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by E.M. Bounds

“Study universal holiness of life. Your whole usefulness depends on this, for your sermons last but an hour or two; your life preaches all the week. If Satan can only make a covetous minister a lover of praise, of pleasure, of good eating, he has ruined your ministry. Give yourself to prayer, and get your texts, your thoughts, your words from God. Luther spent his best three hours in prayer.” – Robert Murray McCheyne

WE are constantly on a stretch, if not on a strain, to devise new methods, new plans, new organizations to advance the Church and secure enlargement and efficiency for the gospel. This trend of the day has a tendency to lose sight of the man or sink the man in the plan or organization. God’s plan is to make much of the man, far more of him than of anything else. Men are God’s method. The Church is looking for better methods; God is looking for better men. “There was a man sent from God whose name was John.” The dispensation that heralded and prepared the way for Christ was bound up in that man John. “Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given.” The world’s salvation comes out of that cradled Son. When Paul appeals to the personal character of the men who rooted the gospel in the world, he solves the mystery of their success. The glory and efficiency of the gospel is staked on the men who proclaim it. When God declares that “the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him,” he declares the necessity of men and his dependence on them as a channel through which to exert his power upon the world. This vital, urgent truth is one that this age of machinery is apt to forget. The forgetting of it is as baneful on the work of God as would be the striking of the sun from his sphere. Darkness, confusion, and death would ensue.

What the Church needs to-day is not more machinery or better, not new organizations or more and novel methods, but men whom the Holy Ghost can use — men of prayer, men mighty in prayer. The Holy Ghost does not flow through methods, but through men. He does not come on machinery, but on men. He does not anoint plans, but men — men of prayer.

An eminent historian has said that the accidents of personal character have more to do with the revolutions of nations than either philosophic historians or democratic politicians will allow. This truth has its application in full to the gospel of Christ, the character and conduct of the followers of Christ — Christianize the world, transfigure nations and individuals. Of the preachers of the gospel it is eminently true.

The character as well as the fortunes of the gospel is committed to the preacher. He makes or mars the message from God to man. The preacher is the golden pipe through which the divine oil flows. The pipe must not only be golden, but open and flawless, that the oil may have a full, unhindered, unwasted flow.

The man makes the preacher. God must make the man. The messenger is, if possible, more than the message. The preacher is more than the sermon. The preacher makes the sermon. As the life-giving milk from the mother’s bosom is but the mother’s life, so all the preacher says is tinctured, impregnated by what the preacher is. The treasure is in earthen vessels, and the taste of the vessel impregnates and may discolor. The man, the whole man, lies behind the sermon. Preaching is not the performance of an hour. It is the outflow of a life. It takes twenty years to make a sermon, because it takes twenty years to make the man. The true sermon is a thing of life. The sermon grows because the man grows. The sermon is forceful because the man is forceful. The sermon is holy because the man is holy. The sermon is full of the divine unction because the man is full of the divine unction.

Paul termed it “My gospel;” not that he had degraded it by his personal eccentricities or diverted it by selfish appropriation, but the gospel was put into the heart and lifeblood of the man Paul, as a personal trust to be executed by his Pauline traits, to be set aflame and empowered by the fiery energy of his fiery soul. Paul’s sermons — what were they? Where are they? Skeletons, scattered fragments, afloat on the sea of inspiration! But the man Paul, greater than his sermons, lives forever, in full form, feature and stature, with his molding hand on the Church. The preaching is but a voice. The voice in silence dies, the text is forgotten, the sermon fades from memory; the preacher lives.

The sermon cannot rise in its life-giving forces above the man. Dead men give out dead sermons, and dead sermons kill. Everything depends on the spiritual character of the preacher. Under the Jewish dispensation the high priest had inscribed in jeweled letters on a golden frontlet: “Holiness to the Lord.” So every preacher in Christ’s ministry must be molded into and mastered by this same holy motto. It is a crying shame for the Christian ministry to fall lower in holiness of character and holiness of aim than the Jewish priesthood. Jonathan Edwards said: “I went on with my eager pursuit after more holiness and conformity to Christ. The heaven I desired was a heaven of holiness.” The gospel of Christ does not move by popular waves. It has no self-propagating power. It moves as the men who have charge of it move. The preacher must impersonate the gospel. Its divine, most distinctive features must be embodied in him. The constraining power of love must be in the preacher as a projecting, eccentric, an all-commanding, self-oblivious force. The energy of self-denial must be his being, his heart and blood and bones. He must go forth as a man among men, clothed with humility, abiding in meekness, wise as a serpent, harmless as a dove; the bonds of a servant with the spirit of a king, a king in high, royal, in dependent bearing, with the simplicity and sweetness of a child. The preacher must throw himself, with all the abandon of a perfect, self-emptying faith and a self-consuming zeal, into his work for the salvation of men. Hearty, heroic, compassionate, fearless martyrs must the men be who take hold of and shape a generation for God. If they be timid time servers, place seekers, if they be men pleasers or men fearers, if their faith has a weak hold on God or his Word, if their denial be broken by any phase of self or the world, they cannot take hold of the Church nor the world for God.

The preacher’s sharpest and strongest preaching should be to himself. His most difficult, delicate, laborious, and thorough work must be with himself. The training of the twelve was the great, difficult, and enduring work of Christ. Preachers are not sermon makers, but men makers and saint makers, and he only is well-trained for this business who has made himself a man and a saint. It is not great talents nor great learning nor great preachers that God needs, but men great in holiness, great in faith, great in love, great in fidelity, great for God — men always preaching by holy sermons in the pulpit, by holy lives out of it. These can mold a generation for God.

After this order, the early Christians were formed. Men they were of solid mold, preachers after the heavenly type — heroic, stalwart, soldierly, saintly. Preaching with them meant self-denying, self-crucifying, serious, toilsome, martyr business. They applied themselves to it in a way that told on their generation, and formed in its womb a generation yet unborn for God. The preaching man is to be the praying man. Prayer is the preacher’s mightiest weapon. An almighty force in itself, it gives life and force to all.

The real sermon is made in the closet. The man — God’s man — is made in the closet. His life and his profoundest convictions were born in his secret communion with God. The burdened and tearful agony of his spirit, his weightiest and sweetest messages were got when alone with God. Prayer makes the man; prayer makes the preacher; prayer makes the pastor.

The pulpit of this day is weak in praying. The pride of learning is against the dependent humility of prayer. Prayer is with the pulpit too often only official — a performance for the routine of service. Prayer is not to the modern pulpit the mighty force it was in Paul’s life or Paul’s ministry. Every preacher who does not make prayer a mighty factor in his own life and ministry is weak as a factor in God’s work and is powerless to project God’s cause in this world.

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“Be Ready in the Morning” [podcast]

Walking in Godly Integrity

Purifying Ourselves as He is Pure

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Articles

Mission Mexico Part 45

BELOVED JUAN, upon being handed a Jesus tract and having God’s Word spoken to him … was startled and asked “Why did you give me this and not the man who was walking right in front of me?” I said it was “God. He loves you.” Juan knew this before I shared this with Him. He is very aware that God is calling him.

Our LORD interrupted Juan’s day – because He desires to bless his life.

Juan is searching and he knows he must repent. Very sincere man who is struggling and needs our prayers. He knows he needs to be saved and just isn’t quite ready. Yet we know our LORD has that moment for him.

Juan and I had a rather lengthy man to man talk. He was very open and fully bilingual. Juan was given Scripture and encouraged to know that God is going to change his heart and desires when he repents and puts his faith in Christ. Matthew 6:33 was given to him, spoken verbatim, etc.

Juan has a Christian friend he said he’s been knowing he needs to go meet with. Juan was encouraged to tell his Christian friend “I am ready to surrender my life to Jesus.” He was also added to the Spanish Christian WA Whatsapp group in order for him to be introduced to and be able to connect with Christ’s saints here in Mexico. Several of the Mexican Christians are interacting with Juan already!

He is already surrounded by God’s love via God’s people.

Juan is on the edge of surrendering/repenting beloved saints. You know where he is because we were all there before Jesus orchestrated our salvation, before He found, saved us, right. Juan was asked if he’d like you to be lifting him in prayer and he readily accepted that offer.

Salvation is the miracle that our LORD Jesus alone can do (Matthew 9:6; Luke 19:10; 1 Timothy 1:15).

“And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.” Mark 10:27

Thanks for lifting Juan in prayer.

Mission Mexico – needs your prayers and support.


“Praise be to God in Christ Jesus! Not sure how I missed this email until now, but am thanking God in the Spirit for such wonderful news! May the LORD keep you and watch over you as you fulfill the great commission 🙏 Matt. 28:18-20” Jon Crane | Mission Mexico


“Thankful for your ministry who feed the remnant of Christ! Jer 3:15. These pastors in these apostate churches starve people! Because they cater to their flesh! The remnant believers want to the whole counsel of God’s word (Jude 3). Appreciate all you do to bring us the pure words of the Lord! It saddens me that more do not support.” Karen Cochran


This week I found out by asking Clara that she cooks her food for her children and herself using firewood. Primitive for sure. Never a slight complaint. She does have electricity in her home and when asked she told me her refrigerator just died. Here’s what I am trying to do to help her. Get her an electric double burner, a crock pot, and a refrigerator. Please pray saints. Haven’t priced things yet but was thinking about $500 will do it. | Clara’s Cry

Most importantly, Clara and her 3 young boys each now have a Spanish Bible. You are welcome to help. See SUPPORT/DONATE page.


Brother Antonio is a blessing. After we had some fellowship he gladly took some of the JESUS tracts to distribute. I will be dropping by to see him more soon, LORD willing. Would you like to lift our brother in prayer according to Colossians 4:12?


THIS WEEK picked up fresh supply of 20,000 Jesus tracts.

WE BROUGHT SISTER MARIA A FRESH SUPPLY. SHE HAD RUN OUT OF JESUS TRACTS ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO!!!

When we arrived to minister to her, to refresh and fellowship with her and re-supply her tracts supply…. she looked exhausted.

She was revived, her smile and joy returned as we fellowshipped with her and read Scripture with her, etc.

Jesus is coming.

Support Mission Mexico here – takes seconds. 1-time or sustaining support.


FROM KAREN COCHRAN:

“And they (the Mexican people) are so open to the gospel. When I worked with Children I shared the gospel with them and their hearts were completely open and teachable. And Jesus says our entrance into heaven requires us to be childlike! A childlike faith! Humble, dependent and teachable. Mat 18:1-4.” Karen

REPLY:

Amazing reception of children to the Gospel wow yes

Love it

Perfect illustration of the Mexican people.

The “SHEAVES” await the harvesters in Mexico (Psalms 126:5-6).

To say it’s a field day is a gross understatement.

THANK YOU FOR SAYING WITH YOUR PRAYERS AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT THAT THESE PRECIOUS PEOPLE MATTER. KNOW THIS: THERE MAY VERY WELL BE NO PEOPLE MORE MEEK AND RECEPTIVE OF OUR LORD’S GOSPEL ON HIS PLANET, EARTH.

Mission Mexico


MESSAGE FROM SISTER KAREN COCHRAN:

“As I was writing this, I was thinking isn’t this exactly how the Mexican people are? Childlike!

When you were following God’s calling on your life, to go to Mexico, did you ever imagine the huge gospel explosion that would ensue? Thousands upon thousands of gospel tracks going out. And as you said, zero refusal. But nearly 100 percent reception. Acts 19:20 “So mightly grew the word of God and prevailed.” Acts 13:49 “And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region.” And now you are ready to pick up 20,000 more Jesus Tracts! Gospel explosion! Alleluia! All Praise to our King Jesus who is growing the seeds you guys are planting!”

REPLY:

As we are faithful with the little He gave, gives us, He expands that, multiplies responsibilities right Matthew 25

Year 1:  10k Jesus tracts distributed

Year 2: 11k tracts distributed

2 months into Year 3 with 41k Jesus tracts in print to date with hundreds going out daily.


PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please bless my life to be fruitful for Your eternal glory this day, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.


MESSAGE RECEIVED:

“Cops in the USA earn about $200k a year just to drive around and hassle law abiding citizens.”

REPLY:

This is 100% accurate concerning the Mexican police. They are there to protect the people, not extort them. In the USA the police prey upon the people – to further stalk and rob them of more money.

I am so glad to be now in beautiful Mexico. NONE of this. The cops here are not overpaid and simply exist to protect, not rob the people.



Here’s one of the many precious eternal souls brother Juan ministered to this week: “Beloved brothers and sisters, please pray for Sister Catalina and her sister….” Juan


“Greetings, brother, blessings. The blessed word says that whatever you ask for in prayer, believe it and you will receive it. So I believe in God’s promises, which are greater than our problems, and true freedom, brother, is being in God’s presence, and only Christ Jesus can give it to you. A big hug.” Juan

More of brother Juan’s Gospel work in action. Here’s yet another precious soul our brother Juan is ministering Christ’s Gospel to!!! And your prayers and support make this possible saints. We are supporting the Gospel labourers Jesus instructed us to pray for and whom He has sent forth into the great harvest (Matthew 9:35-38).

“WE are labourers TOGETHER with God.” 1 Corinthians 3:9

Mission Mexico Rolling!

 


FROM BROTHER JON CRANE:

“Thank you, brother  I lift you and others as well. Definitely see prophecy being fulfilled before our eyes.”

REPLY:

Yes Matt 24:14 most excitedly right…. Mark and I were blessed to evangelized about 80-100 bless-ed souls last evening with 99% receptivity. Amazing. God is good and He is hearing your petitions brother in Jesus’ name.


More Mexico Mission Action here.

“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.

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Articles

Overcoming that Old Serpent, Called the Devil, and Satan [podcast]



“And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” Revelation 12:9

“That old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world” never left the garden of God’s creation and he won’t till Jesus slam dunks him into the bottomless pit (Genesis 3; Revelation 12; 20). He must be overcome “by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death” (Revelation 12:11). God is able. Satan 

“He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him.” Ecclesiastes 10:8

“From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? 2 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. 3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. 4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. 5 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? 6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:1-7

In the scope of past, present, and future history – HIS-story – nothing is over till Jesus wins!

“For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. … 57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:25-26, 57

The Cross

Personally I was not blessed to begin seeing our LORD’s victory in my personal life until Jesus’ cross message began to seep into my heart, thoughts and mind.

The record of Holy Scripture assures us that our LORD Jesus conquered sin, death, hell, and Satan (1 John 3:8). But how? He overcome by the cross.

Jesus conquered sin and death by dying.

“Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;” Hebrews 2:14

If this is the first time you are hearing this truth, don’t be ashamed. It’s new to all of us due to the original Gospel message of the cross has been lost among most who claim Christ. | The Cross 

Camping out on the message of the cross will assure you are quickened to “seek the Lord and his strength, seek his face continually.” (1 Chronicles 16:11) Keeping thine eyes and heart upon His cross message will hasten you to Him, to His cross, to the death of self that Christ might raise you upward in His holy power and glory.

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn (grain, seed) of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. 25  He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. 26  If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.” John 12:24-26

The cross truly is a “Let go and let God” economy, experience – crying, declaring “Jesus You MUST increase but I MUST decrease!”

As the apostle Paul discovered, you are NOT sufficient and yet His grace is sufficient for your life in Him.

“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10  Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

PRAYER: Father, please grant me eye salve to see Your holy truth and the many wolves that now are disguised in sheep’s clothing and leading many to hell. Help me, Jesus! Knowing my utter poverty of spirit, I this moment turn afresh to You fully, asking You to have mercy on me and wash away all my sins. Grant the eyes of my heart discernment as only You can, as I walk closely with You. I choose this day to deny my own self-will and desires and ask You to consume me with Your wisdom, power, and grace. LORD Jesus, please bless me to know You intimately. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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Articles

Exhort One Another Daily [podcast]


“But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” Hebrews 3:13

“Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) 24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” Hebrews 10:22-25

Saints, let’s always remember that other disciples have the SAME exact iniquitous flesh to deal with daily as we do (Genesis 6:5, 12; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 3, etc.). They are just like us – absolutely wicked and depraved without the present working of the saving grace of our God at work in us! (Romans 7) Each of Christ’s followers are like us, working out their own salvation with fear and trembling as the LORD works in them both to will and to do of His good pleasure (Philippians 2:12-13).

“We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.” Romans 15:1

“Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. 2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:1-2

Let’s lift up our LORD’s disciples instead of wrongly judging them in our attitudes, etc. Seeing and treating them with God’s love is important ( 1 Peter 4:7-8; 1 John 4:7-8, 16-18; 5:1, etc.).

“And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart.” Zechariah 7:10

“Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.” Romans 14:19

“Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11

DOES the Bible tell us to “Go make disciples” OR to “Teach others God’s Word”? Interesting. Does the Bible Ever Say “Go Make Disciples”?

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