Shaken Awake

You're Saved, So Now What? Are you still grateful for your salvation? How are you responding because of its effect on your life? Tune in as we discuss: 1. loving other believers 2. getting rid of evil desires and actions like old clothes 3. desiring the Word of God.

The spirit behind today's podcast, which I feel led to speak on today is, Do you really LOVE God, or the thought of Him? Where, who, and what is your heart most consciously devoted to, daily? Is it God, or is it YOUR life and the things and people in it? Don't worry, I'm not asking to shame you or place guilt or cast stones – I've asked myself this question repeatedly. I'm an introvert – I do this often. It's not an exercise in living my best life – it's an important tool to assess whether we are running the race set before us, loving God with every fiber of our being, day in and day out, and loving those around us – everything else is of this world, not of the eternal Kingdom. It's not holding fast to a holier than thou, free-will belief system, regimented works-based living arrangement. This is part of living your life for God and not for you, for the moment you and your sins died with Christ on that tree, you were resurrected (born again) in a new life and given the fit of the Holy Spirit. You, at that very moment, belonged to Christ – Christ in you….no longer the god of this world / flesh in you. The flesh will always be at war with God, but the Spirit will always be aligned with God and will help establish your steps. You're either a child of God or a child of satan – the Bible tells us that. So, do you LOVE God?

Hello and welcome to Shaken Awake podcast, the non-sugar-coated Christian podcast on the net! Sugar-coating causes truth decay, which is why we here rely on the very Word of God to dictate our direction and path in life that God has set before us, not what the world, man-made doctrine, or the necessarily what the pulpit dictates. I'm not here to tickle your ears, I'm here to share the words from GOD's Word, and provide you what He and the Holy Spirit have convicted me of and are pressing me to communicate out. In this episode, we ask and discuss whether you are you simply saved by grace, or are you also being obedient to the One who saved you. I hope both, but if not – don't allow another minute to go by without prayer and a conversation between you and God to get back onto His path, for His path leads to the Kingdom, which few will find. Listen to this short, but powerful conviction of what God Word tells us about why we must love and obey Him above all things.

How many of us live for God? Or do we live to have our food and water to live, our insurance to keep us secure in the event of an accident, our cars to stay running well so we can travel, money in our savings so we can live comfortably and then retire, our doctor to tell us what's right and what's wrong, the pharmacist to prescribe our medications when we are ill…..when will we stop trusting man over God? My question is not are we…..but when will we stop? How many idols will we serve before we serve God only?

Today, I need to speak on something I'm seeing growing even amongst the darkest clouds that are forming in and around the U.S. and the world right now. To simply cut right to the chase, and before we get into what the Word of God says, which as you know is the ONLY important guidance and direction by which to live our lives, I want to inform you all of a few important but sinister things happening that you may not be as aware of as you may think. At the heart of the world's problems now, is one that I believe is the worst, and is what will truly help usher in the Anti-Christ. And it's us! Yes, the ‘church'. Not the REAL church, but the church. The body that is looking for a savior, but not having true faith in THE SAVIOR - Jesus Christ.

Nothing I say in these podcasts mean anything more than just words. Except for the words of God that I speak directly from the pages of his instruction manual for us, I'm not preaching to you. I'm taking the wisdom and the understanding given to me by the Holy Spirit, through God's word, and I'm teaching myself out loud. What I've been given. I'm just simply passing this along to you. And anyone else who will listen, I'd rather everyone read their Bibles consistently and daily every day of their life as God commands us through his Bible. But I know by now. This is a desire and a wish of mine, and certainly of gods that will never be fulfilled. So I'm led to share as much as I can. In the limited number of heartbeats I have remaining with you and anyone else that's thirsty to hear more. You see, the Bible wasn't created as a symbol. It was created to pass God's knowledge and commandments and instructions to us that we may dwell in it and follow it all the days of our lives. So nothing I say is important. But what God says is the only important things you'll ever hear. Which will last until your last breath here on Earth. Don't waste another day judging others being unforgiving. Or as I like to say, being selective in your judgment or allowing your heart and mouth to defile you. By doing so, you're separating yourself from God and are casting judgment and condemnation on yourself. Like the god of this world, Satan will tempt you every minute of every day, if and when he has to. He's had thousands of years to perfect his craft. Don't let it in the hands of Satan. Surrender these areas of your life. Every area of your life to the father. Break the chains that have been holding you back from living the life that God has purpose for you and has died for you in order that you may believe in him and repent. You cannot and will not if you continue and sin be the salt and light in our dark and tasteless world, the world's getting darker so it's time for us to be the lamps on the hill shining brightly.

Many of you have known this to be the parable of the sower. I'm going to read it from the Holy Bible , and then provide you with the three hidden messages contained. At least, they were hidden from me all these years until just a couple of weeks ago. I need to share these with you.

Like much of what I speak on, this subject is mute in most churches. I didn't hear or know about the Armor of God until I was TRULY saved 3 years ago, but up until then and even until today, I don't hear this preached or spoken of in the buildings we call churches today. Since WE are the church, and now the building or the rooms and halls that we fill in them, I find it imperative in the world that we live in today to speak on this topic and show you the words that are in the Book of God and to help ask yourselves and help you determine, which armor you have on – if any! Is it God's Armor? Is it YOUR OWN Armor? Or is there no Armor on right now? You may be surprised, as I was and am where we end up with this exercise. But by you striving to be the good and faithful servant He has called us to be, you MUST know and MUST have God's armor on as commanded – it's the protection broken down into parts to shield yourself from the enemy and to attack the spiritual warfare happening all around you, constantly, even in your sleep! We are not only being hammered by the god of this world, the sons of that god (which is satan), but we're now even being attacked by the goats and wolves that have infiltrated the church, or buildings that they call the church, today. I see it, I feel it, and I've been shaken awake to it – I assume some of you have as well. Let's break down each piece of that armor, what it means, and how we can apply it to our lives.

With so much evil and chaos happening in the world around us today (I know, that HAS to be the understatement of the century – literally), with so happening in the world around us today, I can help but reveal a few things that have been revealed to me. It is all backed up in the Bible, but I'm starting to really connect with what I'm seeing, hearing, and feeling, with what the Bible has warned us about over two thousand years ago. I want to share them with you for two reasons: to shine a light on what's happening, as well as to provide a what-to-do and how-to-do-it, in these last times we're in. And for those that say we're not in these last days, that's fine too – for no one knows the day or the hour except God. Fair enough – so take this podcast and consider it with the same value, as YOUR life on earth is in the last days and hours – so does it matter in the grand scheme of eternity which way you go out? What still holds true is what's happening all around us today, what the Bible has warned us about, and what it's foretold for us to do.

Join us as we continue on a series of parables, with today's two focused on the Great Banquet and the Wedding Feast. Read them both and reflect on them – use the Bible as a mirror BEFORE you use It as a sword. What can you learn from these two parables in particular that will become a steppingstone for your life and for living a life worth living for Him? He leaves these in your hands to take seriously and obey – after all, one day, He only says “Well done, My good and faithful servant,” to those who actually were.

In our current series of parables, we'll take a deep dive into both the parable of the Prodigal Son and the parable of the Three Servants. I want to encourage you all to reflect on both of these parables. Then, read and reflect on them – use the Bible as a mirror. What can you learn from these two parables in particular that will become a steppingstone for your life and for living a life worth living for Him? He leaves these in YOUR hands to take seriously and obey – after all, one day, He will only say “Well done, My good and faithful servant,” to those who actually were.

The greatest question in life is not do you know Jesus? The greatest question in life is does Jesus know you? Jesus knowing you has nothing to do with your deeds or actions. Jesus knowing you has to do with you putting your trust in him as Savior and Lord. Nothing else matters. If there is any day you want to be known by Jesus it is on that day. Thankfully we don't have to wait until then to find out. If Jesus is your Savior you are known by him today. This is the hope and confidence we have in Him. The parable of the 10 virgins is a wakeup call. First to those who don't know Jesus, but I think it goes beyond that. Remember the virgins did have lamps. I think this is a real wakeup call to those who may go to church but are not really walking with God. In other words, those who have empty lamps. More than ever before if you are not walking the way you should this is the day to get it right. Not only because Jesus could return at any moment but because life is so brief. The urgency of this story cannot be taken lightly. The parable of 10 virgins is about preparation and readiness. That preparation begins now. If you don't do anything else in this life, make sure you are ready for His appearing – whether it is at His return, or upon your death. As you can see this is the most important appointment you have to get ready for and you don't want to miss it.

We live our lives each day typically for ourselves, do we not? I mean, with work, and family, and health, and finances, and the present, and the future, and the direction of our lives – we're either being reactionary, or we're being proactive. We suffer daily. In some way, we suffer daily; some, more than others. Our suffering does not compare to the suffering that Jesus endured. But we, just like Him, endure betrayal, false accusations, rejection, abuse, and humiliation. It's part of the dark and distorted world we live in. Question is, if we're suffering that for us, and keep pressing forward, why are we not as willing to suffer for Him? Is it because He is unworthy to suffer for? Is it because we don't need to suffer for His name's sake? Is it because we have a “Me first” attitude toward life? Is it because we just don't know what to do or what is expected of us? Is it because we have formed a “comfort bubble” around our homes and selves that shield and protect us from the outside influences and the spiritual darkness and forces that we fight against, as the Bible states? WHAT IS IT? Here's the answer: It's all of it and more. Some hold true to many, some hold true to some, but there is a reason, whether or not its conscious or subconscious – regardless, it has the same outcome, which is, we are not willing to suffer for Christ as we our for our own selves. We're placing ourselves and our needs and wants higher than the will of the Father. We've become our own idols. Yeah, it does sound harsh and mean, doesn't it? Some of you are shaking your heads right now saying, “Nope! That's not me – never was and never will be,” right? In response to those that are, answer me this question….better yet, answer this question to our Father in Heaven: “HOW are you suffering for Christ?” What is it that YOU do to work for the will of the Father that you sacrifice your life and happiness, time, energy, resources, and self for? WHAT is it that shows your faith, other than praying, reading the Bible, and going to church? What is it that you do to adhere to Jesus' calling for all his followers, known as the Great Commission – to spread the good news of the gospel and Him? WHAT DO YOU DO? To those of us who take action and place him higher than ourselves and our lives here on Earth, the actions we take are out of love for Him, out of our faith that produces works, and our need to help lead others to Christ – not simply out of love for Him, but love for our neighbors, as well….the two most important commandments of anyone that can be called a Christian, per Jesus Himself. These actions alone lead us to suffering. These works from faith and love produce endurance, but also produce an earthly amount of suffering.

This episode will tie into the next Shaken Awake Episode as it's a two-part message. One is about abuse we suffer, and the other is about abuse we should be willing to suffer – all for the name of Christ. How much of your betrayal, being falsely accused, rejection, abuse, and humiliation is for HIM, and NOT YOU?! His was for you. Why isn't ours for Him? For He said in John 15:18 – ““If the world hates you, know that it has hated Me before it hated you.” Question is – does the world hate you or love you? And if it truly does hate you, is it for Christ's sake, or your own?

Fully surrender to God, not partially. Obey His commands for your life, and you can know the life of abundance that He came to offer. Victory through Christ is within our grips, if we choose to fully surrender to God whatever has a hold on us. Obey Him, even if you don't really want to right now, and discover the genuine and eternal satisfaction that can only come from fully surrendering to God. God has designed our world so that spiritual beliefs are often mirrored in the physical, if we are willing to see them there. If you are, and if you'll desire God's ways above your own, simply ask Him to show you when you are being tempted by your own desires. Unlike receiving the gift of salvation, which is ours the moment we ask Christ into our hearts, fully surrendering to God is a choice we must make with every breath and fiber of our being.

If you've been doing what so many of us have been doing, take heed to the Word of God presented to you in this episode. Dwell in the Word. Search the Word on repentance and allow God and The Holy Spirit to work true repentance into your life if it's been a sticking point up until now. The different between true repentance and no true repentance is also the difference between Heaven and Hell – yes, it's that powerful. Repentance changes you inside and out. Non-repentance is another way of living in the flesh with a false excuse and scapegoat When was the last time you repented, not merely asking for forgiveness over and over? Have you ever? If not, or if there's one thing you haven't truly repented for – today is the best time to do just that. Don't wait for tomorrow, for tomorrow is not guaranteed.

Why do atheists seem today more put together than many professing Christians? Because they're not trying to pretend to be something they're not. Yes, you heard me right and I'm going to repeat that – someone needs to hear this – It's because they're not trying to pretend to be something they're not. They are who they are and don't put on a mask. They don't give themselves a label because they attend an occasional hour long service on a Sunday. They're not lukewarm and despised by Jesus enough for Him to vomit them out of His mouth, because they are just flat, cold. They are getting the best this life and this world have to offer them, and they're responding in kind. Heck, some even worship the world and the atmosphere around us, including the universe – they're that appreciative! As Jesus said many times about many groups – they have their reward here (because they will not receive one in the Kingdom of God). So their best live IS in and of this world – because their next will be eternal torment and punishment that will never end. That's why it's so critical, perhaps more so today than ever in history, to witness and preach the gospel to the lost. There's hope in Jesus Christ, until they take their last breath here on Earth. That last breath will be the best breath they'll ever have, for eternity – no matter in what manner they perish. Isn't that a horrible thought? No – isn't that a horrible REALITY!??!! What are we doing to reach them as Jesus commanded us to? So where does that leave the rest of us….Christians? What are we doing with our faith and our beliefs? What are we doing to run the race that He has set before us. Are we even on the same race track anymore? Are we even in the same state as we were when we were first saved? Are we any different that before we first believed? Are we worse? Are we following the Bible? Are we following the two greatest commandments that Jesus spoke of – daily? To love God with every fiber of our being and to love others as ourselves and to serve, not be served?

When you are saved from this world and become born again, you no longer live for yourself or for this world. You are to love God with all your heart, body, mind, and soul. You're to love your neighbor as yourself and live a life that worth living – not for you, for Jesus. You can't do that while on cruise control – the world is on cruise control, while the world is at enmity with God and God at enmity with the world. Be different. Be like Christ. Are you living life for Jesus by your actions, or are you in the same car you've always been in, with the cruise control on? If so, when will you take it off cruise control and start living according to how God commanded us to live as Christians?

You have one chance, and for many of us including myself, it's more than half over….what are you doing with your time and free will – it's the two most precious assets God has given you to do His will. How much love, obedience, faith, and action will you place in the remainder of your days that are not self-serving, but will be put towards doing the will of the Father? That amount is ENTIRELY in YOUR HANDS. The enemy has been so successful your entire life having you believe the lie that you have all the time to do good. All the time to be a good and faithful servant. All the time to do the wil of the Father. All the time to turn things around. All the time to put off till tomorrow what God says shall be done today. All the time left to pull out a win. All the time left to make up for lost time. All the time left to make an impact for the Kingdom. All the time left to be faithfully obedient and consistent and love and obedience to Him and your neighbor. All the time left to do the things you should have always done but didn't. All the time left……but there's not time left. When the last speck of sand hits the bottom of your hourglass and God calls you home…..there is NO time left afterwards. The race is over. Your chance at life ceases to ever continue again. There is not a second that remains or will ever remain again – FOR ETERNITY!!!!!!!! THEREFORE, HOW precious is your life right now? This is what the enemy fears most – it's what you'll decide to do with it from this second on.

Shaken Awake gets shaken away by Korey Burris - the man whom God would not allow to die. Growing up under severe family abuse, suicide of his best friend, and his own attempt at suicide that almost ended his life, 54 reconstructive surgeries, to more chaos with drug and alcohol abuse, to time in jail and prison, to a life where most can't image - God came and shook Korey awake. From Chaos to Glory. And from glory to glory to glory - how God used a broken man to come back to life and make it his prime mission to serve God with everything he has and to help others overcome what he almost couldn't. This is an amazing testimony to the Almighty God we serve, and to those, like Korey and the Apostle Paul, that take what the enemy meant for evil, and use it for good. Korey is now a licensed and ordained Chaplin and a certified clinical Christian counselor. Let's support Korey Burris in his mission to help others that are in need, suicidal, and living a life in pain. He's got one mission in life now - to run the race God has set before him and be the good and faithful servant God's called him to be. You DON'T want to miss this episode!!!! Links are provided in the show notes on how to contact and/or support Korey Burris.

BE THE LIGHT! We can shine in this dark world. However, we must remember where the light originated and then step out with a willing heart. Don't for a moment think a small little flicker won't make a difference. It will! I hope that each of us, each of you, will let Jesus shine in our world during this season we're in, and beyond. We will reflect God's love for others through our light, and we will be a light in this dark world. Sodom & Gomorrah never had a beacon of light like you…. like you that America does have right now – don't ever forget or neglect that. You are a huge factor in how God uses people to lead them to Him and be saved from eternal destruction. No matter how insignificant you may feel, living in a country of darkness and sin, you are still a perfect match that's in God's perfect matchbook, to be used as a flicker of light to take away the darkness in others' lives. When will you actually believe that and take God's hand and strike your match that He has given you?

The beatitudes, statements of characteristics and blessing, are part of the Sermon on the Mount that Jesus spoke and is recorded in the book of Matthew. Each beatitude looks at different circumstances of life and how all Christians are blessed through their faith. Through these 8 Beatitudes, Jesus teaches of virtues and values in life that will result in blessings and rewards. These beatitudes are not singled out for specific people - they are blessings applicable to all Christians. These Scriptures will encourage you and give you hope as you face each day knowing that you are called blessed! No matter your age, job, or family role, if you apply the beatitudes to your life you will experience a joyful, fulfilled life!

The world, the god of this world (satan), and the distractions in it and of it hold the same value that misdirection and sleight of hand to a magician holds to his performance. If he can get his audience to be redirected and focused on something else, it allows him to not only perform his work, but in a matter that keeps the audience members entertained and thrilled with the performance and the time spent watching the show. You see, it's all a show. It's a staged performance. That, my friends are what the devil and the powers of darkness use the world and those in it to do to you. They've done this for thousands of years…. They are really, really, REALLY good at it. God placed us here to do His will; that is, if you are His child. If you are one of the wicked and unsaved, you will not spend your life doing His will. No one that goes to Heaven goes there because they were “Good” on the earth during their lifetime. In fact, we will see many that were plain evil on earth when we knew them, up in Heaven with us when we get there because at some point, they surrendered themselves to the Lord, believed in Jesus and the resurrection, and were convicted of their sinful nature and not only did they, from their heart ask for forgiveness, they actually repented of their sinful ways and turned from their wicked ways and lived for Christ alone, and no longer for themselves. THAT is who goes to Heaven. So today, we'll focus on 5 ways (there are more, trust God on that one), but these are 5 that worked well for me and other brothers and sisters that I know. They take effort, they take awareness, and they take discipline; then again, doesn't anything good that is accomplished take those 3 things? Of course – as the saying goes, nothing good comes easy.

My whole life I've heard the phrase, “In the world, but not of it,” right? Sound familiar? But like many sayings or quotes, unless they're earth shattering or life changing, I can simply move on from and forget by the very next day. This had always been one of them. My simple mind thought – Of course, I'm a Christian living in a fallen world – makes sense…..move one…..right? However, there's more conviction and power in this one phrase or quote than you could ever imagine, or at least, that I could've ever thought or imagined. You see, today we're going to see very quickly how deep and meaningful this is to God, how deep this rabbit hole goes, and what this means to your existence while on earth and where you end up after this life. Yes, you heard me correctly – all that is contained in the meaning behind his quote, and it's all biblically sound and has been right in front of our noses our entire lives, in the Bible – God's very Word. Today, I pray that the Holy Spirit holds a spiritual mirror up to your face and allow you to look in it and see yourself how He sees you. For He searches your heart, where everything flows from. I want you to see yourself, how God sees you, based on what He has told us. I never knew how much God hated the world and everything in and of it until He told me, by His Word.

“Worrying is like paying a debt you don't owe.” Another is just like it and perhaps equally or more damning – this one from Marianne Williamson – it goes, “Unforgiveness is like drinking poison yourself and waiting for the other person to die.” The reason I use both quotes is that they both are self-fulfilling prophecies that we do to ourselves by not forgiving. We inflict the additional damage on ourselves, not realizing this compound the issues stemming from the original acts that cause the unforgiveness to begin with. It's a double-death! Here's the third-death and the worse death we get from unforgiveness that most don't know, or don't realize – God does not and will not forgive our sins unless we forgive others! Yes, it's true and here is the scripture to back this up – Matt. 6:14 “For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. Matt. 6:15 “But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions. When we repent and confess our sins, as a believer, the Lord will grant us relief from His discipline, but Jesus says in Matthew 6 that if a believer is so hardhearted that he or she withholds forgiveness in earthly relationships, then the Lord will withhold His forgiveness for that person's sins as well, which means the Lord will visit earthly discipline against such a hardhearted believer. How many more hours or days or years do you want to remain in bondage over a person who God can help free you from in the blink of an eye? The answer to that belongs to you and rests solely on your shoulders, or in this case, your heart and your faith in God. Don't wait another day!

In this episode, I'm going to provide you 10 ways to live right according to God's Word and challenge you to take on all 10 – every day. Why? First, because God asks us to and it's important to Him. Second, we are to love the things He loves and hate the things He hates. Why would we then not, right? Christians are called to live for Jesus and follow Him in EVERYTHING we do. But what exactly does it mean to live for Jesus, and how do we do it? The best way is to look directly into the Bible for examples of how Christ lived and try to be as much like Him as possible; He lived a life that set the perfect example of how we are to live ours. How many of you would easily agree that living for the Savior is more meaningful than living for ourselves? I hope all of you! How many know that much of the time, we can be living more for ourselves than for Him? So, here are 10 real-world steps you can take TODAY to start living your life for God, and should be used as a daily resolution to Him and to yourself…

In this episode, I will show you what and where in the Bible it gives authority to use a day to worship the Lord, whether it be on Easter or whether it be on Christmas day, regardless of its worldly, pagan roots or tradition. Before you judge the world and body of Christ and become so conscience of your faith that you begin to sound and act like a Pharisee, search the Word of God to see what He says – not as the world says. He looks at the heart…your motives that come from it. What HE sees is the only thing that matters – don't let the enemy lure you over to his side, with false pretenses that become judgement over your fellow Brothers and Sisters in Christ. Other than Easter and Christmas that we just discussed, is there any other stronghold the enemy may have on you through guilt, shame, oppression, or other that otherwise, is well with the Lord after all? If so, get into the Word on this and in prayer. When you place God first above all, you're obeying His first commandment – you cannot be wrong or sinning while doing so. Have peace knowing that.

Of all the topics I've spoken on to date, this will more than likely be the most important of all, and I'd image one of the most important I will EVER speak on. This episode, I feel so passionately about, that if I had only a few minutes to live, and was surrounded by friends and family, this is the topic I would choose. Why?? Because it's THAT Important to your life here on earth, and that of your eternal resting place. Everyone wants to go to Heaven, but no one wants to die. Ever heard that one before? The deeper you analyze that, the more you uncover the real reason – everyone WANTS paradise, but no one wants the hard road to get there. They want their cake, to eat it too, and to be able to go back for seconds, possibly thirds as well, ok? You with me so far? Again, I'm going to attempt to do in these few moments we have together, to break the chains the enemy has had on you since birth and certainly since you became a professing Christian. By the way, I'm saying professing Christian, because many profess that they are true Christians, until they, ironically, read their Bible and find out they're not truly saved. So, not knowing everyone I'm addressing, I'll continue with professing Christians – for all you know, I'm the same. I'm going to try to hit a nerve so deep with you hearts and minds, that you will be forced to look at God's Word differently, and with the help of our Helper, the Holy Spirit, you will not continue refusing to dwell, which is the same as consistently reading, the Bible any longer. I can't make you, but the Holy Spirit can convict you – and that, my friends is what my hope is today, God willing.

As it is written in 1 Corinthians 2:9, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”— don't you dare, for one second, think that he is only referring to Heaven. He's also referring to this life we have to invest for Him and His Kingdom – I never experienced the things I have on Earth as it is in Heaven, until the day I surrendered all and began living my life for Him and not myself. He has blessed me in dividends that I cannot even explain. It is proof, He delivers His promises to those who love and obey Him. If you've been wondering, “Is this all God has planned for my life?” – just know, He's been asking you the same question. Once you live your life for Him, you cannot FATHOM what He has in store you for; either in this life, or the next. What are you waiting for??? Don't wait another day!

As the end gets closer, this becomes more and more and more and more serious and real. If you're not prepared right now….TODAY; how are you going to be prepared for what tomorrow is going to bring, according to Christ Jesus? Persecution Is at Our Doorstep – Are You Prepared? Are you prepared the way God wants and asks you to be prepared? Do you know how to be prepared and what it takes to become and remain prepared? If not, the next thing you do today should be to seek God on this and get into His Word immediately. Tomorrow is not guaranteed.

Today, I'm going to attempt at relaying what I've been given in wisdom and knowledge on this very topic and hope it resonates or puts a pebble in your shoe to seek this out further, with Jesus. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosever believed in Him, shall not perish, but have everlasting life.” - John 3:16 Matthew 7 then describes people who come face to face with Jesus, as we all will one day, and soon, and they go as far as to not only have believed in Him, but also prophesied in his name, performed miracles, etc. – how could this be? Furthermore, How could Jesus say “I never knew you” – HE KNOWS EVERYONE, I had believed! And just as confusing to me, how come the people who not only believe in Him, but went as far as what most people, at least that I know, don't even do – prophesy, cast out demons, perform miracles….why would THEY be the ones to be cast into outer darkness and for Jesus not to have known them, but they claim to have known HIM?? This is not an easy set of questions, nor is it my job or ability to give you full understanding – that is the work of The Holy Spirit.

In this episode, we discuss how I am proof that hate exists, and so does the glory and saving grace and mercy and miracles of the Almighty God, our Father when it comes to loving one another as ourselves. He saved a wretch like Saul of Tarsus and turned him into the Apostle Paul, and he saved an evil wretch like me and turned me into His follower and friend. He is mightier than we can even dream or imagine. This is just one story how He works in our lives and the lives of others we do not even know exist. So, what changed? How did God save me? How did God transform me? How did God perform a miracle and turn my heart from stone to flesh. How did God turn darkness into light? If you don't love your neighbor as much as you do yourself and your own life, today should be the day, you get on your knees and ask God to give you wisdom and breakthrough and a heart to love your neighbor as thyself. Repent for not doing so in accordance with Jesus' commandment, and begin loving your neighbor today, as Christ loves you. This is a part of being a good and faithful servant. We'll discuss how He did and continues to do so...

In this episode, I'm going to show you some scriptures that tell us EXACTLY where to spend our time, energy, and effort with the time we have remaining on this Earth. Why? Because it's important to God, and therefore, it must become and remain important to us, right? Absolutely! I'm going to “borrow” this quote from Pastor and Evangelist Paul Washer: “We live between two great days: The day Christ hung before men and the day all men will kneel before Christ,” To which I will add, “Make your life a life worth living….. for Jesus. Pick up your cross daily, and live for Him.”

Compare the proof of love you have for anything in this world (children, spouse, family, etc.) against the love you have for God. Is it stronger and more prevalent in your life, and does it show in your heart, your mind, and your soul, day in and day out? Or, is it in your mind only? When you compare what you expect from someone that loves you unconditionally, every day, in action - not talk; is that the love that you yourself are giving to God first and then everyone around you? If you struggle to have a deep relationship with the Lord and have a heart that has nothing but pure and true love for Him and for those all around you, even before yourself, the only one that can change your heart is the One who created it.

How does satan manipulate us? How does the devil create lies that deceive us? How does lucifer ensnare us? How does the dragon attempt to destroy us? After all, he's had since before the Garden to perfect his craft, has he not??? His first victims, Eve then Adam went flawless – so flawless, he caused the downfall of all humanity by convincing the first humans that they needed to question God. And he succeeded within minutes. We like to think and say, “How could they have been that dumb?!?!?” Here's the brutal truth – that's pride kicking in….you and I would've done the exact same thing as they did!!!!! THAT'S how he works and THAT's how good he is at deception and defeat. Within minutes, he had two people that were physically created by God Himself and communed with God daily, in person!!!!!!! Over a stupid piece of Fruit!!!!! And you think you can outsmart the devil?!? You cannot and even the thought that you can, is sin! It's pride. See how he works? I'm going to break down the most common ways he wins daily against us, or at least tries, and then show what the Bible says about each of these areas – they don't teach this in church – God teaches this in the Bible. At least, I had never heard this growing up in any church…..another way he confuses and deceives…..YES, in the church!!!

It's a good practice to be in the Word of God daily – where the devil is not found. When you make what matters most to God matter most to you, and make it a daily habit – watch how everything around and inside of you changes. It won't be coincidence, and it won't be a disappointment – I can promise you that. More and most importantly, God promises you that. God blesses those who love and obey Him. Please the Creator, not the creation. When is the last time you searched your heart? Using the things that we have unearthed from God's Word and spoken of in today's episode, how many of these are at the core of your being, daily, as a Christian? How many could benefit from more concentration on one of more of those things that matter most to God. Most importantly and truthfully, what matters most to you, day in and day out – what matters most to God, or to what matters most to you?

How does the proclaimed Body of Christ claim it's the Body of Christ, when they can't even agree on what the very Word of God says?!?!?!?! The inheritance of the Kingdom is not a buffet-style, ala-carte, menu of do's and don'ts!!!!! The Bible is very clear on what we must all do to be truly saved, born again, worshipping and praising of God, prayer, faith, love, loving God and our neighbors as ourselves, being servants, being the head and not the tail, and not leaning on our own wisdom as fools do, but by clinging to every word of God. Why do we have the instruction manual for life and eternity, that has outlived everything since before Christ was born, but we aren't smart or wise enough to believe everything from the first to the last page, the way God and the Holy Spirit designed it??? The reason you cannot answer that, is because there is no true answer. It's a fallacy! Except this kind can cost you true belief, true direction for your life, and whether or not you steer others towards or away from the very God you claim to belong to and love with all your heart, mind, soul, and body! Here are current misunderstandings in God's Word: · The timing of the Rapture · Tribulation timeline · Once saved, always saved · Loss of salvation · What's a true Christian vs. a false one · OT vs. NT theology · Does God change with the times · True repentance vs. regret/remorse · The words of Jesus and His disciples – for their time, or ours? Or both? · Loving God vs. a Judging God · Loss of salvation vs. salvation that can never be taken · Name blotted out of the Lamb's Book of Life · Predestination and Election. · God created the men/women knowing they would not be saved · Homosexuality and being a Christian at the same time · Someone that believes in Christ, as John 3:16 states, is saved forever, regardless of how they live · The scriptures being literal or figurative · Man took away or added to the scriptures, and so unsure of what to believe or not · Watering down the severity of sin from what the Bible denotes · Misunderstandings of our role on Earth, once we're born again · What a born-again Christian is like, vs. one that claims they are saved and believe. · That there is somehow different ‘levels' of Christianity and being saved. · That some of the Bible is meant for us and some is not; or, some is obsolete. · Going with what man states, rather than what the Word of God states. · Leaning on pastors for wisdom vs. the Bible. · The Trinity – no such thing vs. it is an absolute, backed up by the Word of God · Complying with what's convenient and comfortable while ignoring what's not. · Seeing God only as love, but not the Judge. · Seeing God only as the Judge, but not love. · Seeing Jesus as the loving Messiah, but God as the one that is angry and the deciding factor of who goes to hell and who doesn't. · The skin color of Jesus · The shape of the Earth · The role of government vs. God – what feels right/wrong vs. what God says · Mark of the Beast · Who's our “Neighbors” that we are to love, as Jesus commands is the second greatest commandment

First, be sure that you are saved today – before you do anything else. Nothing is more important than salvation in Christ and a guarantee to be in the presence of God for eternity. The second is – please go back and read these chapters for yourself. As I mentioned previously, there are many, many more books/chapters/verses dedicated to end times knowledge. I've just picked 3 in this episode. Read them all twice, or three times if you have to (Matthew 24, Revelation 6 & 7)!!! Many of you, like I, will need to in order to undo what's been done during our lifetime to have us believe in a wrong timing of the Rapture. It's important to know when, so as to not be deceived and lost during the tribulation that you will go through. Is it more important to believe you're right, or more important to be prepared with God's truth – especially when it comes to making decision that can affect your eternal resting place? One is with Him and the other is without Him.

Get shaken awake with Michael Sanders of West Virginia, who was a former alcoholic. He experienced great abuse growing up; he was a drug addict, sex addict, and a pleasure seeker of all the wrong things life had to offer him, not to mention growing up with depression and anxiety disorders. God set him free from all the abuse, all his inflictions and all his addictions. And Michael is joining us today to give us one heck of a story of deliverance and being born again into the family of God.

The point of today's episode is to Shake You Awake and Away from the deceptions and misdirection of the enemy – there are too many distractions created by the enemy to redirect, mislead, misdirect and deflect those that would otherwise be on the right path. God's already won – the enemy has already been defeated, but as we see in today's current state of the world, the enemy is on hyperdrive to take down and mislead as many to destruction, along with him, as he possibly can. We have the Guidebook and Guide, God and His Word, to prevent us from going astray. Take the blinders off and allow Him to lead you in both truth and knowledge. Stay on the straight and narrow path, that few find. The forms may change and the temptations may vary. But the devil and his cohorts seek disrupt, distract and misdirect the people of God. We need to do whatever it takes to focus on the Word of God, worship the Lord, quiet the voices of distraction, and remove the misdirection of the enemy. If you are not in the Word of God, you need to be there. If you are not in a place of vital worship, you need to get there. In the last passage in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught on the danger of getting distracted from the Word. "Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash." (Matthew 7:24-27) Where is your CURRENT walk leading you to believe, to act, to place your hope, faith, happiness, peace, joy, and truth in? Is it of the world, or is of the Word? You can only serve one – which will you serve?

The point of today's episode is to throw a pebble in your shoe to create an awareness of what we do with the time God has given us, once we become His children by being born again. The enemy is working overtime to create a life of creature comforts and selfish motives so that you are the one your serve, and not God. It's real easy to do – just ask ME! I never realized that I was my idol for the first 41 years of my life, one that would've costed me an eternity in hell had I died before He pulled me out of the fire I was headed towards. It's easier to take God's hand and help those in need to produce the works that back up your faith, than it is to produce nothing, which shows your faith was dead to begin with. The more rocks you throw into the middle of the lake, which represent your works (acts of service and kindness), the more that will produce the number of ripples that only God can count and use to perform His miracles. How many ripples does YOUR faith produce?

The point of today's episode is to bring awareness and hopefully some clarity and peace above and beyond the chaos going on around us today. If you're listening in and it's still 2021, I need to go no further in explaining the chaos that is growing by the week. If you're listening and it's 2022 or beyond, I cannot imagine what you and I and we are facing – I have an idea though, and it makes 2021 look like a twisted fire drill. Like nothing. Like, had we only seen what was coming…we'd have done things a bit differently. Good news, that's what has prompted me to speak today, and to ask God and The Holy Spirit to fill me with Their words, not mine, that They want you to hear. Some of what I'll speak on today is already in your Bibles. Some of what I have to say is Brotherly advice based on the Bible's teaching and where God is leading me to go with today's message. We have accurate accounts from Creation to now, as well as prophecy, both foretold and which has come to pass as well as prophecy which is unfolding, undeniably, in front of our very eyes. God's never been wrong, and has never fallen on his promises – How much faith do you have in God vs. those around you, including establishments, government, vaccines, and false hope? What does YOUR BIBLE have to say to you about what you need to be doing during the signs of the end of times? I suggest you start following it today, and putting your 100% faith in God and God alone. Those that didn't place their complete faith in God in all the stories in the Bible, fell. Don't be like them – let's learn from God and from our History that He had and has documented for us.

Please join us in welcoming to the show a very special guest, a man of God, and a true example of God's glory and mercy as He has shaken awake and crated a great warrior for Christ in Matt Hardy. We learn a bit about how Matt's live was prior to being Shaken Awake by the Lord, how he lived life for himself, believing he was "saved" due to a number of alter calls and sinners' prayers, but found out exactly what it means to serve God with all your heart, mind, soul, and body. You don't want to miss this episode and Matt's story - so strap yourself in for a very uplifting story about a great man of God and what he's doing for the Kingdom now.

The point of today's episode is NOT to bash the church or those in it. The point of today is to hold a mirror to the churches (buildings and those in in) and ask, why don't we see enough of Christ in them, and what are we missing that they're not sharing. So, this episode comes from several genuine and sincere places – 1.) what I'm hearing in the Christian community today, 2.) what I'm reading in God's Word that was never taught to me in the churches growing up or today, and 3.) reflection about the first 41 years of my life where I ask myself – how come no pastor, church, or Christian every shared this wisdom and knowledge with me my entire life, that I'm now plainly staring at in my Bible in front of me?

We're human. We want things. We need things. We're creatures of habit, and we have emotional needs, spiritual needs, financial needs, nutritional needs, and social needs. We're all after the same things, really, aren't we? I mean, after all, at the end of our day, don't we all want to feel appreciated, loved, cared for, joyful, peaceful, happy, fulfilled, without stress, enlightened, non-pressured, with meaning and purpose, and living a life worth living? I could go on for the next 10 minutes talking about what we all need and want. The problem is – we go searching for the pursuit of these needs and wants in the wrong places and people. The irony is three-fold – 1.) we spend our lives in pursuit of the very things we never get, 2.) we typically get the opposite, and 3.) the most astounding of them all – God has them in His hand holding them out in front of our faces all the time, but we don't go after what we cannot see. Yes, you heard me right – we don't go after what we cannot see! What do I mean by that? We don't go after what we ourselves cannot see or achieve on our own, even though God has them readily available, in overflowing abundance for us, every waking moment of every single day!

Today, the world won't read the Bible, because it's busy reading YOU (the Christian). It is by your example that they will become thirsty for what you have, which is Jesus. And it's not talk – it's action. Faith without works is DEAD. Don't let the devil place importance on worldly things and what you spend your time on over and above what God would have your spend your time and devotion on. Two different paths, two different outcomes. God is worth what percent of your day? What percent are you willing to give to the One who died for you, rose again, defeated sin and death, and offers free salvation and grace to everyone who will love and obey Him? Take it from one who was one for 41 years of his life – Being a lukewarm Christian is so dangerous, because you blend in with everybody and impact nobody.

When everything around you is pleasureful and inviting, who wants to get sucked up into rules, righteous living, and put away self for the sake of our Savior? You see, what they don't realize is – everything you ever wanted, and MORE that you didn't even realize is real, is all and only found in Jesus! Everything everyone wants, ultimately, is to feel loved, to feel appreciated, to feel valued, to feel true peace, true joy, true happiness, and which doesn't fade, but only grows stronger. And like the saying goes, everyone wants to go to Heaven, but no one wants to die. But here's a news flash: EVERYONE DIES, but only a very few will enter Heaven. Oh, now the saying has a different twist, doesn't it? It sure does. What we do NOW, TODAY, what we do TOMORROW, and the NEXT Day, who we choose to follow and worship dictates our eternity.

What is the difference between guilt, remorse, regret, and repentance? GUILT is a prison that will keep you perpetually bound and unchanged. REMORSE enslaves you in sorrow that engulfs you emotionally and leaves you feeling sad, depressed, hopeless, and unchanged. REGRET is self-pity that is focused more on your own personal loss than on the pain or loss you caused to others or to the heart of God, and it leaves you unchanged. REPENTANCE is a quality decision to change — and when genuine repentance occurs in a person's heart and mind, you can be sure the Holy Spirit will release His power to effect change in that person's life and lead him to freedom! Are there any areas in your life in which you have felt guilty, remorseful, or regretful — but unchanged? Could it be that you've never really made a firm decision to change, and that's why you've had no enduring victory in these areas of your life? If you've confused tears with repentance, now you know that you don't have to depend on your emotions to repent. If God is dealing with you about something that needs to change in your life, you can repent right now at this very moment, regardless of what you do or do not feel. God is waiting for you to make a decision!

When you breath your last breath here on earth, and begin your eternity somewhere, hopefully Heaven, no doubt – what needs to change, starting today, that will bless you where your treasures are stored up, and which won't condemn you when you give an account for your life and every word spoken and action taken to Jesus Himself? There is no doubt that God, our faith, and our daily walk with Him is the single highest priority and reason we've been chosen by God to be here on this Earth for as long as we have here – only God knows how many heartbeats we have left here. There's no second chance to live another life. Place your life, your actions, your concentration, your faith, your trust, and your undying and relentless pursuit in life to please the Father, and to live a life that's pleasing to Him in order to hear those precious words – “Well done, My good and faithful servant.” What on Earth could POSSIBLY be more significant? Find out more on this weeks episode of Shaken Awake!

What in your life is stopping you or you've decided is more important than putting in 15-30 minutes of your day, every day, into the Word of God? Are you prepared to continue to put The Bible at the bottom of your daily to-do list. What is more important that God's Living Word? What are your prepared to tell God one day, to His face, if He asks why you never took time out to read the Book He wrote for you? I challenge you to prayerfully consider the information discussed in today's podcast. Test it with God's Word, and ask God where and how He wants you to make His Word more central to your life. Everything you could ever want or need or hope for is outlined inside the pages of your Bible. Set your alarm for 30 minutes earlier each day, and make some time for your Creator and watch your entire life change.

The Bible states in Hebrews 11:6 – “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that He rewards those who seek him. So, faith is needed, drawing near to him is needed, and those who seek him are rewarded. There's one answer straight out of God's Word! Faith, Drawing Near, Seeking Him. • Faith – without it, it's dead – faith is stepping out and by your works, actions, and words, it will be revealed by the faith you have. Drawing Near – If I believe in Him and want to please Him, I draw near to Him by going meeting Him where He's at, as He does for us. He's in the Word, He's in prayer, He's in our hearts, He's in our church groups/small groups. He's everywhere that we draw near to Him in. Seeking Him – How can you seek something if you don't go looking?? How do you seek something on your social media, or in a bottle, or in the bar, or on television, or in the news, or while you're out having “fun” or concentrating on self for your own needs? You cannot. • So, if you and I believe He exists, we will draw near to Him. If we lack faith, we won't. Therefore, it will be impossible to please Him without it. You may be saying or thinking right now, “But no, Ben, I believe in him and I have faith and believe He exists, but I don't exactly seek Him. Then my question back is: Why would you not earnestly seek God, who you believe in, have faith in, and draw near to Him? Is it because you don't feel like it? Is it because you don't take the time to think about it or care to? Is it because your life is more important? Is it because, like me, you never were convicted of this because like me, I'd never cracked open my Bible and read these words of Truth? If the shoe fits – KICK. IT. Off. How are you living your life to please God? WHO by your actions are you pleasing? And finally, is there any area of your life that you can pray and seek the Father's guidance and direction, in order to serve and please Him, or are you maxed out; meaning, you have nothing more to give to God in your life? The enemy works overtime to create a world of creature comforts that are self-serving and a world of pleasure and the pursuit of happiness within the world. Take a look around – he's done a pretty good job at taking God out of everything and the putting the world into everything. We are now what Jesus warned of as being how people will be living their lives at the end of the age – as they were in the days of Noah. The enemy is the master of deception, the master of lies, portrays himself as the angel of light, and is hell-bent on stealing souls from God and His Kingdom and devouring all which is good. Jesus Christ is the only answer for salvation and eternal life. So which master, by your actions and faith, are you truly serving and pleasing? There can only be one answer.