Pastor Eugene Smith

After the victory, Jehoshaphat led the nation in thanksgiving. The Lord had made them to rejoice. Jehoshaphat proved anew the the God who split the Red Sea can be called upon again to display the same power. This is great comfort to us, for the exodus was no a one-time event, but can be repeated in the lives of his people. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good ans his mercy endures forever.

The time has come to believe the word of the Lord, to act on it and face the enemy. As King David before him, Jehoshaphat also appoints singers to lead the battle! What a great act of faith! They praised by faith with all earnestness! Never since the time of Jericho had a battle been won with these kinds of results. Let us learn to act in faith as King Jehoshaphat and all of Judah did!

After prayer and fasting led by King Jehoshaphat, God mightily answered by a prophetic word through a man named Jahaziel. Who is he and why did God use him to bring the mind of God? This prophetic word contained much revelation, and caused the nation to shift from fear to great rejoicing. Hear about the power of the prophetic word that is birthed in the realm of prayer, fasting and worship.

Jehoshaphat led the nation in prayer and fasting in the time of national crisis. He prayed according to the prayer of Solomon four generations earlier. With repentance, he called upon the God of his fathers, with whom God had made covenant. This is the kind of prayer that births revival. There is much for us to learn.

Jehoshaphat, fourth king of Judah, was one of the great kings. But he was not without defects. His saving grace is that he set his heart to seek the Lord. In this first part, we look at the circumstances he inherited, the world in which he lived, and the great challenges that came his way. How is he to respond to the threat of the massive coalition of armies marching against him? Seek the Lord he must!

Following Abel's worship by faith and Enoch's walk by faith, Noah shows us working by faith. What challenges did he he have to persevere through? Why did he keep going? Noah shows how the knowledge of the future which God has declared is sure, no matter how impossible it would seem. Faith submits to the future God has revealed for he has the power to do it. Thus we work towards it. We work by faith.

Why did God lead Israel on a detour shortly after being liberated from slavery in Egypt? This place in the wilderness certainly was not on route to the Promised Land! They soon discovered that they had encamped in the most vulnerable, hopeless place possible, and Pharaoh was in hot pursuit of them again! What was God doing?

Enoch is the second example of faith in Heb. 11. Enoch walked by faith. In the midst of a deteriorating and ungodly world, Enoch pleased God. He became a prophet speaking to the world, and developed intimacy with God. How does faith shape our lives so that we may also do the same?

Abel is the first illustration of faith in Hebrews 11. The first evidence of faith is worship. But what constitutes his life of obedience? Of what did his worship consist? Abel is the first in a series of men that lived by faith. But note the order: Abel worshiped by faith. Enoch walked by faith and Noah worked by faith. Let us give ourselves in worship that pleases God.

To follow the Word of the Lord always requires faith. This is no progress in the work of the Lord without faith. What is it's nature? What does it look like when our lives are submitted to that which God has spoken, but is not yet seen by the natural eye? Let us learn to walk in the way that is pleasing to the Lord.

The Book of Ecclesiastes can come across as a very depressing read. The search for meaning in life left the author despairing of life itself! Vanity! Vanity! All is vanity! Listen to the author of this book describe this journey, and then listen to a father's advice to his son in light of all that has been said. If meaning is to be found, it is not 'under the sun'. So, how does the rest of scripture interact with this and where can profit for the soul be found?

Does God know me? Is he aware of the pains in my life? Does he know my story? Scripture is amazing clear in giving clear answers to these questions. There is one story in particular that shows the amazement of one individual who discovered the truth! Do you know which story this is?

THE ROAD TO EMMAUS ~ LUKE 24:13-53 ~ Darla Smith Come on a journey down the Road to Emmaus with two disciples who were devastated, downhearted, disillusioned and set adrift by the tumultuous sea of events that they had witnessed during and after Jesus’ crucifixion. They were sad, their hopes were shattered and they were stuck in unbelief! BUT THEN…

When an infant is being weaned, it is confused and often very upset. He wonders why his mother is being is uncaring and unloving! We often go through difficult days and wonder why God is so negligent of us. Yet we need to know what it means to be in his embrace at the same time when he leads us through deep valleys. Let us learn contentment and quite confidence in his presence.

Scripture has many examples of the righteous crying out to God in times of suffering. We can be brutally honest with God concerning our feelings. Is there a right or wrong way to lament before God? What should be our disposition as we express our griefs and disappointments to God? Be encouraged as we explore the scripture together.

The story of meeting the bake and cup-bearer while wrongfully imprisoned is integral tot he life of Joseph. But in ways more than we can imagine, the story has great implications for us as Jesus is the greater Joseph! Be blessed s you explore the scriptures!

Some of Jesus' parables emphasize the need to wait. Not everything happens as we expect it to. The kingdom may appear different than what anticipate. As we look forward to the consummation of the kingdom (not yet), how shall we live according to the kingdom that is already?

The beloved story of Joseph is followed through the various change of clothes he wears: a oat of many colours, a servant's garment, prison clothes, a royal robe and finally embalming. Each article of clothing typifies an important lesson in the shaping of his life.

After pouring his entire life into his mission, was John mistaken when he identified Jesus as the Messiah? Surely Jesus would acknowledge the injustice of his imprisonment! Listen to the wise answer Jesus relayed back to his faithful but discouraged servant.

Darla draws from the teaching of Jesus in John 15 about the way to abundant fruitfulness. Jesus is the vine, we are the branches and our heavenly Father is the vinedresser. He is the One with the qualifications for doing the necessary work of developing both quantity and quality of fruit in our lives. Branches who ABIDE bear much fruit.

Steven McCurdy shares a powerful exhortation based on the prophet Haggai. It is time to build the house of God, not to focus on our own lives. Let the Spirit of God speak deeply to your heart as you listen to this inspiring message.

The Book of Hebrews clearly informs us that the way to the immediate presence of God has been opened to you and me. The writer takes pains to tell us the work that Christ has done to make it so. We are then urged to take advantage of the work of Christ, for we are more than welcome to come before God.

Really, Jacob? Is life nothing more than a billiard ball that gets knocked around until it is finally sunk? Is all of life conspiring against God'swill for us? Jacob needed a different perspective, for God sees what man cannot! Let us see what God knew all along, but Jacob had to discover...

Death is the enemy of God and all mankind. The resurrection of Jesus has abolished death, stripped it of its power and fear. Between now and the coming of Jesus, it is a friend to the believer. At the appearing of Jesus, it will cease to exist! What a change of perspective this gives to the life which we now live, and heat hope it fills us with as we anticipate the future! The world is a different place - there is a new king upon the throne!

The story isn't over if God doesn't have the last word! What is God's perspective? What is this 'double portion' Job receives at the end? Was the theology of Job and his three friends erroneous in the first place? Did they end up accusing whom God had cleared? This will give a completely different perspective of suffering.

In part 4 of 5, we examine Job's defense of himself. He claims his innocence. He has committed no sin, so why is he being punished? It seems as if Job's 'theology' was similar to that of his three 'friends': If I live righteously, I will be blessed and If I sin, I will be punished. So why I am being punished if I haven't sinned? There are many today who struggle with the same questions. Maybe we are asking the wrong questions...

Is there any purpose in the deep trials of life? This is Part 3 of 5 from a series that was recorded a long time ago, but the truth endures for all time!

In times of trial, have you met Eliphaz, Bolded or Zophar? They were convinced that Job had sinned! What other explanation cold there be for his circumstances? Surely he must have committed a terrible sin! And with such words, they condemned the very one that God boasted that there was no one on earth as righteous as Job!

This is an old series that I taught many years ago. This first (out of five) message serves as an introduction to the book that has fascinated me for years. Be encouraged as you venture into this amazing book that asks a lot of hard questions about life!

Vision is necessary to keep the 'magnetic' pull of the heart of God upon our souls. We all need to have an overmastering conviction upon our hearts and minds, or we begin to stray. Prophetic vision from the Holy Spirit serves that purpose. Let us hear the voice of the Lord, and have our eyes open to the purpose of God, especially that which he has ordained for his Son!

Through the gift of the Holy Spirit, the believer 'tastes' the powers of the world to come. The future is breaking into the present. The destiny of the believer is to share in the glory of the appearing Christ. The Holy Spirit will lead, guide and protect the believer from conversion right through to the appearing of Christ where he will participate in the glory of that day!

The Old Testament believer longed for the coming of the kingdom. How would he know it has arrived? How would he recognize the messiah king? How would God fulfil his promises? How does the New Testament speak of these promises? The dynamic out-poured Holy Spirit is key to all this! Be encouraged as you listen to what the testimony of scripture has to offer!

Is there a difference between 'faith' and 'the faith'? One is the result of hearing the dynamic, life-imparting, energizing voice of God. The other is a systematic recording of those words. To be immersed in the recorded words of scripture does not guarantee that the voice of God has been heard. Every generation must hear the voice of God for itself, and not just inherit the traditions handed down. Every child must not just inherit the faith of his/her parents, but encounter God for themselves. Passive faith is hearing what God said to others. Active faith is the result of hearing the voice of God.

There is no need to fake faith. We are privileged to hear God's voice, and it is God's voice that imparts faith into our being. Man cannot manufacture nor produce faith. He can only receive it by hearing the voice of God. Once God speaks, we must respond properly to it. Be encouraged as we explore the scriptures on this important topic.

Hebrews 11 speaks of the saints who lived by faith. Yet when we read their life stories in the Old Testament, the word 'faith' is not used. Instead it uses the words 'trust', 'obey' and 'believe'. The lives of these servants illustrate what the New Testament means when it speaks of 'faith'. Let us follow their example.

Did Mary comprehend the momentous events that surrounded the birth of Jesus? Did she grasp the implications of what this meant for her in particular? What does it mean to say 'Yes' to the will of God? Mary had much to learn and much to adjust. The story of Mary serves as a powerful illustration of what it means to submit to the will of God.

The golden altar of incense was the only piece of furniture in the Tabernacle of Moses that was exclusively for God.All other activities led to this golden altar. Yet the cost was real. Hear what difference ministry to the Lord makes, and why it must be priority.

At the tomb of Lazarus, Jesus displayed deep emotion. What was behind his groaning, his being troubled and his weeping? This emotional story unveils the depths of the heart of Jesus that drives him to confront the worst of our enemies: death! Learn of the passion of Jesus that slays our enemies with fury!

An angel appeared to Manoah's wife. She was going to have a baby! What is a parent supposed to do with such an announcement from a heavenly visitor? What an awesome responsibility. But Samson failed in his life. An angel also appeared to the elderly Zechariah. His elderly wife will also have a baby! John the Baptist is known as the greatest of men born of a woman. Why is there such a difference between these two children? Does it have anything to do with the parents? How shall we raise our children?

The wilderness is a kind of baptism. There are lessons that can only be learned in difficult times. What are some of those lessons? Have we learned to hate evil? Have we learned compassion? Have we determined to go to war against unrighteousness? Let us not waste our trials and wilderness experiences. God is using them to turn us into warriors!

Where do we learn fervent and passionate prayer? Is it not in the wilderness where passion is written into our souls in the midst of fiery trial? Many times Jesus retreated in the wilderness for prayer, to the very place where he defeated Satan, and reinforced his decisions that he made there. In the heat of struggle, prayer is forged in our souls, the kind of prayer that pushes back the forces of darkness, and brings the kingdom of heaven.

After Jesus emerged from the forty days in the wilderness, the testings continued in different disguises. Satan takes advantage of anything that is close to our hearts. Jesus maintained his resolution to live by the principles he submitted to while in the wilderness. He maintained his obedience through his ministry, during the passion week and even as he hung on the cross. Because of his obedience, he became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey him.

On an exceeding high mountain, the devil offers Jesus all the kingdoms of the world. Was it his to offer? What was the real agenda of Satan? What was the purpose of God in this? How did Jesus overcome? This is another look at how the heart is probed in times of testing.

Satan uses scripture to test Jesus. Since Jesus is the Son of God, he has authority over angels, so why not leap from the pinnacle of the temple? The forty days in the wilderness has transitioned to the temple where the suggestions of Satan become more subtle. The interpretation of Psalm 91 becomes the battleground for this new kind of temptation. What are the implications behind Satan's suggestion and how did Jesus overcome?

The first test in the wilderness Jesus faced was to turn stones into bread. This test is rooted in the manna narrative. What did God intend to teach Israel through this test? As the test continued over forty years, what was God probing deep in their hearts? All of this is brought forward in the simple words Satan whispered to Jesus, "Since you are the Son of God, command these stones to made into bread." Did Jesus understand the full implication of what was behind these simple words? And how did he overcome? Just as Jesus passed through this test, so do his disciples. Let us learn from his example.

A young David was aghast no one would take up Goliath's challenge. Elijah demanded that the people choose which god they would serve. Satan resists our every attempt at freedom, but Pharaoh must let God's people go. There are powerful lessons in the struggle to freedom, but no other option is possible!

Why did the the Holy Spirit lead Jesus into a confrontation with the devil? How can God and Satan both be involved in the same story? When we find ourselves in difficult circumstances, what are we to do? Resist the devil or submit to God? Or both?

What is the purpose of temptation? What is God accomplishing? What are Satan's goals? How should the believer respond when faced with trials? Jesus serve as our example as he emerges from the wilderness victoriously!

When we are tested in the wilderness, God is looking for certain responses. What is God after? What is the basis of all testings? How does testing in the wilderness relate to the Great Commandment? How was this exemplified in the example of Jesus in the wilderness for forty days?

Why did the Spirit drive Jesus into the wilderness? What is the significance of the wilderness setting? What does God desire to accomplish by sending us there? God deeply yearns to remove anything that causes our hearts to wander from him, so that he may betroth us to himself.

Why do people behave the way they do? What control do the 'powers' of the world have over the mind? What role does the Holy Spirit play in our freedom? Paul shows the way as we are renewed in the spirit of our minds!