"We see, in many a land, the proudest dynasties and tyrannies still crushing, with their mountain weight, every free motion of the Consciences and hearts of men. We see, on the other hand, the truest heroism for the right and the greatest devotion to the Truth in hearts that God has touched. We have a work to do, as great as our forefathers and, perhaps, far greater. The enemies of Truth are more numerous and subtle than ever and the needs of the Church are greater than at any preceding time. If we are not debtors to the present, then men were never debtors to their age and their time. Brethren, we are debtors to the hour in which we live. Oh, that we might stamp it with Truth and that God might help us to impress upon its wings some proof that it has not flown by neglected and unheeded." -- C.H. Spurgeon . . . "If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." John 8:31, 32 . . . . .

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Tuesday, January 2, 2024

The GREAT COMMISSION HASN’T CHANGED – BUT HAVE WE?

It’s a new year! 2023 is gone, hello 2024. Many make New Year resolutions, and they are resolved to one degree or another on making good on them.

“Resolve” by definition is “to decide firmly on a course of action.”

As the church of Jesus Christ are we showing any resolve to detour from the course of complacency, to avert apathy because we see the hopelessness of ever being able to change the world (I refer to it as “Planet Rebyl”) that has gone deeper and deeper into corruption and wickedness? I know that that’s a temptation.

Once such issue is abortion, that’s been legal for about 50 years now. It’s been around for so long, many of us have resigned to its existence. But the question must be asked:

Did the LORD Jesus Christ die for the sins of the world, become the willing sacrifice for ourselves, to save our souls, to redeem our lives – just so that we can live our lives in ho-hum mediocrity that doesn’t affect souls for Christ? Is such a radical salvation to be responded to with half-hearted, only somewhat obedient lives by us who are GOD’s own children?

The GREAT COMMISSION – NOT OMMISSION!

As the church of the living GOD, the body of Christ, what is our mission? What does our Father expect from us? Let’s have a look at this:

We know that we have been given stewardship of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and we are to share this with lost souls who are in danger of GOD’s Righteous and Holy Judgment for their sin.

No one has any hope of escaping this judgment based on their own moral fortitude and righteousness. If people think they have a chance to be accepted by GOD based on their own merit, their righteousness must be equal in quality to the LORD Jesus Christ’s, the GOD-Man, the Son of GOD Who is GOD the Son.

Yet our own righteousness (this doesn’t even address our sins) are as filthy rags to GOD:

ISAIAH 64:6
But we are all as the unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags
[read that, a used menstruous cloth]. And we all fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

We are called to declare the Gospel (the Good News) and make people aware of the way of escaping the Judgment of GOD (ACTS 2:38-41; MATT 3:7; ROM 5:9; 1 THESS 1:10). Once delivered, our obligation to that soul is met (EZEK 3:17-19; ACTS 20:26). We are not responsible for saving souls – that’s GOD’s job! Ours is just to bring them the message: what they do with it is their responsibility, not ours! But let’s couple the message with prayer on their behalf! We sin against our Abba when we omit ourselves of this sacred service. Remember, it’s the Great COmmision, not the Great Omission!

CALL To DISCIPLESHIP

In addition to the Gospel, we are to disciple those who come to faith in Christ:

MATTHEW 28:18-20
18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations… 20 "teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you


Spiritual babies need to feed on “the milk of the Word” (HEB 5:13; 1 PET 2:2) and as they progress and mature, they are fed “meat” (HEB 5:14). A disciple of Christ that’s been faithfully taught the pure doctrine of the Word (ACTS 2:42), becoming well versed in Scripture, having had the Christian life appropriately modeled in all of its practices and conduct, are then able to exemplify what they’ve been taught and shown (JAMES 1:22; PHIL 4:9). Such a disciple is a deadly weapon against the devil!
As the church of Jesus Christ, what else is a part of our mandate?

CONSECRATION for the CHRISTIAN

A life of personal holiness; being holy for the child of GOD is simply exhibiting the life of Christ and not a religious set of “do’s and don’ts” that are ineffective of transforming our minds and lives.

ROMANS 12:1-2
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God
.

We understand that the battle is of, and for the mind of the saint. Remember that resolve is the determination and decision upon a course of action. What we hold in our minds will inevitably lead us to action. Think of any temptation long enough it will lead to committing the act of sin (GAL 6:8a). Think and meditate on the Word of GOD and this will lead to sanctification (PSALM 119:11; GAL 6:8b) and a life of holiness.

OUR CONDUCT In This CAMPAIGN

The LORD Jesus in speaking to His disciples (and Peter specifically) gave us the proper perspective of our warfare:

MATTHEW 16:18-19
18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 And I will give the keys of the kingdom of Heaven to you. And whatever you may bind on earth shall occur, having been bound in Heaven, and whatever you may loose on earth shall occur, having been loosed in Heaven
.

In the ancient world, cities of any size would be surrounded by huge, thick walls. They were so thick that at the gates of the city, there were actually rooms embedded in the walls where authorities would conduct affairs of State.

So “gates” here refers to the authority of hell, and the LORD tells us that Satan’s kingdom authority will not overcome the church – that is, as they are established on the ROCK Who is Jesus Christ (1 COR 10:4; 1 COR 3:11; EPH 2:20). Many so-called churches today are not. What about our lives as individuals?

Is Christ the basis by which we conduct our lives as His followers? Are there pockets of our life that are based on worldly principles, philosophies, practices? What will happen to any structure that is ‘off-base’ of its foundation? It won’t last!

Gates don’t typically go on the attack, right? They are defensive structures. The authority of hell that wants to keep Satan’s POW’s safely enslaved isn’t supposed to be able to resist the offensive attack of the church. Saints well-armed and resolved by the Spirit of GOD should plow straight through those defensive gates and seek out and save Satan’s POWs!

The LORD ensures us that we the church who follow faithfully are teamed up with Him:

MARK 16:19-20
19 Then indeed, after speaking to them, the Lord was taken up into Heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. 20 And going out, they proclaimed everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word by signs following
.

And as long as we are in cooperation with the LORD’s will, we are able to use “the keys of the kingdom of heaven and bind and loose what will be bound and loosed in heaven. Our prayers in accordance with the will of GOD are heard and will receive a response from the Throne of heaven (1 JOHN 5:14-16)! Keys are also symbolic of authority.
“Latch-key kids” was a term used of children when a two income household first became a standard reality in our nation. They were given keys to the house so that they could enter when both parents were away at work. They had authority to enter those houses, because they were members of the family, and thus, granted those keys on that basis.
1 JOHN 4:4-6
4 You are of God, little children, and you have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 5 They are of the world, therefore they speak of the world, and the world hears them. 6 We are of God. He who knows God hears us. The one who is not of God does not hear us. From this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error
.

In this campaign we must understand that there will be those who believe, and those who believe not (ACTS 28:24). That’s just the way it is.
We must not become discouraged by being constantly rejected by the world: first of all, we shouldn’t take it personally, for its not us they reject, but the LORD (1 SAM 8:7).
And second of all, Satan will do all he can to discourage you by sending naysayers and rebels your way, ahead of those souls he knows who are hungering for truth, for purpose, who want to know what life is all about.

Press on! Keep sowing the seed of the Gospel!

OUR EQUIPMENT –

Our LORD has thought of everything we need to carry out a consistent, productive, and effective campaign!

He has given us the Holy Scriptures, He has provided for us the means of the spiritual rebirth resulting in the indwelling Spirit along with the fruit and gifts of the Spirit. He has also provided evangelists, pastors and teachers – each of these adept in effective ministry in the Gospel, the preaching and teaching of the Scriptures and build us up spiritually (EPH 4:11-16) in “the most holy faith” (JUDE 1:20). He has granted us 24/7 access to the throne of GOD where we may supplicate, petition and seek His will through prayer and find grace and help in time of need (HEB 4:16).

And He has provided for us the means of protection from a malicious and persistent enemy that craves our ruin and destruction. Satan can’t steal away the salvation of a saint, but he can certainly make them ineffective due to compromise with sin!

Thus GOD has given us armor – not of human construction, not the armor of angels, but the armor that belongs to GOD!
This armor is the very nature and integrity of Christ Himself:
He is Himself our salvation, and so He grants us the helmet of salvation.
He is our righteousness, so we have granted the corroborating breastplate.
He is the Truth, and so we are given the belt of truth that brings about personal integrity of godly quality.
He is the Prince of Peace whereby we are reconciled to GOD via the Gospel, and thus, the shoes shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace is ours!
He is the sole object of our faith, without which we cannot please GOD, and therefore we have this shield
Then comes the weapon that is offensive; all of these others are defensive meant to protect us as we seek to rescue the lost and go out to do great exploits of GOD whose intent is to ruin the kingdom of darkness!
The Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of GOD is the very weapon Christ Himself used while He embarked on His 40 days of fasting in the wilderness and where Satan confronted Him with various temptations.
He quoted Scripture (all three times from one book of the Bible: Deuteronomy. Interesting!), but the power of Word is not just in knowing them, but in obeying them – which He did perfectly!

Was Satan able to compromise or corrupt Christ? Not in the least! Christ proved Himself as entirely innocent and impregnable and incorruptible (JOHN 8:46; 14:30; 2 COR 5:21)! That is the quality of this armor that GOD gives us!

To be in this armor is synonymous with “walking in the Spirit” and to be “abiding in Christ” (JOHN 15).

Check out EPHESIANS 6:10-18. If you’ve never embarked in a detailed study of this passage of Scripture, make an effort to do so in this new year!
If you would like a comprehensive course on spiritual warfare, check out our own TTUF course here!

Then we have the ‘other’ offensive weapon, one that is often overlooked, there in vs. 18!

Vs. 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit and watching to this very thing with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.

Swords are meant for close encounters with the enemy, thus the Word of GOD is expressed in this way. For long distance strikes, we have prayer, specifically intercessory prayer, which could be seen like a bow and arrow or a catapult – the missile gets fired up into the sky and then descends to destroy the enemy.

Likewise our prayers ascend up to the Father, Who then sends His answer down and wreaks the kingdom of darkness, and provides blessing, healing and the various graces to saint and sinner by the request of His godly, prayerful intercessors.

If you aren’t sure of what your ministry is, you couldn’t do better to start with than by engaging in intercessory prayer! A vital ministry that can really have a profound impact across this globe!
And a handy tool for this endeavor is Operation World which you can get in a hardcopy book (which needs to be updated yearly) or by means of their app (that gets updated regularly).

This will provide you with information on any given nation in the world, bringing the praying saint the opportunity to pray for one, or two nations daily. It gives information on the nation itself, its people and languages, the population and the various religions. The needs of the church, pastors, evangelists, and other points of prayer! Let us be sure we are in right standing with GOD in our relationship so that we won’t have hindered prayer.

OUR EFFECTIVENESS –

What has the LORD called us to be as His saints, and to what effect?

MATTHEW 5:13-16
13 "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. 14 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 "Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven
.

Salt and light are two elements that are most effective in preserving good qualities and in prevention of corruption. UV lighting has been used to keep bacteria in check. Salt contains ingredients that prevent spoilage (before refrigeration became a reality, people would preserve meat by soaking it in salt).

Spiritually speaking as salt we provide the sting of conviction to a world whose corruption has resulted in ruinous sores caused by sin. And for those who dwell in darkness, the light that we shine is glaring to eyes accustomed to such darkness.

Yet as we look around, does it seem that the church is doing an effective job in staving off corruptive influences, bringing the sting to people’s conscience? In all honesty, it seems that the world is having a far greater impact on the church, rather than the other way around!

Do we have to settle for this? Must we be resigned to this deplorable condition? What should be our response to all of this?
Check out David Wilkerson’s short (abridged), 7 min video, A Call To Anguish.

Something we must understand: There are those who in their zeal for the LORD will call upon the church to “Take back America” or to “Take back the world”. Even the LORD Jesus Christ didn’t take back the world in this sense of fighting for it.

He did redeem this planet back from Satan who became “the god of this world”. Adam lost his GOD-given management to the serpent when he fell from his state of innocence into the condition of sin. Yet while Christ paid the price, He has yet to reclaim management on planet Earth – but He will at His Second Coming (REV 5:1-9; 19:11-1)!

We are called by GOD to be a faithful witness to the truth of GOD as found in the Scriptures, to proclaim the Gospel, to pray for saints and sinners alike, to disciple the saints, to be an example of a humble servant and to grow in Christlikeness.

Being a faithful witness is not just the job of prophets, but of every child of GOD that stands for the truth (EPH 4:15; 1 TIM 3:15; JUDE 1:3)! Who will speak out against the injustice of slaughtered babies who can now legally be murdered up to the time of birth. Think of that! One minute before or after birth can decide whether a baby lives or dies!

Children are being mutilated with surgical procedures that are not only invasive but debilitating both physically and psychologically. Our precious youth are listening to the lies regarding gender, such lies that are anti-biblical but widely promoted everywhere, especially social media!

Society at large has turned its back on the GOD of the Bible and indulging in pagan and occult belief systems. We are literally watching Babylon being reborn into our world! Will we boldly stand up and address these deceptions of demons and expose the seductions by evil spirits (1 TIM 4:1)?

OUR ETERNAL DESTINY –

What are you going through these days? What sort of trials, struggles, pain have you endured in 2023? Do you wonder why? What’s the point in all of these things?
When sword smiths produce weapons, it’s a long grueling process of purifying the metal, pounding it into shape, dunking it into cool water, only to repeat the process over and over again. The sword smith knows that the metal has to be as free of impurities as possible. Impurities will cause that sword to break in the heat of battle. A well forged sword will remain in service over a life time of use!
The LORD wants to use YOU as a weapon to devastate the enemy; to accomplish this, He must bring us to His forge, and temper us, burning off the human weaknesses that will disable us on the spiritual battlefield.

So if you’re going through hard times, trials and struggles that seem to go on and on, understand: GOD intends on using you and is preparing you for this end! Rejoice in that honor in serving the KING!

1 PETER 1:5-7
5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ
,

Also, all of the trials we endure, bring about valuable lessons, instill in us godly patience, and instruct us in ways that will not only be useful in this life (ministering to others who undergo the same kind of trials; 2 COR 1:3-5), but also in the one to come! Remember, that you are part of an eternal kingdom, and the lessons we learn here will be invaluable in the kingdom in which we shall rule alongside our Bridegroom, the LORD Jesus Christ! He is training us to be overcomers, and it all begins when we place our faith in Him!

1 JOHN 5:4-5
4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith. 5 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

REVELATION 1:5-6
5 even from Jesus Christ the faithful Witness, the First-born from the dead and the Ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, 6 and made us kings and priests to God and His Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

REVELATION 2:26-27
26 And he who overcomes and keeps My works to the end, to him I will give power over the nations. 27 And he will rule them with a rod of iron, as the vessels of a potter they will be broken to pieces, even as I received from My Father.

REVELATION 5:9-10
9 And they sang a new song, saying, You are worthy to take the book and to open its seals, for You were slain and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every kindred and tongue and people and nation. 10 And You made us kings and priests to our God, and we will reign over the earth.


Who is most suitable to reign supreme in the Kingdom of GOD but the LORD Jesus Christ Himself? And why?

He is the embodiment of all that is good, and gracious. He is exemplary beyond description of all the virtues. None are holier than He! He is full of grace and truth (JOHN 1:14)! He possesses all power, all knowledge, all wisdom, and love divine! He is the most humble servant while at the same time being the great glory of GOD – and is able to be both without contradiction! You could never find a better servant-leader than the LORD Jesus (MATT 18:1-4; 23:11)! That’s our King!

So who would be most suitable after the Highest (PHIL 2:6-12)?
Those who are the most Christlike! Who have the fruit of the Spirit in greatest abundance (GAL 5:22-23), who have produced by the grace of GOD the most good works (EPH 2:10).

Every born again saint is a potential for becoming godly with Christlike character (and Satan trembles because he knows this!), and to those who follow His example, to them will be entrusted the highest places of rule in the coming kingdom – without exception! This includes both YOU and I!!

The question is, will we yield to the sweet influences of the Holy Spirit and yield to Him (ROM 6:13-19) in growing in spiritual maturity and look more and more like Jesus and less and less like our own sinful selves (ROM 8:28-30)– dying to self that Christ may live His Life through us (MATT 16:24; GAL 2:20)!

LET’s WALK THIS OUT –

Since we are “the King’s Kids” let us conduct ourselves befitting our station as holy royalty! Let us be about our Father’s business. Let us truly be disciples of the Word and be recognized by the world through our love one for another!
We are a kingdom not just of kings, but of priests as well, whose primary function is prayer!

The war that is before us, must be fought first and foremost on our knees. As it has been said, “We can do a lot of things after we have prayed, but we can do nothing [of lasting value] until we have prayed!”

Tom Dunn of THROUGH The BLACK ministries (www.throughtheblack.com) has done a short video (under 13 minutes) that we need to watch and take heed!

They have launched a campaign called “NO MORE DEAD BABIES”. Please visit their website: www.nomoredeadbabies.com.

As well as this, we would like to enlist you as a prayer warrior who will steadfastly pray and seek GOD for this nation: that the LORD will call out those who He knows will come to salvation and become part of His Kingdom!
That we will cry out to GOD for a (perhaps) final harvest before the LORD Jesus Christ descends from above to snatch His bride from ‘Planet Rebyl’ and to our Father’s House!
That we saints – all of us, will pray for our respective State, and County and City: all the saints who dwell in all 50 States of America!

It's my personal belief that as a nation we have lost the chance to repent and turn back to GOD. I think spiritually speaking we are at ROMANS 1 now and under GOD’s Judgment. Yet there is still hope for the individual to come to faith in Christ!

We may never see the reversal of ungodly laws like abortion on demand, but that doesn’t mean we can’t pray for women who are carrying babies in their wombs, that the LORD will touch their hearts and persuade them to stand for the life of their child and not abort them! The same for children who are contemplating gender reassignment! And for those we know who are lost and wandering in every direction except for that Way that leads to life (compare PROV 14:12 with JOHN 14:6)!

Towards this end, one last website: www.resistandrescue.com.

Would you enlist as a prayer warrior? Go to this website and send an email at the address provided and request to be added to the national map! Encourage others to do so!

May this be the year of great exploits for GOD! Pray that 2024 will be the greatest year in the history of the American church! 

May we prepare ourselves for the coming persecution that is most certainly on the horizon: that the LORD will provide His grace, two rungs above the level of persecution we may experience!

2 CHRONICLES 7:14 – Is It Also For the Church?

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