any of the apostles instruct anyone to go find a good church or “attend church every Sunday”? Chapters and verses please

Why is lack of attending a local fellowship listed as a sin in the New Testament canon?

What qualifies a man to be an elder? certainly not seminary which are wolf factories invaded by the jesuits in 50’s and 60’s. All seminarians are vatican indoctrinated. The first they the jesuits did was replace the real Bible, the KJB with fake vatican corrupted new version “bibles.”

In His Great Commission command, did Jesus ever command “Go ye into all the world and find a church and be a fruitless, lukewarm, good church member?” OR …. Go teach and preach my Word? (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15)

In the early days of the Gospel, when persecution hit Jerusalem, God’s Word records this: “Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.” (Acts 8:4) This clearly reveals that they were equipped by the apostles “for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:” (Ephesians 4:11-12) Jesus and apostles never trained anyone to become good church members or attenders.

IF YOU ARE ARGUING TO PUSH THE IDEA THAT ALL DISCIPLES OF JESUS MUST GO TO A SUPPOSED “OFFICIAL” CHURCH BUILDING ON SUNDAY MORNINGS AND YET YOUR OWN PASTOR ISN’T CONSTANTLY PREACHING THE CRUCIFIED LIFE AS AN ABSOLUTE ORIGINAL GOSPEL ESSENTIAL….. THIS IS CLEAR PROOF YOU ARE SITTING UNDER WOLVES AND NOW DEFENDING THEM AND WILL BE JUDGED WITH THEM (2 John 9-11).

Isn’t it interesting that those who push the “go to church” agenda are the ones who stand to profit from such? Are you being made merchandise of? (2 Peter 2:1-3)

Christ’s true disciples do what HE did – direct you to the cross, the crucified life – and not some apostate modern church run by a fake pastor, using a fake “bible”, and preaching a fake “Jesus.” WHAT did Jesus teach was necessary to follow Him – going to church or taking up the cross, living the crucified life, daily?

“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

“Many try to crucify their flesh in their own strength. This is impossible. It takes a complete and total surrender to Jesus first. Then the Holy Spirit will show you all the ways you are not like God. Then it is not a struggle. You let Jesus have control. Your job is to obey and take your flesh to the cross to be nailed there. Dead and buried. This is how the fruits of the Spirit are born in us! If we are saved by the blood of Jesus, we will not let sin reign in our mortal bodies. We now have the power of Christ to resist sin. It should never have dominion over us. We are now servants of righteousness and holiness. We are to walk in the newness of life that we have in Christ. Do not serve sin! Serve Jesus!” Karen Cochran

Is the cross, the crucified daily life essential to following Jesus? Yes or no?

“And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:27

Memorize Galatians 2:20 today. Meditate upon and live it daily.

“But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.” Luke 19:27

“Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD:” Amos 8:11

Fellowship with other saints is vital and yet we have to navigate these times of apostasy.

MESSAGE RECEIVED:

“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together” is a Biblical command (Hebrews 10:24-25). It was also demonstrated and practiced in the early church (Acts 4:31, Acts 11:26, Acts 15:25, Acts 20:7, Romans 12:3-8, 1 Corinthians 11:17-34, 1 Corinthians 14:23-26, 1 Corinthians 16:1-2) . Missionaries may not always be able to attend the local church that sent them out but their heart is there and a big part of the mission should be establishing new local churches, like Paul did. All believers should desire to meet with fellow like minded Scriptural believers for fellowship, labor, and worship together unto God. Those without a body mentality are self centered.”

REPLY:

As Jesus commanded, the earliest followers of Jesus cross-walked with Jesus “daily” and fellowshipped “daily.” (Luke 9:23-24; Acts 2:46; 5:42). Today we have people who are impressed with themselves for meeting weekly in a setting that is called “church” that is not even biblical. Churchianity vs Christianity.

Acts 2:42 – “And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” This is the true model of simple, Christ-centered fellowship. Regrettably the bureaucracy mob of wolves infiltrated long ago. Most local “churches” are commandeered by seminarian wolves (Ezekiel 22:25-27). In the first decades after Christ was raised from the dead, the apostle Paul wept bitterly over the hoards of wolves who would come and make a busine$$ out of the church, who would devour the sheep of Christ, for whom He came and died (Acts 20:20-32). Jesus had already cleansed the temple in divine fury over this very thing (Matthew 21; John 2). They the apostle Peter warned us of those who would “make merchandise of you.” (2 Peter 2:1-3)

“Evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse.” 2 Timothy 3:13

Missionaries and others who are truly born again and find Biblical fellowship even daily, instead of weekly, are no less assembling than those who meet in a designated building once weekly.

We still do not see Jesus or the apostles operating rigidly or perhaps much at all with a regimented Sunday morning meeting, nor their insistence that all Christians the world over do such. It was more of a lifestyle, not a Sunday morning visit to a country club as is mostly what we see today. Telling new Christians to go “find a church” in their area is a dangerous proposition especially in this late hour where Jesus promised, foretold that “MANY false prophets shall arise and shall deceive MANY.” (Matthew 24:11) Most “church” organizations are 501(C)(3) which alone means they sold out to the state, rejecting the rulership of the Savior…. and now the state dictates what, when, and where they can preach. The covid scamdemic exposed this – how over 90% of these state owned “churches” are utterly false. Those wolves took orders from the State, not the Savior who commands us to fellowship and if they have true fellowship, why didn’t they continue? They are compromised.

WHAT fruit has the modern church produced? Can we count on more than 1 hand the amount of people we know who are ardent church members (unbiblical) who are also in the Word daily, deny self and taking up the cross daily, and who are evangelizing. There are very few. Jesus says His people are a “little flock.” (Luke 12:32) The modern church wolves who pretend to represent Christ have produced a generation of counterfeits.

WHO did God tell us are His?

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

When’s the last time you heard, outside of a “church” building. a faithful church goer laud and celebrate Jesus Christ, testifying of His precious blood and glorious resurrection? Churchianity isn’t Christianity. So many counterfeit modern church goers brag about and are proud of their church and pastor and yet few if any of those same people testify from their own mouths and lives the glories of the bless-ed nail scarred risen Savior. They are not upholding Christ, the Head (Colossians 2:18-19).

Many modern church assemblies do not equal true Bible fellowship, assembling which will always exalt Jesus Christ, not the elders, the organization, or the church.

YOUR PRAYER: Holy Father I come to You now in the name of Jesus, knowing what you said my life should be and yet not knowing how this is to come about. Please increase my faith. I love You LORD. Here and now I turn to You in repentance, asking You to forgive my many sins of not being thankful to You, of selfishness, self-idolatry, rebellion, and unbelief. Please wash me clean, afresh, in the precious blood of my LORD Jesus. Change me dear LORD. Conform me to the image of Christ. Please fill me with Your Holy Ghost and use me to win the lost and help Your people as we eagerly anticipate Your soon return. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Each of us is blessed with good ministries we are surrounded by. They feed us and they are winning souls (street preachers, God called Bible teachers, etc). Please pray for and support them saints (Galatians 6:6; Philippians 1:19, etc.). This way we are all, each member of Christ’s body, participating in the Great Commission mandate He gave us – and is coming back to take account of the stewardship of our lives – time, talent, treasure, etc. (Ephesians 4:11-16, etc.). Let’s roll saints. Jesus is coming.

The Daily Cross

Victory Comes Little by Little [podcast]

“And the LORD thy God will put out those nations before thee by little and little: thou mayest not consume them at once, lest the beasts of the field increase upon thee.” Deuteronomy 7:22 “The Lord led me to pour over this scripture this morning. 2 Corinthians 3:18. ‘But we all, with open face beholding as a glass the Glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from Glory to Glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.’ ‘Open face’ here means not hiding, taking off the veil over our eyes and hearts and seeing ourselves for […]

Victory Over the Iniquities that Currently Drive You [podcast]

“Too many Christians blame their flesh on Satan and try casting it out. Never works. That’s why they don’t grow! Must crucify the flesh!” Karen Cochran Recently, a brother in Christ was pushing the fact that Genesis 6:5, 12, use the phrase “only evil continually” pertaining to mankind, all men. REPLY: Ask for yourself the important question: WHY did Jesus come to the earth? And from this moment forward, allow the Bible to answer that question …. Look for the Bible answer…… Why Jesus came to die for us and make us new creatures in Christ whereby OLD THINGS ARE […]

The Victory of the Crucified Life [podcast]

The victory of God in your life comes through the victory of Jesus’ life, death, burial, and resurrection. And thereafter, from adhering to His instructions on how to walk with Him – the way of the cross. WHO are truly Christ’s? “And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts (the cross, crucified life).” Galatians 5:24 Read that verse above again. Memorize it. There are many who claim to be Christians, followers of Jesus, yet regrettably, but a miniscule few are actually His, are actually serving the Son of God on His stated terms – […]