Transforming Truth With Jeff Lyle

What if you heard that it is impossible to become a disciple of Jesus Christ while remaining immune from suffering? Would you still want to be His follower, knowing that He would lead you into life experiences that produced temporary pain? Many Christians protest this type of teaching, wrongly believing that God has obligated himself to protect us from all pain and suffering. the Bible actually teaches us the opposite. God will DELIVER us out of all pain and suffering, but He has not pledged to prevent it from ever finding us. This Truth Shot unpacks the benefits of a life which endures suffering for the glory of Jesus. There is holy profit in our temporary struggles. Who will endure suffering long enough to discover the treasure within it?

Can A Christian Be Demonized?

Can A Christian Be Demonized?

One of the most difficult issues for Christians is to personally understand and to communicate to others why a good, loving God allows suffering. This is a huge stumbling block for many people. There is no denying the truth that suffering impacts both the believer and non-believer, and learning what Scripture says about suffering is a key to us enduring it. God is not on trial when we suffer, but it is helpful to learn that there is divine purpose in our temporary pain. This episode of Truth Shots brings context to us for those times when suffering pierces our lives.

God has a desire to bless and advance you in the arena of your personal finances. He wants to proper the businesses of His children. God is not anti-wealth, and He is more than willing to entrust financial increase to us as we prove we will steward His way and for His glory. This does not happen accidentally for there Christian. When. Those who follow Jesus partner with God concerning their money, there exists a promise of some measure of increase that will come to he believer. So why do the vast majority of Christians neglect the intentional honoring of God with their finances? It boils down to two things: a lack of understanding and/or a lack of trust. An ancient account of an impoverished widow reveals in one scene how God is able to make all His resources abound toward those who will trust, release, and receive. There are no exceptions to this principle. Those who have practiced this principle on their end have more than proven God to be faithful on His end. When the Kingdom laws of releasing and receiving are at work in our lives, both material and spiritual wealth will eventually find us.

At some point, people are going to talk about you. The American church culture holds a lot of chatter. People just seem to gravitate to talking about other people. So, when your name comes up in those discussions, what will be said? The Apostle Paul once wrote a letter that mentioned a lot of names. The Church at Philippi was like most churches today: there were the good, the bad, and the ugly. In this passage, Paul communicates about two of the good ones. His testimony of Timothy and Epaphroditus contained lavish endorsements because these two men were of excellent character. What Paul said about them needs to be said of us when our names come up. In Paul's words about them, we gain wisdom and motivation about how we can begin to live at much higher levels of commitment to Kingdom excellence. May our testimonies be those that welcome commendation from those who observe our lives.

Many people recoil when they realize that they are about to hear a teaching on the lordship of Jesus Christ. Because he has been so frequently (and incompletely!) presented to us merely as the Savior who forgives, the biblical reality of Jesus being a Lord who rules is uncomfortable for many. The primarily question is, “Does the Bible present a legitimate foundation for someone believing in Jesus as their Savior while denying that He is also their Lord?” This Truth Shot episode walks us through a detailed view of what Scripture teaches about this sometimes controversial issue. Could it be that those who resist Jesus as their Lord have never actually received Him as Savior? The startling answer is discovered in God's Word.

Many people recoil when they realize that they are about to hear a teaching on the lordship of Jesus Christ. Because he has been so frequently (and incompletely!) presented to us merely as the Savior who forgives, the biblical reality of Jesus being a Lord who rules is uncomfortable for many. The primarily question is, “Does the Bible present a legitimate foundation for someone believing in Jesus as their Savior while denying that He is also their Lord?” This Truth Shot episode walks us through a detailed view of what Scripture teaches about this sometimes controversial issue. Could it be that those who resist Jesus as their Lord have never actually received Him as Savior? The startling answer is discovered in God's Word.

Sometimes, Christians need to remember who our God is. We are often prone to bouts of anxiety, weakness, dread, and warfare. God seems to shrink in size in our minds if we are not responding properly in faith to the things that oppose us. Even our own internal weaknesses can lead us to wonder if we are going to make it through. Passages like Isaiah 35 galvanize our faith and stiffen our spines. God defies whatever opposes His children when they are walking in His will. This message highlights six separate things that we encounter in life, and it reveals how God defies these things from being the end of us. Yes, the defiant God of Heaven fights for His own.

Romans 8:35-39 is one of the most strengthening, encouraging passages in all of the Bible. The Apostle Paul boldly declares that nothing—not hardship, persecution, demons, decrease nor any force in creation—can separate us from the saving, strengthening, and shepherding love of Christ. These unapologetic promises will uplift your spirit, fortify your faith, and remind you of the victorious hope we have in Him. For anyone seeking encouragement or a deeper connection with God's stabilizing, empowering promises, this teaching will leave you anchored in the truth that all Christians are more than conquerors through Christ's unwavering love.

Romans 8:35-39 is one of the most strengthening, encouraging passages in all of the Bible. The Apostle Paul boldly declares that nothing—not hardship, persecution, demons, decrease nor any force in creation—can separate us from the saving, strengthening, and shepherding love of Christ. These unapologetic promises will uplift your spirit, fortify your faith, and remind you of the victorious hope we have in Him. For anyone seeking encouragement or a deeper connection with God's stabilizing, empowering promises, this teaching will leave you anchored in the truth that all Christians are more than conquerors through Christ's unwavering love.

Sometimes, Christians need to remember who our God is. We are often prone to bouts of anxiety, weakness, dread, and warfare. God seems to shrink in size in our minds if we are not responding properly in faith to the things that oppose us. Even our own internal weaknesses can lead us to wonder if we are going to make it through. Passages like Isaiah 35 galvanize our faith and stiffen our spines. God defies whatever opposes His children when they are walking in His will. This message highlights six separate things that we encounter in life, and it reveals how God defies these things from being the end of us. Yes, the defiant God of Heaven fights for His own.

There is a reality that most committed followers of Jesus experience from time to time. In certain seasons, this experience can become overwhelming, even debilitating. What is this common yet risky experience? Exhaustion in the soul. What do we do when we hit a brick wall in our minds or bodies? When the strength we need becomes the strength we cannot find, our very souls can be dragged downward. The Bible counsels us to become people who are always balancing work and rest, seeking God's strength through prayer, persevering with hope, and leaning on community. It portrays fatigue as a human reality but points to God's provision—physical, emotional, and spiritual—to overcome it. For any who are presently sensing spiritual fatigue, this episode of Truth Shots offers solid, practical, biblical guidance towards a fresh reset that will empower you to operate in God's strength when you feel your own has run out.

There is a reality that most committed followers of Jesus experience from time to time. In certain seasons, this experience can become overwhelming, even debilitating. What is this common yet risky experience? Exhaustion in the soul. What do we do when we hit a brick wall in our minds or bodies? When the strength we need becomes the strength we cannot find, our very souls can be dragged downward. The Bible counsels us to become people who are always balancing work and rest, seeking God's strength through prayer, persevering with hope, and leaning on community. It portrays fatigue as a human reality but points to God's provision—physical, emotional, and spiritual—to overcome it. For any who are presently sensing spiritual fatigue, this episode of Truth Shots offers solid, practical, biblical guidance towards a fresh reset that will empower you to operate in God's strength when you feel your own has run out.

There are appointed times when God is offering His people something beyond the norm. Awakening, breakthrough, advance, and revival are found all throughout the Bible, and it is always God's desire to lead His people into “the more.” Yet many Christians and churches are seemingly stuck in the bog of status-quo, average, mundane Christianity. Is there something that God is waiting for from us before awakening comes? Are these types of seasons simply the determination of a sovereign God who brings breakthrough when He appoints it? Does it rest squarely on us? This is the first of at least two messages we will consider on God's offer of awakening to His people in this present season. Sometimes understanding the offer makes it easier to recognize when God places it before us.

There are appointed times when God is offering His people something beyond the norm. Awakening, breakthrough, advance, and revival are found all throughout the Bible, and it is always God's desire to lead His people into “the more.” Yet many Christians and churches are seemingly stuck in the bog of status-quo, average, mundane Christianity. Is there something that God is waiting for from us before awakening comes? Are these types of seasons simply the determination of a sovereign God who brings breakthrough when He appoints it? Does it rest squarely on us? This is the first of at least two messages we will consider on God's offer of awakening to His people in this present season. Sometimes understanding the offer makes it easier to recognize when God places it before us.

God reserves the right to change our life's pathway without any advanced notice. Moses had blown it decades earlier when he sought to do God's will in his own power. Like the rest of us, when he tried to do Spirit-work in the power of the flesh, things went sideways for Moses. Forty years later, long after Moses had likely given up on his call, God summoned Moses to turn aside from his normal, mundane life to see something spectacular. As a bush burned in the desert, God began to speak to Moses again and tell him that it was now time to step into the fulness of his calling. For Moses and the people to whom God sent him, nothing would ever be the same. It is never too late to say YES to God's plan.

God reserves the right to change our life's pathway without any advanced notice. Moses had blown it decades earlier when he sought to do God's will in his own power. Like the rest of us, when he tried to do Spirit-work in the power of the flesh, things went sideways for Moses. Forty years later, long after Moses had likely given up on his call, God summoned Moses to turn aside from his normal, mundane life to see something spectacular. As a bush burned in the desert, God began to speak to Moses again and tell him that it was now time to step into the fulness of his calling. For Moses and the people to whom God sent him, nothing would ever be the same. It is never too late to say YES to God's plan.

Now it is time to understand what Scripture reveals as the marks of authentic revival. What does it look like? What should we expect to happen in revival? Did you know that we can potentially bring revival to a halt? In Part 1 of this message, we defined what the revival actually is and what precedes it. Now is the time to disclose what occurs in true revival and how Christians partner with God to steward and sustain it.

Now it is time to understand what Scripture reveals as the marks of authentic revival. What does it look like? What should we expect to happen in revival? Did you know that we can potentially bring revival to a halt? In Part 1 of this message, we defined what the revival actually is and what precedes it. Now is the time to disclose what occurs in true revival and how Christians partner with God to steward and sustain it.

God's mysterious providence has been worming slowly on behalf of Ruth and Naomi. He has moved on His own to cross Ruth's path with the man who would eventually become her husband. God had done it all sovereignly and quietly. Now comes the moment where Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz all needed to do their part for God's plan to unfold. This message reminds us that sometimes we can wait on God too long. Sometimes, He calls us to responsive action. Sometimes, if we fail to do our part, we might miss the plans of God for our futures. These three people responded beautifully. Wedding bells would soon be ringing.

God's mysterious providence has been worming slowly on behalf of Ruth and Naomi. He has moved on His own to cross Ruth's path with the man who would eventually become her husband. God had done it all sovereignly and quietly. Now comes the moment where Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz all needed to do their part for God's plan to unfold. This message reminds us that sometimes we can wait on God too long. Sometimes, He calls us to responsive action. Sometimes, if we fail to do our part, we might miss the plans of God for our futures. These three people responded beautifully. Wedding bells would soon be ringing.

Most Christians recognize that the Church at large stands in need of a revival from Holy Spirit. There is a lack of theological precision, spiritual power, and zealous passion among believers. The Church has turned lukewarm in most places. In some places there is potent, authentic revival taking place, but these hotspots of the Spirit are rare. In Part 1 of this message, we focus on what defines revival and what precedes revival. If we are going to pray to God to send it to us, and if we are going to steward it when it arrives, we need to understand exactly what revival is. The second part of this message will unpack the fruit of revival and how Christians partner with God to host revival.

Most Christians recognize that the Church at large stands in need of a revival from Holy Spirit. There is a lack of theological precision, spiritual power, and zealous passion among believers. The Church has turned lukewarm in most places. In some places there is potent, authentic revival taking place, but these hotspots of the Spirit are rare. In Part 1 of this message, we focus on what defines revival and what precedes revival. If we are going to pray to God to send it to us, and if we are going to steward it when it arrives, we need to understand exactly what revival is. The second part of this message will unpack the fruit of revival and how Christians partner with God to host revival.

There are appointed times when God is offering His people something beyond the norm. Awakening, breakthrough, advance, and revival are found all throughout the Bible, and it is always God's desire to lead His people into “the more.” Yet many Christians and churches are seemingly stuck in the bog of status-quo, average, mundane Christianity. Is there something that God is waiting for from us before awakening comes? Are these types of seasons simply the determination of a sovereign God who brings breakthrough when He appoints it? Does it rest squarely on us? This is the first of at least two messages we will consider on God's offer of awakening to His people in this present season. Sometimes understanding the offer makes it easier to recognize when God places it before us.

There are appointed times when God is offering His people something beyond the norm. Awakening, breakthrough, advance, and revival are found all throughout the Bible, and it is always God's desire to lead His people into “the more.” Yet many Christians and churches are seemingly stuck in the bog of status-quo, average, mundane Christianity. Is there something that God is waiting for from us before awakening comes? Are these types of seasons simply the determination of a sovereign God who brings breakthrough when He appoints it? Does it rest squarely on us? This is the first of at least two messages we will consider on God's offer of awakening to His people in this present season. Sometimes understanding the offer makes it easier to recognize when God places it before us.

In the story of Ruth, we get to meet one of the most noble men in all of the Bible. There are not a large amount of verses dedicated to Boaz, but everything written of him is good. He stands as one of the clearest types of Christ in all of the Old Testament. In this message, Boaz is seen again as kind, caring, generous, and committed to providing for and protecting the Gentile widow named Ruth. In doing so, Boaz acts in such a way that Naomi recognizes that this kinsman of her deceased husband seems to be operating not only in kindness and generosity, but also in a way that points to a potential wedding to young Ruth. The future bridegroom of a destitute Moabite begins to take center stage. As he does so, we cannot help but to think of our own Kinsman redeemer, Jesus Christ.

In the story of Ruth, we get to meet one of the most noble men in all of the Bible. There are not a large amount of verses dedicated to Boaz, but everything written of him is good. He stands as one of the clearest types of Christ in all of the Old Testament. In this message, Boaz is seen again as kind, caring, generous, and committed to providing for and protecting the Gentile widow named Ruth. In doing so, Boaz acts in such a way that Naomi recognizes that this kinsman of her deceased husband seems to be operating not only in kindness and generosity, but also in a way that points to a potential wedding to young Ruth. The future bridegroom of a destitute Moabite begins to take center stage. As he does so, we cannot help but to think of our own Kinsman redeemer, Jesus Christ.

The life of faith is mysterious blend of human responsibility and divine providence. Scripture clearly states that believers proactively plan their steps…but that God divinely directs those pathways to fulfill His ultimate plans for us. This is where a providential intersection of Ruth's decisions and God's determination for her life occurs. In all of what happens in Ruth chapter two, we see believers at their best and God's wisdom on full display. As we trust and obey in our own daily decisions, we also will encounter eventual favor under the sheltering wings of the Almighty.

The life of faith is mysterious blend of human responsibility and divine providence. Scripture clearly states that believers proactively plan their steps…but that God divinely directs those pathways to fulfill His ultimate plans for us. This is where a providential intersection of Ruth's decisions and God's determination for her life occurs. In all of what happens in Ruth chapter two, we see believers at their best and God's wisdom on full display. As we trust and obey in our own daily decisions, we also will encounter eventual favor under the sheltering wings of the Almighty.

One of the risks in living as a biblically informed and scripturally loyal Christian is that we become so familiar with what the Bible says about Jesus and His sufferings that we can end up being filled with the doctrine of the cross but empty of the emotion of the cross. We must not only theologically comprehend the journey of Jesus in His passion week, but we are meant to enter into a deeper revelation of what He understood, felt, and accomplished as He was made to be sin for us. The Gospels reveal that Jesus was left utterly alone as He accomplished all that was necessary to become the sacrifice and substitute for sin. Jesus was all alone so that we could be in the presence of the Father forever. This message explores the deeply human facet of what Jesus went through and pays close attention to the words He groaned in His isolation as the Lamb of God.

One of the risks in living as a biblically informed and scripturally loyal Christian is that we become so familiar with what the Bible says about Jesus and His sufferings that we can end up being filled with the doctrine of the cross but empty of the emotion of the cross. We must not only theologically comprehend the journey of Jesus in His passion week, but we are meant to enter into a deeper revelation of what He understood, felt, and accomplished as He was made to be sin for us. The Gospels reveal that Jesus was left utterly alone as He accomplished all that was necessary to become the sacrifice and substitute for sin. Jesus was all alone so that we could be in the presence of the Father forever. This message explores the deeply human facet of what Jesus went through and pays close attention to the words He groaned in His isolation as the Lamb of God.

In our generation of people living as influencers, seeking followings, and desiring to be a bigger and better version of themselves, Jesus Christ offers a different way to greatness. The way Up in the Kingdom has always been Down. Even two of Jesus' closest followers once opposed this principle, which motivated Jesus to speak plainly about this non-negotiable Kingdom key. In our present day, few Christians sign off on what Jesus plainly taught about servanthood, humility, and the upside-down pathway to glory and power. His views on influence and greatness are far different than ours.

In our generation of people living as influencers, seeking followings, and desiring to be a bigger and better version of themselves, Jesus Christ offers a different way to greatness. The way Up in the Kingdom has always been Down. Even two of Jesus' closest followers once opposed this principle, which motivated Jesus to speak plainly about this non-negotiable Kingdom key. In our present day, few Christians sign off on what Jesus plainly taught about servanthood, humility, and the upside-down pathway to glory and power. His views on influence and greatness are far different than ours.

It would have been amazing if at the moment of our justification from God we entered into a state of glorification with God. In glorification, the Christian will become fully whom God has destined the Christian to be. No pain. No sickness. No sorrow. And NO SIN. As Jesus-followers, we should long for the promised day of our perfecting. Until then, we will need to be prepared to make war - especially against temptation to sin. We are not slaves to our flesh. We are not pawns of the devil. The tempting world around us has zero authority over us. Why then do we still sin? The primary reason is because we live unprepared for the moment of temptation. This episode of Truth Shots equips us to be prepared when temptation comes, crush it when arrives, and to bounce back in those moments where we succumb to any temptation.

It would have been amazing if at the moment of our justification from God we entered into a state of glorification with God. In glorification, the Christian will become fully whom God has destined the Christian to be. No pain. No sickness. No sorrow. And NO SIN. As Jesus-followers, we should long for the promised day of our perfecting. Until then, we will need to be prepared to make war - especially against temptation to sin. We are not slaves to our flesh. We are not pawns of the devil. The tempting world around us has zero authority over us. Why then do we still sin? The primary reason is because we live unprepared for the moment of temptation. This episode of Truth Shots equips us to be prepared when temptation comes, crush it when arrives, and to bounce back in those moments where we succumb to any temptation.

We are no strangers to seasons of deep heartbreak and loss as we follow Jesus. Heaven is the only place which is immune from sorrow, and none of us have arrived there yet. Since we cannot escape grief, we must learn how to respond to it as people in whom lives the Man of Sorrows who was, Himself, aquatinted with grief. When grief is not responded to in the Spirit, it will almost always become bitterness which poisons our souls. We become suspicious and fearful of God. We embrace a false identity of victimhood. We resent other people's happiness because we have given up on our own. Naomi's story contains an extremely bitter season, and from her example we can learn much about what to avoid in our dark seasons.

We are no strangers to seasons of deep heartbreak and loss as we follow Jesus. Heaven is the only place which is immune from sorrow, and none of us have arrived there yet. Since we cannot escape grief, we must learn how to respond to it as people in whom lives the Man of Sorrows who was, Himself, aquatinted with grief. When grief is not responded to in the Spirit, it will almost always become bitterness which poisons our souls. We become suspicious and fearful of God. We embrace a false identity of victimhood. We resent other people's happiness because we have given up on our own. Naomi's story contains an extremely bitter season, and from her example we can learn much about what to avoid in our dark seasons.

When Naomi's life fell apart after the death of her husband and sons, she had nearly no options for what would come next. In short time, she heard that the famine back home in Israel had ended. Naomi now had the option of returning home. But what of her two widowed daughters in law? This portion from the Book of Ruth reveals how some of life's unglamorous decisions can actually lead to powerful destiny. Naomi and Ruth would head back to Israel with nothing but their intense needs and prospects of impossibility. No promises from God had been made. No provisions were guaranteed. Naomi was broken and bitter, but she had a place to stay in her homeland. She decided to do the one thing she could do: walk through the only open door she had. Little did she know how soon that open door would lead to destiny for both her and Ruth. Sometimes, being in the right place at the right time is the only thing we need to step more fully into the plans of God for us and those whom we love.

When Naomi's life fell apart after the death of her husband and sons, she had nearly no options for what would come next. In short time, she heard that the famine back home in Israel had ended. Naomi now had the option of returning home. But what of her two widowed daughters in law? This portion from the Book of Ruth reveals how some of life's unglamorous decisions can actually lead to powerful destiny. Naomi and Ruth would head back to Israel with nothing but their intense needs and prospects of impossibility. No promises from God had been made. No provisions were guaranteed. Naomi was broken and bitter, but she had a place to stay in her homeland. She decided to do the one thing she could do: walk through the only open door she had. Little did she know how soon that open door would lead to destiny for both her and Ruth. Sometimes, being in the right place at the right time is the only thing we need to step more fully into the plans of God for us and those whom we love.

There are two dangerous ditches into which many Christians fall as they consider the nature and activity of demons. The first ditches is to disregard the demonic realm. They do not believe that there is any authority, power, or agendas that are facilitated by demons. These Christians are terribly, dangerously wrong. The other ditch that Christians fall into is the idea that a demon is behind everything. These Christians fail to account for anything proceeding from the flesh, from poor decisions, or from the natural orders found within a sin-cursed earth. This episode of Truth Shots examines some foundational teaching from Scripture about demons and how Christians can oppose them and, sadly, how some Christians cooperate with them.

There are two dangerous ditches into which many Christians fall as they consider the nature and activity of demons. The first ditches is to disregard the demonic realm. They do not believe that there is any authority, power, or agendas that are facilitated by demons. These Christians are terribly, dangerously wrong. The other ditch that Christians fall into is the idea that a demon is behind everything. These Christians fail to account for anything proceeding from the flesh, from poor decisions, or from the natural orders found within a sin-cursed earth. This episode of Truth Shots examines some foundational teaching from Scripture about demons and how Christians can oppose them and, sadly, how some Christians cooperate with them.

God's people, who had almost zero knowledge of who He was or how He worked on their behalf, now needed to learn how to win. Though they had seen Him work miracles to separate them from enslavement in Egypt, they still had almost no real history with Him. They did not understand that there was tremendous power in the covenant He had made with their ancestors. To bring Israel out of the mindset of slaves and into the reality of sons, God had one more mighty miracle for them. The crossing of the Red Sea was meant to remove all doubt from a people group that seemed reluctant to operate in an expectation for victory. The modern followers of Jesus sometimes suffer today from this same disease. God desires for all of His children to learn how to win through the foundation of Truth and the power of the Spirit. Now is the time to move out of low-level expectations from God and into the abundant life experience that Jesus declared He came to give us.

God's people, who had almost zero knowledge of who He was or how He worked on their behalf, now needed to learn how to win. Though they had seen Him work miracles to separate them from enslavement in Egypt, they still had almost no real history with Him. They did not understand that there was tremendous power in the covenant He had made with their ancestors. To bring Israel out of the mindset of slaves and into the reality of sons, God had one more mighty miracle for them. The crossing of the Red Sea was meant to remove all doubt from a people group that seemed reluctant to operate in an expectation for victory. The modern followers of Jesus sometimes suffer today from this same disease. God desires for all of His children to learn how to win through the foundation of Truth and the power of the Spirit. Now is the time to move out of low-level expectations from God and into the abundant life experience that Jesus declared He came to give us.

The Bible often gives the first glimpse of famous people in the form of a footnote. The Book of Ruth, and the story of this well-known woman in the Bible, actually begins with barely mentioning her. Overshadowed by her mother in law, Naomi, Ruth hardly appears to be one for whom a book in the Bible should be named. That is just like the Lord! In the early verses of Ruth's story, the focus is not upon her, but rather upon the family into which she would eventually marry. When famine arises, death pounces, and trouble strikes, the story of an obscure Moabite woman begins to take shape. Ruth, as many figures in Scripture, comes to us via an unimpressive entrance. In studying her life, we are once again called to slow down, pay attention, and look for the mighty hand of God to move in subtle, unlikely ways.

The Bible often gives the first glimpse of famous people in the form of a footnote. The Book of Ruth, and the story of this well-known woman in the Bible, actually begins with barely mentioning her. Overshadowed by her mother in law, Naomi, Ruth hardly appears to be one for whom a book in the Bible should be named. That is just like the Lord! In the early verses of Ruth's story, the focus is not upon her, but rather upon the family into which she would eventually marry. When famine arises, death pounces, and trouble strikes, the story of an obscure Moabite woman begins to take shape. Ruth, as many figures in Scripture, comes to us via an unimpressive entrance. In studying her life, we are once again called to slow down, pay attention, and look for the mighty hand of God to move in subtle, unlikely ways.

There is an aspect of the Kingdom wherein much growth is still needed by the Church. In our endlessly hostile world, has it occurred to you lately that Christians in many places are less like Jesus and more like the culture when it comes to how we treat those who are fragile, fallen, and failing? How do we treat the bruised and bent ones whose lives seem to be giving off more smoke than light? A famous messianic prophecy from Isaiah 42 was lived out in the life of Jesus when it came to how he treated the fragile ones whom He frequently encountered. Jesus is kind and tender to those who are barely hanging on. He does not snuff out those who are smoldering down to the wick. His example instructs us about how we can revive the flame in the ones who are about to burn out. He empowers us to straighten out those who are bent under the weights of life. Jesus knows how to help fragile people.

There is an aspect of the Kingdom wherein much growth is still needed by the Church. In our endlessly hostile world, has it occurred to you lately that Christians in many places are less like Jesus and more like the culture when it comes to how we treat those who are fragile, fallen, and failing? How do we treat the bruised and bent ones whose lives seem to be giving off more smoke than light? A famous messianic prophecy from Isaiah 42 was lived out in the life of Jesus when it came to how he treated the fragile ones whom He frequently encountered. Jesus is kind and tender to those who are barely hanging on. He does not snuff out those who are smoldering down to the wick. His example instructs us about how we can revive the flame in the ones who are about to burn out. He empowers us to straighten out those who are bent under the weights of life. Jesus knows how to help fragile people.

The enemy was furious when he became fully aware that God had taken his slaves from him and made them free. Pharaoh was not about to go down in humiliation without a fight. His pride and rage caused him to summon all of his forces to make one final run at those who once belonged to him. As it was in ancient Egypt with Pharaoh, so is it in our day with Satan. When an individual or a church begin to experience the advancing hand of God on their behalf, Hell rages. Jesus has accomplished all that is required for us to go and live completely free in the land of promises, but the enemy will not just let us escape without a fight. This message highlights the activity of warfare against those whom God is freeing and advancing. Israel initially responded in fear, not faith. Thankfully, God had the attention of Moses and he was able to bring the people into holy order as God prepared to fully and finally handle their enemies.

The enemy was furious when he became fully aware that God had taken his slaves from him and made them free. Pharaoh was not about to go down in humiliation without a fight. His pride and rage caused him to summon all of his forces to make one final run at those who once belonged to him. As it was in ancient Egypt with Pharaoh, so is it in our day with Satan. When an individual or a church begin to experience the advancing hand of God on their behalf, Hell rages. Jesus has accomplished all that is required for us to go and live completely free in the land of promises, but the enemy will not just let us escape without a fight. This message highlights the activity of warfare against those whom God is freeing and advancing. Israel initially responded in fear, not faith. Thankfully, God had the attention of Moses and he was able to bring the people into holy order as God prepared to fully and finally handle their enemies.

We have heard since childhood that God loves us and has a great plan for our lives. While those words are factual, they are certainly incomplete. The modern, American view of God having “a great plan” for our lives somewhat lends itself to us believing that God is committed to our lives being easy, prosperous, unhindered, and free of trouble. Nothing could be further from the truth. From the life of Jesus via the words of Paul, we see how God works in the lives of those people whom He intends to use for His own glory. Paul calls us to prepare our minds to experience spiritual victory in the same manner which Jesus experienced it while He lived on the earth. The breakthroughs come to the Christian via bowing low, not self-promotion. When we bow like Jesus did, we can expect to be elevated by God as Jesus was. This is the way.