Bible Lesson: Parables Our Lord's: The King Going To War.

Bible Lesson: Parables Our Lord's: The King Going To War.

Occasion: Addressing The Following Crowds.

Lesson: Counting The Cost.

Bible Text:

Luke 14:25-27; 31-33 NLT

25 A large crowd was following Jesus. He turned around and said to them,

26 “If you want to be My disciple, you must hate everyone else by comparison—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be My disciple. 27 And if you do not carry your own cross and follow Me, you cannot be My disciple.

31 “Or what king would go to war against another king without first sitting down with his counselors to discuss whether his army of 10,000 could defeat the 20,000 soldiers marching against him?

32 And if he can’t, he will send a delegation to discuss terms of peace while the enemy is still far away.

33 So you cannot become My disciple without giving up everything you own.

Our Lord's parables here all have the same message, being a follower of Jesus Christ means that we must count the cost!

“Pastor, how ridiculous, we don't have to pay anything to follow Jesus!”

No?

Tell that to the missionary who after 4 decades has only faint snatches of memories seeing his mother or father, and siblings growing up and scores of friends left in the home land.

Tell that to the faithful Pastor, Evangelist, Deacons and Church Workers who have given up secular lives to be dedicated servants of The Lord, doing His bidding, only!

Tell that to the faithful Christian who has lived a life separate from the world, not living or socializing as they do, because their life is “set-apart,” as unto The Lord Of Glory (II Corinthians 6:14-18).

Following Jesus Christ, means bearing our own cross!

John 13:15,16 KJV

15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.

16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his Lord; neither he that is sent greater than He that sent him.

John 15:18-21 KJV

18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated Me before it hated you.

19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his Lord. If they have persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept My saying, they will keep yours also.

21 But all these things will they do unto you for My name's sake, because they know not Him that sent Me.

Many a dear soul has asked this pastor over the years, “What is the guide line we should follow regarding finding a pastor?”

And the answer is in “cross bearing.”

“Well, we found a pastor who says he prays at least 30 hours a week, this sounds good to us.”

Not the standard!

“Well, we found a pastor who has 2 degrees, this must be the man for us.”

Not the standard, as set forth by our Savior!

The standard as set forth by our Savior is the following......

does his or her life exemplify that of ….

1. Cross Bearing and
2. Self-Denial.

Is every facet of their life transparent, and open? Or are there hidden areas, where introspection is forbidden!

When viewed, in its entirety does their life show a life of “self-denial?”

If not, keep looking, God will lead you. Granted you may, well be looking for some time, but you will find honest, sincere, totally transparent, God fearing, men and women, who are living “totally,” dedicated, consecrated lives to The Lord Jesus Christ!

In politics when facing corruption, there is a saying, “follow the money!”

Matthew 6:24 NLT

No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

Luke 16:13 NLT

“No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”

A King who does not know his enemy, is beaten already!

Lucifer, did “not,” know his enemy, and his enemy, defeated him!

Ezekiel 28:3-8 KJV

3 Behold, thou art wiser than Daniel; there is no secret that they can hide from thee:

4 With thy wisdom and with thine understanding thou hast gotten thee riches, and hast gotten gold and silver into thy treasures:

5 By thy great wisdom and by thy traffick hast thou increased thy riches, and thine heart is lifted up because of thy riches:

6 Therefore thus saith the Lord God; Because thou hast set thine heart as the heart of God;

7 Behold, therefore I will bring strangers upon thee, the terrible of the nations: and they shall draw their swords against the beauty of thy wisdom, and they shall defile thy brightness.

8 They shall bring thee down to the pit, and thou shalt die the deaths of them that are slain in the midst of the seas.

Apostle Paul's call to Pastor and Deacons:

I Timothy 3:3 KJV

"...not greedy of filthy lucre;

I Timothy 3:8 KJV

"...not greedy of filthy lucre;

Titus 1:7 KJV

For a bishop must be blameless...not given to filthy lucre;

(Peter)

I Peter 5:2 KJV

Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof...not for filthy lucre,

Mark 4:22,23 KJV

22 For everything that is hidden will eventually be brought into the open, and every secret will be brought to light.

23 Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.”

James 3:1,2 NLT

Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged more strictly.

I Corinthians 9:13,14 KJV

13 Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?

14 Even so hath The Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.

Dear friend, our Lord, knew that His coming to earth, would end in a cross, yet He was faithful unto the end.

John 13:1 KJV

Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that His hour was come that He should depart out of this world unto The Father, having loved His own which were in the world, He loved them unto the end.

Revelation 13:8 KJV

"...The Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

This faithful Shepherd, Savior, calls us to be faithful unto the end.

John 10:27 KJV

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me:

John 12:26 KJV

If any man serve Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there shall also My servant be: if any man serve Me, him will My Father honor.

• Salvation Prayer

Call To Prayer

The Bible Prayer Line:

Prayer Request:

The Call To Prayer: By Anne Graham Lotz.

Blow the trumpet…sound the alarm…for the day of The Lord is coming. It is close at hand– Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to The Lord your God… Joel 2:1, 13

(A message from Anne Graham-Lotz: Billy Graham’s daughter.)

As you may know, my husband is in declining health. I am no longer traveling and speaking as much as I have for the last 26 years since I am staying home to care for him. As a result, I have had time to be quiet and listen more to the whispers of The Spirit. He has revealed things to me in the stillness that I’m not sure I would have heard in my former busyness.

One of the things He has impressed on me is that we are living at the end of human history as we know it. In light of this, He has given me some practical assignments. One was to be the Honorary Chair for the National Day of Prayer 2014 this past May.

He gave me the message I was to deliver, which was from Joel 1...the Day of The Lord is at hand. It was a message warning that judgment is coming.

Just recently, He has given me another assignment, which is to call His people in our nation to prayer. This assignment came indirectly from a Syrian pastor through a National Day of Prayer attendee.

In obedience, I am blowing the trumpet…sounding the alarm…issuing a national prayer initiative entitled 7 7 7: An Urgent Call to Prayer.

The Call is for God’s people to pray for each of the first seven days in the seventh month-July 1-7.

Then on the 7th day, July 7, we are to pray and fast for 7 hours.

The purpose is…

For God The Father to restrain, protect, and deliver His people from the evil that has come into our world.

For God the Son to be exalted, magnified, and glorified in His church, in our nation, and in our lives.

For God the Holy Spirit to fall on us in a fresh way, compelling the church to repent of sin and our nation to return to faith in the living God, resulting in a great national spiritual awakening.

I’m asking you to partner with me, and send out the word to everyone on your email address list, or who follows you on facebook or twitter. I will be sending out an eBlast this week and next, which you can access at:

http://www.annegrahamlotz.com/events/urgent-call-to-prayer/.

(Copy and paste into your browser.)

Please feel free to use it, and place your name in the paragraph that includes mine to make it more personal for your constituents. Feel free also to forward this letter.

I will provide a prayer I have written for each of the 7 days to help unite us in one spirit and one voice as we cry out to God. Those who receive the eBlast are invited to sign up for the daily email prayers.

Please be assured there is no other agenda in this initiative. This is not about promoting anything or anyone. This is all about calling God’s people together to pray, before it’s too late, and judgment falls on our nation.

Urgently,

Anne Graham-Lotz

http://www.annegrahamlotz.com/

P.S.

Please remember to pray for Dr. Billy Graham, Franklin, Will, and Anne Graham (Lotz).

This prayer request is not just for one country, but for the world!

Revelation 12:12 KJV "...Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.

Keep praying, God hears your prayers!

Call To Prayer:

I Chronicles 16:11 KJV

Seek The Lord and His strength, seek His face continually.

II Chronicles 7:14 KJV

If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Psalm 4:3 KJV

But know that The Lord hath set apart him that is godly for Himself: The Lord will hear when I call unto Him.

Psalm 34:17 KJV

The righteous cry, and The Lord heareth..."

Psalm 65:2 KJV

O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come.

Proverbs 15:29 KJV

The Lord is far from the wicked: but He heareth the prayer of the righteous.

Micah 7:7 KJV

Therefore I will look unto The Lord; I will wait for The God Of My Salvation: my God will hear me.

Matthew 18:19 KJV

Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of My Father which is in heaven.

Mark 11:24 KJV

Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

Ephesians 6:18 KJV

Pray in The Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

I Thessalonians 5:17 KJV

Pray without ceasing.

http://www.annegrahamlotz.com/events/urgent-call-to-prayer/   

(Copy and paste into your internet browser.)

• Salvation Prayer

Sacrifice And Offerings

Bible Questions Answered:

“I see a glaring error in bible teaching. Moses call for gifts and offerings, such as listed in Leviticus, versus the book of Psalm 51 where David says God did not want them! ”

Penelope/ Palm Beach Gardens (U.S.A.)

Bible Answer:

Bible Texts:

Psalm 51:16 KJV

For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.

And how about....

Jeremiah 7:21,22 NLT

21 This is what The Lord Of Heaven’s Armies, The God Of Israel, says: “Take your burnt offerings and your other sacrifices and eat them yourselves!

22 When I led your ancestors out of Egypt, it was not burnt offerings and sacrifices I wanted from them.

My, sure looks like a Bible error here, that is unless we use the whole context of the verses!

God, first wanted the hearts of His People!

We cannot “buy,” God, by our sacrifices or offerings, no matter how great they may be!

“OK, Pastor let's hear that again! OK.”

We cannot “buy,” God, by our sacrifices or offerings, no matter how great they may be!

We cannot “buy,” God by our grandiose ceremonies no matter how great they may be!

Ephesians 2:8,9 KJV
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is The Gift Of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Homily:

Let's walk with Jesus down to Nazareth 1^st Assembly of Holy Angels church.

Want to be like Jesus? Jesus was always in church on the Sabbath.

Luke 4:16 KJV

And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up: and, as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the sabbath day..."

What granite majesty reaching the heavens, decked with beautiful stained glass windows, of every size and color.

Who can resist the beautiful sounds of the grand pipe organ, and magnificent choir, chanting, Lord, Lord, wafting their music heavenward.

And yet Jesus had a word or two to say to them.

Matthew 7:21-23 KJV

21 Not every one that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord,

shall enter into the kingdom of heaven;

but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven.

(The Lord, does not desire, rote ceremonial lip service, but living obedience to God!)

Isaiah 29:13 NLT

And so The Lord says, “These people say they are Mine. They honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. And their worship of Me is nothing but man-made rules learned by rote.

Mark 7:5-8 NLT

5 So the Pharisees and teachers of religious law asked Him, “Why don’t your disciples follow our age-old tradition? They eat without first performing the hand-washing ceremony.”

6 Jesus replied, “You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you, for he wrote,

‘These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me.

7 Their worship is a farce, for they teach man-made ideas as commands from God.’

8 For you ignore God’s law and substitute your own tradition.”

22 Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name?

(Foretelling as well as Forth-telling such as speaking The Word, or liturgy of mans tradition.)

and in thy name have cast out devils?

(Ritual exercise performed by clerics.)

and in thy name done many wonderful works?

(Religious works, donation of funds, building great architectural buildings, etc. etc.)

23 And then will I profess unto them,

I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity.

(Lost.)

Does The Lord want our sacrifices and offerings?

Yes!

But not unless they are from someone who's first gift is their heart, mind, soul and body, dedicated to The Lord!

Matthew 22:35-40 KJV

35 Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked Him a question, tempting Him, and saying,

36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law?

37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

38 This is the first and great commandment.

39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.

40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

(Think this little homily went to far? Read Revelation 2:1-29-3:1-22. Our resurrected Lord addressed 7 churches of the 1^st Century.)

The Gift Our Lord Longs For:

I Samuel 15:22,23 KJV (Samuel to King Saul.)

22 And Samuel said, Hath The Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of The Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.

23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.

Psalm 21:3 KJV

The Lord is more pleased when we do what is right and just than when we offer Him sacrifices.

Psalm 40:6 KJV

Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required.

Psalm 51:15-17 KJV (The whole story.)

15 O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.

16 For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.

17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

Ecclesiastes 5:1 NLT

As you enter The House Of God, keep your ears open and your mouth shut. It is evil to make mindless offerings to God.

Isaiah 1:11-13;18-20 NLT

11 “What makes you think I want all your sacrifices?” says The Lord. “I am sick of your burnt offerings of rams and the fat of fattened cattle. I get no pleasure from the blood of bulls and lambs and goats.

12 When you come to worship Me, who asked you to parade through My courts with all your ceremony?

13 Stop bringing Me your meaningless gifts; the incense of your offerings disgusts Me! As for your celebrations of the new moon and the Sabbath and your special days for fasting—they are all sinful and false. I want no more of your pious meetings.

18 “Come now, let’s settle this,” says The Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool.

19 If you will only obey Me, you will have plenty to eat.

20 But if you turn away and refuse to listen, you will be devoured by the sword of your enemies. I, The Lord, have spoken!”

Jeremiah 7:21-23 NLT

21 This is what The Lord Of Heaven’s Armies, The God Of Israel, says: “Take your burnt offerings and your other sacrifices and eat them yourselves!

22 When I led your ancestors out of Egypt, it was not burnt offerings and sacrifices I wanted from them.

23 This is what I told them: ‘Obey Me, and I will be your God, and you will be My people. Do everything as I say, and all will be well!’

Ezekiel 33:30-33 NLT

30 “Son of man, your people talk about you in their houses and whisper about you at the doors. They say to each other, ‘Come on, let’s go hear the prophet tell us what The Lord is saying!’

31 So My people come pretending to be sincere and sit before you. They listen to your words, but they have no intention of doing what you say. Their mouths are full of lustful words, and their hearts seek only after money.

32 You are very entertaining to them, like someone who sings love songs with a beautiful voice or plays fine music on an instrument. They hear what you say, but they don’t act on it!

Hosea 6:6 NLT

I want you to show love, not offer sacrifices. I want you to know Me more than I want burnt offerings.

Micah 6:6-8 NLT

6 What can we bring to The Lord? Should we bring Him burnt offerings? Should we bow before God Most High with offerings of yearling calves?

7 Should we offer Him thousands of rams and ten thousand rivers of olive oil? Should we sacrifice our firstborn children to pay for our sins?

8 No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what He requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.

Zechariah 7:4-7 NLT

4 The Lord Of Heaven’s Armies sent me this message in reply:

5 “Say to all your people and your priests, ‘During these seventy years of exile, when you fasted and mourned in the summer and in early autumn, was it really for Me that you were fasting?

6 And even now in your holy festivals, aren’t you eating and drinking just to please yourselves?

7 Isn’t this the same message The Lord proclaimed through the prophets in years past when Jerusalem and the towns of Judah were bustling with people, and the Negev and the foothills of Judah were well populated?’”

Malachi 2:11-16 NLT (Unacceptable sacrifices and offerings.)

11 Judah has been unfaithful, and a detestable thing has been done in Israel and in Jerusalem. The men of Judah have defiled The Lord’s beloved sanctuary by marrying women who worship idols.

12 May The Lord cut off from the nation of Israel every last man who has done this and yet brings an offering to The Lord Of Heaven’s Armies.

13 Here is another thing you do. You cover The Lord’s altar with tears, weeping and groaning because He pays no attention to your offerings and doesn’t accept them with pleasure.

14 You cry out, “Why doesn’t The Lord accept my worship?” I’ll tell you why! Because The Lord witnessed the vows you and your wife made when you were young. But you have been unfaithful to her, though she remained your faithful partner, the wife of your marriage vows.

15 Didn’t The Lord make you one with your wife? In body and spirit you are His. And what does He want? Godly children from your union. So guard your heart; remain loyal to the wife of your youth.

16 “For I hate divorce!” says The Lord, The God Of Israel. “To divorce your wife is to overwhelm her with cruelty,” says The Lord Of Heaven’s Armies. “So guard your heart; do not be unfaithful to your wife.”

Matthew 9:12.13 NLT

12 When Jesus heard this, He said, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do.”

13 Then He added, “Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’ For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”

John 14:21 KJV

He that hath My commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth Me: and he that loveth Me shall be loved of My Father, and I will love him, and will manifest Myself to him.

Romans 14:17 KJV

For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in The Holy Ghost.

Hebrews 9:9-12 NLT (The Perfect Sacrifice-Christ.)

9 This is an illustration pointing to the present time. For the gifts and sacrifices that the priests offer are not able to cleanse the consciences of the people who bring them.

10 For that old system deals only with food and drink and various cleansing ceremonies—physical regulations that were in effect only until a better system could be established.

11 So Christ has now become The High Priest over all the good things that have come. He has entered that greater, more perfect Tabernacle in heaven, which was not made by human hands and is not part of this created world.

12 With His own blood—not the blood of goats and calves—He entered the Most Holy Place once for all time and secured our redemption forever.

Hebrews 10:4-10 NLT

4 For it is not possible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.

5 That is why, when Christ came into the world, He said to God, “You did not want animal sacrifices or sin offerings. But you have given Me a body to offer.

6 You were not pleased with burnt offerings or other offerings for sin.

7 Then I said, ‘Look, I have come to do your will, O God— as is written about Me in the Scriptures.’”

8 First, Christ said, “You did not want animal sacrifices or sin offerings or burnt offerings or other offerings for sin, nor were you pleased with them” (though they are required by the law of Moses).

9 Then He said, “Look, I have come to do your will.” He cancels the first covenant in order to put the second into effect.

10 For God’s will was for us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all time.

What We Are Called To Do:

Deuteronomy 5:29 NLT

Oh, that they would always have hearts like this, that they might fear Me and obey all My commands! If they did, they and their descendants would prosper forever.

Proverbs 4:23 KJV

Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

Jeremiah 24:7 KJV

Oh, that they would always have hearts like this, that they might fear Me and obey all My commands! If they did, they and their descendants would prosper forever.

Ezekiel 11:19,20 KJV

19 And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh:

20 That they may walk in My statutes, and keep Mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be My people, and I will be their God.

Ezekiel 36:26-28 KJV

26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new Spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.

27 And I will put My Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes, and ye shall keep My judgments, and do them.

28 And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be My people, and I will be your God.

Luke 8:11,15 KJV

11 Now the parable is this: The seed is The Word Of God.

15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard The Word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

Salvation Prayer

Carnality

Bible Questions Answered:

“What is the carnal nature and how does one come by it?”

Sandra/ Nuremberg, Bavaria Germany

Bible Answer:

Bible Texts:

Carnal (Dictionary.Com)

1.

Pertaining to or characterized by the flesh or the body, its passions and appetites; sensual: carnal pleasures.

2.

Not spiritual; merely human; temporal; worldly: a man of secular, rather carnal, leanings.

The Apostle Paul spoke of carnality:

Romans 7:14 KJV

For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal*, sold under sin.

Carnal-Greek: Sarkikos (Sar-kee-kos): Pertaining to the flesh, i.e. bodily, temporal, or (implied) animal, unregenerate:- carnal, fleshly.

I Corinthians 3:1-4 KJV

1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal*, even as unto babes in Christ.

2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.

3 For ye are yet carnal*: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?

4 For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal*?

Carnal-Greek: Sarkikos (Sar-kee-kos): Pertaining to the flesh, animal, unregenerate: carnal fleshly.

I Corinthians 3:1-4 NLT (Carnal-Worldly)

1 Dear brothers and sisters, when I was with you I couldn’t talk to you as I would to spiritual people. I had to talk as though you belonged to this world or as though you were infants in Christ.

2 I had to feed you with milk, not with solid food, because you weren’t ready for anything stronger. And you still aren’t ready,

3 for you are still controlled by your sinful nature. You are jealous of one another and quarrel with each other. Doesn’t that prove you are controlled by your sinful nature? Aren’t you living like people of the world?

4 When one of you says, “I am a follower of Paul,” and another says, “I follow Apollos,” aren’t you acting just like people of the world?

II Corinthians 10:4 KJV

(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal*, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

Carnal-Greek: Sarkikos (Sar-kee-kos): Pertaining to the flesh, i.e. bodily, temporal, or (implied) animal, unregenerate:- carnal, fleshly.

People of the world, who have not been born again, by the precious blood of The Savior, are of the earth, earthy, carnal-fleshly, not spiritually minded.

Romans 8:6,7 KJV

6 For to be carnally* minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

7 Because the carnal* mind is enmity (Hostility-Hatred) against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

Carnal-Greek: Sarx (Sarx): Flesh, the body as opposed to the soul, or spirit, or a symbol of what is external, human nature (with its sin and frailties), a human being (as such) carnal. To be fleshly minded.

All mankind is under the curse of sin.

Since the sinful fall of the first man, Adam, all after have come under its curse. And there are “no,” exceptions!

Romans 3:9,23 KJV

9 What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;

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

Romans 5:12 KJV

Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon

all men, for that all have sinned:

Galatians 3:22 KJV

But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

How many? All, everyone that has ever existed, has sinned, and there has been one and only one exception, The Second Adam, The Savior!

I Peter 2:21,22 KJV

21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps:

22 Who did no sin, neither was guile (Deceit) found in His mouth:

We escape being under the curse of sin, when we accept God's Son as our Savior!

John 3:14-18 KJV

14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must The Son Of Man be lifted up:

15 That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.

16 For God so loved the world, that He gave His Only Begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

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

18 He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of The Only Begotten Son Of God.

Free from the shackles of sin, through Christ Jesus!

Isaiah 42:6,7 KJV

6 I The Lord have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee..."

7 To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.

Luke 4:16-21 KJV

16 And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up: and, as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.

17 And there was delivered unto Him the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened The Book, He found the place where it was written,

18 The Spirit Of The Lord is upon Me, because He hath anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He hath sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,

19 To preach the acceptable year of The Lord.

20 And He closed The Book, and He gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on Him.

21 And He began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.

John 8:32 KJV

And ye shall know The Truth, and The Truth shall make you free.

Romans 8:2 KJV

For the law of The Spirit Of Life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

II Corinthians 3:17 KJV

Now The Lord is that Spirit: and where The Spirit Of The Lord is, there is liberty.

• Salvation Prayer

Job 13:15

Bible Questions Answered:

“Pastor, did the time come for Job when he gave up on life and hope. I see in Job he says “he will slay me; I have no hope; yet I will defend my ways to his face. Any comment on this?”

Ralph/ Newton, New Hampshire (U. S. A.)

Bible Answer:

Bible Text:

Job 13:15 RSV

Behold, He will slay me; I have no hope; yet I will defend my ways to His face.

My, this verse, makes it look as if old Job, had been finally been convinced by his wife.

Job 2:9 KJV

Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die.

Job 2:9 MSG

His wife said, “Still holding on to your precious integrity, are you? Curse God and be done with it!”

Had Job, lost the faith?

Here are a few testaments of Job's faith from the first chapter, up until chapter thirteen.

Job 1:4,5; 13-20 NLT

4 Job’s sons would take turns preparing feasts in their homes, and they would also invite their three sisters to celebrate with them.

5 When these celebrations ended—sometimes after several days—Job would purify his children. He would get up early in the morning and offer a burnt offering for each of them. For Job said to himself, “Perhaps my children have sinned and have cursed God in their hearts.” This was Job’s regular practice.

13 One day when Job’s sons and daughters were feasting at the oldest brother’s house,

14 a messenger arrived at Job’s home with this news: “Your oxen were plowing, with the donkeys feeding beside them,

15 when the Sabeans raided us. They stole all the animals and killed all the farmhands. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.”

16 While he was still speaking, another messenger arrived with this news: “The fire of God has fallen from heaven and burned up your sheep and all the shepherds. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.”

17 While he was still speaking, a third messenger arrived with this news: “Three bands of Chaldean raiders have stolen your camels and killed your servants. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.”

18 While he was still speaking, another messenger arrived with this news: “Your sons and daughters were feasting in their oldest brother’s home.

19 Suddenly, a powerful wind swept in from the wilderness and hit the house on all sides. The house collapsed, and all your children are dead. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.”

20 Job stood up and tore his robe in grief. Then he shaved his head and fell to the ground to worship.

Job 2:4-10 NLT

4 Satan replied to The Lord, “Skin for skin! A man will give up everything he has to save his life.

5 But reach out and take away his health, and he will surely curse you to your face!”

6 “All right, do with him as you please,” The Lord said to Satan. “But spare his life.”

7 So Satan left The Lord’s presence, and he struck Job with terrible boils from head to foot.

8 Job scraped his skin with a piece of broken pottery as he sat among the ashes.

9 His wife said to him, “Are you still trying to maintain your integrity? Curse God and die.”

10 But Job replied, “You talk like a foolish woman. Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad?” So in all this, Job said nothing wrong.

Job 6:10 NLT

At least I can take comfort in this: Despite the pain, I have not denied the words of The Holy One.

Actually what we have here is that The Revised Standard Version, is a very poor rendering of

Job 13:15.

Here is another “nameless-version,” that also is in error.

Job 13:15 (This version of the Bible has seen revision after revision due to errors, and is not used by The Bible Prayer Line.)

Though He slay me, yet will I hope in Him; I will surely defend my ways to His face.

You may read the book of Job from the beginning to the end, and never is Job seen as defiant, or arrogant before God!!

Job 22:29 KJV

"...He shall save the humble person.

In humility Job was saying, no matter what happens to me....

Job 33:9 KJV

I am clean without transgression, I am innocent; neither is there iniquity in me.

Here is the beloved King James Version.

Job 13:15 KJV

Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him: but I will maintain mine own ways before Him.

What a difference!

Also:

Job 13:15 CEV

God may kill me, but still I will trust Him and offer my defense.

Job 13:15 LEB

Look, though He kill me, I will hope in Him; however, I will defend my ways before Him.

Job was a man of faith, never did he loose that faith!

Job 13:18 KJV

"...I know that I shall be justified.

Job 35:14 KJV

Although thou sayest thou shalt not see Him ("You say you can’t see Him..."NLT), yet judgment is before Him; therefore trust thou in Him.

Trusting in The Lord:

Psalm 2:12 KJV

"...Blessed are all they that put their trust in Him.

Psalm 4:5 KJV

Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in The Lord.

Psalm 5:11 KJV

But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.

Psalm 9:10 KJV

And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.

Psalm 18:2,30 KJV

2 The Lord is my Rock, and my Fortress, and my Deliverer; my God, my Strength, in whom I will trust; my Buckler (shield), and the horn of my Salvation, and my High tower.

30 As for God, His Way is perfect: The Word Of The Lord is tried: He is a Buckler to all those that trust in Him.

Psalm 20:7 KJV

Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of The Lord our God.

Psalm 37:5,40 KJV

5 Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass.

40 And The Lord shall help them, and deliver them: He shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in Him.

Psalm 40:3,4 KJV

3 And He hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in The Lord.

4 Blessed is that man that maketh The Lord his trust..."

Psalm 56:3 KJV (D.L. Moody's favorite Bible verse.)

What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.

Psalm 62:8 KJV

Trust in Him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before Him: God is a Refuge for us. Selah.

Psalm 64:10 KJV

The righteous shall be glad in The Lord, and shall trust in Him; and all the upright in heart shall glory.

Psalm 71:5 KJV

For thou art my hope, O Lord God: thou art my trust from my youth.

Psalm 73:28 KJV

But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in The Lord God, that I may declare all thy works.

Psalm 91:2,4 KJV

2 I will say of The Lord, He is my Refuge and my Fortress: my God; in Him will I trust.

4 He shall cover thee with His feathers, and under His wings shalt thou trust: His truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

Psalm 115:11 KJV

Ye that fear The Lord, trust in The Lord: He is their Help and their shield.

Psalm 118:8,9 KJV

8 It is better to trust in The Lord than to put confidence in man.

9 It is better to trust in The Lord than to put confidence in princes.

Psalm 119:42 KJV

"...I trust in thy word.

Psalm 125:1 KJV

They that trust in The Lord shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever.

Psalm 141:8 KJV

But mine eyes are unto thee, O God The Lord: in thee is my trust..."

Psalm 143:8 KJV

Cause me to hear thy loving kindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.

Proverbs 29:25 KJV

The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in The Lord shall be safe.

Proverbs 30:5 KJV

Every word of God is pure: He is a Shield unto them that put their trust in Him.

Dear friend, like Job of old, are you trusting in The Lord?

For the Christian, doubts and fears, must be placed under the blood!

II Corinthians 10:5 KJV

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

And also remember...

I John 4:18 KJV

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

Proverbs 3:5,6 KJV

5 Trust in The Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.

• Salvation Prayer

Anointing

Bible Questions Answered:

“What is the anointing that John says we have?...”

Kelly/ Lisburn, Northern Ireland (United Kingdom)

Bible Answer:

Bible Text:

I John 2:20, 27 KJV

20 But ye have an unction (anointing)* from The Holy One, and ye know all things.

27 But the anointing which ye have received of Him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is Truth, and is no lie, and even as it (He) hath taught you, ye shall abide in Him.

Unction (anointing)-Greek: Chrisma (Khris-mah): Ointment or smearing (figurative) the spec. endowment (chrism) of The Holy spirit: anointing, unctionion. (a less common name for an ointment.)

I John 2:20,27 NLT

20 "...The Holy One has given you His Spirit, and all of you know The Truth.

27 But you have received The Holy Spirit, and He lives within you, so you don’t need anyone to teach you what is true. For The Spirit teaches you everything you need to know, and what He teaches is true—it is not a lie. So just as He has taught you, remain in fellowship with Christ.

In Old Testament times, to show that God's people were set apart as God's servants, they were anointed.

Priests, Kings and prophets had oil (a type of God The Holy Spirit), poured on them and prayers made for their blessings.

Exodus 28:40,41 NLT

40 “For Aaron’s sons, make tunics, sashes, and special head coverings that are glorious and beautiful. 41 Clothe your brother, Aaron, and his sons with these garments, and then anoint and ordain them. Consecrate them so they can serve as my priests.

I Samuel 10:1 NLT (Saul becomes King.)

Then Samuel took a flask of olive oil and poured it over Saul’s head. He kissed Saul and said, “I am doing this because The Lord has appointed you to be the ruler over Israel, His special possession.

I Kings 19:16 NLT (The Lord instructs Elijah.)

Then anoint Jehu grandson of Nimshi to be king of Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from the town of Abel-meholah to replace you as my prophet.

New Testament believers are said to be anointed.

I John 2:20, 27 KJV

20 But ye have an unction (anointing)* from The Holy One, and ye know all things.

27 But the anointing which ye have received of Him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is Truth, and is no lie, and even as it (He) hath taught you, ye shall abide in Him.

The anointing for God's people today, is that of knowledge (vs 27), the exercise of spiritual gifts (I Corinthians 12:), and power (Luke 24:49 KJV And, behold, I send the promise of My Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.)

James 1:17 KJV

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from The Father Of Lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

Romans 12:6-8 NLT

6 In His grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you.

7 If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well.

8 If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.

I Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT

4 There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all.

5 There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord.

6 God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us.

7 A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other.

8 To one person The Spirit gives the ability to give wise advice; to another the same Spirit gives a message of special knowledge.

9 The same Spirit gives great faith to another, and to someone else the one Spirit gives the gift of healing.

10 He gives one person the power to perform miracles, and another the ability to prophesy. He gives someone else the ability to discern whether a message is from The Spirit Of God or from another spirit. Still another person is given the ability to speak in unknown languages, while another is given the ability to interpret what is being said.

11 It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have.

Ephesians 4:11,12 KJV

11 And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

Colossians 1:28,29 NLT

28 So we tell others about Christ, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all the wisdom God has given us. We want to present them to God, perfect in their relationship to Christ.

29 That’s why I work and struggle so hard, depending on Christ’s mighty power that works within me.

We are called to know His Word, to receive His gifts, and to evangelize (The call of every Christian) in the power of His Spirit.

Mark 16:15-18 NLT

15 And then He told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.

16 Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned.

17 These miraculous signs will accompany those who believe: They will cast out demons in My name, and they will speak in new languages.

18 They will be able to handle snakes with safety, and if they drink anything poisonous, it won’t hurt them. (Explanation of this verse see the blog posting: Kept By The Power Of God .)

They will be able to place their hands on the sick, and they will be healed.”

Are you a Christian, set apart, consecrated to The Lord's call?

Then you are anointed to learn His Word, receive His gifts, and to evangelize in the power of His Spirit!

God bless you as you go one for The Lord, remember you never labor alone!

Hebrews 13:5 KJV

"...He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

• Salvation Prayer

Bible Lesson:Parables-Our Lord's: The Tower.

Bible Lesson:Parables-Our Lord's: The Tower.

Occasion: Addressing The Following Crowds.

Lesson: Counting The Cost.

Bible Text: Luke 14:25-30 NLT (The cost of discipleship.)

25 A large crowd was following Jesus. He turned around and said to them,

26 “If you want to be My disciple, you must hate everyone else by comparison—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be My disciple.

27 And if you do not carry your own cross and follow Me, you cannot be My disciple.

28 “But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it?

29 Otherwise, you might complete only the foundation before running out of money, and then everyone would laugh at you.

30 They would say, ‘There’s the person who started that building and couldn’t afford to finish it!’

To be a follower of The Lord Jesus Christ, one must be willing to pay the cost.

“Pastor, isn't salvation free?”

Yes, but that does not mean that we may follow our Master at no personal cost!

26 “If you want to be My disciple, you must hate everyone else by comparison—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be My disciple.

This does not mean a Christian goes around hating their father, mother or other siblings, of course not, it means that our love for them pales, in comparison to our love and servitude to our Master, The Lord Jesus Christ.

Luke 9:57-62 MSG

57 On the road someone asked if he could go along. “I’ll go with you, wherever,” he said.

58 Jesus was curt: “Are you ready to rough it? We’re not staying in the best inns, you know.” Jesus said to another, “Follow me.”

59 He said, “Certainly, but first excuse me for a couple of days, please. I have to make arrangements for my father’s funeral.”

60 Jesus refused. “First things first. Your business is life, not death. And life is urgent: Announce God’s kingdom!”

61 Then another said, “I’m ready to follow you, Master, but first excuse me while I get things straightened out at home.”

62 Jesus said, “No procrastination. No backward looks. You can’t put God’s kingdom off till tomorrow. Seize the day.

27 And if you do not carry your own cross and follow Me, you cannot be My disciple.

Matthew 16:24 KJV

Then said Jesus unto His disciples, If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.

Mark 8:34 KJV

And when He had called the people unto Him with His disciples also, He said unto them, Whosoever will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.

Luke 9:23 KJV

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

The cross is a symbol of pain and suffering, self-denial, rejection and ridicule.

The Christian must be willing to suffer for Jesus' sake.

OK, so in America (because that is where this blog originates.), how are we doing spiritually?

We can tell by how our country itself is doing!

Morality is at an all time low, other countries refusing our books, magazines and movies!

Crime rates, abortions (Now totaling some 57 million.), white collar crimes, godless education, drugs, alcohol, and not to mention political chicanery, all tell us we are a people awaiting judgment.

How can this all be, of the most “religious,” nation in the world?

Matthew 7:21-23 KJV

21 Not every one that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity.

Workers of iniquity, because their “private-lives,” were not, obedient to The Lord Jesus Christ!

Religious leaders, that do not “deny themselves,” do not carry their cross of “self-denial,” and yet lead others.

Many, many of them millionaires, boasting “among themselves, ” their portfolios of gold, silver and diamond mine stock etc. etc.

What sin is this?

It is the sin of hypocrisy.

Matthew 23:28 KJV

Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.

Luke 12:1-3 NLT

1 Meanwhile, the crowds grew until thousands were milling about and stepping on each other. Jesus turned first to His disciples and warned them, “Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees—their hypocrisy. 2 The time is coming when everything that is covered up will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all.

3 Whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in The Light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be shouted from the housetops for all to hear!

James 3:17 KJV

But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

Hypocrite:

a person who pretends to have virtues, moral or religious beliefs, principles, etc., that he or she does not actually possess, especially a person whose actions belie stated beliefs.

It is the sin of refusing the cross of self-denial.

Psalm 52:5-7 KJV

5 God shall likewise destroy thee for ever, He shall take thee away, and pluck thee out of thy dwelling place, and root thee out of the land of the living. Selah.

6 The righteous also shall see, and fear, and shall laugh at him:

7 Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength; but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness.

Proverbs 11:28 KJV

He that trusteth in his riches shall fall;

Proverbs 13:7 KJV

There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.

Ecclesiastes 5:13 KJV

There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt.

Ezekiel 28:4 KJV (Description of Lucifer.)

4 With thy wisdom and with thine understanding thou hast gotten thee riches, and hast gotten gold and silver into thy treasures:

5 By thy great wisdom and by thy traffic hast thou increased thy riches, and thine heart is lifted up because of thy riches:

Matthew 13:22 KJV

He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth The Word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke The Word, and he becometh unfruitful.

Mark 10:23 KJV

And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto His disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!

Luke 8:14 KJV

And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.

Luke 18:24 KJV

And when Jesus saw that He was very sorrowful, He said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!

James 5:1-3,5 NLT

1 Look here, you rich people: Weep and groan with anguish because of all the terrible troubles ahead of you.

2 Your wealth is rotting away, and your fine clothes are moth-eaten rags.

3 Your gold and silver have become worthless. The very wealth you were counting on will eat away your flesh like fire. This treasure you have accumulated will stand as evidence against you on the day of judgment.

5 You have spent your years on earth in luxury, satisfying your every desire.

If you can't know your pastor's salary, if you can't know the salary of your Superintendent, or denomination head's salary (For whatever reason!), then its time to move on!

This is why so many churches try to hide their denominational affiliation, by not putting it into their church names, as they “once,” did!

This is why there is such a huge exodus from denominational churches to independent churches, where everything is open and transparent!

Thank God, this doesn't apply to all, but to many, yes!

I Peter 4:17 KJV

For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

28 “But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it?

29 Otherwise, you might complete only the foundation before running out of money, and then everyone would laugh at you.

30 They would say, ‘There’s the person who started that building and couldn’t afford to finish it!’

Heralds of the gospel, time to count the cost. Time to realize the cost of true discipleship, which is total consecration and complete surrender.

We do know the financial holdings of our founder, The Lord Jesus Christ, The Man, who could have been the most wealthy of all who ever lived!

Matthew 8:20 KJV

And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but The Son Of Han hath not where to lay His head.

Matthew 17:24-27 KJV (No money for taxes.)

24 And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your Master pay tribute?

25 He saith, Yes. And when He was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers?

26 Peter saith unto Him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free.

27 Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for Me and thee.

To follow The Lord Jesus, one does not have to be a pauper, but one does have to live in such a fashion, as to make his life totally transparent! Then one and all may judge, if indeed our life is a life of self-denial!

This is taking up ones cross and following The Lord Jesus!

This is the life of honesty and self-denial!

It is time to seek The Lord, and to hear His voice again!

John 12:24-26 KJV

24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.

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

26 If any man serve Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there shall also My servant be: if any man serve Me, him will My Father honor.

• Salvation Prayer