Moments for My Master: 2010

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

"I Die Daily" 1 Corinthians 15:31

There are some who insist that there is no propensity in the saved person toward sinning. I disagree due to the myriad of Scriptures which contradict this notion. Christ’s saints are told to "put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts." (Ephesians 4:22)

Colossians 3 says "Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: 6 For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: 7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. 8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. 9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; 10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him." Colossians 3:5-10

The command to “put off the old man” and to “put on the new man” which is a “daily” cross decision makes it clear that there is something to crucify (Luke 9:23-24; Ephesians 4; Colossians 3, etc.).

The apostle Paul taught that the sinful “body” is to be kept “under” the power of the Holy Ghost and that we must "die daily." (1 Corinthians 9:27; 15:31)

to order I Die Daily: http://www.safeguardyoursoul.com/

Of this Marcus Brooks aptly writes:

“The enemy will always try and blind us and trip us up wherever he can – with the lie that we have nothing in us to crucify daily. That's why I think it's so important that we love and pray for one another. And try to keep a heart that is teachable. If we don't, we will most assuredly get caught up in pride. I believe that as long as we live in this flesh we will have a tendency to want to sin, even after we are saved. If not, there would be NO need to put to death the deeds of the flesh DAILY (Romans 6). We are utterly depraved and in need of a savior (Jeremiah 17:9). Didn't Paul say that he did what he didn't want to do? (Romans 7) Does this give us a license to sin? – of course not! Those who die in sin will spend eternity in hell (Revelation 21:8, 27) I believe Paul said this for our benefit to teach us that we must learn how much we simply can't overcome within our own strength, and to know how much we need Jesus! It’s only His grace that is sufficient to give us that overcoming victory – not our own! (2 Corinthians 12:9-10) After all, why do we need chastisement? – because God Loves us and wants to make us holy as He is holy! (Hebrews 12:5-12; 1 Peter 1:15-16) The LORD the Potter and uses whatever means necessary to bring us to repentance. Blessings,” Marcus

"The Greatest of These"

Why do we love mere men more than the Almighty LORD Jesus we feign to be serving? Why do we act as if we love the Son of God when we whore out the affections of our hearts to mere human leaders?

Spiritual adultery occurs when we alienate the affections of our hearts to anyone or anything except the one true God and LORD Jesus Christ.

"Thou shat have NO other gods before me." Exodus 20:3

"For thou shalt worship no other god: for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God:" Exodus 34:14

Why does a person follow and hang on the words of a mere man or woman posing as a Christian leader? – because they do not love Jesus Christ. If they did, His Word not mans, would be the final authority their life.

“And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” Luke 6:46

The LORD is calling all who will be eternally with Him and not in hell to sell out wholly to Him and cease pandering to the sinful desires which are to be crucified. When we are truly walking in His holy light, we will cease to condone, support, and defend the venomous wolves who are His sworn enemies. We can’t see that truth unless we ourselves are living in the light of Holy Truth. That’s why it’s time to deeply study His Word daily for ourselves. Hell awaits all those who don’t (Proverbs 13:13). All those who are not deeply into God’s Word daily will be deceived and turned over to lies because they do not love the truth (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12).

God will share His glory with no mere man:

"I am the Lord: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images." Isaiah 42:8

This is an exhortation to godly humility in the fear of the LORD, lest we be condemned with lucifer who sought to elevate himself and was cast down into eternal condemnation (1 Timothy 3:6).

“Lift up thy feet unto the perpetual desolations; even all that the enemy hath done wickedly in the sanctuary. Thine enemies roar in the midst of thy congregations; they set up their ensigns for signs…They have cast fire into thy sanctuary, they have defiled by casting down the dwelling place of thy name to the ground.” Psalms 74:3-4, 7

“Thine enemies roar in the midst of thy congregations” – Did Satan not own the pulpits (center stage) of Israel? See Isaiah 56:10-12 for example and Jeremiah 23 and Ezekiel 34. Does the enemy not own the majority of pulpits and media in the church world today – intentionally shutting out the full-counsel truth of the Word of God? See Acts 20:20, 27, 32; 2 Timothy 3:16.

Isn’t prophecy being fulfilled in the modern church and “evil men and seducers” not in control of the modern church and media world? (2 Timothy 3:13)

Satan has emissaries and his goal and aim is in the middle of God’s people. He seeks to be at the helm of the control center. Look at verse 4 here again: “Thine enemies roar in the midst of thy congregations; they set up their ensigns for signs.” They set up their own “ensigns” or their own names instead of Christ’s holy name. These men have replaced the holy name above all names with their own names and the names of their organizations. They have erected “ensigns” or idols, stealing the affections of men’s hearts for themselves and away from Christ the LORD.

The enemies of God have entered in among His people and stolen the glory from the eternal King, Jesus Christ, “The Head of the body.” “The dwelling place” of His holy “name”, the name above all names is among His people and through idolatry and false emphasis, the enemy has removed essential truth and misled the people of God from Him.

“Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, And not holding the Head (Jesus Christ), from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.” Colossians 2:18-19

It is the spirit of antichrist that elevates itself in place of Jesus Christ, the nail-scarred, risen, soon-returning Savior. This is the spirit of antichrist. Antichrist means instead of or in place of Christ.

“Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.” 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4

“They set up their ensigns for signs” - There is one particular local church in this affluent north Dallas area, that has large pictures of the pastor throughout the facility. This is a blatant example of setting up of self ensign. What’s more insidious and deadly is the displacement of Christ as Supreme Head of His Church through subtle, false teaching and omission.

“Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.” Colossians 2:8-9

Is He Really Your “First Love”?

“Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.” Revelation 2:4-5

If the LORD is not truly the very "first love" in our daily lives, we shall be as those hypocrites who cry "Lord, Lord" to Jesus at the soon Judgment just before He casts us into eternal fire declaring "Depart from me!" (Matthew 7:21-23)

Jesus told us that He is coming back for a called-out people (Church) who truly fear Him, love Him supremely, have suffered for His name and Gospel's sake, and confess His holy saving name daily to others.

"Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish." Ephesians 5:25-27

Why Did God Make Us with a Heart, Soul, and Mind?

"Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with ALL thy HEART, and with all thy SOUL, and with all thy MIND. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." Matthew 22:37-40

“Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.” Psalms 119:2

Chapter 13

1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. 9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. 11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. 13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

1 Cor 13:1-13 (KJV)

Todd Tomasella
www.SafeGuardYourSoul.com
e: info@safeguardyoursoul.com

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Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Life of the Overcomer

“Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 5:20

“He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.” Revelation 3:5

On earth we live under diverse daily temptations. Satan is still loose. Those who love God will demonstrate their love for Him by overcoming (Revelation 2-3). This is the ultimate test and for all the marbles.

These who love the LORD with all their heart, will allow no temptation, sin, lie, spiritual seduction, heresy, false prophet or teacher to derail them from loving Him who died in their place. Those who truly love the LORD, refuse to leave their "first love." (Revelation 2:4-5; 1 John 2:3-6) God has created man with free moral agency. He forces none. This is the test of life. Overcomers will live forever with Him because they chose to live abide with Him on earth, not just go to an altar and pray a prayer or render fake allegiance through mere attendance of church meetings.

“Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.” Hebrews 10:38

Those who love God keep His commandments which are not grievous (John 14:15, 21; 1 John 5:3). These manifest their love for Him - by communing with Him. They are not their own, but they live unto the One who gave them life and gave His very life for them (1 Cor. 6:19-20; 2 Cor. 5:15). The genuine nature of their faith is proven in their daily disciplines and actions (1 John 3:18). Their faith is real. It is forged through rugged trials from which they cower not. These who are the waiting remnant, are doers of the Word (James 1:22). They love the Author of the Bible and His commandments (2 Timothy 3:16). They are not prideful but humble, prayerful and teachable. These are the saints of the Most High and they bring all their weaknesses, fears, sins, insecurities and doubts to their LORD in prayer communion (Hebrews 4:14-16). He cleanses, assures, comforts, strengthens and makes joyful their hearts because they trust in Him (Ephesians 5:26). In that hour when these overcomers meet the Savior face to face, He will wipe away all their tears and vanquish all their sorrows, for He loves them and they love Him (Revelation 21:4-8).

These who truly love their LORD do not ignore or avoid Scriptural truths that aren’t easy and comfortable or popular.

Email Rec’d:

Dear Brother Todd
I was just wondering about a few things concerning the Reformed : if a Christian who does not subscribe to Reformed Theology takes a degree through a Theology College that is Reformed in doctrine, are they lending support to a doctrine they have serious Biblical problems with? Should they resign if they are member of an institution that is Reformed? Please feel free to publish or circulate this question if appropriate, Bro. Todd. I hope you can help. Bless you and you great ministry. Carl.

Reply:

Hi Carl.
God bless you today brother.

It is my opinion based on Holy Scripture that the person who attends a Reformed/Calvinistic church or pays to help an institution that is teaching this false grace message is condoning them and bidding them “godspeed” (2 John 7-11).

Jesus is coming
Jude 3-4
todd

Curse Guaranteed

“Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.” Proverbs 17:13

It seems clear from this verse that those who without good reason attack another person, will incur a curse into their lives until they repent and obey the LORD.

Email Rec’d:

Todd, how would you answer someone, if after such a conversation they argue that "Jesus is able and does finish and keep that which he started." They then argue that to say we could be born again and then lose it is to say God isn't able to do what he said he could and would.

Personally, I believe in perseverance of the saints. We are to persevere, we are to strive to enter in, we are to press toward the mark..etc. This is our part. But we are not left to do it on our own, in our own strength and might. The ones who don't persevere to the end were more than likely trying to do it themselves.

Reply:

Gina, in reading the whole of Scripture, we find that God only finishes the work He began in those who "work out" their "own salvation with fear and trembling." (Phil. 2:12-13)

God will not keep any person (who was once saved) who does not enjoin the LORD by keeping his own self "in the love of God," abiding in Christ (John 15:1-6; Jude 21).

Those saved are not left to endure to the end but rather given the divine Person of the Holy Ghost to comfort, help, and bless us to overcome - and He will only do such as we continue to trust and obey the LORD. Only those who endure to the end will be in Heaven - to deny such is to deny Christ (Matthew 10:22; 24:10-13).

The calvinist follows the false teachings of sinful men, while the true disciple follows Christ - strictly according to what He and His holy apostles stated and they taught that perseverance is not automatic but takes a continuous act of the will of the individual.

Todd Tomasella
www.SafeGuardYourSoul.com
e: info@safeguardyoursoul.com

Monday, November 22, 2010

Receiving or Rejecting Counsel

“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” Proverbs 4:23-24

Beware of the usurpish counselor. Be careful to rightly steward what information comes into your heart and mind. This occurs when we rightly discern who it is we allow to speak or not to speak into our lives.

David has this to say of this matter of who was to speak into his life:

“Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head: for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities. 6 When their judges are overthrown in stony places, they shall hear my words; for they are sweet.” Psalms 141:5-6

The sweet Psalmist of Israel cried out for “the righteous” to bring correction and reproof into his life and not the wicked for he had already written that “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly.” (Psalms 1:1; 141:5)

Note here in this Psalms 141 passage that David, due to being in right standing with the LORD, possessed the Counsel and wisdom of the LORD which he said is “sweet.” He indicates here that the Word of God he put into the hearts of the wicked would be brought back into their minds as they come under divine judgment for being God’s enemies.

True Friends who Fear God are Qualified to Speak into Our Lives

“A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” Proverbs 17:17

A good friend is one who is born again and walks with God and therefore loves his/her friends “at all times.” That good friend will not force his personal opinions, advice, or counsel on those around him. When he/she speaks, it’s the Word of God in love (Ephesians 4:15; Colossians 4:6; 1 Peter 4:11).

Have you ever noticed that most of the people who insist upon telling everyone else what to do, don’t even have their own lives in order? They don’t have the logs out of their own eyes (Matthew 7:1-4; Romans 2:1-2).

Receiving the Counsel of the Ungodly is Sin

“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly …” Psalms 1:1

Have you ever considered that opening your heart and thoughts up to an “ungodly” – unsaved – person is sin? We all have family members and have a natural love for them and yet, some or many of our family members are not born again and so are considered “ungodly” in the biblical economy and therefore it seems wise that their counsel should be limited or completely cut off.

This is not to say that all counsel from family members is bad and yet, many of us can testify of horrific control that has pervaded those family members who have insisted on speaking into our lives.

Obviously our parents have a familial love for us and can give good advice at times.

Should we not beware of family members who do not fear God and therefore are not walking with Jesus who presumptuously assume the place of a counselor in our lives? Some of the worst damage of the enemy of souls can be done via this unfitting arrangement. For this reason the child of God should guard his heart with all diligence (Proverbs 4:23). Did our LORD not promise that “And a man's foes shall be they of his own household”? (Matthew 10:36)

False Obligation

What is it within us that makes us feel falsely obligated to receive counsel from everyone who comes along and wants to stick another rusty sword in our hearts?

Who is it in our lives that, according to Holy Scripture, qualifies to speak into our lives? And, who is disqualified?

Here’s a principle I believe applies here:

“The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.” 2 Samuel 23:3

Those who will lead many people or just one “must be just, ruling in the fear of God.”

Listen beloved, if you don’t know that the person who is giving you counsel is in the fear of God, loves and dwells richly in the Word of God, and has a clear manifestation of God’s love, there’s no reason to give ear to their counsel.

Jesus Christ is Your “Wonderful, Counsellor”

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end …” Isaiah 9:6-7

Here’s the groundwork: The blood-bought saint of Jesus has and needs God to be His “Wonderful Counselor.” (Isaiah 9:6-7) He’s the Most High so all other “sources” of counseling or infinitely inferior to His perfect Counsel which He had written down for us.

“The counsel (Word) of the Lord standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.” Psalms 33:11

The “Prince of Peace” is also the “truth” and He alone has the ultimate, perfect wisdom for our lives and if any man ask Him for His wisdom He will give it freely to that person (Isaiah 9:6; John 14:6).

“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” James 1:5

Evil Counsel Abounds

“And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;” 2 Timothy 2:17

It should be plain that in this fallen world, evil counsel abounds while divinely blessed counselors are rare. The false counsel of the two evil workers Paul named in the above verse was deadly, eating people up spiritually. The apostle Paul said that the counsel of evil men “will eat as doth a canker.” “Canker” here comes from the Greek word gang'-grahee-nah which is where we get the English word gangrene which is a deadly disease that eats the flesh. The effect of wrong counsel will eat at us and distort truth and muddy the waters of our relationship with the One whose Counsel and wisdom is “first pure.”

Take note to what God’s Word tells us about His wisdom and counsel and also how it manifests in the person who is possessed by Him:

“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. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.” James 3:17-18

“Hearty Counsel”

“Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel.” Proverbs 27:9

The child of God need not feel obligated to receive advice or counsel from relatives or friends who do not truly fear God and walk in divine love so as to have your best interest at heart. The “hearty counsel” of the God-fearing, Holy Ghost filled believers around us is more than sufficient to aid in please our LORD perfectly in this life. In fact, there are three primary and blessed ways the LORD speaks into the hearts of His people:

1. The Word of God

2. The divine Person of Holy Ghost

3. The blessed body of Christ

There is no need to pay a counselor whom in most cases will not go strictly by Holy Scripture. The paying of counselors arrangement is probably a new concept. In centuries past the body of Christ fellowshiped, broke bread, and dwelled richly in the Word of God which is the fountain of His perfect wisdom (Acts 2:42-47; Colossians 3:16). Because of this, they needed no outside counsel because they had the counsel of the Most high. Now, since 99% of modern “churches” do not teach the Bible – God’s Word only – there is a great “famine” and much spiritual anemia and destruction transpiring in the lives of many who claim to be saved (Amos 8:11). The fall out is great and many run to counselors thinking they will be the answer only to be greatly disappointed and diminished of funds.

When Christ “the Head” of the body of Christ is upheld and rightly glorified among God’s people, His divine virtue flows freely into the lives of His people.

“Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. 9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power … Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 19 And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.” Colossians 2:8-10; 18-19

"Someone asked me, "Do you pray for the dead?" I said, "No, I preach to them!" I think every pew in every church is death row. Think about that! They're dead! They sing about God; they talk about God, but they're dead! They have no living relationship (with God)." Leonard Ravenhill

"Fraud"

The Highest Counsel makes it crystal clear that withholding monies from workers (those you have hired) is "fraud":

"Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you. 2 Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten. 3 Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days. 4 Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth. 5 Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter. 6 Ye have condemned and killed the just; and he doth not resist you."James 5:1-6

Verse 4 in this passage sets forth that it is "fraud" to keep back fair financial pay from those you have hired who have "reaped down your fields" or brought you gain.

If a person gets upset because of what the LORD said, then they have a problem with Him. Those who know and love the LORD, follow what He has given us in His Holy Word (Psalms 119:105; John 8:47).

Message Rec’d:

“Oh my Todd! I just noticed my NKJV was edited by Robert Schuller. No wonder I coudn't read it this morning and before discovering this. The Lord truly does lead us in paths of righteousness to those that are His who seek Him in spirit and in truth.”

Reply:

Amen precious sister. God is so good. Praise the LORD for His preserved, pure Word in the King James Bible.

Memorize Job 5:22 with joy. It’s time to start laughing because God will always provide for His own.

“At destruction and famine thou shalt laugh: neither shalt thou be afraid of the beasts of the earth.” Job 5:22

Jesus is coming soon. How do we know who is ready and who’s not ready?

“And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.” 1 John 3:3

“Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.” Revelation 19:7

Todd Tomasella
www.SafeGuardYourSoul.com
e: info@safeguardyoursoul.com

Links to Visit:

http://womenwhofeargod.com/