“I will have Mercy, and not Sacrifice”: What does this really Mean? [podcast]

Paula White Exposed [video]

THAT’s My King! Pastor Lockridge [video]

Powerful Prayers from Children-This Will Shake You [video]

The Fear of the LORD is to Hate Evil: Pride, and Arrogancy #shorts [video]

“But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Matthew 9:13

Jesus specifically instructs us to “go ye and learn what that meaneth.”

UNTIL, as an individual, you begin to realize just how wicked you really are, you will never begin to appreciate what our KING and Savior did on that cross!

Matthew 9:9-13 – Jesus calls Matthew

9 And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.
10 And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples.
11 And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?
12 But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.
13 But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Approaching God on the basis of His divine mercy and in holy fear:

“But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy MERCY: and in thy FEAR will I worship toward thy holy temple.” Psalms 5:7

In light of our own utter depravity and unworthiness, we must approach God on the basis of His sheer mercy.

“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; 7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3:5-7

With no exception, each of us is in utter need of God’s mercy – initially at salvation and ongoing.

“But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” Isaiah 64:6

“Refusal to pray because of the guilt of your sins is like refusing to take you bath because you are dirty. Pray.” Augustine Mario

It reveals a great imbalance when someone preaches “holiness” and never mercy. There is hope in the Gospel – the only hope – and that is Christ who said “I will have mercy, and not sacrifice.” In this passage Jesus is revealing to us that He came to save sinners, not to destroy them (Luke 9:56; John 3:17). Yet He only saves those who are willing to admit they are sinners and repent, putting their faith in Him, following Him. Prayerfully declaring verses like Romans 7:18, 24 and Titus 3:5-7 daily defuses evil self-righteousness.

In the divine economy, does mercy triumph over judgment or does judgment triumph over mercy? – “For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment“ (James 2:13).

Are we preaching AT people or TO people? Do we view our listeners are enemies OR eternal souls that Jesus loves and came to save from their sins?

Paul wrote:

“This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. 16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. 17 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.” 1 Timothy 1:15-17

All of our unrighteousness went on Christ so that all of His righteousness could come on us.

“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” 2 Corinthians 5:21

Adam is the father of the old man, the fallen man. Jesus is the King of the new man the new creation (Romans 5).

ALL men have sinned against God and are guilty (Romans 3). Yet, only a few are willing to honestly admit their sin before God and receive His mercy. Flanking our LORD on crosses also, one of those sinners humbled himself and is and forever will be in glory. The other chose to harden his heart and consequently is and forever will be in Hell.

God will forgive “ALL sins” except one:

“Verily I say unto you, ALL sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme: 29 But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation:” Mark 3:28-29

How about the two men who went up to pray? One was heard and the other not (Luke 18:9-14).

“Israel was bringing sacrifices and offerings to the Lord on their feast days, but their lives were corrupt, so their offerings were rejected by God. He would rather have righteousness than ritual. Even in the wilderness, when professing to worship Jehovah, they had practiced idolatry with Moloch and other idols, such as Sikkuth and Chiun.” William MacDonald

All men have sinned and God only forgives and saves those who fall upon His sheer mercy in conviction, contrition, and brokenness. All others forfeit His gift of salvation in Christ.

“Hell is full of people who think they deserve heaven. Heaven is full of people who know they deserve Hell.” Unknown

Notes on this passage from William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary

“Matthew 9:9-13
I. Jesus Calls Matthew the Tax Collector (9:9-13)

9:9 The tense atmosphere building up around the Savior is temporarily relieved by Matthew’s simple and humble account of his own call. A tax-collector or custom house officer, he and his fellow officials were hated intensely by the Jews because of their crookedness, because of the oppressive taxes they exacted, and most of all, because they served the interests of the Roman Empire, Israel’s overlord. As Jesus passed the tax office, He said to Matthew, ‘Follow Me.’ The response was instantaneous; he arose and followed; leaving a traditionally dishonest job to become an instant disciple of Jesus. As someone has said, ‘He lost a comfortable job, but he found a destiny. He lost a good income but he found honor. He lost a comfortable security, but he found an adventure the like of which he had never dreamed.’ Not the least among his rewards were that he became one of the twelve and was honored to write the Gospel which bears his name.

9:10 The meal described here was arranged by Matthew in honor of Jesus (Luke 5:29). It was his way of confessing Christ publicly and of introducing his associates to the Savior. Necessarily, therefore, the guests were tax-collectors and others generally known to be sinners!

9:11 It was the practice in those days to eat reclining on couches and facing the table. When the Pharisees saw Jesus associating in this way with the social riff-raff, they went to His disciples and charged Him with “guilt by association”; surely no true prophet would eat with sinners!

9:12 Jesus overheard and answered, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.’ The Pharisees considered themselves healthy and were unwilling to confess their need for Jesus. (Actually they were extremely ill spiritually and desperately needed healing.) The tax collectors and sinners, by contrast, were more willing to acknowledge their true condition and to seek Christ’s saving grace. So the charge was true! Jesus did eat with sinners. If He had eaten with the Pharisees, the charge would still have been true—perhaps even more so! If Jesus hadn’t eaten with sinners in a world like ours, He would always have eaten alone. But it is important to remember that when He ate with sinners, He never indulged in their evil ways or compromised His testimony. He used the occasion to call men to truth and holiness.

9:13 The Pharisees’ trouble was that although they followed the rituals of Judaism with great precision, their hearts were hard, cold, and merciless. So Jesus dismissed them with a challenge to learn the meaning of Jehovah’s words, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice’ (quoted from Hos_6:6). Although God had instituted the sacrificial system, He did not want the rituals to become a substitute for inward righteousness. God is not a ritualist, and He is not pleased with rituals divorced from personal godliness—precisely what the Pharisees had done. They observed the letter of the law but had no compassion for those who needed spiritual help. They associated only with self-righteous people like themselves.

In contrast, the Lord Jesus pointedly told them, ‘I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.’ He perfectly fulfilled God’s desire for mercy as well as sacrifice. In one sense, there are no righteous people in the world, so He came to call all men to repentance. But here the thought is that His call is only effective for those who acknowledge themselves to be sinners. He can dispense no healing to those who are proud, self-righteous, and unrepentant—like the Pharisees.”

"Having No Part Dark" [podcast]

“He always gives us a clean heart and renews a right spirit within us; that there be no part dark, in Jesus name, Amen.” Jon Crane “Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults. 13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. 14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.” Psalms 19:12-14 PRAYER: Holy Father, cleanse us afresh […]

The Most Obvious Sign that Jesus is Coming Soon! [podcast]

What is the first thing on the list of signs of Christ’s return? What was the very first sign Jesus gave us concerning and to mark His soon return? As you will now read in the passage below, Jesus’ answer was in response to the question of His disciples as to the sign preceding His return. “And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? 4 And Jesus answered […]

The Savior vs Self [podcast]

The Flesh vs the Spirit “For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.” Romans 8:5 This life is a daily test of who we truly love (Matthew 6:24; 22:37-40; John 14:15; 15:14; Romans 6:16). You are not relegated to the flesh, to live after it, or be defeated by it. “Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do […]

Articles

Maria the Evangelist – Mission Mexico is now supporting Maria the Evangelist [VIDEO]

Picked up a portion of the 10,000 JESUS tracts in Spanish. Thank God and you who gave! YOU made this happen.

“So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.” Acts 19:20

“God is the Lord of the harvest! And there is a great harvest in Mexico because the fields are white ready to be harvested! And now He is bringing forth Laborers!” Karen Cochran

“That is a powerful ministry. May the Lord bless her and your ministry efforts. Praying for this outreach.” Stacy Strother

The fervor, the fire that burned in me a few days ago is perhaps due to this opportunity, now that sister Maria and others have been added to us to support….. we are in a war for the souls of men saints. Thank you for praying saints. The LORD is doing

“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
Eph 3:21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.” Ephesians 3:20

On this topic, for your exhortation and edification, feel free to listen to the recent podcast titled LORD Please Prepare and Send Me! [podcast].

The members of the body of Christ came through and we have the money needed to print the first round of 10,000 JESUS tracts.

Keep in mind that the ministry is also supporting brother Allan Abayon in the Philippines as he ministers God’s Word to the Philippino people.

God is able saints.

Please excuse the zeal. Sometimes I err when wanting to make sure we, as Christ’s body, properly, to well support the ministers of Christ He is giving us to support. When you see the video of Maria in action, you will see the blessing and opportunity God is giving us. And this is all because you prayed as Jesus instructed, for “the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.”

“And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. 36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. 37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; 38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.” Matthew 9:35-38

Have been visiting sister Maria nearly every early evening to give her a big hug, to bless her, to feed her food with cold water, and replenish her supply of the JESUS tracts. In distributing our LORD’s Gospel, Maria misses nearly no one. There’s a constant flow of foot traffic where she ministers and she has a stack of JESUS tracts she keeps replenishing on the store counter that is right there when people check out. Even while we were there last night, the stack diminished visibly.

Today, I am picking up a few thousand of the JESUS tracts in Spanish. Next week they will have to balanced ready to pick up. You made this happen saints! (1 Cor 3:6-9) 10,000 JESUS tracts…..

It lasts longer, and
because printing is more cost effective.

When visiting Maria, she is smiling and moving about so swiftly that it’s actually difficult to get good pics of her in action. She is in her zone, in her JESUS zone! Thank you for lifting up in prayer our dear sister in Christ who is one of His “labourers”! (Matthew 9:35-38) YOU prayed and God is answering!

Juan the evangelist!

Maria the evangelist!

And several more!

WHEN we hand out Gospel tracts today, let the recipients see Christ’s love, joy, and peace beaming in and through your life.

Evangelism God’s Way

We also have Spanish Bibles on the way here which some of your have graciously mailed to us. There’s going to be shipping costs when they arrive. Another great kingdom opportunity!

“And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” Matthew 24:14

Recently, and on several occasions, because you care, we were able to feed several people, including sister Maria. There’s no telling how long it’s been since she had eaten. She didn’t ask, we asked her and went to get food and water for her and a few homeless men who also were ministered to…. the Gospel and with food, and cold water to refresh her soul.

“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10

Mission Mexico – See more here. | Give support here. Many options

Download. Read. Print out your supply of the JESUS tract – English and Spanish.

Articles

The King’s Marriage

by Karen Cochran

Psalm 45

A Song of Loves

This morning I read Psalm 45 titled the King’s marriage—the story of the King and His bride. This is a beautiful picture of the marriage supper of the Lamb in Revelation 19:7-9. The Bridegroom is adorned in glory, majesty, righteousness and truth and sitting in His royal throne. Then enters the Bride—holy, without spot or wrinkle—wearing the righteousness of Christ. Then Jesus (the King) says, “You are in thy Father’s house and He desires thy beauty and worship.” All because she is wearing the beauty of the Lord—His attributes (Psalm 27:4). She is wearing gold—fine gold—because she has been tried in the fire of affliction. She is one of the five wise virgins who is invited to enter into the King’s palace. What a glorious picture of all who make themselves ready and are clean and white before their King Jesus! Alleluia!

This is the story of a royal wedding. A love song!

v. 1 God has filled the Psalmist heart with a divine Messianic prophesy. Foreshadowing Christ as the ultimate King and His holy bride at the marriage supper of the Lamb!

vv. 2-6 The most significant character in this Psalm is the Lord Jesus Christ. In these verses we are introduced to the King Himself. His beauty surpasses all others. The gospel of grace is poured into His lips. And God has blessed Him forever! He fights for truth and justice, and is filled with majesty, glory, meekness, righteousness, and truth. The Scepter of the kingdom is given to Him. Jesus Christ has all authority over all (Hebrews 1:8). “The voice of God is heard from heaven addressing Him as God and certifying His reign as an eternal one. We know it is the voice of God, because Hebrews 1:8,9 tell us so.” Believer’s Bible Commentary. And God says thy throne “is for ever and ever.”

v. 7 The King of heaven loves righteousness. This is His very nature, and He hates wickedness, because they are the polar opposites. Therefore, He must rule with complete justice. God has anointed Him with the holy “oil of gladness.”

“Christ’s faithfulness to His father while on this earth, as demonstrated by His love of righteousness and hatred of wickedness, is the basis for God’s anointing of His Son. The “oil of gladness” is directly related to His anointing with the Holy Spirit.” Life in the Spirit Study Bible

v. 8 The King of Glory resides in an Ivory Palace and His garments give forth a sweet-smelling savor unto God and His bride (2 Corinthians2:14). The Son of God in all His glory!

v 9 Now enter the bride of Christ! The queen in “gold of Ophir.” She is clothed in pure gold because she has been tried in the fire and has come forth as pure and white (Job 23:10), and holy, with no spot of sin “or wrinkle, or any such thing” (Ephesians 5:27). In order to be considered honorable, she must be clothed with the righteousness of her Bridegroom.

vv. 10-15 The Bridegroom is calling His spotless bride to listen and obey. Since He purchased her, He desires that she cleave to Him only. Loving him above all else. Her husband desires her beauty, as she has been washed from all sin by the precious blood of Christ. The beauty is coming from the Lord (Psalm 27:4). She is filled with the very character of Jesus. Her garments are radiating the sweet aroma of her Master and Savior. And is one of the five wise virgins (Matthew 25). With rejoicing and gladness, she is invited into the wedding with her Groom. Into the King’s palace! Alleluia! Her worship is a response to how much she is loved by her beloved Lord!

v. 16 For all of His beloved faithful believers, this is their spiritual inheritance. That they shall be called into the banquet with the King of glory! A divine promise for all of His children who stay clean and white. And have been adopted into His kingdom by the saving grace of Jesus.

v. 17 Let us always magnify the King. The Messiah. Who has rescued our souls from death and translated us into the kingdom of God. And may His praise be on our lips for ever and ever. Every tribe and nation standing before the throne of heaven worshipping the KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS! Singing Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty!

The whole message of this Psalm teaches us that the King’s royal bride must be pure, cleansed, holy and wearing the robe of righteousness of Christ. And He must be her first love. The one she loves supremely above everyone and everything else. This is the only way she will be accounted worthy to enter into the holy kingdom! And She must bear the image of her King! Then she will be invited to enter into the palace and the Lord Jesus Himself will confess her “name before His father, and before His angels” (Revelation 3:5). Are we ready to be presented to our Bridegroom? Revelation 19:7 says “His wife has made herself ready.” We must be fully clothed in fine linen, clean and white. This is the righteousness of the saints. This is the only way we will be called into the marriage with our Bridegroom (Revelation 19:8-9)! Don’t be caught naked (unprepared) and wearing your own righteousness which is filthy rags. Remember God hates wickedness. And this will lead one to suffer judgment and shame when you stand before your Maker (Revelation 16:15). Don’t let the scepter of Christ fall on your head! Make sure you are considered before a holy God the “Gold of Ophir.” A precious jewel.

This Psalm paints such a glorious picture of how valuable we are to the God of heaven. He desires that we be in His presence. Because His royal bride is wholeheartedly devoted to her Husband, and is fully clothed in righteousness, her Groom is enthralled by her beauty! She bears His image and the beauty of holiness! The Lord has prepared a mansion for all who have made themselves ready that we may bask in His glory and beauty for ever and ever! Alleluia!

White and Clean: Garments of the KING's Bride [podcast]

“Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.” Luke 12:40 Was recently asked to be the care giver for a family friend the last week. Saw daystar TV preachers by the dozen…. and heard not even 1 of them speaking of and preaching to warn the body of Christ to be “ready” for Christ’s return. Unreal. Apostasy. I hadn’t watched “Christian” TV for many years and found it to be just as apostate as before. Not one of those wolves was preparing Christ’s body for His soon return which means […]

Abiding

Humility. Surrender. Sobriety. Restoration. Vigilance. [podcast]

“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7 casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. 10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.” 1 Peter 5:6-10

“Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:14-16

“But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. 25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. 26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens.” Hebrews 7:24-26

May God bless you and I with this child-like disposition, heart! Please do it in us dear LORD, in Jesus’ name.

The Topic of Humility on SafeGuardYourSoul.com

Spanish Content on SafeGuardYourSoul

7 Sayings of Jesus on the Cross [podcast]

What Final Statements Did Jesus Make on the Cross and What Did They Mean? Our LORD Jesus Christ said 7 things while as He was offering His body and precious, sinless blood to buy us back to God. He was suffering for the sins of mankind and for no sin of His own (2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 7:26; 1 Peter 3:18). He was shedding His blood to Re-deem (buy us back) and that’s what Jesus did for “the whole world” when He died on the cross, was buried, and raised again from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:1-4; 1 John 2:2). […]

The Prayer Life of Jesus [podcast]

Prayer is communion, communing with God. Those who earnestly seek God in prayer, who earnestly seek to know Him and to fulfill His will for their temporary lives in this world…. will glorify Him here and to be with Him eternally. What do we learn from the prayer life of our LORD Jesus? “Luke 5:16 PRAYERS OF JESUS. Luke stresses more than the other gospels the place of prayer in the life and work of Jesus. When the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus at the Jordan, He was ‘praying’ (3:21), at times He withdrew from the multitudes ‘and prayed (5:16); […]