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Good morning. Today's video Captivity is on the topic of bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. Each day we have the choice to remain captive of the Lord at His will or allow ourselves to become captive of the devil at his will. Our thoughts brought us to where we are today; and they will bring us to where we are tomorrow. What are you thinking on? We are encouraged to bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ (we have the mind of Christ) and to cast down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God. All things are lawful for us, but all things are not profitable to our salvation and growth in the wisdom and knowledge of God; all things are lawful for us, but all things do not build us up in faith and confidence in our Lord Jesus Christ. This includes our thoughts; although we have liberty in Christ, we are not to use our liberty as an occasion to fulfil the lusts of the flesh. Why do we say this? Because the carnal mind is enmity with God. And if you don’t bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ and cast down those things that are contrary to God, then how will you know whether it is of God or not; how will you be able to remain in the liberty which is in Christ and not be brought into bondage again to the traditions of men after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ? When a thought that is not of God is left to itself, not checked out or brought into captivity, it can lead to imaginations or temptation in other words, and draw you away of your own lust and entice you (remember we still have a carnal nature to overcome). Now you are left with a choice, cast down the imagination or act on the imagination; if you act on it, lust has conceived, it brings forth sin, and when sin is finished, it brings forth death; or enmity with God, and you are now captive at the devil’s will. This is why it is so important to renew our minds daily on the things of God so that we are able to rightly divide the word of truth having our spiritual senses exercised to discern between that which is of God, and that which is of the world and the prince of the power of the air, which is Satan who walks about continually seeking whom he may devour. When the Lord ascended to the right hand of God he led captivity captive, and gave us the gift of life and life more abundantly, the Spirit of truth to guide us into all truth so that we are enabled to not be brought into bondage again (being captive of the devil at his will). In Christ is all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge; and we have been given this treasure within us to lead us in a better way of life based on truth and not imaginations. Salvation is a daily choice; today is the day of salvation, now is the accepted time (2 Corinthians 6:2); choose you this day whom you will serve; choose you this day to whom you will be captive. God bless and lead captivity captive in your own life as the Lord did in his. Please note in the video the following corrections to scripture references: Proverbs 6:22 should be 6:16-19 Romans 7:23 should be 7:14 Luke 11 reference toward the end of the video on counting the cost should be Luke 14:25-33 You can view all previous videos by going to our YouTube channel Doctrine of Christ Ministry. Have a blessed and prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Good morning. Today's video Short Work is on the topic of The last days; the Lord said he would do a short work. Romans 9:27-29 Isaiah also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved: For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth. And as Isaiah said before, Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we had been as Sodom, and been made like unto Gomorrah. (KJV) Brethren the time is short; we are in the last times and have been since the Lord left this earth being raised up to sit on the right hand of God. The Lord said he would do a short work upon the earth to give us a way of escape from destruction, spirit, soul, and body. He left us a seed, and that seed is Christ in us the hope of glory so that we too can overcome the wicked one that is in this world through the leading and guiding of the Holy Spirit into all truth in the knowledge of God our Father and His Son Christ Jesus our Lord; and of all that our Father has given us we should lose nothing, except the son of perdition which is our old nature, that Christ may raise us up holy and unblameable before God. 2 John 1:8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. (KJV) Revelation 3:11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. (KJV) There are many deceivers and antichrist’s out there in the world today seeking to deceive you out of your crown which is laid up for you in heaven. Not only those whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things; but also the false prophets who stand in the pulpits or on the street corners to be seen of men who promise you liberty, but they themselves are the servants of corruption. The time will come when many will not endure sound doctrine but will heap to themselves, teachers having itching ears; that time is now. You can see what is happening in the religious organizations which claim to be of God but in works deny him; they are more interested in fitting into the world and its ways, as well as preaching for filthy lucre sake to fill their own pockets, robbing the church blind (spirit, soul, and body), than to hold fast the profession of faith without wavering and to teach others to do the same. Scofield note: Message to Laodicea: the church in the final state of apostasy. Revelation 3:14-19 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. (KJV) Dearly loved brethren; today if you will hear the Lord’s voice harden not your hearts in the day of temptation as others who were overthrown in the wilderness, knowing that your salvation draws near; today is the day of salvation; now is the accepted time. Watch and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that are to come upon the proud and disobedient. Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. God bless. Revelation 3:20-22 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. (KJV) You can view all previous videos by going to our YouTube channel Doctrine of Christ Ministry. Have a blessed and prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. John 14:1-3 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. (2) In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. (3) And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. (KJV)
The Lord begins this chapter encouraging the believers not to be troubled but to continue believing. You can expect opposition as you take your place in the body of Christ, because the more grounded you become in the Lord the more of a threat you become to the enemy. You have a place prepared and ready for you to take up residence in, but there is a spiritual enemy who will do all he can to detour you and try and keep you in this fallen realm. Only the truth will set you free and allow you to carry out your heavenly calling so that you can be a true resident of the kingdom of God in Christ. Ephesians 3:9-12 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: (10) To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, (11) According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: (12) In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him. (KJV) Our fellowship with God, our citizenship with Him is described as a mystery, something hidden to the carnal man but readily revealed to those in Christ. There are principalities in the heavenly realm, like with a football team, the defense is stacked up at the goal line trying to deny you access to it. This principality, or as it is described the prince of the power of the air, the devil and his angels, will do all they can to try to talk you out of your inheritance and your rightful place in the body of Christ by attempting to deny you access to His kingdom. But to those that are in Christ and have His spirit bearing witness to their spirit, they will know the truth and boldly confidently access His kingdom by letting these principalities know who they are in Christ, and that these principalities need to step aside because they are going in. The only way one can know all the spiritual blessings they have been blessed with is by entering into the kingdom of God and staying seated with Christ to hear His doctrine of love and liberty in Him. Ephesians 6:11-13 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. (12) For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (13) Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. (KJV) There is spiritual armor available to ward off spiritual resistance, so the more you keep the shield of faith up and operational the less likely you will be hit in the vitals with a fiery dart from the wicked one. Do know that there will be opposition to those that take up residency in their heavenly place, and that there are principalities and powers that will do all they can to pull you back into the realm of the flesh. Romans 8:38-39 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, (39) Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (KJV) Strong’s definition for ‘persuaded’: 3982 peitho (pi'-tho); a primary verb; to convince (by argument, true or false); by analogy, to pacify or conciliate (by other fair means); reflexively or passively, to assent (to evidence or authority), to rely (by inward certainty): KJV-- agree, assure, believe, have confidence, make friend, obey, persuade, trust, yield. Are you of the persuasion that nothing or no one is going to separate you from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord? That no one or no being is going to keep you from accessing your heavenly reward? Those that know their rights and authority in Christ will continue in the faith grounded and settled and not allow themselves to be moved away or evicted from their heavenly place in Christ, but rather they will let the enemy know it is time to step aside as they go forward, and don’t let the door hit you on my way in. Luke 4:6-8 And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. (7) If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine. (8) And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. (KJV) Jesus of Nazareth knew who He was in Christ and how to access the kingdom of God despite opposition from principalities in heavenly places. In fact He knew that God promised His people that they would be the head and not the tail, so He put the devil in his place by walking past him and leaving him behind. When you encounter persecution or obstacles the devil tries to put in your path, will you be as quick to respond in the Spirit and put him in his place as well, that being a fallen one, or will you get caught up in petty wrestling matches in the affairs of this life? The more you stay seated in the heavenly realm in Christ, hearing His message, the more you will continue to move forward in your walk with Him and not let anyone tell you different. The Lord has prepared a place for you in His kingdom, now put the distractions behind you and obtain what is rightfully yours. Revelation 12:10-11 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. (11) And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. (KJV) The enemy is like a little tattle tale, slinging mud at the believers to see if it will stick. Those that know their rights and authority in Christ will be blameless, without spot before Him. Once you have been cleansed by the washing of the water by the word of God it is imperative that you keep clean so that the mud does not stick. While accessing your place in the heavenly realm, do know there will be opposition, but do keep the persuasion and the mindset that nothing will come before your love for God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord who is seated at the right hand of the Father in the heavenly realm with a place for you right next to Him. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Things I ponder, things I have heard in the course of my life here on planet earth, so many things that are said, but in the end, who is really speaking, and what are the words we give ear to; are they spirit and life or are they words that are idle, useless and vain, lies that are intended to make one comfortable in their fallen state of sin rather than rising to the new creation in Christ that is available for all? All roads or paths lead to the same place, in other words all these different faiths and religions all end up in heaven; says who!?
Ephesians 4:4-6 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; (5) One Lord, one faith, one baptism, (6) One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. (KJV) So how do you respond to life’s questions, and where do you turn to find peace; is it in the truth that sets one free, or do you just assume it is so because someone said it is? It’s true, all paths that are outside the realm of faith do lead to the same place, but according to the word of God it is not the place He intended for you to end up in. So while mankind has developed so many man-made religions and paths that they claim will lead to life, only one is going to get you to your intended destination because whatsoever is not of faith is sin. There are claims being made that there are millions, maybe billions of people that are going to go to heaven some day, even songs are written that claim “there is a whole lot of people going home”, but again I ask, says who!? Matthew 7:13-14 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: (14) Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. (KJV) Well that just answered my other question; if many are called then why are few chosen, and as I see in the above statements, many are choosing a losing path. What this tells me is the reason many miss the mark and are not on the chosen path is because they stay in the realm of the flesh and not the Spirit, following the crowd rather than our Lord. But they have a big following, their organization is the fastest growing church in the country, so that would clearly indicate they are of God, right, says who!? Matthew 7:21-23 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. (22) Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? (23) And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (KJV) Oh my God, there’s the many again; you mean to tell me many are on the wrong path, but you’re talking about religious people, big name organizations that have done so many good works, haven’t they? Do you know the difference for yourself and are you able to rightly divide the word of truth so that someday when the Lord asks you, ‘says who?’ you will know and not guess that you are one of His. Better yet, how about today eliminating the question marks in your life so that you can eliminate the guesswork; especially when it comes to eternal consequences? Oh but I just wrote out a check to this big ministry I saw on TV because a big name personality told me I would be blessed financially, a hundred times in fact, well says who!? 2 Peter 2:1-3 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. (KJV) Will you look at that, there is the many that has been talked about; many that are preaching these prosperity messages and getting you to buy into their version or perversion of the gospel are nothing more than a factory making the people more like merchandise than Christ like. But they showed me all the good things they were doing, and all these wonderful miracles they were performing, and how many people they were winning to the Lord; oh my, that sounds just like the people I read about in Matthew 7:21-23. Well my words are not really that important that I spoke, after all I was just joking, right, says who!? Matthew 12:36-37 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. (37) For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. (KJV) Our Lord said that the words that He spoke were spirit and life, words which He heard personally from the Father. Given the fact that He is now seated at the right hand of the Father, and is there to mediate on our behalf, would it not do you good to give ear to what He is saying and not what man keeps spewing out? Romans 14:11-12 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. (12) So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. (KJV) With all that the Lord has done on our behalf, with all that God has provided for mankind to partake of and have fellowship restored with Him, is there any excuse why when it comes time to stand before Him that when you are asked ‘says who?’ you can boldly answer, says you? God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. |
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