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“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? … For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.” Romans 6:1-2, 14

Are you familiar with Romans 6 as every disciple should be? If so, you know that between verse 2 and 14 is what? The cross!

A priesthood of wolves, false preachers, have pawned off to us the heretical notion that we are woefully relegated to a life of sin after Jesus saves us. Paul warns us of these “enemies of the cross of Christ.” (Philippians 3:18-19)

Is this defeatist perspective what we read on the pages of New Testament Scripture? Is God that powerless? Was Christ’s coming in vain? Read Romans 6:1-2.

“And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. 6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.” 1 John 3:5-6 

Abiding in Jesus (John 15), integrally involves the daily cross, and those abiding in Him truly, are not living in sin.

The cross means that because we love God supremely as the “first love” of our lives, we are willing to lay down our lives and die that He might live, move, and reign in our lives (Revelation 2:4-5; 2 Corinthians 4:10-12). Isn’t this exactly what Jesus did for us? Did He not lay down His very life so we could have life? Did He not also command that we deny ourselves, die to self, that He might reign in us and that we might reign with Him forever?

It all boils down to WHO we love the most today saints – self or the Savior.

“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” Matthew 22:37-40

IF the sins of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-21) are having victory in our lives, what does that mean? That simply means that there is the lack of the cross in our lives and that God is calling us back to Himself as “first love,” to repent (turn back to Him), deny self, take up the cross, and follow Jesus (Revelation 2:4-5). The sins of the flesh are resident in every one of us and can only be crucified out of our lives by the daily cross! Jesus is so good and more than able saints! Oh, and He told as that we are not alone is such a battle. He promised that “through the Spirit” we can have the whole victory over the flesh! Read Romans 8:13-14.

“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. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” Romans 8:13-14

YOU are not a slave to sin but rather a friend and servant of Christ! Read Romans 6.

“Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.” Romans 6:12 

“I was personally not able to get out of my own way. I finally began to accept it when people and adverse circumstances pushed me out of my own way. I learned not to fight to regain my own way.”

Paul’s flesh was and our flesh is a constant reminder of the ever momentary need for the grace of Jesus. Romans chapters 6-7.

Until you realize the depth of your own iniquity, depravity, you’re not going to realize or understand the purpose of the cross Jesus mandated you to take up. The Son of God ordained Himself to be at the center of your daily life and that requires you getting out of the way (Genesis 6:5; 12; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 7:18, 24, etc.).

Every believer grapples with the downward gravitational pull of the flesh (Galatians 5:17; Hebrews 12:4). Obeying God is the only way victory will erupt, manifest in our personal lives (2 Corinthians 4:10-12). Death and burial will be followed by resurrection! And, when Christ is truly reigning is us, victory will be sure! Time to get down low and watch the devil and sin go! See James 4:6-10.

“GOD is able” saith the LORD! (Ephesians 3:20)

“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.” Ephesians 3:20

The law of God is “holy, and just, and good” (Romans 7:12).

The holy law of God and the depraved nature of fallen mankind could not be further apart – the righteousness of God inherent in His law vs the “old man,” the iniquitous fallen nature of mankind (Ephesians 4:22; Colossians 3:9).

Nothing but a caustic reaction, explosion could be the result of the two colliding (Romans 7). One or the other must reign.

“For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.” Galatians 5:17

For your own edification, you may wish to peruse this category linked here.

The Christian life will not work without the power generator of the cross. Let the addiction begin – as the resurrection life of Christ fills, teems in, and works through His crucified saints! Read 2 Corinthians 4:10-12. Are you ready to exchange your sin, guilt, misery, and shame for Christ’s resurrection life? Cross – Resurrection Gospel Life

Those who claim to know Jesus and have no victory over sin in their daily lives, are not abiding in Christ according to HIS definition! That would mean that Jesus isn’t powerful enough to conquer the sin He died to free His people from! No, such a person is not in obedience to the cross message Christ and his apostles gave us – which means they are not following Jesus on His terms (Galatians 2:20, etc.).

Lately I’ve been pointing Christians I meet back to their water baptism after Jesus saved them and how that was the symbolism of how their life in Christ was to go from that point onward – they are dead, buried, and Christ is raising them upward. This is the only way the Christian life works. The cross life is the power generator for our whole life in Christ saints (2 Corinthians 4:10-12). Nothing else works without it.

IT would be impossible for a preacher to be taking up the cross himself and not be preaching the cross, the crucified life. What’s that say for America’s preachers? (Philippians 3:18-19)

The dictates of the flesh, the motions of sins, will reign and wreak havoc in our lives until the cross takes its proper place to bring a crucified vessel to naught. Romans 6 and 7 summated.

Sin is avoidable, right? Yes. Jesus Christ died to take away our sins and not to enable us to live in them (Matthew 1:21; John 1:29; Titus 2:11-14, etc.). Note the word “IF” in this following verse. It does not say WHEN but rather “IFFFF any man sin.” Big difference. Watch this…

“My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And IF (not when) any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” 1 John 2:1-2

There really is victory in Jesus – meaning that when we do things the simple way He prescribed, not following a cross-less false message, victory will manifest in our personal lives as God has ordained that it be!

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

You see, just previous to this resurrection “victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” Paul is speaking of in 1 Corinthians 15, he says “I die daily” (1 Corinthians 15:31). Life can only spring out of death (John 12:23-25). Daily dying and the consequent raising up of the LORD causes a foretaste of what lies ahead in eternal glory with our LORD.

The Cross – death, burial, and resurrection – grants God’s people a “daily” foretaste of glory divine!

The whole of New Testament doctrine testifies to the necessity of experiencing our own death in order to be raised up by Christ eternally (2 Timothy 2:11-12, etc.).

When we truly “follow” Jesus, who went to His own death in order to be raised, we see the same in our own lives as the Gospel takes its place daily in us. We are dead, buried, and raised again to new life in Christ daily.

“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. 12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you.” 2 Corinthians 4:10-12

In the professing church world, the Gospel, the work of Christ is seen only as that which the Son of God accomplished on the cross 2,000 years ago. Yet, that’s not what Jesus and His holy apostles taught. The Gospel is “daily” according to the original Gospel.

Jesus Christ Died to Grant His People the Whole Victory

“Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from ALL iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. 15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.” Titus 2:11-14

In light of the biblical revelation of the fallen nature and the cross, there’s no need to wonder WHY we sin if we sin. If the “old man” is not “put off” by the daily cross life, there will be sin in our daily lives and we know that brings dismal results (Romans 6-7; Colossians 3:9, etc.) right? SO, we must see that our weakness reveals that Christ was not reigning in us when we sinned, right? Right (Romans 6-7).

God is able! (Ephesians 3:20)

In Colossians 3:9 we read this:

“Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;” Colossians 3:9

Yet, what precedes this? Watch this, just a few verses before the one above:

“For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” Colossians 3:3

This crucified life Jesus prescribes must not only be recognized positionally but also practically, daily in our personal lives. That is what brings the victory Jesus died to procure for each and every one of His saints in whom He has all His delight (Psalms 16:3).

The same Savior who said “It is finished (HIS work, not yours) also said that to follow Him, one must daily deny himself and take up his cross (Luke 9:23-24).

Putting off the old sinful man is only divinely possible when we “reckon (count) ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:11).

In short, the answer to the question posed… If we sin, we are to:

Admit it, repent, confess the sin transparently, and get back to the cross – lay down your life afresh and march forth – “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2).

Yet, we all wonder…. How do we continue to live in God’s overcoming grace? How do we live consistently in Christ, glorying Him daily?

The Solution – What it is and What it’s Not

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:1-2

Read together, as this is written, it begins to come clear that the cross necessarily precedes the transforming of our minds, right? Read this again please. Notice that as the born again saint presents himself a living sacrifice (the cross), he is then divinely enabled to be transformed by a renewed mindset – attitude, cross perspective – where Christ reigns, not us!

Transform your thinking? Yes and yet that’s only generated by the cross. Read Romans 12:1-2 together. The answer to glorifying God is not better mastery of our thoughts. No it’s not trying harder – but rather dying deeper. No, it’s not having a positive mental attitude (PMA). Instead, it’s worshipful faith-obedience to God – a consenting to the cross where you say “Jesus, I want YOU to reign in my life!”

Sure those things like thinking on the things of Christ play a part and yet, without the cross nothing works (Philippians 4:8).

Lots of people today preach peripherals and not the primary – the cross. Regrettably, there is no cross in the modern false gospel, which makes it “another gospel” and false (Galatians 1:6-9).

Jesus is Coming but for Who?

“Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” Ephesians 5:25-27

So we know from Scripture that Jesus will return for “a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemis.” (Ephesians 5:25-27). So it is clear to see that Jesus is going to return for a people, His people. His people are defined in Scripture as those who are simply obeying His instruction to deny self, take up the cross, and follow Him (Luke 9:23-24). Here is the message of Savior – the only prescription for following Him:

“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

Becoming saturated in the central Gospel message of the cross, is essential to being rooted and grounded in Christ and thereby receiving His divine grace to overcome. This is exactly why the ministry site features the cross category – for your edification in your walk with Jesus. Peruse….

Becoming Saturated in the Message of the Cross

Support | STORE | PodcastsTop 12 Missing Essential Doctrines in the Modern Church World! [podcast]Repentance and FruitLoving not our Lives unto the Death [podcast]

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Articles

Mission Mexico Part 48

THE NEXT 20,000 JESUS TRACTS ARE NOW BEING PRINTED!

Money for the next 20,000 JESUS tracts as come in!

“On it’s way via Paypal. Happy to be able to help supply those, and that you have provided a way and members of our family to distribute them…so, can I say also: GONE FISHING for the Lord.

As I am no longer physically able to go fishing in person, thank you for finding and equipping those who are. As we all work together in THE FAMILY OF GOD, for the final round-up. Praying for a huge round-up, and that each and every tract sends the Holy Spirit right into their hearts and souls. Bless you Brother Todd.

I always loved Acts 16:31 – Then I pray that those who were touched, then spread it to their families and friends, so that “You and your household may be saved.” Crystal


Below is one picture and part of the ministry of beloved brother Jaime and his 2 sons who are pastor. They live near Mexico City. More coming on their ministering, which we are now blessed to serve, support.

As “labourers TOGETHER with God“, saints “WE” are now supporting pastor Jaime’s ministry work in another part of Mexico.

Your prayers and support are the fuel. “Ask and ye shall receive…” Matthew 7:7

God is good. | Mission Mexico

Brother Mark was miraculously, by divine appointment approached by this beloved brother – Jaime and his wife Luisa who were in town celebrating their wedding anniversary. Brother Jaime is a pastor and their whole family serves our LORD. Their 2 sons who are pastors also. This couple was having a Bible study when they met Mark. They loved the JESUS tract and so brother Mark called me and I brought over nearly a whole box of them to this beloved couple (appr 1200). Jaime and Luisa were thrilled and it looks like this may be another case where we are blessed to support the LORD’s people in doing His work!!!! They were intent on staying connected and so we exchanged contact information. God is moving saints.

Jaime, Luisa, and there 2 sons live in a city outside of Mexico City. The Gospel of Jesus is spreading all over Mexico! They have a church and also a ministry outreach to the broken!

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


Genuine Gospel, Great Commission ministries give the members of the body of Christ the opportunity to obey Jesus by laying up treasure in Heaven (Matthew 6:19-21).

“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20  But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21  For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Matthew 6:19-21

Notice in this passage that Jesus commanded His people to lay up treasure, in Heaven, not on earth.


Would you like to pause and lift Saul in prayer?


Concerning the love offering that came in to print the new batch of 20k JESUS tracts….

“My heart is filled with some much joy that you will be ordering these Jesus tracts. God is so very good! I am praising God for this sister in Christ and her love for Jesus! We are team Jesus! And for the Mexican people’s humble and meek spirits to be so open to the gospel that can save their soul from hell! Look up for our redemption draws near! Very soon we will see our Savior face to face!” Karen Cochran

“Glory to God brother! What wonderful news to hear that support and supply has been furnished by the Lord Jesus Christ through his disciples and blood bought people 🙏 who love the LORD 💞” Jon Crane


Saints, we’re not going to beg or try to manipulate anyone but rather just give out of what we have – and that Gospel fuel comes from Heaven via Christ’s saints …. to the poor and needy, who need God’s love and Word and in some cases, something to eat and a cold water, etc

No doubt that it’s easy to declare on social media that we love and stand for our LORD. And every disciple should! Yet who are we proclaiming Christ to, today, in our real life? Who are we tract-ing? Who’s hearing the Gospel of Jesus through us?

“He that winneth souls is wise.” Proverbs 11:30


I wonder what Jesus would do in the life that looks up to Heaven today by faith and says “Please prepare and send me dear LORD Jesus! Let’s roll Jesus!”


Brother Juan, an elder in Christ, continues daily ministering our LORD’s Gospel, meeting and exhorting, feeding, and sending forth more Gospel laborers for Christ (Matthew 9:35-38; Ephesians 4:11-12). We are super blessed saints, to support our brother Juan and a growing list of Christ’s disciples here in Mexico. Here’s another one. Brother Alejandro. Juan writes: ‘Praying for my brother Alejandro; he wants to serve God and others. Amen.'” Juan the Evangelist

Mission Mexico


“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


Here’s our brother Juan speaking in this video below:


Recently, brother Mark told me that he never feels more at peace than when he is spreading our LORD’s Gospel, handing out Gospel tracts and communicating with people that Jesus died for their sins ….

Our LORD is using each of His beloved saints, daily, and for His eternal glory.

And it’s just begun.

The LORD is perfecting that which concerns your life in Him.

“The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.” Psalms 138:8


“Praise Jesus for the word of God growing in the hearts of the people. Daniel 12:3. You guys are God’s shining stars who bring the gospel of hope to the people. Praying!” Karen Cochran


A few days ago, sister Maria called to let me know she was out of JESUS tracts and so I was blessed delivered another 2,000 JESUS tracts to her.

41,000 in print and over 35,000 distributed thus far in Mexico. Getting ready to be 61,000 JESUS tracts in print. Hundreds going out daily.


Brother Juan ministers all day long as he travels between towns and interacts with numerous people…. every day. Christ’s Gospel message flows from this brother like a river. He also ministers to hundreds at a local jail/prison. Thank you for lifting our brother in prayer and for considering supporting. Jesus is coming saints. Let’s roll. Recently brother Mark delivered another box of 2,000 JESUS tracts to Juan.

We are boots on the ground supporting our LORD’s saints, Gospel laborers, here in Mexico (Matthew 9:35-38). Your prayers and support are the fuel of Heaven (Philippians 1:19).

See more Gospel action here at Mission Mexico




LAST WEEK: I answered the knock at my door today and there were appr. 10-12 well dressed (uniforms) health care canvassers going through this neighborhood. Each of them readily received the spoken Word and JESUS tracts. Absolute success in sowing the message of our LORD Jesus’ Gospel. 100% reception. God is good.

As usual, here in Mexico, there was complete desire to hear the words of Jesus and no negative resistance whatsoever. These beloved souls eagerly listened and heard (in Spanish) Jesus’ Gospel preached …. that hell is forever, that Jesus died for our sins, and to please repent and receive Jesus Christ today…. all while pointing to the prayer of repentance and faith on the back of the JESUS tract. God is good yes.

God’s people are obediently and with His love and great joy planting the seed of His Word in the hearts of men today. 1 Peter 1:23; Isaiah 55:11; 1 Corinthians 3:6-9

Your prayers coveted for the fruitfulness and supply of this ministry outreach. “We preach Christ crucified.” (1 Corinthians 1:23)




Would you like to pause and lift a prayer for a young man named Gonzo? He’s seen the fruit of the Holy Spirit in several of Christ’s saints here and is wanting to get right with God.


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America

America is Under Divine Judgment [podcast]


Chasing the American dream all the way to hell? Are you bowing before your Maker who came and died to save you from sin and this world? Or, are you bowing before “old glory”, “the red, white, and blue”?

“Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:” Revelation 3:17

Every person reading these very words is making his eternal bed in Heaven or in hell.

“Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.” Joel 3:14

“Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?” Romans 6:16

Those bowed truly before Christ and no idol, are about His “business” which is the Great Commission He gave us! Oh, and He holds you fully accountable to obey, to do it. Read the very end of Matthew and Mark.

If you are not deliberately, integrally involved in the Great Commission mandate Jesus gave His people, you are out of the will of God.

Evangelism! (Mark 16:15-20) Teaching God’s Word (Matthew 28:18-20).

AMERICA’S ENEMY INVASION

In the Bible, we read of how God allowed foreign empires like the Assyrians and Babylonians to invade, conquer, and exile Israel and Judah as a form of divine discipline and covenant judgment for their persistent idolatry, social injustice, and refusal to repent.

One source notes:

“The Theological Framework of Judgment

    • The Covenant: God made a conditional agreement (covenant) with ancient Israel. Obedience brought protection and blessing; disobedience brought explicit warnings of national defeat and dispersion (e.g., Deuteronomy 28).
    • Using Foreign Nations: Prophets like Isaiah and Habakkuk explain that God sovereignly used ruthless empires (calling Assyria the “rod of my anger”) as instruments of correction against His own unfaithful people.
    • The Limits of Judgment: While God used these empires to punish Israel, the Bible notes He also held those invading nations accountable for their own extreme cruelty, arrogance, and subsequent destruction (e.g., Isaiah 10, Jeremiah 50–51).”

THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENS TO ANY NATION THAT FORSAKES GOD. – “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.” (Psalms 9:17) America is under divine judgment. See Jeremiah 18.

“The LORD is known by the judgment which he executeth: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah. 17  The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.” Psalms 9:16-17

“At what instant” (marked space in time)

It seems God has His timing in judging nations and history records…..

It is more than obvious that America is not repenting. If that’s the case, what future does America have?

Jeremiah 18:7-10

At what instant (marked place in time) I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy it;

8 If that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them.

9 And at what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it;

10 If it do evil in my sight, that it obey not my voice, then I will repent of the good, wherewith I said I would benefit them.”

How does He judge?

Does He not lift His hand of protection and allow invaders? Read Jeremiah 5-7. This morning as I begin again reading these 3 chapters, what’s happening in America seems to fit for sure. And no president can save America from the LORD judgment. The only hope would be the true repentance of the people.

THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENS TO ANY NATION THAT FORSAKES GOD. – “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.” (Psalms 9:17) America is under divine judgment. See Jeremiah 18.

What Bible verse or passage comes to your mind when you think of being possessed by an eternal perspective? How about this one?

“For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

PRAYER: My Father in Heaven, in the name of Jesus, please imbue this Your vessel with the eternal perspective Your Word communicates. Bless me to be a consummate soul winning, with my hands gripping the plow of Your Great Commission command. In the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Why would we put our hope in a country that belongs to our arch enemy? (2 Cor 4:4). As scripture clearly tells us this earth will vanish like smoke (Is 51:6). We are looking for a new heaven and new earth! Rev 21. Where God will dwell among us! We will be His people and drink from the fountain of life forever and ever! That is my hope! Not this wicked fallen world!” Karen Cochran

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Articles

A Word of Encouragement on Ministering to Others

“Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” 1 Peter 1:23

It’s God’s Word, the “incorruptible seed” of the truth of God that shatters that which stands between Him and sinners. Listen closely and grasp these divinely inspired Word through the prophet Jeremiah:

“Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?” Jeremiah 23:29

The rock of unbelief is broken by the words of God entering the hearts of men. The light of divine truth pierces the darkness:

“The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.” Psalms 119:130

When the very words of God enter the human heart, by its nature – light – darkness is exposed for what it is.

“The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.” Psalms 19:7

YOUR PRAYER: Father, please make me a consummate soul winner, in Jesus’ name, amen.

Many times, due to a lack of the cross in our lives, are we not rather in the flesh instead of the Spirit and therefore do we not attempt to force or coerce the truth of God on others?

“Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.” Zechariah 4:6

EVER BEEN THERE? There are times when we are to “earnestly contend for the faith once delivered to the saints” and other times when the enemy is trying to get us to take the bait, to bite on something minor and not be quiet, listen, and meekly minister the Word and love of God (Jude 3-4; Ephesians 4:15; 2 Timothy 2:24-26). May God bless each of His children to be led by His Holy Spirit in each instant and glorify Him, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Preaching AT someone and ministering TO someone are mutually exclusive. Are we preaching in our own self-righteous wrath and don’t yet realize it? The words of James are stinging and should be memorized:

“For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.” James 1:20

May God fill us with His love and bless each of us to edify (build up) the members of His body.

Both rebuking and ministering are certainly Scriptural and yet, personally, I can look back in regret and see that when God wanting me MINISTERING TO someone, I was instead preaching AT the intended target/person. They are not a target but an eternal soul heading to Heaven or hell. And at times, God will mercifully lead His people to send forth a strong rebuke in order to turn the sinner to Himself.

There are many instances in Scripture where unrepentant rebels are dealt a hard blow with strong preaching, strong rebuke – the call to repent (Matthew 23; Acts 13:10; Revelation 3:19, etc.).

I wonder if it would help up today if we paused to consider the process that transpired in our own lives. Though salvation is instantaneously imparted upon repentance, it most likely took a few people sowing the seed of God’s Word in our hearts before we repented and received Christ, right? Is that what happened in your life? It sure is in mine. I didn’t stop and get saved the first time some bless-ed disciple ministered to me. Did you?

When we put a seed in the ground to get a crop, it has to first be planted and then it begins to germinate, right? Then comes the crop and the fruit. This is a process and Paul speaks of it when he writes:

“I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. 7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. 8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. 9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.” 1 Corinthians 3:6-9

Here below is a passage the LORD quickens my heart to pour prayerfully over on a regular basis:

“And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, 25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.” 2 Timothy 2:24-26

PEOPLE go public about a lot of things. It’s time for God’s people to GO PUBLIC about JESUS!

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16  

Like everything in Christ’s kingdom, nothing works outside of the cross – the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ happening in our lives daily.

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