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Breaking Away from the World
and church denominations
Are you really prepared to leave your earthly life behind
and pick up your cross and follow
the LORDBelow is the Word of the LORD
I know Him and keep His word.
Matthew 10:34-39 Do not think that I have come to bring peace upon the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to part asunder a man from his father, and a daughter from her mother, and a newly married wife from her mother-in-law - And a man's foes will be they of his own household. He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me;
And he who does not take up his cross and follow Me [cleave steadfastly to Me, conforming wholly to My example in living and, if need be, in dying also] is not worthy of Me.
Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life on My account will find it.
Matthew 19:29 And anyone and everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for My name's sake will receive many times more and will inherit eternal life.
Mark 3:33-35 And He replied, Who are My mother and My brothers? And looking around on those who sat in a circle about Him, He said, See! Here are My mother and My brothers; For whoever does the things God wills is My brother and sister and mother!Mark 12:30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. (King James)
Mark 8:34-37 And Jesus called the throng with His disciples and said to them, If anyone intends to come after Me, let him deny himself [forget, ignore, disown, and lose sight of himself and his own interests] and take up his cross, and follow with Me. For whoever wants to save his life, will lose it; and whoever gives up his life for My sake and the Gospel's will save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his life? For what can a man give as an exchange (a compensation, a ransom, in return) for his life?
Luke 9:23-25 And He said to all, If any person wills to come after Me let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me [cleave steadfastly to Me, conform wholly to My example in living and, if need be in dying also]. For whoever would preserve his life and save it will lose and destroy it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he will preserve and save it.
Luke 9:59-62 And He said to another, Become My disciple, side with My party, and accompany Me! But he replied, Lord, permit me first to go and bury (await the death of) my father. But Jesus said to him, Allow the dead to bury their own dead; but as for you, go and publish abroad throughout all regions the kingdom of God. Another also said, I will follow You, Lord, and become Your disciple and side with Your party; but let me first say good-bye to those at my home. Jesus said to him, No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.Luke 12:49-53 I have come to cast fire upon the earth, and how I wish that it were already kindled! I have a baptism with which to be baptized, and how greatly and sorely I am urged on (impelled, constrained) until it is accomplished! Do you suppose that I have come to give peace upon earth? No, I say to you, but rather division; For from now on in one house there will be five divided, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.
Luke 14:26-27 If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother and his wife and children and brothers and sisters - and even his own life also - he cannot be My disciple. Whoever does not persevere and carry his own cross and come after (follow) Me cannot be My disciple.Luke 14:33 So then, any of you who does not forsake (renounce, surrender claim to, give up, say good-bye to) all that he has cannot be My disciple.
Luke 16:15 But He said to them, You are the ones who declare yourselves just and upright before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted and highly thought of among men is detestable and abhorrent (an abomination) in the sight of God.
John 12:25-26 Anyone who loves his life loses it, but anyone who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal. [Whoever has no love for, no concern for, no regard for his life here on earth, but despises it, preserves his life forever and ever.] If anyone serves Me, he must continue to follow Me [to cleave steadfastly to Me, conform wholly to My example in living and, if need be, in dying] and wherever I am, there will My servant be also. If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.
Recognizing, Believing, & Following the Representative from the Kingdom of HeavenMatthew 10:24-26 A disciple is not above his teacher, nor is a servant or slave above his master. It is sufficient for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant or slave like his master. If they have called the Master of the house Beelzebub, how much more will they speak evil of those of His Household. So have no fear of them; for nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, or kept secret that will not become known.
Luke 16:13 No servant is able to serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will stand by and be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon (riches, or anything in which you trust and on which you rely).
John 5:19-20 So Jesus answered them by saying, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, the Son is able to do nothing of Himself (of His own accord); but he is able to do only what He sees the Father doing, for whatever the Father does is what the Son does in the same way. The Father dearly loves the Son and discloses to (shows) Him everything that He Himself does. And He will disclose to Him (let Him see) greater things yet than these, so that you may marvel and be full of wonder and astonishment.
John 6:39-40 And this is the will of Him Who sent Me, that I should not lose any of all that He has given Me, but that I should give new life and raise [them all] up at the last day. For this is My Father's will and His purpose, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in and cleaves to and trusts in and relies on Him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.
The Set - Apart People of GOD
John 6:44-47 No one is able to come to Me unless the Father Who sent Me attracts and draws him and gives him the desire to come to Me, and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the Prophets, And they shall all be taught of God [have Him in person for their Teacher]. Everyone who has listened to and learned from the Father comes to Me. Which does not imply that anyone has seen the Father except He Who comes from God; He has seen the Father. I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, he who believes in Me [who adheres to, trusts in, relies on, and has faith in Me] has (now possesses) eternal life.
John 6:51 I am this Living Bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this Bread, he will live forever; and also the Bread that I shall give for the life of the world is My flesh (body).
John 6:63 It is the Spirit Who gives life [He is the Life-giver]; the flesh conveys no benefit whatever. The words (truths) that I have been speaking to you are spirit and life.
John 6:65 And He said, This is why I told you that no one can come to Me unless it is granted him [unless he is enabled to do so] by the Father.John 7:28-29 Whereupon Jesus called out as He taught in the temple, Do you know Me, and do you know where I am from? I have not come on My own authority and of My own accord and as self-appointed, but the One Who sent Me is true (real, genuine, steadfast); and Him you do not know! I know Him because I come from His presence, and it was He Who sent Me.
John 8:21-24 Therefore He said again to them, I am going away, and you will be looking for Me, and you will die in (under the curse of) your sin. Where I am going, it is not possible for you to come. At this the Jews began to ask among themselves, Will He kill Himself? Is that why He says, Where I am going, it is not possible for you to come? He said to them, You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world (of this earthly order); I am not of this world. That is why I told you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.
John 8:31-47 So Jesus said to those Jews who had believed in Him, If you abide in My word [hold fast to My teachings and live in accordance with them], you are truly My disciples.
And you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free.
SOME ARE BLIND
Things are hidden from the Worldly man
They answered Him, We are Abraham's offspring (descendants) and have never been in bondage to anybody. What do You mean by saying, You will be set free? Jesus answered them, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, Whoever commits and practices sin is the slave of sin. Now a slave does not remain in a household permanently (forever); the son does remain forever. So if the Son liberates you, then you are really and unquestionably free. I know that you are Abraham's offspring; yet you plan to kill Me, because My word has no entrance (makes no progress, does not find any place) in you. I tell the things which I have seen and learned at My Father's side, and your actions also reflect what you have heard and learned from your father. They retorted, Abraham is our father. Jesus said, If you were Abraham's children, then you would do the works of Abraham. But now you are wanting and seeking to kill Me, a Man Who has told you the truth which I heard from God. This is not the way Abraham acted. You are doing the works of your father. They said to Him, We are not illegitimate children and born out of fornication; we have one Father, even God. Jesus said to them, If God were your Father, you would love Me and respect Me and welcome me gladly, for I proceeded (came forth) from God. I did not even come on My own authority or of My own accord (as self-appointed); but He sent me. Why do you misunderstand what I say? It is because you are unable to hear what I am saying. You are of your father, the devil, and it is your will to practice the lusts and gratify the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a falsehood, he speaks what is natural to him, for he is a liar and the father of lies and of all that is false. But because I speak the truth you do not believe Me. Who of you convicts Me of wrongdoing or finds Me guilty of sin? Then if I speak truth, why do you not believe Me? Whoever is of God listens to God. This is the reason that you do not listen: because you do not belong to God and are not of God or in harmony with Him.
John 8:50-55 However, I am not in search of honor for Myself. There is One Who seeks, and He is the Judge. I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, if anyone observes My teaching, he will by no means ever see and experience death. The Jews said to Him, Now we know that You are under the power of a demon (insane). Abraham died, and also the prophets, yet You say, If a man keeps My word, he will never taste of death into all eternity. Are You greater than our father Abraham? He died, and all the prophets died! Who do You make Yourself out to be? Jesus answered, If I were to glorify Myself (magnify, praise, and honor Myself), I would have no real glory, for My glory would be nothing and worthless. It is My Father Who glorifies Me, of Whom you say that He is your God. Yet you do not know Him or recognize Him and are not acquainted with Him, but I know Him. If I should say that I do not know Him, I would be a liar like you.
John 10:4-18 When he has brought his own sheep outside, he walks on before them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice.
They will never follow a stranger, but will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers or recognize their call. Jesus used this parable (illustration) with them, but they did not understand what He was talking about. So Jesus said again, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, that I Myself am the Door for the sheep. All others who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to and obey them.
I am the Door; anyone who enters in through Me will be saved (will live). He will come in and he will go out , and will find pasture.
The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows). I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd risks and lays down His life for the sheep. But the hired servant (he who merely serves for wages) who is neither the shepherd nor the owner of the sheep, when he sees the wolf coming, deserts the flock and runs away. And the wolf chases and snatches them and scatters [the flock]. Now the hireling flees because he merely serves for wages and is not himself concerned about the sheep. I am the Good Shepherd; and I know and recognize My own, and My own know and recognize Me - Even as the Father knows Me and I also know the Father - and I am giving My life and laying it down on behalf of the sheep. And I have other sheep that are not of this fold, I must bring and impel those also; and they will listen to My voice and heed My call, and so there will be one flock under one Shepherd. For this [reason] the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life - to take it back again. No one takes it away from Me. On the contrary, I lay it down voluntarily. I am authorized and have power to lay it down (to resign it) and I am authorized and have power to take it back again. These are the instructions (orders) which I have received from My Father.John 10:25-30 Jesus answered them, I have told you so, yet you do not believe Me. The very works that I do by the power of My Father and in My Father's name bear witness concerning Me. But you do not believe and trust and rely on Me because you do not belong to My fold [you are no sheep of Mine]. The sheep that are My own hear and are listening to My voice; and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never lose it or perish throughout the ages. And no one is able to snatch them out of My hand. My Father, Who has given them to Me, is greater and mightier than all; and no one is able to snatch [them] out of the Father's hand. I and the Father are One.
John 10:36-38 Do you say of the One Whom the Father consecrated and dedicated and set apart for Himself and sent into the world, You are blaspheming, because I said, I am the Son of God? If I am not doing the works of My Father, then do not believe Me. But if I do them, even though you do not believe Me or have faith in Me, believe the works and have faith in what I do, in order that you may know and understand that the Father is in Me, and I am in the Father.John 12:44-50 But Jesus loudly declared, The one who believes in Me does not believe in and trust in and rely on Me, but in Him Who sent Me. And whoever sees Me sees Him Who sent Me.
I have come as a Light into the world, so that whoever believes in Me may not continue to live in darkness. If anyone hears My teachings and fails to observe them, it is not I who judges him. For I have not come to judge and to condemn and to pass sentence and to inflict penalty on the world, but to save the world. Anyone who rejects Me and persistently sets Me at naught, refusing to accept My teachings, has his judge; for the message that I have spoken will itself judge and convict him at the last day. This is because I have never spoken on My own authority or of My own accord or as self-appointed, but the Father Who sent Me has Himself given Me orders what to say and what to tell. And I know that His commandment is (means) eternal life. So whatever I speak, I am saying what My Father has told Me to say and in accordance with His instructions.John 14:6 Jesus said to him, I am the Way and the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except by (through) Me.
John 15:1,4-6 I am the True Vine, and My Father is the Vinedresser. Dwell in Me, and I will dwell in you. Just as no branch can bear fruit of itself without abiding in (being vitally united to) the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you abide in Me. I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much (abundant) fruit. However, apart from Me you can do nothing. If a person does not dwell in Me, he is thrown out like a branch, and withers; such branches are gathered up and thrown into the fire, and they are burned.
John 15:22-25 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin. Whoever hates Me also hates My Father. If I had not done (accomplished) among them the works which no one else ever did, they would not be guilty of sin. But now they have both seen and have hated both Me and My Father. But that the word written in their Law might be fulfilled, They hated Me without a cause.
Separating from Human-Mammalian Characteristics
Matthew 19:9-12 I say to you; whoever dismisses (repudiates, divorces) his wife, except for unchastity, and marries another commits adultery, and he who marries a divorced woman commits adultery. The disciples said to Him, If the case of a man with his wife is like this, it is neither profitable nor advisable to marry. But He said to them, Not all men can accept this saying, but it is for those whom it has been given. For there are eunuchs who have been born incapable of marriage; and there are eunuchs who have been made so by men; and there are eunuchs who have made themselves incapable of marriage for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Let him who is able to accept this accept it.
Mark 12:25 For when they shall arise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels which are in heaven. (King James)
Mark 13:17-19 And Alas for those who are pregnant and for those who have nursing babies in those days! Pray that it may not occur in winter. For at that time there will be such affliction (oppression and tribulation) as has not been from the beginning of the creation which God created until this particular time - and positively never will be.
Luke 20:34-36 And Jesus said to them, The people of this world and present age marry and are given in marriage; But those who are considered worthy to gain that other world and that future age and to attain to the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage; For they cannot die again, but they are angel-like and equal to angels. And being sons of and sharers in the resurrection, they are sons of God.
Luke 21:23 Alas for those who are pregnant and for those who have babies which they are nursing in those days! For great misery and anguish and distress shall be upon the land and indignation and punishment and retribution upon this people.
These Last Days
Matthew 15:7-9 Ye hypocrites, well did Isaiah prophesy of you, saying, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. (King James)
Luke 21:8-19 And He said, Be on your guard and be careful that you are not led astray; for many will come in My name, saying, I am He! and, The time is at hand! Do not go out after them. And when you hear of wars and insurrections (disturbances, disorder, and confusion), do not become alarmed and panic-stricken and terrified; for all this must take place first, but the end will not [come] immediately. Then He told them, Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be mighty and violent earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences (plagues; malignant and contagious or infectious epidemic diseases which are deadly and devastating); and there will be sights of terror and great signs from heaven. But previous to all this, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, turning you over to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be led away before kings and governors for My name's sake. This will be a time (an opportunity) for you to bear testimony. Resolve and settle it in your minds not to meditate and prepare beforehand how you are to make your defense and how you will answer. For I will give you a mouth and such utterance and wisdom that all of your foes combined will be unable to stand against or refute. You will be delivered up and betrayed even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and [some] of you they will put to death. And you will be hated (despised) by everyone because [you bear] My name and for its sake. But not a hair of your head shall perish. By your steadfastness and patient endurance you shall win the true life of your souls.
Avoid Being Judgmental
Matthew 7:1-2 Do not judge and criticize and condemn others, so that you may not be judged and criticized and condemned yourselves. For just as you judge and criticize and condemn others, you will be judged and criticized and condemned, and in accordance with the measure you deal out to others, it will be dealt out again to you.
John 7:24 Be honest in your judgment and do not decide at a glance (superficially and by appearances); but judge fairly and righteously.
John 8:14-19 Jesus answered, Even if I do testify on My own behalf, My testimony is true and reliable and valid, for I know where I came from and where I am going; but you do not know where I come from or where I am going. You judge according to the flesh (by what you see). I do not judge or condemn or sentence anyone. Yet even if I do judge, My judgment is true; for I am not alone, but I and the Father, Who sent Me. In your Law it is written that the testimony (evidence) of two persons is reliable and valid. I am One bearing testimony concerning Myself; and My Father, Who sent Me, He also testifies about Me. Then they said to Him, Where is this Father of Yours? Jesus answered, You know My Father as little as you know Me. If you knew Me, you would know My Father also.
Soul vs. Flesh Body
Matthew 10:28 And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; but rather be afraid of Him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
Luke 12:4-5 I tell you, My friends, do not dread and be afraid of those who kill the body and after that have nothing more that they can do. But I will warn you whom you should fear; fear Him Who, after killing, has power to hurl into hell; yes, I say to you fear Him!
Psalms 103:13-18 As a father loves and pities his children, so the Lord loves and pities those who fear Him [with reverence, worship, and awe]. For He knows our frame, He remembers and imprints that we are dust. As for man, his days are as grass; as a flower of the field, so he flourishes. For the wind passes over it and it is gone, and its place shall know it no more. But the mercy and loving-kindness of the Lord are from everlasting to everlasting upon those who reverently and worshipfully fear Him, and His righteousness is to children's children. To such as keep His covenant [hearing, receiving, loving, and obeying it] and to those who remember His commandments to do them.
Isaiah 40:6-8 A voice says, Cry [prophesy]! And I said, What shall I cry? [The voice answered, Proclaim:] All flesh is as frail as grass, and all that makes it attractive [its kindness, its goodwill, its mercy from God, its glory and comeliness, however good] is transitory, like the flower of the fieled. The grass withers, the flower fades, when the breath of the Lord blows upon it; surely [all] the people are like grass. The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.
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