Spirit Fall by Chris Tomlin – Pentecost song- Have a blessed day

Thank Marilyn for this link :)

and another beautiful song

Thanks, Pete at Natsab.wordpress.com for sharing this beautiful song :)

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Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Psalm 23 New discovery!!!!!!


     Sometimes, when I see a sermon or teaching on Psalm 23, I quickly pass it by. I mean…..what more can I really learn here?  Don’t get me wrong, I love Psalm 23! I’ve had it memorized since I was 7 years old. I say it to myself often and teach it to my children. I recite it when I shop: “ I shall not want”, I recite it when I’m scared at night: “I will fear no evil”, I say it when I’m hyper: “He leads me along still waters”, I remember all my blessings and say “thou anointest my head with oil, my cup runneth over”, I say it when those around me are angry or disapprove of my christian beliefs “Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies” and sometimes for no reason at all, I will say out loud “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life”. I love it. I’ve heard all the sermons, done all the studies, and I thought, what more can there be?

   Recently I was finishing up a bible study on Psalms at Sheridan House Ministries . The ending study was Psalm 23. I thought, really? Can’t I do something new?  What more can I learn here? I sat down to answer the questions and decided to change my thoughts. I said to myself, I am going to dig and dig into this until I find something new…and I DID!!! Super cool!….. and so what if I’m not the first, I mean it has been written for 3000 years, but still! I’m happy…

The Lord is my Shepherd
Thy Ruling Scepter and thy Staff to lean on, they comfort me

 And here’s my discovery- or theory:  The Shepherd, the rod and the staff may symbolize – The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

And here is why…..

I.The word “rod” from Psalm 23 is “Shebet” in Hebrew (H7626) and has 4 meanings:

          1- Sceptre:ruling scepter
          2- Branch
          3-Stick for fighting or to punish the Nations
          4-Tribe/ruling tribe

 Sceptre: (Shebet used 10X in scripture at a scepter):Scepter means rule or ruling power. Look at the verses below and you will see that each verse with Shebet as scepter speaks of the Messiah: 

The sceptre (shebet) shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be. Binding his foal unto the vine, and his ass’s colt unto the choice vine; he washed his garments in wine, and his clothes in the blood of grapes, and in Numbers 24:17  Balaam (the one who beat the talking donkey) prophesied: “I perceive Him, but far in the distant future. A star will rise from Jacob , a scepter (Shebet) will emerge from Israel” Balam prophesied this of a distant ruler-called shebet- the Rod” Gen 49:10

 But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. Hebrews 1:8 KJV

Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever.  You rule with a scepter of justice. You love justice and hate evil.  Therefore God, your God, has anointed you, pouring out the oil of joy on you more than on anyone else Myrrh, aloes, and cassia perfume your robes.  In ivory palaces the music of strings entertains you. Kings’ daughters are among your noble women.  At your right side stands the queen,  wearing jewelry of finest gold from Ophir! (Wow! This reminds me of us, the bride of Christ, and the Wedding feast of the Lamb.- and buy from me gold- so much in this verse!- He rules with a scepter of Justice, God has anointed Him with Oil of Joy) Ps 45:6-10

New Testament proof to back up the kingship: The angel spoke this to Mary  “He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Luke 1:32-33, Luke 3:23-34, Revelation 5:5  “And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof Jacob”

   What does this prove? It proves in Numbers, that a ruler, shebet, will rise from Israel/ Jacob. We know this is Jesus and confirmed in Luke 1 when the Angel tells Mary that her son will rule the house of Jacob forever and in Luke 3 and Matthew 1 we are given the genealogy of Jesus which goes back to Judah, Jacob, and Abraham. Revelation’s verse also confirms that He is the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the root of David- the Lamb, the only one worthy enough to loose the seven seals. So we can conclude that Shebet in this verse represents Jesus, the Son of God.These verses are about Jesus- The Ruler, the Shebet- the Rod in Psalm 23.

2- Branch and who is the branch?- It’s Jesus!!!! Look at the verses below using the word Shebet as branch:

 And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord; And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the Lord: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears:  But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth: with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked Is 11:1-4

Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch , and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. Jeremiah 23:5

In those days, and at that time, will I cause the Branch of righteousness to grow up unto David; and he shall execute judgment and righteousness in the land Jeremiah 33:15

 It is sharpened to make a sore slaughter; it is furbished that it may glitter: should we then make mirth (are you going to be happy about this)? it contemneth (rejected or cast off) the rod(rule) of my son, as every tree. This verse is a warning from the Lord about the slaughter about to come on the people because of their sins. He asks- are you going to be happy about this?  It varies according to translations – but the original says they cast off or rejected the rule (shebet/rod) of the son- interesting. Ez 21:3 -10

3-Stick for fighting or to punish the Nations– sounds like the sword of the spirit, which is the Word of God and the Word was God and was with God and that is Jesus!  Also Revelation 19:11 comes to mind. Also
Is 10:5, 10:15, 10:24, 14:5 mention Shebet at a Rod of punishment

The king proclaims the Lord’s decree:“The Lord said to me, ‘You are my son. Today I have become your Father. Only ask, and I will give you the nations as your inheritance,the whole earth as your possession. You will break them with an iron rod (shebet-sceptre)  and smash them like clay pots.’” Psalm 2:7-9

4-Tribe/ruling tribe.140x  The ruling tribe was Israel and out of Israel came Judah and out of Judah shall come a ruling scepter from the house of David and His name shall  be called wonderful! Counselor! Mighty God!

II. Who is the Shepherd in the Old Testamant? 

For thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out.  As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day. ez 3411-12

See, the Sovereign Lord comes with power, and he rules with a mighty arm. See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him.  He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young is 40:11-

By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. 22 Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people Exodus 13:21

The Lord is my Shepherd. Psalm 23

O God, why have you rejected us forever? Why does your anger smolder against the sheep of your pasture? ps74:1

Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the Lord of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones Zechariah 13:7 

Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; thou that dwellest between the cherubims, shine forth Psalm 80:1

III. Does the STAFF represent the Holy Spirit? (H4938) mish‛ênâh mish‛eneth: means support of every kind, to lean on. The staff was used to lean on, to strengthen, and help when the shepherd got tired. That is what the Holy Spirit does for us – and much, much more. The Holy Spirit supports us, guides us, and leads us unto the truth- just as a staff would be used to lead the sheep.

 And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit 1 Corinthians 2:4

 And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. Romans 8:26

 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.  He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you.  All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.” John 16:13-15

The church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged(comforted) by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers. Acts 9:31

“If you love me, obey my commandments.  And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate (comforter, consoler) who will never leave you.  He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth.  John 14:15-21

The Spirit of God within me- convicts and shows me when I’ve been wrong, teaches me, leads me along the best path for my life, tells me what the Father says,  gives me strength, and loves me. The Holy Spirit guides us into all truth, strengthens our spirit when we are weak and tired(Eph 3) Helps us obey the truth (1Peter 1) When I cannot rely on my own strength, the Holy Spirit is always there for me. The Holy Spirit fills me with love, power, and a sound mind. With the Spirit of God, there is no fear. In Him I rely on, I trust, I lean on and I follow.

  John 3:14  And as Moses lifted up the bronze snake on a pole in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”

The Lord is my Shepherd
Thy Ruling Scepter and thy Staff to lean on, they comfort me

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. Amen and Amen.

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He will not shout or break the weakest reed: Isaiah 42:1-3

He will not shout
    or raise his voice in public.
 He will not crush the weakest reed
    or put out a flickering candle.
    He will bring justice to all who have been wronged

Isaiah 42

 

     This verse was like a sword to me one day, surely it sliced between bone and marrow. There was no escaping or making excuses for my behavior.

     Let me explain…..

           A pair of my favorite white pants went missing at the dry cleaners- and in it’s place- were a pair of worn out white pants that looked like they were from 1980- and they were the same size….hmmmm. My husband usually picks up the dry cleaning so he mentioned the situation a few times to the staff, but they insisted we had the right pants. I decided to go in, return the wrong pants and see if they could look for mine. The woman at the counter insisted that her tickets don’t lie and angrily told me that the worn out pants I had in my hand were mine. (oh and she was the same size as me- you know I’m thinking she took my pants- I know I’m crazy! Over a pair of pants)  So anyways, the conversation got heated as she yelled about how tickets don’t lie, but what really irked me was her! And her attitude…so I gave it back to her- and said: please, don’t insult me, I know my clothes. She just about jumped over the counter and growled “don’t insult me”, so long story short- I raised my voice and wasn’t nice

 Later that day….       I went to my parents house for my mom’s birthday. I began washing dishes and called all the kids over to help dry the dishes- it was grandma’s birthday. They all came over and began to help out except for my one niece, who at the time was 10 years old. She watched as we all worked away and replied to me nonchalantly, “Oh sorry, I have too much to do, I can’t help you”.  I replied; “Really? You can’t dry 5 dishes for  your grandmother?”.  She, either ignoring me or blind to the smoking fumes coming off my head, said calmly; “Yea (pause and stare) sorry, I can’t, I just have too much to do”. She turned and sat on the couch in front of us as we busily worked away cleaning up the kitchen.  Ms. “too busy”  sat and watched us as she tapped her pencil on her chin the entire time- pretending to be Aristotle deep in thought. I was livid! I was grumbling my thoughts aloud to my helpers- well, I blew up- told her how rude and disrespectful she was and that I knew Exactly! What she was up to……….. Oh whatever- like you’re a saint-

I began to pray:  

  The day was coming to an end and super sister Christian me went to my prayer place. I began to pray, but something wasn’t right. “Lord, where are you? I feel like you are so far away.” There was silence. I didn’t feel that close presence I usually feel when I pray. “Lord, where are you? Why aren’t you listening?” I asked again. I sat in silence, wondering why I felt like something wasn’t right. Suddenly, I heard within my heart:

“look what you did today” Uhmmmm, I thought, ooooookay….yeaaaahhhh- okay Lord, the dry cleaning lady..and I heard again:

“and your niece” Ouch! I didn’t like that! So I told the Lord; “But God- I was right and they were wrong” and I heard the Lord tell me:

“It doesn’t matter who was right and who was wrong”  I replied “but I’m right, I’m right, I’m right” and the Lord responded to me again;

“what matters is that you hurt them”. Waaaaaa! That did not feel good! In fact, I didn’t like it.

I ran away, I didn’t want to admit my fault

   I said to myself; “I  think I’ll pray later and just read my bible for now.”   I sat down and opened up my bible to wherever, hoping to get a super feel good verse- I opened up to Isaiah 42:3

He will not shout or raise His voice
(what! I did this today, okay, calm down -it’s just a weird coincidence that I opened here)

He will not crush the weakest reed or put out a flickering candle
(oh no! I suddenly realized I had hurt someone who was already hurting! The parents of my young niece had just separated and she was far from her father and hurting deeply.)

He will bring justice to all who have been wronged.
(oh great! Are you serious? I have to fix this mess I made? I have to say I’m sorry? I didn’t like this)

I ran away again
       I decided this was just a weird coincidence. I decided to flip to the New Testament to find a feel good parable to ponder or some other good words for the day. I flipped over to the New Testament and guess what I landed on? Matthew 12:19, I’m thinking – this is going to be good- and I read………

He will not fight or shout or raise his voice in public
(Whaaaat! For real? Are you kidding me?)

He will not crush the weakest reed

or put out a flickering candle

(great!, just great! I can’t run away from this. I need to face this if I want to get right with the Lord)

He will cause justice to be victorious.

  

No more running away, I had to acknowledge what I had done
 I took my humbled self back to my prayer time and told the Lord that was not real happy about this or what I did , but I will be obedient and apologized. Then the Holy Spirit reminded me : “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you,  leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.”

I thought to myself: Please tell me I heard that wrong….. that had to be in my brain, so I began to pray again and heard it again… Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you,  leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift

    So I had to humble my obnoxious self and say I was sorry to the people!!!!!!! Now for sure I’m an alien – not of this world- but that’s my story. While I’m embarrassing myself, Ill share another verse that would smack me in the face for about 10 years in a row until I finally learned to behave. It was Psalm 52:1-3

Why do you boast about your crimes, great warrior?
    Don’t you realize God’s justice continues forever?
(Uhhmmmm, yes, I did just boast about my obnoxious self)

….Your tongue cuts like a sharp razor;
(oh dear, God is watching me again. Im in big trouble! Big trouble!)

………. You love evil more than good
(oh no! I do! This is not good!)

 Thank God!  The Lord changes me day by day and I’m not who I used to be- “ Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ”  Sometimes I wonder if rudeness is contagious like the yeast of the Pharisees – wickedness spreads like wildfire. It’s so easy to fall off track in this world full of sin and wickedness. I’ve heard people say S.Florida has the rudest city in the US- and certainly I’ve run into a few this week. I guess at times, I put up a barrier to tolerate some and in doing so, I can become rude and hurtful too.

“anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell. “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you,  leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.

“When you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.

He will not shout
    or raise his voice in public.
 He will not crush the weakest reed
    or put out a flickering candle.
    He will bring justice to all who have been wronged

Isaiah 42, Matthew 12

Search me, O God, and know my heart;
    test me and know my anxious thoughts.
 Point out anything in me that offends you,
    and lead me along the path of everlasting life

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Psalm 119 Prayer

Lord,

   Teach me your statutes and keep me from wandering from you. Open my eyes so that I may understand the wonderful things from your instruction. Help me understand the meaning of your precepts so that I can meditate on your wonders. Teach me, Lord, the meaning of your statutes and I will always keep them. Help me stay on the path of your commands for I take pleasure in them. Turn my heart to your decrees and not to material gain. Turn my eyes from looking at what is worthless, give me life in Your ways. Teach me good judgement and discernment, for I rely on Your commands. 

   Keep me from wandering from you. May your faithful love comfort me. May your compassion come to me so that I may live, for your instruction is my delight. How I love your instructions, it is my meditation all day long. Your commands make me wiser than my enemies for they are always with me. I have more insight than all my teachers because your decrees are my mediation.

Lord, give me life through your word and teach me your judgments. Guarantee your servants well being, do not let the arrogant oppress me. Your decrees are wonderful therefore I obey them.  Turn to me and be gracious to me as is your practice toward those who love your name. Make my steps steady through your promise, don’t let any sin dominate me.

Redeem me from human oppression, and I will keep your precepts. Show favor to Your servant and teach me Your statues. You are righteous, Lord, and Your judgments are just. Defend my cause and redeem me, give me life as You promised.  Consider how I love Your precepts, Lord, give me life according to your faithful love.

I praise you seven times a day, for your righteous judgments. Lord, I hope for your salvation and carry out your commands. Let my cry reach You, Lord, give me understanding according to your word. Let my plea reach you.

Rescue me according to your promise

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Unshakable Jeremiah 17:7-8

Sometimes life throws a grenade my way….a bomb, ninja chucks– could be anything!  No matter what may come my way, I know that in whatever state I am in, I can always hope in the Lord.  And what is hope? Hope is knowing that I will be victorious NO Matter how many grenades are thrown my way.

 We can have peace and hope in our storms

 What are your thinking– doubt? Fear? Unbelief?  Philippians 4:8 tells us to FIX OUR THOUGHTS. God’s peace, which is beyond our understanding, protects our hearts and minds. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. It’s like a fortress of protection around you:  “ Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.  Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand.

This protection is like an iron fortress around your heart and mind.

Consider this verse in Jeremiah1:18-19:  Today, I  am the One who has made you a fortified city, an iron pillar, and bronze walls against the whole land- against the kings of Judah, it’s officials, it’s priests, and the population. They will fight against you but never prevail over you, since I am with you to rescue you.

     I never considered this as a verse concerning my heart, but as I was talking to the Lord I understood.  I can see all the troubles that may or may not come my way- and I feel unshakable- I feel like an iron fortress has been set around my heart and mind. Maybe this verse has more than one meaning? Maybe we need to remember and know that the Lord is here to rescue each one of us – we can trust in Him, His Word and His promises. The Lord protects us through our faith and trust in Him- our faith is built up with each fiery trial we go through, that is why James tells us :   Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.  For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.  So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. James 1:3-4

What are you thinking? 

 We are told to fix our thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise  Then the God of peace will be with you. Phil 4:8-9

I am like a tree planted along a riverbank

Don’t be discouraged if you feel shaken, but remember that you can stand unshakable because the Lord is the source of your strength and the source of your righteous. Through Him, we can stand unshakable like the tree in Jeremiah 17:7-8 and Psalms 1:2-3

 “But blessed are those who trust in the Lord
    and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.
 They are like trees planted along a riverbank,
    with roots that reach deep into the water.
Such trees are not bothered by the heat
    or worried by long months of drought.
Their leaves stay green,
    and they never stop producing fruit

Oh, the joys of those who do not
    follow the advice of the wicked,
    or stand around with sinners,
    or join in with mockers.
 But they delight in the law of the Lord,
    meditating on it day and night.
 They are like trees planted along the riverbank,
    bearing fruit each season.
Their leaves never wither,
    and they prosper in all they do 

jeremiah17 004

 I dissected Jeremiah 17:7-8 and searched out the meaning of each word; this is what I found:

      Blessed are you mighty and strong man of valor because you have put your trust and hope in the Lord. You have found your confidence and security in the Most High God.  You shall be like a tree transplanted along the refreshing waters of the river that sendeth out its roots by the river.  Because you have put all your trust in the Lord and not put your trust in your own strength or wealth, you stand unshakable, for the Lord is with you.

           When heat or drought comes, you shall not be concerned or worried because you are always bearing fruit and your leaves will always be green. Attacks and storms may come your way, but not a branch shall be moved. You will prosper and flourish through all your storms, in drought, in valleys and through all the troubles that try to come against you. Even in times of drought or destitution, though the rain not fall for a period of time, you shall be unshakable, you will not be anxious or worried. You will prosper in perfect peace without fear. You trust fully in the Lord. You will not be sorrowful when troubles arise for you know that the Lord protects you. He is your rock and your fortress. Though these times come and go, you will never stop yielding fruit, you will accomplish all the Lord has planned for your life. You will always be provided for and your life will produce much fruit.

     You count it all joy when troubles come and you know that we are destined for such troubles. You can rejoice in your problems and trials for we know they help us and strengthen us. We can remind ourselves as David did “ I see that the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for He is right beside me.” 

 Shout it out: I have learned how to be content with whatever I have.  I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little.  For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.

   Jeremiah 17:7-8 Reminds me that no matter what is happening  or coming my way, I will not be knocked down. I can feel the arrows of doubt and disbelief trying to penetrate my heart to shake me up, but I sense a strong fortress, like iron, protecting me.  With each trial I go through, the Lord changes me and strengthens me.  I love Romans 5:3-4 (NLT) We can rejoice when we run into problems and trials because we know they develop endurance within us, this endurance develops strength of character, this strength of character strengthens our confident hope of salvation, and this hope of salvation does not lead to disappointment because we know God loves us because He has given us His Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with His love.

   It is easy to get shaken up when we hear bad news or doom ahead- finances, the what if’s….It’s truly amazing to know that the Lord has protected me during this time. I know He has a strong fortress around me as I trust in Him. He has put a strong fortress of protection around my heart and mind and that is how He has made me unshakable.  A few years a go I cried out to the Lord during a tough time, I felt like I couldn’t take it anymore and I cried out to the Lord. He heard me and as I prayed, He sent me a verse:  

 “I, yes I, am the one who comforts you.
    So why are you afraid of mere humans,
    who wither like the grass and disappear? Isaiah 51:12
 
 The Lord showed me that I wasn’t trusting in Him. I was trusting in the words I heard around me and allowed myself to fear. 
So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” Heb 13:6
   
 

 

Hear the Word of the Lord:

I wait quietly before God,  for my victory comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation,   my fortress where I will never be shaken. So many enemies against one man— all of them trying to kill me.To them I’m just a broken-down wall or a tottering fence. They plan to topple me from my high position.  They delight in telling lies about me.They praise me to my face   but curse me in their hearts. Let all that I am wait quietly before God,  for my hope is in him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken.My victory and honor come from God alone.   He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me. O my people, trust in him at all times.  Pour out your heart to him,  for God is our refuge. Psalm 62:1-8

Psalm 16:8 I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me
2 Corinthians 8:2-5 (talking about the church in Macedonia) “They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity. For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford, but far more. And they did it of their own free will.  They begged us again and again for the privilege of sharing in the gift for the believers in Jerusalem. They even did more than we had hoped, for their first action was to give themselves to the Lord and to us, just as God wanted them to do.”
Hebrews 11:6 “it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him”
1 Peter 1:7 You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls
 1 Peter 4:12  Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.
Joshua 10:25 “Don’t ever be afraid or discouraged,”  “Be strong and courageous, for the Lord is going to do this to all of your enemies
1 Corinthians 16:13 Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong
Isaiah 57:15 The high and lofty one who lives in eternity, the Holy One, says this: “I live in the high and holy place with those whose spirits are contrite and humble. I restore the crushed spirit of the humble and revive the courage of those with repentant hearts.
Psalm 27:14 Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.
Psalm 31:24 So be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the Lord!
Galatians 5:22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
Matthew 17:20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you
 Isaiah 28:16 Therefore, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: “Look! I am placing a foundation stone in Jerusalem, a firm and tested stone. It is a precious cornerstone that is safe to build on. Whoever believes need never be shaken
Psalm 31:24 So be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the Lord!
Psalm 23:4Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Psalm 27:1 The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?
Lamentations 3:25 The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him;
Micah 7:7 But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Matthew 5:4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
John 14:1 Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper
; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord. Isaiah 54:17

 Isaiah 28:16 Therefore, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: “Look! I am placing a foundation stone in Jerusalem, a firm and tested stone. It is a precious cornerstone that is safe to build on. Whoever believes need never be shaken
 
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Get out of the world and it’s ways……………. NOW

“I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other!  But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth!  You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. 18 So I advise you to buy gold from me—gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. Also buy white garments from me so you will not be shamed by your nakedness, and ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see.  I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference.

“Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. 21 Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne. “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.”  Revelation 3:16-22

Sigh….. our churches…………..sigh………………………dead works, full of doubt, no hope, filthy language, Harlem shake at the altar, paraphrased watered down gospel, praying to the god of money, idols, no kindness, no love and NO SEARCHING FOR THE LOST SOULS – No one bothers to seek Him, no one bothers to read His word, excuses for sin and no teaching of repentance.  When I sit down to read the word, I’m mesmerized! I don’t want it to end, it’s full of life and depths of truth that never end (I almost cry when I get to the end of a a book like Jeremiah- NO! you can’t be over now!)….yet when I sit in church I am bored out of my mind! I want to roll up and down the aisles, but I’m all grown up now and can’t get away with that (anymore). The churches have made their own ways, their own laws and their own beliefs that do not follow the true God.  The REAL God fearing followers are kicked to the curb and rejected. I remember that Jesus said if the world hates you, remember it hated Him first. But even in our churches????? yes, unfortunately.

I was told in a dream that many people are confused in bible studies. I didn’t quit understand that at the time, but now I do. So many Christian leaders quote scripture and seem religious, but th fruits scream – salmonella! rotten to the core! BUT they seem so holy - and put on such a good front….. how can they treat people so rotten? how can they get away with that? What is going on? Doesn’t anyone else see this? It’s still difficult for me to understand, I don’t think I want to believe it- but I need to open my eyes so I am no longer fooled. It’s like Jesus said “Whitewashed tombs”.

What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy—full of greed and self-indulgence!  You blind Pharisee! First wash the inside of the cup and the dish, and then the outside will become clean, too.
What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs—beautiful on the outside but filled on the inside with dead people’s bones and all sorts of impurity.  Outwardly you look like righteous people, but inwardly your hearts are filled with hypocrisy and lawlessness.
  What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you build tombs for the prophets your ancestors killed, and you decorate the monuments of the godly people your ancestors destroyed.  Then you say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our ancestors, we would never have joined them in killing the prophets.’ “But in saying that, you testify against yourselves that you are indeed the descendants of those who murdered the prophets.  Go ahead and finish what your ancestors started.  Snakes! Sons of vipers! How will you escape the judgment of hell?

It’s a snake pit -so if you get bit, don’t be surprised. Did I just write that?

Where are the works of Jesus? Where is godly humility? Who can be found with a humble heart? Who is willing to give everything up and let Christ rule in their hearts – with no looking back……………………………..

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BE READY, the time of preparation has ended. Are you ready? Am I ready?

 ”Be Ready” . The last 5-6 years I’ve always heard to be prepared, but now something new. What is the difference? Ready for what? I always thought it meant to be ready for the Lord’s coming, but after studying through the scriptures, it could also mean to prepare yourself for the days ahead:

• to be ready to stand up for your faith
• to be ready to fulfill the calling on your life
• to be ready to fight for what is right
• to be sharpened like a tool
• to be prepared and ready to meet the Lord
• to have a zeal and eagerness to go forward on the mission you are sent
• to be waiting for instructions from the Lord with an ear to hear.
• To be ready for the time is coming quickly
• To be skilled and now that you have read this, to be on alert
• To be quickly ready
• To be beautiful, gracious, and pleasant
• A readiness in spirit for any opportunity that lies ahead
• Ready for the next season to come
• A readiness to obey Christ
• A ready ear to hear what the Lord’s instructions are
• Having already been prepared for every good work
• An eagerness to set out with the Lord’s instructions
• A listening ear, to be on alert
• Staying close or near to Him, waiting on Him

For the time is upon us, a time is close at hand. Preparations are done. Time to stand up with an ear to hear, waiting for the Lord.

Keep your heart and mind ready at every moment.  Habukkah, the prophet said:

“I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower,
and will watch to see what he will say unto me,
and what I shall answer when I am reproved”

I went through the KJV searching for the word ready. I found 7 Hebrew words and 6 Greek words used for ready:

1- Kûn : to stand up, prepare, to appoint, render, ordain, to make preparation for oneself, provision, set right, established, wait, tary, a primitive root – grounded and ready
2- ‘Asar : to join battle, gird oneself, hold, keep, fasten, put in bods, tie, hitch, primitive root, make ready
3- Chûsh : to be eager with excitement or enjoyment, make hast, hurry
4- Athîyd: have been set up for a time, prepared, skilled, treasures, things that shall come, ready treasures- found in Esther
5- qârôb : Ecclesiatics 5:1  translated as next to or near, to be ready to hear the Lord’s instructions, with your ear next to Him to be near a time or near a place – approaching, near at hand, kinsfold, to be close to a person, ready.
6- mâhar : to hurry, promptly to be carried to make haste or make ready- quickly, shortly, suddenly, straightaway with haste. Isaiah 32:4. to be liquid or flow easily
7- ţôb ; to be ready as a tool sharpened and ready as in Isaiah 41:7. to be good, beautiful, better, ready, a good person, better with favor, gracious, pleasant,
8- Hetoimos: ready, having been prepared to do something, a readiness. A readiness for the Church to obey Christ. Ready for the next opportune time, ready for a season.
9- Hetoimazo: already preapared:”to prepare, make ready,” An object or person ordained by God, a city, a place of refuge, eternal fire, to make rady, human preparation for the Lord. Preparing yourself for every good work, PROVIDENCE.. to prepare or have provisions for.
10- Prothymos: a ready willingness, willing, willingness Mark 14:38, Romans 1:15
11- Prothymia: zeal, spirit, eagerness , inclination, readiness of mind – ready to go, can’t wait!
12- Paraskeuazo: to make one’s self ready, to prepare one’s self 2) have prepared one’s self, to be prepared or ready- to having been already prepared, as a prepared meal, as prepared for war.
13- Eggys (ENgus): to be close or near in position, near to God. Jews, as opposed to those who are alien from God and His blessings. A time that is close at hand and soon to come.

Details from Scripture with meaning of the word Ready:

1- Preparing for a guest’s arrival – Sarah prepared a meal: Gen 18:6 Joseph’s men preparing a meal Gen 43:16
2- Prepared to meet someone- when Joseph got his chariot ready to meet his father
3- Prepared yourself to see the Lord Ex 19:11-15
4- Be ready to meet the Lord- Moses Ex 34:2 on the mount in the morning
5- Be ready to fight, for war Numbers 32:17. Deut 1:41, Joshua 8:4
6- Ready to sacrifice
7- Ready to go, ready to begin race, ready to do whatever the Lord tells you
8- ready food- when Abigail made haste to have food ready for King David so she and her family wouldn’t die 1 Samuel 25:18
9- ready themselves- to go and do the kings commands- to do whatsoever the Lord shall appoint 2 Sam 15 15
10- ready at the appointed time – about to come to fruition. The plans and preparations have already completed and now the time appointed has come – to build the Temple 1 Chronicles 28 2
11- Ready to fight for the Lord- with skills and knowledge- having being warned and prepared in advance- strengthened and faithful, fully trusting in the Lord. Ester 8:13
12- The Lord is ready to fight for us, the Lord is ready to forgive us Ps 7:12, Ps 86:5
13- Ready to hear, to be on alert, close to Him, next to Him so you can hear Him- not chattering away but quiet….in His house, waiting to see what the Lord will speak. Habakkuk 2:1 “I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved.” Eccl 5:1
14- To be swift or quick to respond- without delay Isaiah 32:4
15- Good and ready as a tool sharpened or prepared for a certain time. Isaiah 41:7 – to be beautiful, good, better, to be in a place pleasing to the King
16- To have already prepared for something and now ready. Matthew 22;4
17- Ready to begin, ready to start, preparations are over. Matt 22:8, Luke 14:17
18- To be on alert and ready at any moment. Matthew 25:10
19- To be ready for the Son of man. Matthew 24:44, Luke 12:40
20- Ready to die or go to prison for Him – ready to carry out the King’s commands Luke 22:33
21- To be provided with at the time, providence- to be ordained Matt 26:19
22- Anointed for a special time- have prepared the people’s hearts for the Lord- as John the Baptist did in Luke 1:17
23- To prepare a way for his master- to serve a master,
24- A willingness in Spirit, eager ,Mark 14:38 willingness and eagerness to preach the gospel Romans 1:15
25- A readiness as in waiting or to take orders Mark 14:38
26- eagerly ready to go – great willingness with zeal and a readiness of mind. 2 Cor 8:19 – no more sitting back in preparation – you are prepared and ready to go
27- to have already been prepared, to have made yourself ready, also made ready as if going to war 2 Cor 9:3- so that when you are found, you will found prepared and ready
28- a willingness – as in giving to others, ready to give 1 Tim 6:18
29- ready to do good works – titus 3:1
30- ready to give an answer to every man that asks you a reason of the hope that is in you with meakness and fear 1 Peter 3:15
31- near, a time is near – Hebrews 813
32- A time is close- ready at hand, the time of Christ’s return- Marantha- our Lord Come, our Lord has come heb 8:13, 1 Cor 16;22

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE:

Genesis 18:6 And Abraham hastened into the tent unto Sarah, and said, Make ready quickly three measures of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes upon the hearth.
Genesis 43:16 And when Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the ruler of his house, Bring these men home, and slay, and make ready (Kun); for these men shall dine with me at noon.
Genesis 46:29 And Joseph made ready(asar) his chariot, and went up to meet Israel his father, to Goshen, and presented himself unto him; and he fell on his neck, and wept on his neck a good while.
Exodus 19:11 And be ready (kun) against the third day: for the third day the Lord will come down in the sight of all the people upon mount Sinai.
Exodus 34:2 And be ready (kun) in the morning, and come up in the morning unto mount Sinai, and present thyself there to me in the top of the mount.
Numbers 32:17 But we ourselves will go ready (chush) armed before the children of Israel, until we have brought them unto their place: and our little ones shall dwell in the fenced cities because of the inhabitants of the land.
Deuteronomy 1:41 Then ye answered and said unto me, We have sinned against the Lord, we will go up and fight, according to all that the Lord our God commanded us. And when ye had girded on every man his weapons of war, ye were ready (kun) to go up into the hill.
Joshua 8:4 And he commanded them, saying, Behold, ye shall lie in wait against the city, even behind the city: go not very far from the city, but be ye all ready (kun):
Judges 6:19 And Gideon went in, and made ready (asar) a kid, and unleavened cakes of an ephah of flour: the flesh he put in a basket, and he put the broth in a pot, and brought it out unto him under the oak, and presented it.
2 Samuel 15:15 And the king’s servants said unto the king, Behold, thy servants are ready to do whatsoever my lord the king shall appoint.( when Absolom, David’s son was trying to take control, David told his men to run! And the servants of David, said they were ready for whatever the King commanded)
1 Chronicles 28:2 Then David the king stood up upon his feet, and said, Hear me, my brethren, and my people: As for me, I had in mine heart to build an house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and for the footstool of our God, and had made ready for the building:
2 Chronicles 35:14 And afterward they made ready(Kun) for themselves, and for the priests: because the priests the sons of Aaron were busied in offering of burnt offerings and the fat until night; therefore the Levites prepared for themselves, and for the priests the sons of Aaron.
Esther 8:13 The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every province was published unto all people, and that the Jews should be ready (athiyd) against that day to avenge themselves on their enemies.
Psalm 7:12 if he turn not, he will whet his sword; he hath bent his bow, and made it ready (kun). The Lord is ready to fight for us
Psalm 86:5 For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.
Ecclesiastes 5:1 Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready(qarob or karob) to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil.
Isaiah 32:4 The heart also of the rash shall understand knowledge, and the tongue of the stammerers shall be ready (mahar) to speak plainly.
Isaiah 41:7 So the carpenter encouraged the goldsmith, and he that smootheth with the hammer him that smote the anvil, saying, It is ready (tob) for the sodering: and he fastened it with nails, that it should not be moved.
Matthew 22:4 Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready (hetoimos) : come unto the marriage.
Matthew 22:8 Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready (hetoimos), but they which were bidden were not worthy.
Matthew 24:44 Therefore be ye also ready (hetoimos): for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.
Matthew 25:10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready (hetoimos) went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
Matthew 26:19 And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready (hetoimazo) the passover. Mark 14:16 also
Mark 14:38 Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready (prothymos), but the flesh is weak.
Luke 1:17 And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready (hetoimazo) a people prepared for the Lord.
Luke 12:40 Be ye therefore ready (hetoimos) also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.
Luke 14:17 And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready (hetoimos).
Luke 17:8 And will not rather say unto him, Make ready (hetoimazo) wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink?
Luke 22:33 And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready (hetoimos) to go with thee, both into prison, and to death.
John 7:6 Then Jesus said unto them, My time is not yet come: but your time is always ready (hetoimos). ? have no idea what this means- His time hadn’t come, but it was their time? This verse needs more study……
Romans 1:15 So, as much as in me is, I am ready(prothymos) to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.
2Corinthians 8:19 And not that only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and declaration of your ready (prothymia)
2 Corinthians 9:3 Yet have I sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this behalf; that, as I said, ye may be ready (paraskeuazo):
1 Timothy 6:18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
2 Timothy 4:6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
Titus 3:1 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready ( Hetoimos) to every good work,
Hebrews 8:13 In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready (Eggys) to vanish away.
1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready (hetoimos) always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
Revelation 3:2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.
Revelation 19:7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready (hetoimazo).

  I believe the days of Ezekiel 7 are upon us. On 7-12-08, I was praying to the Lord. I was asking Him about everything that was going on. Everyone around me was in a financial crisis, losing jobs, home values dropping, and I cried out to Him and He led me to Ezekiel 7-12 : Violence is risen up into a rod of wickedness: none of them shall remain, nor of their multitude, nor of any of their’s: neither shall there be wailing for them.  The time is come, the day draweth near: let not the buyer rejoice, nor the seller mourn: for wrath is upon all the multitude thereof.  For the seller shall not return to that which is sold, although they were yet alive: for the vision is touching the whole multitude thereof, which shall not return; neither shall any strengthen himself in the iniquity of his life.  They have blown the trumpet, even to make all ready; but none goeth to the battle: for my wrath is upon all the multitude thereof.  The sword is without, and the pestilence and the famine within: he that is in the field shall die with the sword; and he that is in the city, famine and pestilence shall devour him.  But they that escape of them shall escape, and shall be on the mountains like doves of the valleys, all of them mourning, every one for his iniquity.  All hands shall be feeble, and all knees shall be weak as water.  They shall also gird themselves with sackcloth, and horror shall cover them; and shame shall be upon all faces, and baldness upon all their heads.  They shall cast their silver in the streets, and their gold shall be removed: their silver and their gold shall not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the Lord: they shall not satisfy their souls, neither fill their bowels: because it is the stumblingblock of their iniquity.

But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them,  1 Thes 5:6-11

 Sites/Apps :  www.blueletterbible.org  www.biblegateway.com cbn’s strong’s App on Ipod, Dake reference, www.newjerusalem.org

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Can a Christian lose their Salvation? Exposing Satans schemes

Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins. James 5:19

               The devil likes to play with words, he manipulates like a fierce attorney. You may not “lose your salvation”, salvation can’t be lost – that’s ridiculous!…..but you can be cut off of from God’s holy family tree (Romans 11:17-23). You can, if you become lukewarm, be spewed out of His mouth (Rev 3:16). If you chose to deny Him, He will deny you before the Father (Matt 10:33). Is it possible for a name to be blotted out of God’s book? (Rev. 3:5,Ps 69:28, Ez 13:9).I would like to give a dire warning of the devils action plan to break you off from the vine while at the same time reassuring you of your salvation in Christ. The devil is always trying to break you down. Those trials you are going through – it’s not other people – it’s a spirit at work behind them.

***I had a vision about 2 years that explained this to me, and I have tried to put it into words so you can understand, I know it’s a long post, I tried to shorten it, but felt it necessary to back up each thing with scripture  ***

THINK ABOUT IT:
1- you have an enemy – he works to destroy the hearts of men, to put out the flame of the Holy Spirit within you with attacks, daggers, lies, and anything else that works.
2- a lukewarm Christian is in great danger.
3- Are you following your flesh or the Spirit of God? (Galatians 5)One leads to life, and one leads to death.
4- Who do you really belong to? Do you speak from the world’s viewpoint? Or from God’s view point? Pay attention: “Those people belong to this world, so they speak from the world’s viewpoint, and the world listens to them.“If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you. John 15:18. 1 John 4:5

He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.Revelation 3:5
But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! Revelation 3:16
For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12
You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. Ephesians 2:2

PAULS Steps of Salvation WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF ACTS:
1-BELIEVE IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST- FAITH
2-CONFESS YOUR SINS AND REPENT
3-TURN BACK TO GOD- He wants you to SEEK HIM
4-BE BAPTISED IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST-WASHING AWAY YOUR SINS
5-PROVE IT BY THE WAY YOU LIVE
6-GET RID OF ALL SIN AND WICKEDNESS
7-WATCH OUT FOR FALSE TEACHERS AND WOLVES IN SHEEP’S CLOTHING

Lose salvation? Let me reword this so I can explain this more clearly

The devil has a plan to completely cut you off from God- yes, even after you are saved. And how does he do that? Once you open a door for him to come in, he tries to sever you from the vine- this is in the extreme cases of ongoing sin. You need to watch yourself and be careful not go back to your old ways. You must be a new and transformed person, born again. The devil ultimately wants to cut you off from God – like cutting a branch off a tree and he “up’s his game” by choking out the word of God- just like the scripture says in Matt 13:22 and Mark 4:19. You go to church, you listen and listen, but hear nothing. Nothing is going into your heart. Eventually this chokehold and the strongholds will snuff out the fire of the Holy Spirit in you. You will be dark and like the dead. You trusted all those who told you once saved, always saved, but if you don’t call out to Him for help – you will never return on your own strength. They use your sins to tie you down and hold you captive by trying to destroy your heart for God and ultimately cut you off. They’ve got you tied up- your sins tied to ropes holding you down.

What sorrow for those who drag their sins behind them with ropes made of lies, who drag wickedness behind them like a cart! An evil man is held captive by his own sins; they are ropes that catch and hold him. “He wove my sins into ropes to hitch me to a yoke of captivity. The Lord sapped my strength and turned me over to my enemies; I am helpless in their hands. Proverbs 5:22 Isaiah 5:18 Lamentations 1:14

DON’T OPEN DOORS FOR THE DEVIL TO ENTER

Gen 4:6-7 Why are you so angry?” the LORD asked Cain. “Why do you look so dejected? You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master

- Watch out sin is waiting at your door, it wants to rule you, it wants to be your desire….but you must rule it:

The devil prowls around like a lion to kill steal and destroy- do you think he hears you say the sinners prayer and says “oh well, I guess I can’t try to destroy him”? No!!! He will put every type of temptation before you so you will open up a door for him to come back in – sorcery, horoscopes, witchcraft, adultery, pornography, drugs, or any weakness you had before and more! Doubt, faithlessness, lost trust- these will lead you along the wrong paths. Once the door is open, the action plan begins.

He Sends in the legions:
Wow! Your place was clean and swept clean (that is, your heart, I mean) so the enemy goes and calls in a legion more wicked than the ones who had previously held you captive.

Then Jesus demanded, “What is your name?” And he replied, “My name is Legion, because there are many of us inside this man. “When an evil spirit leaves a person, it goes into the desert, seeking rest but finding none. Then it says, ‘I will return to the person I came from.’ So it returns and finds its former home empty, swept, and in order. Then the spirit finds seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they all enter the person and live there. And so that person is worse off than before. That will be the experience of this evil generation. Matthew 12:43-45 Luke 11:24-26,Mark 5, Luke 8:30

Their plan is to ultimately break you down. At this point, your salvation is still secure – even through the struggles, trials, and troubles. You must overcome temptation- and the Lord is always there to help you. Here’s where it gets tricky- if you decide to become a slave to your lusts and passions instead of putting God first- the strongholds set in and they soon begin to try to rule and control your life. Strong holds are a pair of demonic hands that wrap themselves around the different outflows of your heart. These outflows determine the course of your life and they also connect believers to the Lord –as if through a vine. The outflow of your heart is similar to our real heart with the chambers and how the blood flows to different parts of our body. So it is with the outflows of the spiritual heart. They outflow into different parts of your life. I saw 7 or 8 in the vision – family, work, life, happiness, etc. Once a demon has control over a part of your life – as an addiction or sin – the hands get wrapped around that one outflow-
The best way I can describe it would be to tie a tight string around a green stem or branch. Eventually the nutrients wouldn’t get though, and if kept there long enough with a stronger pull, the branch would eventually break and die. There’s more…..

Spiritual Heart? Outflows? It’s the WELL within you.
Pay attention to these verses: Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’” Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. As a face is reflected in water, so the heart reflects the real person. A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart. Luke 6:45 John 7:38 Luke 12:34 Proverbs 27:19 Psalm 51:17
The outflow of the heart is what flows from the inside of your heart. You see, your heart is like a well. If you put good things in the well, your water will be pure and holy, but if you put wrong things in your well, the water that flows out will be dirty. It’s exactly as King Solomon wrote in Proverbs 4:23
Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.

What are you putting in your heart? What are you putting in your children’s heart? Everything you do, say, hear, and places you go – goes into your heart and flows out into your life. Are you depositing anger? Bitterness? Unforgivenes? Watching filthy tv? Movies? Whatever you put in your heart will flow out into your life. You must put in the living water (John 4, John 7) – the hope and salvation of Jesus Christ. Fill your well with praises, songs, and scripture – let your mouth only speak things that are true and honorable. Run the race to win. Work out your salvation with fear and trembling! (Phil 2:12)
heart of darness and strongholdssalvation 002

The devils “Action Plan”
The devil’s action plan from here is this-to keep working on this person with temptations and troubles until they have a pair of strongholds on each outflow your life. If there is a legion who have taken over, the demons stays behind this person just in case a stronghold is broken by the person- let’s say, he finally breaks free from an addiction -then the next demon in line from the legion grabs that outflow and the person is back in bondage. He keeps breaking free, and breaking free – on his own, only to be defeated again and again. This is exactly what happens in the case of addictions. You are dealing with demonic entities and only the Power of God through Jesus can bring true salvation.

I heard the person say “ I can break free from this, I am strong, I can give this up if I want” and I saw the demons behind him laugh and laugh. They knew it wasn’t true. No man can match the strength of the legion in line behind him.

Okay, so now you have these strongholds trying to break you off from God and a legion of demons behind you. You continue to go to church, and struggle privately within yourself. Fear of people – we Christians need to STOP looking down on sinners and help them out! Okay, where was I ….yes, at this point, you struggle, but still have your salvation- you try, you try…now as time goes on…….you may make up your own rules- “well, maybe this is okay, maybe I can keep sinning”, make excuses, hmm…maybe this isn’t a sin- the world says it’s okay, maybe your conscience has even become seared… and the sin begins to rule your life.

Now at this point, the ultimate goal of the enemy is to break the outflow- to squeeze it so tight it actually is broken- like breaking a branch, wait…It’s exactly like breaking a branch. Just like the scriptures said, If God can cut the true family off the tree and graft you in – don’t think your so great or you’ll get chopped off too. Yes, we are tied together with Christ through the outflows of our heart. It connects us to Him. This is what Romans 11:17-23 tells us: “For if God did not spare the original branches, he won’t spare you either”

IF YOU STOP TRUSTING YOU WILL BE CUT OFF: Romans 11:22
But some of these branches from Abraham’s tree—some of the people of Israel—have been broken off. And you Gentiles, who were branches from a wild olive tree, have been grafted in. So now you also receive the blessing God has promised Abraham and his children, sharing in the rich nourishment from the root of God’s special olive tree. 18 But you must not brag about being grafted in to replace the branches that were broken off. You are just a branch, not the root.19 “Well,” you may say, “those branches were broken off to make room for me.” Yes, but remember—those branches were broken off because they didn’t believe in Christ, and you are there because you do believe. So don’t think highly of yourself, but fear what could happen. 21 For if God did not spare the original branches, he won’t spare you either. Notice how God is both kind and severe. He is severe toward those who disobeyed, but kind to you if you continue to trust in his kindness. **But if you stop trusting, you also will be cut off.*** 23 And if the people of Israel turn from their unbelief, they will be grafted in again, for God has the power to graft them back into the tree.( Let me break this down from the original definition: you must continue in His goodness, in faithfulness and not in unbelief or unfaithfulness.)
I’ve seen and heard of people who were raised as Christians, believed and were saved, but then went the way of the world and now deny that Jesus is the only way. The bible is clear that if we deny Him, he will deny us. The bible is clear that we cannot stop trusting or we will be cut off.

And I will destroy those who used to worship me
but now no longer do.
They no longer ask for the LORD’s guidance
or seek my blessings. Zephaniah 1:6

The Vine 
When I talk of these outflows of the heart that go into other parts of your life, they are a vine that flows straight to the Father and through this vine, you are connected to Him. Jesus is the vine. You’re part of a great vine connected together with Him and other Christians. The enemy’s plan is to cut you off- to break your branches/outflows with strongholds so you are ultimately cut off from God.
“I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. 6 Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. . …. Their sinful minds have made them proud, and they are not connected to Christ, the head of the body. For he holds the whole body together with its joints and ligaments, and it grows as God nourishes it. (John 15) Colossians 2: 18

THE CHOKEHOLD
If the situation gets really bad, there is a demon who is in charge of the chokehold. Or maybe, I wonder, if he’s there before? But I saw this near the end when all the outflows of the heart had a tight grip(on each one I saw the word Stonghold)  and each about to break. The person was going to church and trying and trying- but nothing was getting through. He went through all the motions, but there was a pair of demonic hands around his neck stopping each word of God that was supposed to go in His heart. It’s just like the scripture says in the parable of the farmer and the seeds:

Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. Matt 13:3-23, Luke 8, Mark 4. Let’s not forget the parable of the 10 virgins (Matthew 25). They all originally had oil and they all were waiting, but only half left with the groom and the other half was left behind. Don’t forget about the scripture about those who cried out “Lord, Lord, we did this and that for you… and the Lord replied:“Go away, I never knew you”(matt 7)

ENEMY’S PLAN IS ALMOST COMPLETED- THE FINAL BREAK
So far the enemy’s plan is working, the strongholds are in place, the chokehold is not allowing the water of life in, the fire within the heart has now been ultimately snuffed out. Complete darkness. A deep dark and lonely place! If you think you are in this place, you must turn back to the Lord , call on Him and He will rescue you. Ask for prayer! Seek help. You will not be able to conquer this on your own strength!

The end of the vision was the scariest part, the outflows had been broken or cut and the darkness I saw terrified me. The outflows no longer flowed connecting to the Lord- each one had been severed, yet one, in the end of my vision…. I could see one left, barely a thread left, as if a vine had been shredded and there was still a small sliver left. I could see the Lord’s hand reaching down to help this person. I could see his arm stretched out and that He loved this person –as if he were the only his only son!!!! But it was ultimately up to the person – who would he turn to? Would he turn back to God and renew himself? Or would he ultimately cause the last break and cut himself off from God?

Let’s end with a few thoughts:
We are not taking about salvation by works here, nor are we abusing the precious Grace of God. The devil has a plan to knock you and your salvation out. If you don’t watch yourself, you will fall into his trap. It is not by works you are saved, but you better be ready that you don’t go back to your old sinful ways. You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it. (Matt 7) Well who can get in????? “And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible” Mark 10, Matthew 19
If we are always saved, once saved, what’s the point of the bible’s warnings?
Why did Paul bother to keep returning to people to get them back on the right path?
Why did the Lord end the bible with these warnings: Wake up! Come back to you first Love! Turn from your indifference! You tolerate wrong teaching! Repent!

HEAR THE WORD OF THE LORD
Beware of false teachers, don’t follow them along their road to destruction 2 Peter 2:1
You are saved by God’s grace – and it is not by works Gal 5
If you keep sinning after you know the truth and knowingly continue in sin, there is no longer any sacrifice for these sins. Heb 10:26
My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.  And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.  My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand.  I and My Father are one.” John 10:27-28
Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’  And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness matt 7:21-23
Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son. Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either; he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also 1 John 2:19
For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38 

It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age  and who have fallen away, to be brought back to repentance. To their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.  Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God. But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned.  Hebrews 6:4

 Wake up! Strengthen what little remains, for even what is left is almost dead. I find that your actions do not meet the requirements of my God. Go back to what you heard and believed at first; hold to it firmly. Repent and turn to me again. If you don’t wake up, I will come to you suddenly, as unexpected as a thief. (Warning to Sardis)
“I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. So I advise you to buy gold from me—gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. Also buy white garments from me so you will not be shamed by your nakedness, and ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see. I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference.(Warning to Laodocia)

But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first!  Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first. If you don’t repent, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches. 6
Warning to Pergamum: But I have a few complaints against you. You tolerate some among you whose teaching is like that of Balaam, who showed Balak how to trip up the people of Israel. He taught them to sin by eating food offered to idols and by committing sexual sin. In a similar way, you have some Nicolaitans among you who follow the same teaching. Repent of your sin, or I will come to you suddenly and fight against them with the sword of my mouth. (Warning to Ephesus)

Don’t ever give up! Turn from your wicked ways and come before Him with a repentant heart, call out to Him with fear and trembling. “Dear friends, work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear” For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are — yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (Hebrews 4:15,Phil 2:12)

When the righteous turns from his righteousness and commits iniquity, he shall die because of it. But when the wicked turns from his wickedness and does what is lawful and right, he shall live because of it. Ezekiel 33

And the Spirit and the bride say, Come! And let him that heareth say, Come! And let him that is athirst come! And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
Rev 22:17

Dear Lord,
I pray for those suffering through this, may you restore them Lord. Break the binds that have held them down, release the captives and set them free. Protect them from all evil and give them wisdom and understanding. Give them a new heart and renew a right spirit within them. Give them a desire to seek you and love you above all things. Release the prisoners and those who are about to perish. Restore the lost and help us gather them back in. Save us, restore our sight so we can see. Make the path ahead plain for us and bring those who have fallen away -back into your everlasting arms. In Jesus name, we pray, Amen

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Thankest thee for making me holier than the rest – A blow at Self Righteousness: Charles Spurgeon

“O thou Father, thankest thee for making me holier than the rest
For I hold my head high, no one can contest  
I’m not like rest of the wretched kin
I am perfect and holy and without sin”

So you say; “Thou art holier than thou O self righteous one”?
as you lookest down on those who are as undone
Far far away are those around thee
You say “For I am without sin and blemish free-
oh how they wish they could be like me”
You pray,”O dear God, thank you, for making me great
I know all the prayers and to mass, I am never late
I know of no sin in my life, for I see none
I am as perfect and holy as the righteous Son”
“”Blasphemy!” I hear others say,
Oh dear, I pity them today”

“For you don’t see my perfectness”

Oh self righteous one, you don’t see your nakedness
You are needy and poor
And no longer hear Him knocking at your door
Your own tongue has condemned and shown thy sin,
You can proclaim all you want, but you will not win
Judgment day awaits you and I
To say we are without sin is proclaiming a lie
Stop, consider, search your heart
So your walk with the Lord will not fall apart
But you still stand aloof and content
But today I warn you – bow down and repent
For a man who says he is without sin
Is wretched and poor and naked thin.
~lisa 

 

If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me:
if I say, I am perfect, it shall also prove me perverse.”
Job 9:20.

Source: Spurgeon Sermons: Delivered on Sabbath Morning, December 16th, 1860, by the REV. C. H. Spurgeon- click link
above for full 10 page Sermon

        EVER since man became a sinner he has been self-righteous.. We can overcome lust itself, and anger, and the fierce passions of the will better than we can ever master the proud boastfulness which rises in our hearts and tempts us to think ourselves rich and increased in goods, while God knoweth we are naked, and poor, and miserable. Tens of thousands of sermons have been preached against self-righteousness, and yet it is as necessary to turn the great guns of the law against its walls to-day as ever it was. Martin Luther said he scarcely ever preached a sermon without inveighing against the righteousness of man, and yet, he said, “I find that still I cannot preach it down. Still men will boast in what they can do, and mistake the path to heaven to be a road paved by their own merits, and not a way besprinkled by the blood of the atonement of Jesus Christ.” My dear hearers, I cannot compliment you by imagining that all of you have been delivered from the great delusion of trusting in yourselves. The godly, those who are righteous through faith in Christ, still have to mourn that this infirmity clings to them; while as to the unconverted themselves, their besetting sin is to deny their guiltiness, to plead that they are as good as others, and to indulge still the vain and foolish hope that they shall enter into heaven from some doings, sufferings, or weepings of their own. The sermon of this morning is intended to be another blow against our self-righteousness. If it will not die, at least let us spare no arrows against it; let us draw the bow, and if the shaft cannot penetrate its heart, it may at least stick in its flesh and help to worry it to its grave.

  ”If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me.” ”I say that I have no need of a salvation by the blood and righteousness of another, for I believe that I have kept the commands of God from my youth up, and I do not think that I am guilty in his sight, but I hope that I may be able in my own right to claim a seat in paradise.” Now, sir, your plea and this declaration of yours is in itself a condemnation of you, because upon its very surface it is apparent that you are committing sin while you are pleading that you have no sin. For the very plea itself is a piece of high and arrogant presumption. “There is none righteous, no, not one.” “There is none good, save one, that is God.” We are told by the mouth of a prophet sent from God, that “all we like wandering sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way.” And thou, in saying that thou art righteous, dost commit the sin of calling God a liar. The moment that a man saith, “I have no sin,” he commits a sin in the saying of it,—the sin of contradicting his Maker, and making God a false accuser of his creatures.   Besides, dost thou not see, thou vain and foolish creature, that thou hast been guilty of pride in the very language thou hast used? Who but a proud man would stand up and commend himself? Who, but one who was proud as Lucifer, would in the face of God’s declaration declare himself to be just and holy? “Why,” saith he, “I am no worse than my neighbours, in fact a great deal better; I do not drink, or swear; I do not commit fornication or adultery; I am no Sabbath breaker; I am no thief; the laws of my country do not accuse, much less condemn me; I am better than the most of men, and if I be not saved, God help those who are worse than I am; if I cannot enter the kingdom of heaven, then who can?” Just so, but then all that you claim is that you are righteous as compared with others.
              Do you not see that this is a very vain and fatal plea, because you do in fact admit that you are not perfectly righteous;—that there is some sin in you, only you claim there is not so much in you as in another. You have sinned. Another man’s sins cannot excuse you; you must stand upon your own feet. At the day of judgment you must yourself make a personal appearance, and it will not be what another man has done that will condemn, or acquit you, but your own personal guilt. It is of no saving avail to you that you have not have committed ten thousand sins, for if you have committed one, you are a lost soul.
         “Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things that are written in the law to do them.” Oh! sinner, I cannot help turning aside from the subject for a moment to remind you that there is a way of salvation, and a way by which the law’s demands can be fully satisfied. Christ bore all the punishment of all believers, so that they cannot be punished. But you cannot keep the law, and if you bring up your self-rigtheousness the law condemns both it and you; Out of your own mouth it condemns you, inasmuch as you have not done all things and have not kept all the law. A great rock lies in your path to heaven; a mountain insurmountable; a gulf impassable; and by that road no man shall ever enter into eternal life.

Men know that they are guilty. The conscience of the proudest man, when it is allowed to speak, tells him that he deserves the wrath of God. He may brag in public, but the very loudness of his bragging proves that he has an uneasy conscience, and therefore he makes a mighty din in order to drown its voice. Whenever I hear an infidel saying hard things of Christ, it reminds me of the men of Moloch, who beat the drums that they might not hear the screams of their own children.  Do not believe that these men are honest. I think all controversy with them is time thrown away
    When men get alone, if in their loneliness the thought of death forces itself upon them, they boast no more of goodness. It is not easy for a man to lie on his bed seeing the naked face of death, not at a distance, but feeling that his breath is breathing upon the skeleton, and that he must soon pass through the iron gates of death—it is not easy for a man to plead his self-righteousness then. Ay, sinner, even while this sermon is being uttered, you may seek to refute it to yourself, and say, “Well, I believe I am as good as others, and that this fuss about a new birth, imputed righteousness, and being washed in blood, is all unnecessary,” but in the loneliness of your silent chamber, especially when death shall be your dread and grim companion, you shall not need me to state this, you shall see it clearly enough yourselves; see it with eyes of horror; and feel it with a heart of dismay, and despair, and perish because thou hast despised the righteousness of Christ.

        A deaf man may declare that there is no such thing as music. A man who has never seen the stars, is very likely to say that there are no stars. But what does he prove? If thou dost to-day feel thyself to be guilty, and lost, and ruined, there is the richest hope for thee in the gospel; but if thou sayest, “I am good, I have merits,” the law condemns thee, and the gospel cannot comfort thee; thou art in the gall of bitterness and in the bonds of iniquity, and thou art ignorant that all the while thou art talking thus, the wrath of God abideth on thee. A man may be a true Christian, and may fall into sin, but a man cannot be a true Christian and boast in his self-righteousness. Thus I know, there never was a man yet who was in a state of grace who did not know himself, in himself, to be in a state of ruin, a state of depravity and condemnation. If you do not know this, then I say your plea of self-righteousness condemns you for ignorance.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins;” “but if we say that we have no sins, we make God a liar, and the truth is not in us.” God will pardon all men who confess their iniquity. The thirsty are welcome; but those who think they are good, are welcome neither to Sinai nor to Calvary. They have no hope of heaven, no peace in this world, nor in that which is to come.

     Now be it known unto you, that when Christ died, he took the sins of all his people upon his head, and there and then they all ceased to be. At the moment when Christ died, the sins of all his redeemed were blotted out. He did then suffer all they ought to have suffered; he paid all their debts; and their sins were actually and positively lifted that day from their shoulders to his shoulders, for “the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.” And now, if you believe in Jesus, there is not a sin remaining upon you, for your sin was laid on Christ; Christ was punished for your sins before they were committed, and as Kent says:

Here’s pardon for transgressions past,
It matters not how black their caste;
And oh! my soul with wonder view,
For sins to come here’s pardon too.”

        Blessed privilege of the believer! But if you live and die unbelievers, know this, that all your sins lie on your own shoulders. You live and die in yourselves, lost; in yourselves, ruined; in yourselves, utterly destroyed. But believing—the moment you believe, you may know that you were chosen of God from before the foundation of the world. You do in fact, in the moment you believe, stand where Christ stood as God’s accepted Son; and Christ stands where you stood as the sinner, and suffers as if he had been the sinner, and dies as if he had been guilty—dies in your room, place, and stead.

Oh! Spirit of God, give faith. Win us all from self; knit us all to Christ; may we be saved now by his free grace, and be saved in eternity.

Related articles: Characteristics of the Self righteous

Self-righteousness is the devil’s masterpiece to make us think well of ourselves.- Charles Spurgeon
The self-righteous never apologize- Leonard Ravenhill
Self-righteousness is the largest idol of the human heart – the idol which man loves most and God hates most. Dearly beloved, you will always be going back to this idol. You are always trying to be something in yourself, to gain God’s favour by thinking little of your sin, or by looking to your repentance, tears, prayers ; or by looking to your religious exercises, your frames, etc; or by looking to your graces, the Spirit’s work in your heart. Beware of false Christs. Study sanctification to the utmost, but make not a Christ of it.: Adrian Rogers taken from:  Self righteous quotes

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The Righteousness of God is a gift, it is our armor, a pathway, a weapon for defense and our protection from the enemy -given to us through Christ Jesus

Righteous ~ tsadiyq, tsad deek= the just, the lawful, righteous, to do what is right- in conduct, character, as justified by God, correct, to be blameless, innocent - right living before God.

Those who lead blamelesslives and do what is right,
speaking the truth from sincere hearts.
Those who refuse to gossip
or harm their neighbor
or speak evil of their friends
Those who feed the hungry
and help those in trouble

“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments”
John 14:15

1. Righteousness is our weapon for the right hand and our defense on the left. It protects us from attacks 2 Cor 6:6-7. How cool is that!

2. Righteousness is our armor, it helps us resist the enemy in the time of evil- fights off our enemy and our accuser

3. Righteousness is a gift promised and given to us by God to those who live by the Spirit. It is received by faith in Christ Jesus. Is your faith expressing itself in love? Galatians 5:5-6

4. Righteousness is a fruit of peace. Godly discipline yields righteousness. Heb 12:11

5. The righteous have a path to walk on where they will not fall- it is called the path of justice, the steps of a good man Hosea 14:9 Proverbs 8:20 Proverbs 2:20

6. Righteousness is a seed! And it produces a harvest of love. When we plant peace and righteousness, we produce a crop of love. Hosea 10:12 Plant it!

7. It’s a gift. But God has given us the gift of righteousness, and when we receive this righteousness, we will triumph!!!!! Over sin! And death! Through Jesus! Amen and auhhmen! God’s wonderful Grace and His Gift of Righteousness brings triumph over sin and death THROUGH THIS ONE MAN, JESUS CHRIST. So because this one person obeyed God, many will be made righteous Romans 5:17-19Without Christ we are all a bunch of sinners!!!

8. Righteousness and truth together keep us grounded and able to resist all evil-our protection.  Righteousness keeps you grounded in God’s word

9. Faker Alert! Watch out for pretenders! Some servants disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. “You like to appear righteous in public, but God knows your hearts your hearts are filled with hypocrisy and lawlessness “.2 Cor 11:15 Luke 16:15 Matthew 23:28

10.I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent.” Luke 5:32 Mark 2:17  “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”

11. Be a slave to righteousness so you will become holy. Whatever you allow to rule in your life, you become a slave to. What rules in your life? Oh, you don’t like that servant word? In Matthew 20, Jesus said Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many” The apostles considered themselves servants: Paul, a servant of God; James, a servant of God ; Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ; Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ –NLT changes servant to slave, but the question is? Who do you serve? Romans 6:19 . Choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living:  You’re a slave to whatever you choose to obey!!!! Right living? Or wrong? Romans 6:18 you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living Now you are free from your slavery to sin, and you have become slaves to righteous living.

12. Your works don’t make your righteous, but it is because of your faith in God who forgives sinners. Romans 4:5

13.Righteousness is available because Jesus went to the Father “ He (the Holy Spirit) will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment. The world’s sin is that it refuses to believe in me. Righteousness is available because I go to the Father, and you will see me no more. Judgment will come because the ruler of this world has already been judged. John 16:8-11. Righteousness is only through Jesus, not of our own doing, that we should boast.

14. Abraham was counted a righteous because of his faith Romans 4:22

15.We are to live in this evil world with righteousness and being fully committed to doing good deeds Titus 2 :12-14 – faith without works is dead- don’t pass up an opportuntity

16. Who declares me righteous? God does, and He did this through Jesus Christ when he freed us from the penalty of our sins. Romans 3:24

17. None of us were really righteous – no, not even one. The law was given to keep us from thinking we were so perfect and to point out in us, our sins. You see, we were all guilty before God. The Law shows us how sinful we are. Romans 3 :10-20 As the Scriptures say, “No one is righteous— not even one. No one is truly wise; no one is seeking God. All have turned away; all have become useless. No one does good,not a single one.” “Their talk is foul, like the stench from an open grave.Their tongues are filled with lies.” Snake venom drips from their lips.” “Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.”“They rush to commit murder. Destruction and misery always follow them. They don’t know where to find peace.”“They have no fear of God at all.”

18. Things the righteous do: feed the hungry, give those who thirst a drink, visit those in prison, showing hospitality to strangers, visit the sick Matthew 25

19. Key! Righteousness and Peace are key: righteousness will bring peace, Righteousness and peace have kissed! seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness this righteousness will bring peace. Yes, it will bring quietness and confidence forever ,Crop of love and brings quietness and confidence forever. I need that. Psalm 85:10 Isaiah 32:17 James 3:18

20. Righteous people live by faith  Habakkuk 2:4 The proud trust in themselves, and their lives are crooked

21. Warning: If the righteous turn back to evil they will die! Some people have erased this scripture- you will die if you turn back to your own ways – watch out! Once saved, always saved? Send me that scripture please, I’m still looking for it. It’s time to tremble….It’s time to fear God and turn from our ways. It’s terrifying before Him. Watch out! Ez 33

22. Promises for righteous living!!!! He will give you everything you need, and whoever pursues righteousness and unfailing love will find life, righteousness and honor. Matt 6:66Proverbs 21:21

23.  “But I warn youunless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven! Matthew 5:20 This scares me

         The righteousness of God is Holy and Pure. It does not give us an excuse to think ourselves better than others, nor does it mean we are not capable of sin.  Some “Christians” think that they are without sin, yes, it’s true. I’ve heard it :“I don’t sin”  and with this, they believe in  their own self righteousness. They may also look down on others who do confess their sins and yet many others hide and want us to believe they are without sin.  If you really think you are without sin – it’s time to wake up- because that it is a warning sign that you need to stop and ask God to check your heart.  To think we are without sin, is a a lie from the devil, it masks our knowledge and understanding which further pulls us from the Lord. Yes, at times I’ve heard the thought – “you’re without sin, you have no sin to confess”…then I go to the Lord and ask Him to show me any unconfessed sin in there – and sure enough! There is always something to be found. Maybe I’ve hurt someone’s feelings, maybe I’ve had wrong motives – all these hidden things are sins before the Lord. We need to clean out our heart and confess our sins if we want to continue walking with the Lord. Listen to Him. It’s crushing when the Lord points something out to me. It feels terrible, yet humbling- but the Lord is good and He is always there with me while working out my salvation and I know I can count on this, that God, who began the good work within me, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

      Let me put it in other words, the law is written in Exodus to show us what sinners we really are. No? really? Okay anger is like murder, you don’t get angry at anyone? How about saying God’s name in vain? Do you gossip? Do you judge others? Do you demand your own way? Do you put anything before God? Tv? Internet? Video games? That’s idol worship. Do you covet? Do you lie? Little lie? Avoidance lie? all for peace lie? don’t want to hurt feelings lie? There are lots of lies, in fact I caught myself lying yesterday. Its horrible! I know. (Who’s judging me?) My daughter said, “did you eat any of my easter candy!?!” Uhmmmm……so I quickly thought, if I say yes, she will throw a tantrum and my husband is home so he will hear it and I will get a lecture on the candy then he will give all the candy back to her and will be on a sugar high for days which will drive me crazy!  or I will get reprimanded and told to give her all her easter candy back and then I will open my big mouth back in opposition and then out it came “no, I didn’t eat any of your candy” yikes! I just lied, but it was for peace, but it was a lie. And who is the father of all lies. I should have said the truth. Maybe it wouldn’t have turned out the way. But in all fairness, I did admit to eating a reeses pieces egg from her basket the night before. But I was still wrong. One right doesn’t cover the other wrong.
         I’m afraid some have turned the gift of righteousness into a pathway to pride or maybe bitterness as one of the scriptures indicates in Amos 6:12 and 5:7. Let us remember that God has no favorites among us. Let us remember he is patiently waiting for the wicked to turn from their ways and come back to Him- and shouldn’t we have that same expectation? Let us remember that the sun rises on both the righteous and the wicked. God eagerly awaits those we consider “worthless” to be great in value. Don’t you remember the scripture that there is great joy when just 1 sinner repent than rest of us righteous who haven’t strayed away. Let us humble ourselves before God and truly consider our ways, treating each person as if they were Jesus – the homeless, the poor, the lost, the needy, the thirsty, the orphans, and the hungry.
    The bible says if we do anything that we know is wrong – it is a sin. All have sinned and come short of the glory of God. For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. If we say we have no sin, there is no truth in us. Anything we do that we know is wrong is a sin. If you say you have no sin you are lying, but we know that Jesus came to take away our sins, and there is no sin in him. – Live Right for Jesus!


How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart? Cleanse me from these hidden faults.   Keep your servant from deliberate sins. Don’t let them control me. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. May the words of my mouth and the mediation of my heart be pleasing unto you, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

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