💥 Podcast: Ministers of Satan spoken of by Jesus, Paul, Peter, and Jude in the Bible.

 

 

(This podcast was previously published on January 7, 2021) 

 

Jesus warned us about the last days when false ministers and false Christians would come in HIS name deceiving many:

 

Matthew 24  

 

3 And as HE sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto Him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? 

 

4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. 

 

5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. 

 

(Ministers and individuals in churches will come saying "Jesus is Lord" and because they say that, many will accept them and they will deceive "many".) 

 

Paul calls them "angels of light": 

 

II Corinthians 11 

 

2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. 

 

3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 

 

4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.

 

12 But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we. 

 

13  For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 

 

14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 

 

15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. 

 

The apostle Peter says: 

 

2 Peter 2 

 

1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 

 

2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. 

 

3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

 

 

12 But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; 

 

13 And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you; 

 

14 Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: 

 

15 Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; 

 

16 But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet. 

 

17 These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever. 

 

18 For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. 

 

19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. 

 

20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 

 

21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. 

 

22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

 

*****

Jude

3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. 

 

4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.

(They deny Jesus as they explain away "The Word" who is Jesus.) 

 

12 These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;

(A cloud without water gives you a promise of rain but produces dryness, stealing your hope.)

13 Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever. 

 

16 These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advantage. 

 

17 But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; 

 

18 How that they told you there should be mockers (imitators/copying others) in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. 

 

19 These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.

***

Jesus says concerning the scribes and Pharisees:

Matthew 23

4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.

(They ask you to give to them but they will give no money themselves to pay for their works.  They put a burden on you for their works.)

5 But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,

(They love to make their garments great to show themselves to be of God.)

6 And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,

7 And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.

8 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.

9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.

10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.

(Today they call themselves "Reverend" causing men to give them respect.)

11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.

12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

13 But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.

14 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.

15 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.

***

Paul warns us that it will be even worse in the last days:

II Timothy 3

1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

 

5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

(They explain away the scriptures and will not allow certain scriptures to rule over their own lives.)

 

13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

***

Jesus says:

Matthew 24

12  And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

***

II Timothy 3

14  But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

(That we have learned spiritual things from God.)

15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

***

The apostle Paul says:

II Corinthians 2:17  For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.

We see by this that many were deceitful in their presentations of the Word of God in the days of the apostle Paul.  

And Paul said it would get worse in the last times before Jesus returns.

II Timothy 3:13   But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

And Jesus said:

Matthew 24:4-5   Take heed that no man deceive you.  For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

We have been amply warned in the Bible to beware of both ministers and individuals who come to us saying "Jesus is Lord" for there will be many deceivers in the last days.  They usually show themselves rather quickly by that which they say and by that which they do.  Pay attention.

💥💥💥💥💥

💥 Scriptures:

 

Romans 8:14-17  For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with HIM, that we may be also glorified together.

 

*** 

 

1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, Who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

 

 ***

 

1 Peter 5:8-9   Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

 

***

Hebrews 6:10-12  For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward HIS name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

 

11 And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: 

 

12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. 

 

***

 

Psalm 62:1-2  Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from HIM cometh my salvation.

2 HE only is my rock and my salvation; HE is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved. 

 

*** 

 

Romans 13:12-14   The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.

13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.

14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

 

 

 💥💥💥💥💥

💥 Matthew 14 (Reading through the Bible)

 

1-12    At that time Herod the tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus,

And said unto his servants, This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead; and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him.

For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife.

For John said unto him, It is not lawful for thee to have her.

And when he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.

But when Herod's birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod.

Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask.

And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist's head in a charger.

And the king was sorry: nevertheless for the oath's sake, and them which sat with him at meat, he commanded it to be given her.

And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison.

And his head was brought in a charger, and given to the damsel: and she brought it to her mother.

And his disciples came, and took up the body, and buried it, and went and told Jesus.

 

 

*****

13-21    When Jesus heard of it, He departed thence by ship into a desert place apart: and when the people had heard thereof, they followed Him on foot out of the cities.

And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and He healed their sick.

And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals.

But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat.

And they say unto Him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes.

He said, Bring them hither to Me.

And He commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, He blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to His disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.

And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full.

And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children.

*****

22-33    And straightway Jesus constrained His disciples to get into a ship, and to go before Him unto the other side, while He sent the multitudes away.

And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, He was there alone.

But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.

And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.

And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.

But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.

And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be Thou, bid me come unto Thee on the water.

And He said, Come.

And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.  But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.

And immediately Jesus stretched forth His hand, and caught Him, and said unto Him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.

Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.

*****

 

 34-36    And when they were gone over, they came into the land of Gennesaret.

 And when the men of that place had knowledge of Him, they sent out into all that country round about, and brought unto Him all that were diseased;

And besought Him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole.

💥💥💥💥💥

💥 When a man who is a Christian commits adultery

 

Pam Padgett, member of the body of Christ

A man and wife, with their 4 children (ages 10-approximately 23), have lived next door to me for about 3 years.  Both identify themselves as Christians. They offered to help Joan and I with whatever we might need and, when Joan was in home hospice care, they came to visit her a time or two. They also both came one afternoon to the July, 2024, home meeting.

About 6 weeks ago I sent the wife a text offering some canned pop I didn't want and she sent her son to pick it up saying she wasn't "feeling the best" that day. The next day I happened to see her outside and asked if she was feeling better. She seemed reluctant to answer, then told me she had recently learned her husband was having an affair and that he had moved out of their home 2 days before, to go live with this other woman. She said she was finding it hard to even get out of bed and felt numb.

Hearing of this adultery by a man who identified himself as a Christian, I was stunned and could barely say anything.  This affected me strongly as a member of the body of Christ.

When I returned to my house, I began talking with God about all of this. How could a man, who truly seemed to be a Christian, do this? Sinning against God, against his wife, against his children, against the church ...

At first my flesh wanted to somehow contact this man and try to turn him from this sin.  But I was very clearly reminded by the Holy Spirit of I Corinthians 5, and knew that my desire was not the way of God. I Corinthians 5:5 especially stood out to me ...

To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

I didn't know how to deliver him to Satan in this situation, so asked God to please do this so that his flesh might be destroyed that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord.

I believed this prayer was according to the will of God and strongly felt this man's flesh would be destroyed.  

Over the next weeks, when I felt led to send a scripture or a godly concept or a podcast link to the wife I did so and she expressed appreciation. I also felt led to have her and their children to dinner twice. They have all seemed to enjoy doing this and so have I. 

After the second dinner this past Wednesday, she sent her children home and wanted to talk with me. She told me that her husband had called her at work, I think the previous day, leaving a message that it was urgent that he talk with her. When she called him back, he told her he had just learned he has thyroid cancer.  She said he was obviously very shaken.

As soon as she told me this, I remembered having prayed that this man would be delivered to Satan for the destruction of the flesh that his spirit might be saved.

I Corinthians 5:5  To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

As the wife spoke she said something like "Of course I would never wish something like this (cancer) on anyone." I took out my Bible and read to her I Corinthians 5:5 and told her this had strongly been brought to my attention where her husband was concerned. She didn't fight this and said she knew about God's judgment.

She then confessed something that was interesting to me. She said when the affair first came to light, she told her husband to not be surprised if his prayers weren't answered. She seemed embarrassed as she told me this and said she couldn't believe she had said that to him, but that it is Biblical. I agreed. 

1 Peter 3:7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

 

Proverbs 1:28-30  God says ... Then shall they call upon ME, but I will not answer; they shall seek ME early, but they shall not find ME:

29 For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord:

30 They would none of MY counsel: they despised all MY reproof.

This man knows adultery is wrong in the sight of God yet went that way, not choosing the fear of Lord.

 
The wife told me that when their 10-year old son discovered that his dad was "cheating" on his mom, he didn't understand how his dad could do this, saying that his dad had once told him that a man should never do such a thing to his wife.

 

 

 💥💥💥💥💥

💥 Podcast: Many love the outward appearance of religion, but they do not have a love for the Word of God

 

 

 

(This podcast was previously published on January 14, 2021)

 

This is the first time I recall having the Spirit of God "dictate" to me the title of a writing or Podcast.  Yet this was spoken in exact words to me as I wrote down the title.  Then I received the message by the Spirit of God.

It is amazing, but so many hundreds of thousands of people love their church buildings and they love the stained glass windows in their buildings and they love the art works and carved alters where their ministers preach ... but they do not have a love for the actual Word of God.

We, who are of God, delight in the Word of God.

The apostle Paul told us:

II Timothy 3

1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

***

The only thing that matters in our religion is this:

Do we delight in the Word of God?

 

💥💥💥💥💥

💥 Scriptures:

 

James 1:17   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.

 

*** 

 

James 5:15  And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.

Comments from Beth Martin, member of the body of Christ ...
Yesterday my sister dying of cancer said to me that she hopes that God will take her. She said that she is ready to die and that no one should live the way that she is. She now cannot stand and has to be lifted from the chair to the bed. 

 

This morning I was led to the above scripture. I prayed the prayer of faith over her. I asked God to help her with her suffering and have mercy on her. I prayed for her to have peace. I know that when He wills she will fall asleep.

 

 ***

1 John 5:3-4  For this is the love of God, that we keep HIS commandments: and HIS commandments are not grievous. 

 

4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

 

 ***

 

Philippians 4:9  Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

 

*** 

 

Philippians 4:13  I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

 

 

💥💥💥💥💥 

💥 Matthew 13 (Reading through the Bible)

 

 1-9    The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side.

And great multitudes were gathered together unto Him, so that He went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore.

And He spake many things unto them in parables, saying,

Behold, a sower went forth to sow;

And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:

Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.

And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:

But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.

Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

*****

10-17    And the disciples came, and said unto Him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?

He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.

For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.

Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.

And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:  For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.

For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.

*****

18-23    Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower.

When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.

But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.

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.

But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

*****

24-30    Another parable put He forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:  But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.

But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.

So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?

He said unto them, An enemy hath done this.

The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?

But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.

Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.

 

*****

31-32    Another parable put He forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:  Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.

*****

33     Another parable spake He unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.

*****

34    All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake He not unto them:  That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open My mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.

*****

35-43    Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and His disciples came unto Him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field.

He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man;

The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;  The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.

As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.

The Son of man shall send forth His angels, and they shall gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father.

Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. 

*****

44   Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. 

*****

45-46    Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:  Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it. 

*****

47-50    Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:  Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away.

So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just,  And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

*****

51-52    Jesus saith unto them, Have ye understood all these things?

They say unto him, Yea, Lord.

Then said He unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.

*****

53-58    And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these parables, He departed thence.

And when He was come into his own country, He taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works?  Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?  And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things?

And they were offended in Him.

But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house.

And He did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.

💥💥💥💥💥

Podcast: In their hearts, people "boasted" over that which they would do "next year". Then Coronavirus came!

 

 

(This podcast was previously published on January 9, 2021)

 

James 3

13 Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:

14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

15 For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.

16 But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.

And what is that which is coming?

* The great tribulation of God:  The 14 plagues  (Rev. 8, 9, 16)

* God shakes the power of heaven before Jesus comes through the clouds:  (Mt. 24:29)

* Then comes Jesus and gathers HIS elect, removing them from this earth. (Mt 24:30-31)

* Last, God destroys this present heaven and earth. (II Peter 3:10-14)

By thinking on these assured things, boasts concerning what we will do in the future might change considerably.

Also those things we thought to be so important might diminish greatly as we think on that which is coming according to the Bible.

 

 💥💥💥💥💥

💥 Scriptures:

 

Proverbs 17:22  A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

 

 ***

 

2 Corinthians 9:7  Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. 

 

 ***

 

2 Peter 1:20-21  Knowing this first, that no prophesy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophesy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. 

 ***

 

Hebrews 4:9  There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. 

 

10 For he that is entered into HIS rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from HIS.

 

11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

 

 ***

 

1 Peter 1:24-25  For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:

25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

 

*** 

 

John 21:18   Jesus said to Peter:  Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.

 

Comments from Beth Martin ... 

 When I read this I think about the battle we have with our own flesh. How by meditating in the Word from the Holy Spirit we are able to go where He wants us to go, transforming ourselves into another mindset .... one that is pleasing to Him .... one that is away from ourselves .... one where He takes us to Him forever. 

 

 

 💥💥💥💥💥

💥 Matthew 12 (Reading through the Bible)

  

1-8    At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and His disciples were an hungred, and began to pluck the ears of corn and to eat.

But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day.

But He said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him; How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the shewbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests?

Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless?

But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple.

But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.

For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day.

*****

9-21    And when He was departed thence, He went into their synagogue:  And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered.

And they asked Him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse Him.

And He said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out?

How much then is a man better than a sheep?

Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days.

Then saith He to the man, Stretch forth thine hand.

And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other.

Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against Him, how they might destroy Him.

But when Jesus knew it, He withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed Him, and He healed them all;

And charged them that they should not make Him known:  That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and He shall shew judgment to the Gentiles. He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear His voice in the streets. A bruised reed shall He not break, and smoking flax shall He not quench, till He send forth judgment unto victory.  And in His name shall the Gentiles trust.

*****

22-37    Then was brought unto Him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and He healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw.

And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David?

But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.

And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand: And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?

And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges.

But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.

Or else how can one enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house.

He that is not with Me is against me; and he that gathereth not with Me scattereth abroad.

Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.

And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.

Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.

O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.

But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.  For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

*****

38-45    Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee.

But He answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:  For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.

The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.

When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.

Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.

Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first.

Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.

*****

46-50    While He yet talked to the people, behold, His mother and His brethren stood without, desiring to speak with Him.

Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee.

But He answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?

And He stretched forth His hand toward His disciples, and said, Behold My mother and My brethren!

For whosoever shall do the will of My Father which is in heaven, the same is My brother, and sister, and mother.

💥💥💥💥💥

Podcast: When GOD turns them over to a strong delusion

 

(This podcast was previously published on January 11, 2021)

 

Sometimes we meet a church goer who is totally irrational to the truth.  Even when facts from the Bible are presented to him he insists on clinging to that which is taught at his church group. 

 

Why can't he repent?  Why does he continue to hold to a lie? 

 

The answer to this is in II Thessalonians 2. 

 

These people were once enlightened to the truth from God but then "fell away" and chose to go with another doctrine which was opposite to doctrines of Christ in the Bible.

 

In such cases we see the following: 

 

II Thessalonians 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:

12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

When God sends that person "a strong delusion" there is nothing we can do to make that person understand even when we present many godly exhortations, for that person has been deluded by God.

We just have to walk away and leave him alone.

Acts 28

24 And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not.

25 And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers,

26 Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive:

27 For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

*****

Even when all of the plagues of the great tribulation come to this earth, none of the wicked will understand but the wise will understand.

 

Daniel 12

1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.

2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.

3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.

10 Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.

Revelation 9

20  And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk:

21 Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.

 

Revelation 16 

 

10 And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain, 

 

11 And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds. 

 

21 And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great.

John 8    Jesus says:

43 Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.

44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

John 12

37  But though HE had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on Him:

38 That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?

39 Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again,

40 HE (God) hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.

God turns them over to "a reprobate mind" because they refuse to keep the "knowledge of the truth of God" before their minds.

Romans 1

28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,

30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,

31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:

32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

***

They would not continue with truth from God, so God gave them over to believe a lie that they could not repent and be saved.

Even when the plagues came, and it was obvious only God could bring those plagues, they blasphemed God instead of falling down before God in repentance.

God had turned them over to "a strong delusion" to believe a lie that they all might be damned who rejected the truth from God and clung to lies.

💥💥💥💥💥

💥 Scriptures:

 

Psalms 119:153-154  Consider mine affliction, and deliver me: for I do not forget THY law.

154 Plead my cause, and deliver me: quicken me according to THY word.

 

 ***


Proverbs 3:5-6  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.

 

*** 

Psalm 30:11-12  Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: Thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness;

 

12 To the end that my glory may sing praise to THEE, and not be silent.  O Lord my God, I will give thanks unto THEE for ever.

 

*** 

 

Ephesians 4:29  Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

 

*** 

 

Colossians 3:1-4  If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

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

4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with HIM in glory.

 

*** 

 

Philippians 1:6  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:

 

 

💥💥💥💥💥

💥 Matthew 11 (Reading through the Bible)

 

1-6    And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding His twelve disciples, He departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities.

Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples,  And said unto Him, Art thou He that should come, or do we look for another?

Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see:   The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.

And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in Me.

*****

7-15    And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind?   But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses.

But what went ye out for to see?

A prophet?

yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet.  For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send My messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.

Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.

For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.

And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.

He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

*****

16-19    But whereunto shall I liken this generation?

It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows,  And saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented.

(Always reacting in an inappropriate way.)

For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil.

The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.

*****

20-24    Then began He to upbraid the cities wherein most of His mighty works were done, because they repented not:

(Seeing His works, should have caused them to repent.)

Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.

But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you.

And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.

But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.

*****

25-27    At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because Thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.
Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in Thy sight.

All things are delivered unto Me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal Him.

*****

28-30    Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

For my yoke is easy, and My burden is light.

💥💥💥💥💥

💥 Podcast: Paul, called to be an apostle

 

 

(This podcast was previously published on January 5, 2021)

 

When did the New Testament church begin?  How did the church become established?

There was no New Testament church when Jesus walked on this earth in the form of a man.  There was only the synagogue of the Jews.

As HE lived on this earth, Jesus appointed 12 apostles to be His disciples, including Judas who betrayed HIM.

After Jesus was resurrected, the 11 apostles selected 2 men over which they drew lots to see who would replace Judas.  

Acts 1:26   And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

(So Matthias became the 12th apostle.)

As this was happening, Paul (Saul) was busy persecuting the followers of Jesus.  From heaven Jesus called Paul and spoke to Paul making Paul an apostle.

Paul tells us this story in Acts 26 as he testified before king Agrippa.

Acts 26:9-19   I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.  Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them.  And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities.

12 Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests,

13 At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me.

14 And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.

16 But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;

17 Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,

18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in ME.

19 Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:

So where does Paul fit in the church?  They already have 12 apostles.  

Here is the story of the New Testament church and our calling today as "saints".

 

 

💥💥💥💥💥