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WHERE is “the Root of the Matter”?

The hypocrite continues to look outward, evading his own person responsbility to repent and get his own heart right with God (Matthew 7:1-5).

ALL we have to do to see the sinner most in need of God’s grace today – is look in the mirror. All we have to do to see the hypocrite most in need of divine mercy is to look in the mirror! What’s job saying to us in 19:28?

“But ye should say, Why persecute we him, seeing the root of the matter is found in me?” Job 19:28

Are you personally seeing that “the root of the matter is found in” you and no one else?

WHERE is “the Root of the Matter”? ARE YOU BEING SHOWN MERCY FROM GOD? God has shown “abundant mercy” upon our wicked souls and requires that we show mercy in our attitudes (and disposition) toward others, or, He will cease to forgive us and all our sins will be upon us (required of us).  (1 Peter 1:3)

The LORD is our Maker and Judge and has called us to discover and deal firstly with the sin in our own hearts and lives.

Matthew 15:18-20

“But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceedevil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.”

According to the One who created each component of us, emanating from our hearts are the things which “defile” us.

It has been wisely stated that The heart of the human problem is the problem of the human heart.

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” Jeremiah 17:9.

The only hope we have for a “clean heart” is in the LORD Himself. Like David, the Psalmist and man after God’s heart, we should cry out to the LORD for such while flooding our hearts and minds with the Scriptures, hence the Biblical term “with the washing of water by the Word.” (Eph. 5:26)

David cried:

“…Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin…Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” Psalms 51:1,2,10

When I become preoccupied with the state of my own heart before God and seeking His face to make it “clean,” I will cease to sit in the seat of the scornful in judging others wrongly in the attitudes of my heart (Ps 1:1; Matt. 7:1-6; John 7:24). No, instead I will pray for them and seek to see the LORD restore them to full righteousness and fellowship with Him Lk. 22:31-32; (Gal. 6:1-2; James 5:19-20).

Unforgiveness is sin. Despising others who have fallen morally is sin. The Bible says that when we are walking in God’s love, we believe to the best about others and not the worst (1 Corinthians 13).

Christ’s Riches Discovered Through the Realization of Our Own Depravity

To the degree that we are receiving the revelation of CHRIST’s righteousness, to that degree we lose self-righteousness (Romans 3-8). Understanding your own utter depravity is never a license to sin but rather the starting point to be able to truly cherish Christ and what He did for us.

How can we possibly begin to appreciate Christ and His perfect sacrifice if we don’t yet begin to understand the depth of our own depravity outside of Him and what the Bible has to say about such? – “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth NO GOOD THING: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.” (Romans 7:18)

We are saved because “He first loved us” and has given us “abundant mercy” through Jesus Christ our LORD (1 John 4:19; 1 Peter 1:3).

“To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men. 3 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. 4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 5 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 3:3-7

Where are Mankind’s Sins Rooted?

—- SEEMS to me that the life and mission of Christ and His holy apostles and the early church were “to teach and to preach Jesus Christ” and not to segment or fragment into different mere causes which are the out workings (manifested fruit) of sin.

So many ministries today are based on certain causes instead of simply preaching Christ – the One who still forgives, saves, delivers, and sets the repentant (previously bound) captives free (John 8:31-32, 36). – “And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.” (Acts 5:42) Is it time we get back to Jesus and the original Gospel?

“And the men of the city said unto Elisha, Behold, I pray thee, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord seeth: but the water is naught, and the ground barren. 20 And he said, Bring me a new cruse, and put salt therein. And they brought it to him. 21 And he went forth unto the spring of the waters, and cast the salt in there, and said, Thus saith the LORD, I have healed these waters; there shall not be from thence any more death or barren land. 22 So the waters were healed unto this day, according to the saying of Elisha which he spake.” 2 Kings 2:19-22

The waters of that city were healed because the servant of the LORD chose to be directed by our LORD who had him pure the healing agent (salt) into the source of the city’s problem. Healing was the result. So it is today – when we observe and obey the divine pattern revealed to us in God’s Word, we go and preach His saving original Gospel without being diverted and the healing salt of His Word brings men to Him whereby all the mere symptoms (sin) are healed.

If someone wants their lawn to be all dirt, they are wasting their time cutting the grass that covers it. What they should do is pluck up from the roots all the grass. Getting to the root of fallen man’s problem is what the LORD does – not wrestling with futility with the symptoms.

THE ROOT DETERMINES THE FRUIT. BEING ROOTED AND GROUNDED IN CHRIST IS THE ONLY ANSWER TO MAN’S CORE DILEMMA – SIN.

Most ministry today is done amiss of God’s Word – it seems to nip at symptoms instead of placing the axe of God’s Law/Word to the root of the tree which is God’s way (Matthew 3:7-10). There’s the forgetting or total ignorance of basic biblical truth such as the fall of mankind by sin against a Holy God (Genesis 3:1-5; 6:5, 12; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 3, etc.).

Note what comes first here:

“See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.” Jeremiah 1:10

PRAYER: LORD Jesus, please cleanse my heart of all iniquity. Wash my heart that I might glorify You from a clean heart that You have purified. Help me to see others as You do and to be used of You to restore the fallen – by bringing them to You through Your Holy Law and blessed redeeming Gospel! In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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The Root of the Matter

Mug Shots and Mercy Moments [podcast]

Fruitfulness is Found in Abiding in Christ [podcast]

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Abiding

Swept Away in the “Strong Delusion” [podcast]


Recorded at a fellowship in Houston, Texas

God Himself personally sends a “strong delusion” to all who do not love His truth so that they WILL believe lies. He greases their pole to hell. That’s how personally He takes it when people call Him a liar by not believing His Word.

“Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10 and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12 that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12

“Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” Colossians 2:8

Notice “of God” and “NOT of God”

“He that is OF GOD heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are NOT OF GOD.” John 8:47

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Articles

Jesus Saved Jose! Mission Mexico Part 51

THIS MORNING: Brother Mark brought brother Juan to meet our new brother Jose Patron!

Jose was given a stack of JESUS tracts after he said he wanted to evangelize.

Brother Juan passes by where Jose works for work daily and so that connection and fellowship is being put in place.


“WE are labourers TOGETHER with God” (1 Corinthians 3:9) – and what God has us doing is supporting His beloved “labourers” who are “few”! (Matthew 9:35-38)

A FEW DAYS AGO: Sister Maria called for more JESUS tracts. She ran out as she is distributing hundreds per day. So our dear sister, thanks to you who are praying and supply…. was given a new jacket to keep her warm (pictured), food and drink to bring home for her living quarters, a fresh supply of JESUS tracts, some cash (Mexican pesos), and some Scripture that she as usual read out loud and devoured as I brought them up on my cell phone from the Spanish Bible (Reina Valera). God is good saints. May He be glorified in all you are doing to see the beloved people of Mexico reached with His bless-ed Gospel! You are refreshing His beloved saints.

LORD willing, I will be meeting again with our dear brother Juan this week to refresh him in fellowship etc.

Mexico Mission


“Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” James 1:27 

Mexico: The Land where the Gospel of Jesus is Freely Received

“Freely ye have received, freely give.” Matthew 10:8

As we truly follow Jesus He makes us fishers of men.

“And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.” Mark 1:17


This was the sweetest couple ever as you can tell by the picture. They were overjoyed to receive the preaching of our LORD’s Gospel and were told how to be saved – repentance and faith in Christ, and showed the prayer on the back, etc. They were directed to the prayer on the back and exhorted to pray in repentance and faith and receive eternal life. When asked they said they’d welcome your prayers for them.

Mexico Mission


On the streets today in Mexico ministering our LORD Jesus’ Gospel to many. As usual the name of Jesus was preached in Christ’s love and it was readily, eagerly received by most who thanked us for giving them the Gospel. SMH. It’s no even fair!

A man name Jose was ministered to, received the Word, and prayed in repentance and faith to be saved! Would you like to lift our new brother in Christ in prayer? Jose Patron is his name and we are connected and he’s already been given more Scripture and added to the Spanish WA group.

Jose just sent me a voice recording saying Thank you to Mark and I for ministering Jesus’ Gospel to him and that he wants to do the same thing we are doing, minister to others our LORD’s Gospel.

Here’s a clip of brother Mark ministering.

Mexico Mission

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


“The food looks healthy. Just this morning I was thinking that it is unfathomable, in my mind, to comprehend what the Lord is doing in Mexico. I watched the video of Mark passing out Jesus tracts and everyone was so receptive. That stuck in my mind, because I recently watched a video of a man preaching the gospel on a train. Zero response! Everyone kept looking at their phones and never once looked up. This is the true state of America. We have need of nothing and especially not Jesus. Rev 3:17. As opposed to the precious people of Mexico who know they are poor in spirit and are in need of the Lord to save them. They know something is missing in their lives. When Mark was passing out those Jesus tracts people were very happy and joyful to receive them, here they are rejecting the Savior.” Karen Cochran


We went to a colonia, to a street where no one was outside at the moment, Brother Mark said “God sent us this way for a reason, for someone.” 30 seconds later we came upon Jose! Boom.

Then came the Gospel explosion!

Upon ministering Christ’s Gospel to him, Jose Patron excitedly shared with brother Mark and I about how God had saved him from dying. He simply needed the opportunity to repent and be saved – and that’s exactly what JESUS did. Thank you for lifting our beloved brother Jose in prayer.

Jose just sent me a voice recording saying Thank you to Mark and I for ministering Jesus’ Gospel to him and that he wants to do the same thing we are doing, minister to others our LORD’s Gospel.

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

Gospel blessings abounded on the streets in Mexico ministering our LORD Jesus’ Gospel to many. As always the name of Jesus was preached in Christ’s love and it was readily, eagerly received by most who thanked us for giving them the Gospel.

It’s no even fair to have the privilege to minister to the beloved Mexicans! SMH.

A man name Jose was ministered to. He received the Word, and prayed in repentance and faith to be saved! Would you like to lift our new brother in Christ in prayer? Jose Patron is his name and we are connected and he’s already been given more Scripture and added to the Spanish WA group.

Jose just sent me a voice recording saying Thank you to Mark and I for ministering Jesus’ Gospel to him and that he wants to do the same thing we are doing, minister to others our LORD’s Gospel.

Mexico Mission




Thank you for lifting the salvation of the people of Mexico in your prayers. | Mexico Mission



“I love this brother! May God continue to provide and increase his fruit in the lives of the disciples in Mexico,  in the Philippines,  in Pakistan, in Kenya, in all his earth for his glory! Amen.

I was reading Psalm 8 and John 10. Beautiful beyond understanding is God’s love poured out in Christ Jesus toward us who hear his voice!

Much love to the body of Christ in Mexico and throughout the whole world. Jesus is coming!

Love brother Jon.”

Mexico Mission




“EVERY person you meet, or stand next to in line, is an opportunity to share the Good News. Do not miss the opportunity to bring another into the Kingdom.

I thank God everyday that this happened to me 5 years ago.” Targeted Christian Girl, RN

Let us be blessed to preach Christ’s Gospel this day.

“And this Gospel of the Kingdom shall be Preached in all the World” [podcast] 


Upon having the Gospel of Jesus preached to her, beloved Laura informed me that she is a born again saint!!! After fellowshipping she took a stash of JESUS tracts. Would you like to pray for sister Laura?

Mexico Mission



Man reading a JESUS tract.

Your prayers coveted for the people of Mexico to be saved (Ps 2:8).

Mexico Mission


After receiving the ministry of God’s Word, Antonio was asked if he wanted you to lift him in prayer. He eagerly accepted and is glad you will pause to lift his life to the LORD in prayer. | Mexico Mission



ON THE TOPIC OF MEXICO

The Mexican people never handed their country over to the government so that the government can take it away the government cannot take it away because

Historically and presently the Mexican people find a way to circumvent the government. They never let the government have control and therefore the government can’t take their freedom away – because the people recognize their freedom coming from God.

The tax money of the people is a large way that the government controls the people they are empowered by the riches of the people through taxes in order to control and exploit them endlessly. Your tax money fuels your slavery….

Mexican people have a very healthy dis-trust for government. This is unlike many Americans. Many Americans it seems, haven’t learned that the promises candidates make before an election, will nearly never carry them out when elected. It seems the “We’re going to release the epstein files” was a mere ruse to cover those secret files. “It’s all a big club, and you’re not in it.” George Carlin

Thank you for praying for this man, Juan. He received ministry today and is in need of being saved.

Clip of brother Juan ministering to this lady.

Mexico Mission




“Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly (the poor), than to divide the spoil (riches) with the proud.” Proverbs 16:19

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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Abiding

Dead, Buried, and Raised Up Daily [podcast]


The concept of a “daily cross life” with Jesus is the way of living that involves submitting ourselves to Christ daily, perpetually, and living in sacrificial service to God and His kingdom (Matthew 6:33).  This is based on the Bible verse Luke 9:23, which says, “And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it” (Luke 9:23-24).

In short, the cross gets you, me, out of the way so Christ can reign. Selah.

“But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”  1 Corinthians 15:57

How do we walk in victory after Jesus saves us? By participating in the daily cross life.

“And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.”  Luke 9:23-24

HOW could we possibly, vainly believe we are going to overcome the sins that prevent us from eternal glory without the daily crucified life? Not going to happen.

The cross is essential—the crucified life. Read Romans 6 in prayer each morning.

Death and burial must precede resurrection. There will be no resurrection in your personal life—no divine raising you up out of sin and into victory—until you lay down your life, until you die.

The Bible says we have been FOOLS:

“Thou fool, that which thou sowest (plant) is not quickened (made alive), except it die:” 1 Corinthians 15:36

How could we have ever believed that God is going to raise us upward into His victory, out of sin, until we died? I can tell you why—it’s because we weren’t honestly studying and obeying His Word for ourself but rather following false teachers (Philippians 3:18-19).

“Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. 11 For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.  2 Corinthians 4:10-11

“But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

12 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 mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.” Romans 8:11-13

The original Gospel is a cross Gospel. Any gospel that does not have the cross front and center, is “another gospel,” a false gospel (Galatians 1:6-9). Reading Romans 6 prayerfully each morning is a blessing.

YOUR PRAYER: Holy Father, I love You and thank You for sending Your only begotten Son to die for my sins and the sins of the whole world. We are not worthy but You bought us with the very life blood of Christ, back to Yourself from a life of sin, to be Your sons and daughters. Please forgive all my sins afresh LORD. Into Your holy, mighty hands I now submit my spirit. Bless this life to be crucified with You dear LORD. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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