Sunday, March 23, 2014

The Shift from Doing to Doctrine

THE SHIFT
from
DOING TO DOCTRINE

It is very easy to endorse a doctrine which supports a literal interpretation of Scripture. It is quite another thing to live a literal interpretation of Scripture. Believe me when I say they are light years apart. And as is man’s usual choice he takes the easier of the two. After the Industrial Revolution took place from the late 1700s to the early 1800s the literacy rate took a quantum leap. Libraries sprung up; common people could buy books; school taught more and more children; newspapers were birthed. All in all the general masses of people began to read.

And it was also in that time where the living standard began to rise. People could now own some modern conveniences. And an entrepreneurial spirit swept over America. Soon the common man would have running water and electricity and mass transit and later a car and a television. The entire national psyche was transformed and people became mesmerized by things and entertainment and the satisfaction of ownership and wealth. It was a seismic shift which had an enormous impact upon the culture, and the effect of that shift impacted the church as well.

Little by little the Christian faith became a set of doctrines at the expense of a life that follows Jesus and His teachings. The church now defended the faith through written doctrines and not through the unmistakable revelation of a life which is remarkable and conspicuous within a fallen culture. Doctrines were now not just foundational and important. They now were the faith itself. And therein lies a very subtle but very explosive shift. And that shift made room for all kinds of compromises within the church and the lives of professing believers.

Over the years the church has identified certain sins which are practiced within the culture. Sins like adultery and homosexuality and drugs and drunkenness and perversion and other sins were culled out, identified, and set up as targets. But while the church was pontificating about those sins a torrent of other sins came rushing into the church. And many of those sins walked into our lives because we did not see other elements of the culture as sinful and at odds with the teachings of Jesus. There are any number of sins which are related to money which the church embraces and even suggests they are God’s blessings. There are sins of self righteousness which are hidden within American politics and nationalism. But because the church considers itself patriotic it is blind to those sins.

And armed with a sound doctrine the church can practice a bastardized version of the faith. As long as you profess your belief in the Trinity and the virgin birth and salvation by grace through faith and even the inerrancy of Scripture you are a true follower of Jesus. And yet that is not what the New Testament teaches, and that is surely not what Jesus taught. After a person is born again by grace through faith in Christ the path to discipleship is much more than learning doctrines. And even though there are foundational doctrines of the faith they are not what discipleship is all about. There are some obvious indications that the evangelical church has succumbed to the dictates and practices of the world.

Preachers of the gospel were never meant to acquire wealth. Money always corrupts and consumed much space within our hearts and minds. Even the Tribe of Levi were not given land because the Lord was to be their inheritance. But look around today. I do not just mean the prosperity hucksters, but even famous orthodox men have become wealthy. They do not have to depend upon their “daily bread: since they have great sums stored up. Most, if not all, preachers who have written books and have large churches are wealthy man even if they are considered “orthodox”. In fact, as the church grows their salary package grows. And where did the church learn to adjust salaries upward in connect with numbers?

The world.

And given that sad state of affairs the church must rest fully upon her doctrines because her life practices are fully aligned with those of the world. Now let us hear the words from our Savior’s lips:

Matt.25: 31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

Think about what Jesus is saying here. He is referring to last division between true believers and those who do not know Christ. And nowhere is there a hint of doctrine unless you believe that feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, giving drink to the thirsty, and visiting those who waste in prison are doctrines of the faith. And to be sure they truly are. Now why are not these activities included in the “orthodox” list? Are we to conclude that nodding in agreement with the Trinity and the inerrancy of Scripture are pillars of the faith but ministering to fallen mankind in Jesus’ name are optional?

But Jesus seems to divide the sheep from the goats based upon these humanitarian deeds. I wonder how often we meditate upon the implications of such a teaching. And yet we say we believe the Scriptures are literal? This cuts to the very core of the essence of the faith which believes in and follows Jesus. Much of the orthodox world has made idols of their doctrines and lean fully upon them to prove their authenticity as a true disciple. And yet that flies in the face of the overwhelming content of the teachings of Jesus. It does not mean we saved by doing good works, however it does define the path to discipleship in stark contrast to just a list of carefully chosen cardinal doctrines.

The carnal heart of man can use some truths to provide a shield for his disobedience to others. And through the years in parts of the world that are well educated and “blessed” with material goods the church has paraded their doctrines as proof of their status as a disciple and defender of the faith while most, and I mean most, of Jesus’ teachings serve as fringe issues. That seems so unbelievable if you think about it.

But lest you misunderstand, at the core of our Christian life is the cross. And it is that very cross which motivates and empowers us to serve others. You see the cross is a truth and an event, but it is also the power of God. It isn’t a display in the doctrinal museum. It is life and life eternal. But when a sinner receives that life he desires to reflect that life through avenues of service while he is in this world. The cross was never meant to be a sign made by hands, or a piece of jewelry, or an element of doctrine frozen upon a page. It is the spiritual power of the universe which saves a soul and transforms a life from selfishness to selflessness.

So in light of all these truths and more how can we display lifeless doctrines as proof of our discipleship? In fact when you mention making a disciple of a new convert it almost always means teaching him the Word especially in the doctrinal vein. It seldom means to show him how to feed the hungry or clothe the naked or visit the prisoner. This has become a great sin in the church and a large stream for self righteousness. It has revolutionized the faith and created a man made clique called orthodoxy which is overwhelmingly doctrinal but absent scores of teachings from the lips of our Lord.

Over the last one hundred or so years following Jesus has shifted from a lifestyle into a doctrinal test.

41 comments:

Cherie c. said...

"So in light of all these truths and more how can we display lifeless doctrines as proof of our discipleship?"

It cannot be done, lest we lie to ourselves. The plain truth cannot be denied.

Amen, Pastor Rick

Honest, concise, surely painful to write. It brings tears to my eyes that we profess but do not possess the life of Christ. Oh, how it is long overdue to face the truth. Are we pretend sheep but Christ can see the goat in us, or are we sheep that are straying and in need of a wake up call? May these words you write make us take notice that our doctrines are not as important as our works in Christ.

James 2:26
For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

James 3:13
Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.

James 2:14
What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?

James 2:17
Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

James 2:20
But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

Revelation 2:26
And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:

Am I close to what you are saying Pastor Rick?

Keep taking the "Christian" out of his/her comfort zone Pastor and a few might just get saved and be humbled. Many petitions to our Lord tonight.

To God be the Glory.

your sister in Christ Jesus

Anonymous said...

Yes, Pastor Rick, this is truly an arresting post. I am with sister Cheri in the boat on this one as well, my oar full of holes of conviction. I appreciate the edification of your Scriptural references here and as always, our God is so faithful, merciful, and gracious all the while iron sharpens iron.

Praise you, O LORD, for this church that has taught me so much through Your Power, Your Might, and Your Majesty, for Your Sheep are not scattered, but are concealed under Your Wings showing me the Glorious Power of Your Love. I pray You will bless the hearts, minds, and souls of these precious men and women today and every day, until that
Great Day when we shall meet in the presence of our Redeeming Savior. All of our lives, O Father, we choose to give to You, in the Wondrous Name of our LORD Jesus Christ. Amen.


Anonymous said...

Exodos 16:4 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you. And the people shall go out and gather a certain quota every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in My law or not.
:5 And it shall be on the sixth day that they shall prepare what they bring in, and it shall be twice as much as they gather daily."

Exodus 16:18 So when they measured it by omers, he who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack. Every man had gathered according to each one's need.

It is a hard to learn lesson to live day by day relying on God for all your provision. It is also a hard lesson to learn to follow the narrow path that leads to righteousness and everlasting life. Christians in the United States want it their way and fast. Drive thru Christianity and have it your way.

Christians in the United States think that God is not being fair when afflictions or other maladies come upon them. They are also disappointed when their provision starts rotting and stinks.

Joel

Anonymous said...

Mathew 25:35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:

36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

Dear readers, it's incredibly important to focus on these two verses. Who are imprisoned? The answer is that everyone who is unsaved is imprisoned.

Are you coming to them? Are you coming to those who are relying on Communism, Catholicism, Hinduism and Buddhism?

Are you coming to those who are lovers of pleasure more than pure, sinless Lord Jesus Christ?

Are you obedient to the commandment of Jesus to go into the world and preach the Gospel? Are you preaching the good news to them?

Who are thirsty?

Do you realise that someone studying the Koran could be more thirsty than someone who studies the Bible?

Dear readers, are you making a serious effort to reach the untaught?

Start today. Start today to truly seek the lost!

Josef Sefton

Anonymous said...


Exodus 16:4 is a very important verse because it gives us an insight into what the LORD does!

It teaches that God tests His creation.

Dear readers, people who are unsaved are tested by God. He tests unsaved people to see whether, for example, they will obey their parents.

Let's praise the God of the Bible who tests both the Christian and non Christian.

Cherie c. said...

Anonymous said...

" Exodus 16:4 is a very important verse because it gives us an insight into what the LORD does!
It teaches that God tests His creation.

Dear readers, people who are unsaved are tested by God. He tests unsaved people to see whether, for example, they will obey their parents.

Let's praise the God of the Bible who tests both the Christian and non Christian."

See what happens when you take one verse of Scripture instead of the whole. It is taken out of context and that can mislead. God makes it rain on the just and the unjust, yes. But this verse does not say that God tests the saved and the unsaved. It is not a time of testing. Exodus 16 has to do with the people of Israel complaining about their circumstance and not having faith in God. And how God goes about again, to show them that He will take care of them. The entire book of Exodus shows us that people are self absorbed and do not really have faith when the slightest thing happens. It has nothing to do with saved or unsaved, but it does have a spiritual lesson in that we must rely upon the Lord and be patient in our faith.

Dear brothers and sisters, again you must be saying that Cherie is harping on "context", and yes I am. Why? Because of the very post I highlighted. Reading His Word out of context can not only confuse you, but it can be a stumbling block for others. Most people do not read the Word and rely upon people they esteem to learn so it is important to not mislead. Context is very important as well as encouraging them to read for themselves.

This post speaks of doctrine over faith. It is so very important to have a correct understanding of doctrine so that you can step out in faith. Too much doctrine and having the wrong context is a path to deception. It allows the enemy in to distort what we already may not understand, or talk us into a hard and fast "rule" that pushes love (charity) aside.

Please, please read the Word in context, and try not to take one verse to prove anything, because most of the time, if you read the Word, it is not just one verse that teaches, it is sometimes an entire chapter.

your sister in Christ Jesus

Exodus 16:2-9
2 And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness:

3 And the children of Israel said unto them, Would to God we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh pots, and when we did eat bread to the full; for ye have brought us forth into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger.

4 Then said the Lord unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no.

5 And it shall come to pass, that on the sixth day they shall prepare that which they bring in; and it shall be twice as much as they gather daily.

6 And Moses and Aaron said unto all the children of Israel, At even, then ye shall know that the Lord hath brought you out from the land of Egypt:

7 And in the morning, then ye shall see the glory of the Lord; for that he heareth your murmurings against the Lord: and what are we, that ye murmur against us?

8 And Moses said, This shall be, when the Lord shall give you in the evening flesh to eat, and in the morning bread to the full; for that the Lord heareth your murmurings which ye murmur against him: and what are we? your murmurings are not against us, but against the Lord.

9 And Moses spake unto Aaron, Say unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, Come near before the Lord: for he hath heard your murmurings.

your sister in Christ Jesus

Anonymous said...

Matthew 8:18-22 "Another of the disciples said to Him, "Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father. But Jesus said to him, "Follow Me, and allow the dead to bury their own dead."

Jesus had called the two, one a scribe,to follow Him. They were well-meaning but could not resist making the world comfortable while at the same time "hugging" the subordinate.
Christ did not come to bring peace, but a sword. To follow Him, one must leave family/friends.
Without His Spirit (Who had not come yet) we note these, in the flesh, could not follow Christ. They were more concerned about their own, as well as others, felt/phileo needs, than spiritual needs.

Cherie c. said...

" Anonymous said...

Matthew 8:18-22 "Another of the disciples said to Him, "Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father. But Jesus said to him, "Follow Me, and allow the dead to bury their own dead."

Jesus had called the two, one a scribe,to follow Him. They were well-meaning but could not resist making the world comfortable while at the same time "hugging" the subordinate.
Christ did not come to bring peace, but a sword. To follow Him, one must leave family/friends.
Without His Spirit (Who had not come yet) we note these, in the flesh, could not follow Christ. They were more concerned about their own, as well as others, felt/phileo needs, than spiritual needs."

HUH?

Again, context, context, context.
Ugh!

your sister in Christ Jesus

Anonymous said...

One of the clearest passages in the Bible on this issue is:
Psa 11:4-5 "His eyes behold, His eyelids TEST the sons of men. The Lord TESTS the Righteous and the Wicked..."

Josef Sefton

Anonymous said...

Isa 48:10
"Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the Furnace of
Affliction."


1 Thess 2:4
"On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the Gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts."

Josef Sefton

Anonymous said...


God doesn't want us to leave our families! The very opposite of what you write is God's will.

He wants us to love them even more deeply! And if we are willing to heed His voice the LORD will help us to love Him in first place.
Christ did come to bring peace to those He saves, for He is the Prince of Peace.
May God bless your efforts to learn more about Him.

Josef Sefton

Cherie c. said...

I'm sorry Josef, Psalm 11 does not say God tests the wicked also:

Psalm 11

11 In the Lord put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain?

2 For, lo, the wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart.

3 If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?

4 The Lord is in his holy temple, the Lord's throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men.

5 The Lord trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth.

6 Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup.

7 For the righteous Lord loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright.

"Upon the wicked He shall rain snares"..... does not say anything about testing.

No where in the Word does it say He tests the righteous and the wicked. If you got that meaning from the words on the page, it is out of context.


"Anonymous said...

Isa 48:10
"Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the Furnace of
Affliction."


1 Thess 2:4
"On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the Gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts."

Still nothing about the wicked being tested. These passages are written to the church.

The saved are counted worthy to suffer for our Lord's sake. It is an honor. The wicked do not share in this even though they too have trials and tribulations (sickness, etc.) The saved are tested by God as a refining process, but He does not do that for the unsaved.

Acts 5:41
And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.

Romans 8:18
For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

2 Thessalonians 1:5
Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:

And today's passage from Bible Gateway (be careful, although this site has many translations, it is still supported by the apostate church) but is at times useful:

For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; Philippians 1:29

No wicked being tested here. Pray that we, my brothers and sisters are counted worthy to suffer for His sake. Love to you all.

To God be the Glory.

your sister in Christ Jesus

Least Brother said...

“In fact when you mention making a disciple of a new convert it almost always means teaching him the Word especially in the doctrinal vein”. Herein lies the root of the problem as described. We have been so focused in teaching/learning the written Word (logos) instead of the Word which became flesh; we have totally missed the mark. Ever learning, but never able to come to the knowledge of the truth, we blindly search the scriptures hoping we might find eternal life. Paul said “Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us”. Who was Paul following? Certainly wasn’t words written on parchment!

Rick Frueh said...

There are times when God calls men away from their families for extended seasons. David Livingston, John Wesley, and many, many others left their families for many days and months and even years in search for souls. That is the exception but it does happen.

Anonymous said...

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

If Jesus could leave His home and Father, why should we expect anything less for our life?

Joel

Anonymous said...

God's Spirit unifies. His Spirit makes Christians love for their family stronger. In today's world physical separation of husbands from wives and children isn't something that a ma should jump up and down for.

Rick Frueh said...

Let us remember that Christ was temporarily separated from His Father because of us.

Anonymous said...

Psalm 11:4
The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD'S throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men.

The verb "try" in this context means to test. The children of men means His creation.

Anonymous said...

Amen. And let's praise Him for His courage and compassion! Ezekiel 33:11, "Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel."

When God says to an unsaved person to turn from their wicked ways He is testing them!

Rick Frueh said...

"When God says to an unsaved person to turn from their wicked ways He is testing them!"

An unsaved person cannot turn from their wicked ways. God is not testing a dead person. God desires them to believe the gospel. Only then can they turn from their wicked ways.

Anonymous said...

Joel, Christians can honor God without leaving their home. A home is vital to protect us from harsh climate. Praise God for the gift of the home and use it wisely to bring glory to His name.

Anonymous said...


Psalm 145:9 informs us that, “The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.”

This verse includes the unsaved!

God's loving motive behind testing the unsaved is to draw them to Christ!

Had the Lord not tested me I could never have come to Christ. Over many years He tested me over certain addictions that I had.

I put up huge resistance but with His gracious help I was able, after a long struggle, to "leave behind" a hobby that had totally ensnared me.

To God be the glory!

Anonymous said...

God tested those He brought out of Egypt. Multitudes of them were not saved.

Anonymous said...

God's dealings with the unsaved are different than those with the saved but His voice can be heeded. If He didn't correct the unsaved there would be total chaos.

Anonymous said...

I still wasn't saved at that point but God had blessed me to focus more energy and attention to discovering who Jesus was.

Anonymous said...

Mar 10:21 Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, "One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me."
:22 But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
:23 Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, "How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!"

If you cannot give up all that you have, you are not able to follow Him. That includes homes. When I watched over the cattle under my charge, sometimes I had to sleep out in the field close to them. The one cow was either to sick or in difficult labor.

Joel

Cherie c. said...

Who Jesus was? Don't you mean Who Jesus is? Jesus is alive and seated at the right hand of the Father. Who is coming again in Glory!

Praise God, can't hardly wait.

your sister in Christ Jesus

Anonymous said...

What Bro. Rick wrote, "The cross was never meant to be a sign made by hands, or a piece of jewellery, or an element of doctrine frozen upon a page. It is the spiritual power of the universe which saves a soul and transforms a life from selfishness to selflessness."

I was reading in John 6, where they gathered together the fragments of the barley loaves into 12 baskets, after the miraculous feeding of the 5,000. It's incredible that Jesus, serving and selfless, who had every right and entitlement to express Himself as God, chose instead to be a servant to us sinners.

Verses 14 and 15: "Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, 'This this of a truth that prophet that should come into the world'. When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone."

He departed into a mountain himself alone, and when doctrinal giants who made so much of themselves and call their ministries by their ownnames and build up little kingdoms for themselves, by selling the word and seeking an audience, well, it is sickening to witness this. The true King refused to take on His proper role for the sake of us, and had to run away, while christian leaders demand kingship and respect and reverence and market the Word. Where have we gone wrong?

J.

Anonymous said...


Jesus is very honest. He tells the rich young ruler what he lacks.

What does this selling whatever we have and giving to the poor mean?

It doesn't mean selling your house.

It means "selling" your trust on whatever is preventing you from taking up the cross and following the Lord Jesus.

Josef Sefton

Anonymous said...


Jesus was very wise. He knew that He needed to be refreshed and reinvigorated. His creation are the same. We ought to heed the teaching of Psalm 46:10 and follow Jesus' example of finding and allocating time to glorify our heavenly Father!

Anonymous said...

Deuteronomy 8: 2

And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove (test) thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no.

The Lord tested the Israelites for 40 years in the wilderness!

Anonymous said...


Ezekiel 33:11, "Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel."

God doesn't speak to just speak to Himself in this verse. He commands the wicked to turn from his evil way. He wouldn't command him to do this if this was an impossability. An unsaved person can desire, with God's gracious help, to turn from their wicked way. The granting of life is God's decision!

Josef Sefton

Anonymous said...

Jesus links entering into the kingdom of heaven with doing the will of His Father which is in heaven.

Why then will the Lord profess unto many, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity?

In John 3:36 we read: “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.”

So why did the wrath of God still abide on them? The answer is they didn't believe on the Lord Jesus Christ!

Dear readers, hunger and thirst after righteousness. Hunger and thirst to trust and obey righteous Lord Jesus Christ! He is truly trustworthy!

Josef Sefton

Anonymous said...


Dear reader,
do you genuinely care about what the God of the Holy Bible thinks?

Here are some important words of Jesus.

“Ye must be born again” (John 3:7).

Make a decision to start trusting God’s Word more fully.

Dear reader, if you don't yet believe Jesus is risen you need to start desiring to get right with God!

Pray today for the Lord God to bless you with an increased interest in Jesus, so that you desire to pay even closer attention to what He says.

Reine Gnade

Anonymous said...


“Because thine heart was tender, and thou didst humble thyself before God…and didst rend thy clothes, and weep before Me; I have even heard thee also, saith the Lord.”

2 Chronicles 34:27

Today’s verse occurs at a time of utter devastation in Israel. Young Josiah—a mere boy—became king. He wanted to get things right with God. He humbled himself.

Here is God’s answer! “Because thine heart was tender, and thou didst humble thyself before God, when thou heardest his words against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, and humbledst thyself before Me, and didst rend thy clothes, and weep before Me; I have even heard thee also,” saith the Lord.

Dear reader, are you weeping over your sin? Follow Josiah’s example and humble yourself before our great God.

God bless you!



Anonymous said...


Jeremiah 17:10
English Standard Version “I the LORD search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.”

New American Standard Bible "I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give to each man according to his ways, According to the results of his deeds."

Proverbs 17:3 The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the LORD tests the heart.

1 Chronicles 28:9 "And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with
wholehearted devotion and serve him with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart every and understands every desire and every thought.

If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.

Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can understand it?

10 "I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give to each man according to his ways, According to the results of his deeds.


Anonymous said...


God is still making these type of statements to the unsaved man!

Jeremiah 29:11-14

11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

12 Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.

13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

14 And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the LORD; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.

Does the LORD speak in this manner only to a certain nation at a certain time in history? Not in my opinion.

The LORD hasn't changed!

He says these types of things to the unsaved today!

He can rescue the unsaved who are very very distant from Him. Truly He alone can turn away the captivity of the unsaved.

Josef Sefton

Anonymous said...

Who is the prisoner? He is the person who doesn't believe in the Son of God.

Dear reader, do you have a living relationship with the Treasure of Treasures, the LORD God?

Who are naked? The naked are those who are not clothed in the righteousness of Lord Jesus Christ.

They are naked before God because He isn't their covering.
God's word to the naked is: desire to listen to Jesus.

Anonymous said...

Jonah 3:10
10 And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.

Let's study this verse together!

Anonymous said...


Matthew 12:41
41 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.

Linking Jonah 3:10 and Mathew 12:41 together it is clear that repentance involves turning from our evil way.

In Jonah 3 we read that the inhabitants of Nineveh turned from their evil way. God Himself saw that they turned from their evil way!

Josef Sefton


Anonymous said...

Praying every one is well here, and Bro. Rick.

J.