Podcasts about almighty god

Delivered by Nicole Orlincallysta Yakob and Michelle Jordyn Limanta from Saint Peter's School Kelapa Gading, Jakarta Utara, in the Archdiocese of Jakarta, Indonesia. Daniel 7: 9-10.13-14; Rs psalm 138: 1-2a.2bc-3.4-5; John 1: 47-51.ANGELS ARE SERVANTS The theme for our meditation today is: Angels AreServants. Angels are the inhabitants of heaven who live with the Triune God,who have never experienced a life like all human beings in the world. They arespiritual creatures who have been with God since the existence of the kingdomof Heaven. God reveals His will and power when He is dealing with His creation.In the life of this kingdom, the role of angels is to serve the almighty God. In our celebration of liturgy, the Eucharist anddevotional prayers, we mention angels in connection with their common dutywhich is to sing and to give praise to the Almighty God. They are like asecurity troop that guards and serves all activities in the Kingdom of heaven.There are two special duties of this troop. The first is to protect all humanbeings from any harm and from losing the way in their journey of faith. Theyare called the guardian angels for us the believers. The guardian angels do nothave names  and they are not our patronsaints who actually have names. The second special task is to carry out and to fulfillsome great tasks from the Almighty God. They are called the archangels who havenames, namely Saint Michael, Saint Gabriel, and Saint Raphael. With the term"great" attached to them, it means that their role as heavenlyservants are very important. The scriptures as the official sources for divinerevelation, give us an evidence of faith in these three archangels, whose namesand roles are clearly elaborated. They are different from other angels who haveno names and specific works for each of them.  The archangel Michael is mentioned in the scripturesand also explained in the sacred tradition of the Church as a soldier whodefends the people of God and fights against the great enemy of the Church. Forexample, in the book of Daniel (12,1), Michael is depicted as the one whofights the enemy and defends the People of God from the attacks of theAnti-Christs. Michael is always depicted as the one standing great and strongwhile holding a sword. The archangel Gabriel is described in the scripturesas the servant and bearer of joyful and greatest news from God to His people onearth. For example, he came to Daniel and revealed the message of the coming ofthe Messiah (8, 16-26; 9, 21-27). In the Gospel of Luke, he came to bringjoyful news of John the Baptist's birth (Luke 1,11-20), and he brought also thejoyful news to the Virgin Mary about the birth of Jesus Christ. The ArchangelRaphael is known to us in the Church as the minister for healing blindness,disease, and he also the protector for our journeys. He healed Tobit from hisblindness. He is shown in the Gospel of John as a healer for the sick men atthe pool of Siloam. We should be always grateful to God for giving us thesethree archangels.Let'spray. In the name of the Father ... O Lord, make us always faithful to followthe instruction and guidance of Your archangels. Glory to the Father and to theSon and to the Holy Spirit ... In the name of the Father ...

And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, **I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.** (Genesis 17:1) *1/ Where we are to walk before God. 2/ How we are to walk before God.* **Sermon Summary:** The sermon explores the command to "walk before me and be thou perfect" found in Genesis 17:1, emphasizing that this walk is a continuous, visible reality before an all-seeing God. It distinguishes between walking "with" God and walking "before" Him, illustrating the latter as living under divine observation in all areas of life, from the workplace to the family home. The message argues that true faith is evidenced by consistent conduct rather than mere profession, drawing on examples like Enoch, Noah, and Abraham. The preacher outlines specific markers of this walk, including humility, holiness, love, dependence on God, and obedience to His Word. Ultimately, the sermon encourages believers to find comfort in God's constant presence and to pursue a life of integrity that reflects His glory in a fallen world.

And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, **I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.** (Genesis 17:1) *1/ Where we are to walk before God. 2/ How we are to walk before God.* **Sermon Summary:** The sermon explores the command to "walk before me and be thou perfect" found in Genesis 17:1, emphasizing that this walk is a continuous, visible reality before an all-seeing God. It distinguishes between walking "with" God and walking "before" Him, illustrating the latter as living under divine observation in all areas of life, from the workplace to the family home. The message argues that true faith is evidenced by consistent conduct rather than mere profession, drawing on examples like Enoch, Noah, and Abraham. The preacher outlines specific markers of this walk, including humility, holiness, love, dependence on God, and obedience to His Word. Ultimately, the sermon encourages believers to find comfort in God's constant presence and to pursue a life of integrity that reflects His glory in a fallen world.

Prayer Is Our Powerful Weapon: Seeking God's Counsel in Troubled TimesIn today's Biblical Alert, we turn our hearts toward Venezuela, where devastating earthquakes have brought tremendous loss and suffering, while the nation continues to face economic and governmental challenges. Reports after the June 2026 earthquakes documented over 6,000 deaths and tens of thousands reported missing or unaccounted for.We also remember our brothers and sisters in Ukraine and the Middle East. In uncertain times, prayer remains a powerful spiritual weapon. We take up the shield of faith and the helmet of salvation, praying always and seeking the wisdom, understanding, and counsel of Almighty God.Drawing from the biblical account of Joshua and Israel, we are reminded of the danger of making decisions without first seeking the Lord's counsel. The choices before our families, marriages, churches, and nation matter. Even seemingly small compromises can have lasting consequences.Before making a treaty with the enemy, seek the counsel of the Lord.Join us as we pray, open God's Word, and ask Him for wisdom to understand the times in which we live and the faith to walk by His counsel rather than by sight.

This is a "best of" episode featuring an episode from a series on God's holy law from 2014. That there is a Sabbath is evident in the first chapter in God's Word. According to Scripture, Almighty God "worked" for six days, six mornings and evenings, and rested the seventh. Have you ever stopped to wonder why Scripture says that God "rested"? Was he tired? No. The God of Scripture is not a projection of human personality into the cosmos and he's not a pagan Greco-Roman deity. The Lord was setting a pattern for us. That's the teaching of Exodus 20:8. The Lord "worked," as it were, six days and rested one. That pattern is built into creation, into the nature of things. It was instituted even before the fall. It was instituted before Moses. The Sabbath pattern, the 6 and 1 pattern, existed long before the 613 Mosaic commandments. That's why the Lord referred to it at Sinai, in the 10 commandments. The fourth commandment is grounded in creation. All humans should observe the creational 6 and 1 pattern in the same way that all humans should observe the laws against idolatry, against abusing God's name, in the way they should observe the law respecting authority, against sexual immorality, against theft, against lying, and against coveting what isn't yours. The Sabbath pattern is just as permanent, just as built into the nature of things, the way things are; it's just as universal as they are. It's also confessed by the Reformed and Presbyterian churches as an essential part of theology, piety, and practice. This episode of the Heidelcast is sponsored by the Heidelberg Reformation Association. You love the Heidelcast and the Heidelblog. You share it with friends, with members of your church, and others but have you stopped to think what would happen if it all disappeared? The truth is that we depend on your support. If you don't make the coffer clink, the HRA will simply sink. Won't you help us keep it going? The HRA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. All your gifts are tax deductible. Use the donate link on this page or mail a check to Heidelberg Reformation Association, 1637 E Valley Parkway #391, Escondido CA 92027. All the Episodes of the Heidelcast Subscribe to the Heidelcast! Browse the Heidelshop! On X @Heidelcast On Insta & Facebook @Heidelcast Subscribe in Apple Podcast Subscribe directly via RSS Call The Heidelphone via Voice Memo On Your Phone The Heidelcast is available wherever podcasts are found including Spotify. Call or text the Heidelphone anytime at (760) 618-1563. Leave a message or email us a voice memo from your phone and we may use it in a future podcast. Record it and email it to heidelcast@heidelblog.net. If you benefit from the Heidelcast please leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts so that others can find it. Please do not forget to make the coffer clink (see the donate button below). SHOW NOTES How To Subscribe To Heidelmedia The Heidelblog Resource Page Heidelmedia Resources The Ecumenical Creeds The Reformed Confessions The Heidelberg Catechism The Heidelberg Catechism: A Historical, Theological, and Pastoral Commentary (Lexham Academic) Recovering the Reformed Confession (P&R Publishing, 2008) Why I Am A Christian What Must A Christian Believe? Heidelblog Contributors Support Heidelmedia: use the donate button or send a check to: Heidelberg Reformation Association 1637 E. Valley Parkway #391 Escondido CA 92027 USA The HRA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization

God Empowers the Weak (5)  (audio) David Eells, 9/20/26 I'm going to continue about letting God teach us how to use faith. Some of you know my testimony of when my oldest daughter, Deborah, was a little girl, and I was going to pick her up from pre-school. We had put her in a Christian pre-school one year. We homeschooled her all the rest of the years. I was going to pick her up, but God decided He was going to teach me a lesson. I got about two or three blocks from that school and my car just shut down; it just died. I tried to start it several times, and I ran the battery down doing that. Just revved right on down to nothing. So I got out and started walking. And I tell you what, the sky had just turned totally black. I mean, I could tell that it was about to dump on me. So, as I was walking along, the Lord spoke to me at the very moment it began to rain, and I knew I was going to be soaking wet before I made another 20 feet. The Lord spoke to me. He asked, “Why don't you command that to stop?” And I said, “Okay.” I was sure enough God had spoken to me that I did it immediately. I mean, He asked, “Why don't you command that to stop?” like, “Why don't you do it?” Normally, in our religious thinking, we might ask God to do it, but really that's not God's plan. Jesus asked, “Where is your faith?” He is here as the Master. We are here as His disciples to learn to walk like Him. Ask Him to take you by the hand and show you what He wants done, to put faith in your life in circumstances, and show you how to change circumstances. So I said, “Okay, I will.” And I rebuked that rain. I commanded, “Rain, stop in the name of Jesus!” I even waved my hand. “Stop in the name of Jesus!” And boy, I'll tell you, it just stopped like I cut it off with a knife. Not another drop fell on me, and I walked for a block or more, and I picked up my daughter. As we were walking back, I was telling her what happened, and she was just all giddy and laughing. And I said, “Well, if God can do that, He can take care of that car, can't He?” And she said, “Yeah.” Well, when we were getting close to the car, I said, “You know what? When we get to that car, we're going to lay hands on that car and God's going to start that car.”  God taught me another lesson about weakness when I got to that car. We got to the car, we got in, and we laid our hands on that dashboard. Then we commanded that car to run in the name of Jesus and I turned the key. Now, you can run a battery all the way down, but if you stop for a few minutes, that battery will partially build back up. And it had built back up a little bit. And I turned the key and it started turning over kind of wiggly, but it started turning over. But I still just held the key on, and it went all the way down to nothing until I was totally weak and the machine was totally weak. If a miracle came, it had to come from God. I wouldn't let off the key. I ran it all the way down. You know, as soon as that thing went all the way down to whump, whump, whump, then it started up like a shot. I knew it was God. You run the battery down on a vehicle, and it won't ever start like that. God showed me that it wasn't the power of that vehicle, but it was the power of faith that would change things, and the power of weakness.  There's a power in weakness because God doesn't want to share His glory with this world. We have the funny idea that God needs us or He needs men to handle these situations, that He needs their ingenuity and their figuring everything out. No, God's already figured it out and His method is faith. Faith is the victory that overcomes the world (1 John 5:4). But when you get a few of these little experiences of the Lord taking you by the hand and showing you these things, you begin to quit doubting you can handle anything. That's not to say that you can't have a miracle one moment and doubt the next. You sure can. Remember that even after the loaves and the fishes (Matthew 16:5-12), the disciples still wondered the next time, “Well, what are You going to do, Lord? Here we're all hungry again.” Somehow it's like they didn't remember what He had done the last time. Sometimes we have really short memories, too, don't we? Sometimes we forget the great miracles God's done for us in the past. He doesn't ever want to stop that. He never wants to stop that. He wants to be our provider and He wants us to know that He's our provider. He wants to be our deliverer and He wants us to know He's the deliverer. He does not want us to share that glory with anybody else. He wants to be our healer and He wants us to know He's the healer, to know that He doesn't need man to heal. Find that in the Bible. God uses the hand and the faith of His believers to heal, but He uses the word of faith out of their mouth to do that. He has not changed. Men have changed Him, but He hasn't changed. His methods are the same because they take the glory from man and give it rightfully to God, where it belongs. He doesn't want to share His glory with another (Isaiah 42:8). This is our thinking that God needs the help of the flesh. He doesn't need the help of the flesh. You know what we are? Do you know who the hand of God is? The believers. The Bible says, “to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?” (Isa.53:1), and that's obviously Jesus. He's the arm. But the Bible also says that we are the hand (Isaiah 53:10). Don't expect God to do something that He's told you to do. This is the problem. Everybody's praying to God to handle this or handle that, but where in the Scriptures do you find the disciples, when they were ministering to someone else, asking God to heal or deliver them? You can't find that. The disciples realized that was what they were there for, not to ask God to do it. God was manifesting this situation in front of them so that they would do something about it. Did you ever notice this? (Isa.53:10) Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin…. What happened when God made Jesus' soul an offering for sin? He died, right? Jesus entered into eternity. Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see [his] seed, he shall prolong his days…. Do you see that? “He shall see [his] seed, he shall prolong his days.” This is the 42nd generation written in Matthew, but there's one missing. It says, “unto the Christ” (Mat.1:17) is the last one, but there's one generation missing. That's His seed. The body of Christ is the 42nd generation because there's one missing in the list. Count it as many times as you like. One is missing and God revealed to me that the 42nd generation is His seed; it is the body of Christ. “He shall see [his] seed, he shall prolong his days.” Jesus went into eternity. There are no days in eternity. But you know where He's “prolonging His days”? In you and in me. Jesus lives in you and in me. (Isa.53:10) … He shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand. It's God's people; it's you and me who are the hand of the Lord.  When the angel came to Cornelius (Acts 10:3), why didn't that angel preach the Gospel? He knew the Gospel better than Peter did. But the angel wouldn't do it, would he? He told Cornelius to send for Peter to preach the Gospel because that's God's method. God wants to use His people as His hand to do His work in the earth, and yet they're steadily begging God, “Will You do this? Will You do that?” Now, wait a minute. When Jesus left, He delegated authority and He said, “as the father hath sent me, even so send I you” (Joh.20:21). “As the Father sent Me, so send I you.” We've been delegated authority to do this, but unless we understand the Lord's methods, we're not going to agree with Him in the process.  We have to know God's method. God's method always gives all the glory to God. It's not of our works, lest any man should boast (Ephesians 2:9), for in Christ Jesus we were created for good works (Ephesians 2:10). Sounds like schizophrenia, doesn't it? But it's not because one work is talking about your works and the other work is talking about God's work through you. And there's only one way we can get an understanding of how God works through us. The truth is in the Bible. The Gospels and the Book of Acts reveal how God works through us and He does it that way. I don't care what men say; that's His method. And He chose that method because it takes the glory away from man and gives it to the rightful Owner, and that's God. He's the One Who's doing this. It's His power. (Rom.8:13) … But if by the Spirit ye put to death the deeds of the body…. He said, “If you by the Spirit.” “IF you.” There's an “if” in front of “you.” “If you by the Spirit.” See, it's God's power, it's His Spirit and it's His power, but it's still an “if” on you. The Bible commands us to take the promises of the Word of God and cleanse ourselves (2 Corinthians 7:1). Everybody's praying to God to cleanse us. No. Look at what the Bible says. (2Co.7:1) Having therefore these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit…. That's heresy in most churches, but it's what the Bible says. God gave you a weapon. It's a two-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12) to go into your promised land and to put to death the old man, to cut him up and live in his house (Deuteronomy 19:1). If you stand outside the promised land and don't win this battle, it's nobody's fault but yours. God gave a weapon that the enemy could not stand up to.  He told Joshua, “there shall not any man be able to stand before thee” (Jos.1:5). No man will be able to stand before you, but guess who has to fight that battle? If you don't fight that battle, you lose. If you don't fight, you lose. This is not one where you can stand on the sidelines. If you don't fight, you lose, and you can't afford to lose this one. The stakes are too high. We can't afford to lose. The most important thing that we're on this earth for every day is to put to death that old man and do the work of God. So, as we've seen from Isaiah 53, we are the hand of the Lord. And since it was by the hand of man that this earth was turned over to the curse and the devil, God determined that it's going to be by the hand of man that this earth is going to be turned back. The Bible says it plainly in Daniel. Did you know that? I want to show you this because a lot of people don't believe this, but God is going to do what He said He's going to do. And He's going to use man to do it. Notice that everything that came to pass in the Old Testament was manifested through the mouth of the prophets. God first spoke it through the mouth of man. Man confessed what God was going to do and then God used man to do it. God did it; it was His power all along. (Dan.7:25) And he (this is the beast) shall speak words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High; and he shall think to change the times and the law; and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and half a time. (26) But the judgment shall be set, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end. (27) And the kingdom and the dominion, and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High: his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him. (28) Here is the end of the matter. In the Book of Revelation, there's a great similarity between those curses poured out on the earth and the ones poured out in the past, such as those spoken through Elijah and Moses. Did you ever notice that? Well, the ones poured out in the past came out of the mouth of men and, I'll tell you, the ones in the Book of Revelation will come that way, too. They've been spoken by faith. The Scriptures teach us to turn the other cheek (Matthew 5:39). We are like lambs in the midst of wolves (Luke 10:3), Jesus said. But there's a time coming when things won't be the same because grace is going to be taken away from the Gentiles. Do you know why these curses are spoken in the Book of Revelation? They're spoken because grace is being taken away from the Gentiles. Yes, there will be people speaking curses, just like in the Old Testament. I don't know what you understand about the two witnesses in Revelation 11. (For a detailed study of this subject, read chapter nine of my book “Hidden Manna For The End Times.”) If you only understand them to be two men, that's fine, but notice that they spoke curses. The two witnesses brought some of the exact same Old Testament curses in the New Testament. God spoke it through the two witnesses, and then those curses came to pass because they brought judgment out of their own mouths. A brother had a dream or a vision of me; he saw me walking across this country speaking judgments. He said everywhere I spoke one, they fell. And I prayed, “Lord, if You want me to speak the judgments, okay, but I'd love to speak the grace first. I'd love to see people delivered. I'd love to see Your blessings poured out.” But, you know, there's coming a time when, as much as you would like to do that, the Bible says, “the night cometh, when no man can work” (Joh.9:4). That was spoken in Jesus' day because shortly after Jesus there came a time when no man could work. What was He talking about? He was primarily talking about how He came to the lost sheep of the house of Israel (Matthew 15:24), but God was turning out the light to Israel. God was taking away their grace. There came a night when nobody could work on Israel anymore. It was a waste of time for you to witness to the Israelites. That was what they call the “early rain” (James 5:7). Now we're coming to the “latter rain” (Hosea 6:2,3) and just the opposite is about to happen. God is going to pour out His power in a great way, but we're coming to a night when no man can work. Work while you have the light because we're coming to a night when no man can work.  I recently had a vision in which I was preaching to the Jews and explaining to them a judgment that was falling on the United States. I've never had a dream before that I was preaching to Jews. God is planning to turn to the Jews, and you'll be wasting your breath on the Gentiles. God is doing a special work in these last days, the last hours of this light. You know what that work is? I'll tell you right now; He's expending much energy. He is sending His angels, and He is putting a special emphasis on bringing in the children and relatives of the believers. He showed me that. But “the night cometh, when no man can work.” Work while you have the light. Who else is going to do it? Who's going to preach the Gospel? Angels can't do it. The Bible won't let them (Hebrews 1 and 2).  When the fullness of the Gentiles comes in, God is going to turn back to the Jews (Romans 11:25). When I was studying the Book of Acts, I received my own revelation of when that will happen. The Book of Acts was called the “early rain” (Hosea 6:3), but in the Book of Acts, during the early rain, God was already in the process of turning away from the Jews to the Gentiles. Now we're coming to the latter rain (Hosea 6:3). And, guess what? It's the same in reverse. God will be in the process of turning away from the Gentiles to the Jews. And great power is going to be poured forth; great miracles are going to happen, the same as in the early rain, except far greater! There will be many more people involved and much greater miracles. We've heard that the latter rain is the Pentecostal revival in this country, but that's not the latter rain. The true latter rain is about to begin with the Biblical gifts being restored to the Church. Many Pentecostals call their revival the latter rain, but I'm convinced it's not, because we have too many signs from the early rain showing us what the latter rain's going to look like. And besides, Solomon said, “that which hath been is that which shall be; and that which hath been done is that which shall be done” (Ecc.1:9). Everything that's happening in these days has happened before. Everything. You can go back in the Bible and find out what's going to happen because it's happened in the past. If you want to know what's going to happen in the latter rain, just go back and look at the early rain. The only thing is the cast of characters was much smaller in the early rain. Look at what happened to Jesus in His days when He walked the earth. That's going to happen again. This was a revelation of the end time. He said that Jesus and the children whom God gave Him were for a sign (Isaiah 8:18). A sign of what? A sign of the future. What happened there is going to happen again, even up to the destruction of Jerusalem. All that is going to happen again. That was a sign, a parable, if you will, of what's going to happen. Also, if sometimes a prophetic word doesn't fit into that sign, you can throw that prophecy out because it's wrong. The end time fits in the Gospels. We have every character there in the Gospels. We have Christ and we have the Christ on the earth today, which is His body. The cast of characters is much bigger, but the sign is there. We have Judas among the disciples and still today we have the Judases. “A man who is a city” is what “Judas Iscariot” means. He represents a group of people. We have the harlot, which was the Judaistic religious system in Jesus' day, and we have the apostate religions of today. We have the Beast that was the Roman government back then. Everything that happened there is happening right now. It's beginning right now. Get ready for it and watch. When you read the Gospels, let God show you these signs because they're in there so clearly. Then the Book of Revelation is just a fulfillment of it. But to return to our original topic, Jesus took me by the hand when I asked Him to when I was a baby Christian, and He's still doing that with me, and He's showing me things. Ask Him to do that for you, too. Have a relationship with Him. If you are a disciple of Jesus Christ, that means you are a learner and a follower of Him. He is taking you by the hand; He's leading you through the earth and He's teaching you. Why do we get into circumstances and situations? Why did the disciples end up out in a boat in the middle of a storm on a very dangerous lake? Why? They got into that situation because God wanted to teach them something. When you get in a situation, don't fear; just remember God is your guide. You're there for a reason. He wants to take you by the hand and teach you something. And, believe it or not, you have authority over the situation and the circumstances because Jesus paid for that on the cross. But people don't understand. “Saved.” “Sozo.” It's the same thing. (Eph.2:8) For by grace have ye been saved…. “By grace have you been.” That's what it says in the original. “Have you been” means it's already accomplished. How do you enter into it? You enter into it through faith. (Eph.2:8) For by grace have ye been saved through faith…. Hebrews 4 says the same thing. Listen, “the works were finished from the foundation of the world” (Heb.4:3). The thing that remains is for us to enter into those works through faith. What works? Well, for one thing, Jesus became accursed for you (Galatians 3:13)). And when you go back and read the curse in Deuteronomy 28, you'll discover that it means just about anything detrimental that ever happened to man. If Jesus became accursed for you, does that mean that God wants you to escape that? Yes, it does. Will everybody escape it? No, they won't.  We can look at our lives right here, and we can see that, to a measure, each one of us has learned with the faith that we have to enter into parts of God's deliverance, God's salvation, God's sozo. Some of us have more faith in some areas than others, but when we get together, when we share things, we begin to receive understanding from other people's gifts, and it encourages us. And sometimes we can even use someone else's faith to add to our faith to help us to overcome a circumstance or a situation.  Now Peter had guts. He stepped out of the boat, didn't he? He knew God wanted to teach him. What was the purpose? We may think that there has to be a reason, but there doesn't have to be any reason but one. God wants to show you what He has invested in you. The Bible says “that the fellowship of thy faithmay become effectual, in the knowledge of every good thing which is in you” (Phm.6). The word “fellowship” means “sharing”; it means “communicating”; it means “using it,” or “sharing it with one another.” (Phm.6) That the fellowship of thy faith may become effectual, in the knowledge of every good thing which is in you, unto Christ. Do you know what God has invested in you? The seed of Christ. He put it in there so that Christ could live in us and do what He did in us. That's why He put it in there. We should expect God to use us to destroy the works of the devil. Jesus came here to destroy the works of the devil. Am I saying we're going to get out of going to our cross? Absolutely not. We have to go to our cross. You won't be any use to God unless you, daily, will bear your cross. No, no, deliverance from the curse does not include deliverance from your cross, so don't get mixed up with that. That's the teaching of the “prosperity” folk. They want to use the faith to get rid of their cross, but you can't do that. (1Jn.2:15) Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. If you love this world, the things of this world, the love of the Father is not in you. We're not here for that purpose. We came here to die. We came here to lose our life. And it's conditional. Jesus said, “If you lose your life, you will gain your life” (Luke 17:33). Now, this isn't talking about you dying at the end of your sojourn down here. He's talking about the death of the old man. Every day God brings us into circumstances where we can say no to the old man and yes to the new man, and that's crucifixion. This is what we're here for. Don't waste your time. It's a race to get through that door before it closes. Every one of our lives is that way. I've shared Mary's vision with you: how God showed her it's a race to be won, and the treadmill is picking up speed, going in the opposite direction. You're going to have to run to go through the door. This is what we're here for. And don't let the devil use fear. Fear is the thing you have to fight against. It is faith that's going to get you there.  God brought you this far to bring you there. Just count on it. And He also made the world so strong that they would look like giants to you, but guess what? They're supposed to look like giants because it's supposed to be impossible for you. God put you in an impossible situation. He gave you “this treasure in earthen vessels, that the exceeding greatness of the power may be of God, and not from ourselves” (2Co.4:7). But instead, what do we do? We try to do it with these earthen vessels; we try to do it ourselves. The methods God wants us to use make everybody know that when the answer comes, it didn't come from us; it came from Him because His methods are “weak” to the world. His methods are foolish to the world. He just spoke it. He just commanded it. And when you get in situations, remember, God put you in that situation for you to do something about it, not for it to do something to you. God put you there for you to do something about the situation. And there doesn't have to be a reason for the situation. I've been tempted like this and said, “There has to be a reason; I mean, I have to accomplish something.” You may not be accomplishing much in what you do, other than learning something from God. It's very important that we overcome this flesh. If the only thing we do in overcoming a circumstance is to cause our spirit man to grow, that's an accomplishment. I've shared with you about when the Lord brought us to the beach. We didn't get to go to the beach very often, and so we prayed a prayer to the Lord. “Lord, we're asking You to give us a nice day at the beach. Nice, sunshiny day. And we ask You to find us a place on the beach where there's not a lot of naked people and we ask You to …” I prayed three things. I don't remember what the three things were. Now I only remember two of them, but I asked God for three things. So when we went out there, we just kept driving and driving along the beach, and there were cars, and more cars, everywhere. I said, “Well, I don't know how the Lord's going to fulfill this,” but I prayed the prayer, right?  Don't forget that Jesus said, “all things whatsoever ye pray and ask for, believe that ye received them, and ye shall have them” (Mar.11:24). Don't forget. It may look impossible, but you believe you have received because God is all-powerful. And so, we finally picked a spot. There were still cars there, but we went over the dunes, and we went on out to Pensacola Beach. We looked up and down the beach and, boy, I'll tell you, it was just packed with people from end to end. We hadn't been there very long before another one of those big, black storms just came rolling in from Pensacola toward the beach.  It was just a big old black storm rolling toward the beach. And I didn't see God's hand in it at the time, but He had taken me by the hand, and He wanted to show me something. We're so ignorant, but God wants to use us to change circumstances. We've been delivered from the curse in circumstances in Christ, and God wants us to change things in this world. Listen, God is always going to use a very small force to overcome a very big force. He's always done that. You go back and look at Gideon's army (Judges 7). Look at just about every battle Israel ever won. If they weren't outnumbered, they couldn't win the battle. If they said, “We're not outnumbered,” (Joshua 7:3) God wouldn't let them win. He told Gideon, “Look, you have too many people for me to give this bunch into your hand” (Judges 7:2,4). Wait a minute now! I mean, the Amalekites, Midianites and the children of the East were coming as the sands of the sea against Gideon (Judges 7:12). This was a lot of people. They had them vastly outnumbered, but God said, “Gideon, you have too many people. You'll be bragging about what you did. I'm going to have to whittle you down.” So God whittled him down to 300 men. God makes it impossible on purpose. He wants you to know that the battle is not yours; it's His, and He has already won the battle.  Well, anyway, out on the beach was this big black cloud racing toward us, and I think maybe even a few raindrops fell. Lightning was popping and crackling, and lighting up the sky, and everybody cleared out. I stood there and watched, and Mary was saying, “We better get outta here! We better get outta here!” And I was looking up and down the beach and pretty soon I saw there wasn't a dog on the beach. What I prayed for came perfectly to pass. Not a dog on the beach; there was nobody on that beach as far as the eye could see from end to end. And then God spoke to me. He didn't command me, but He said, “Why don't you go blow that storm back?” I looked over at Mary, and I walked away from her a little bit because I didn't want her to see me blowing. That's exactly what I did. I'm telling you the truth. I'm as bashful as I can be. And I walked away from her because I didn't want to look like too big a fool and I started blowing. I turned toward the storm, and I started blowing.  That storm came up, and moving real fast; the clouds moved really, really fast, and then the storm just stopped dead when I was blowing at it. I mean, it backed up and backed up. It stopped right in its path and backed up and it stood right there over Pensacola. The sun broke through and shone on us the whole time we were there. It was a beautiful day. It was everything I prayed for. All the naked people were gone, and I was out there in the sunshine, and we had a beautiful day. And when we got in our car to go back to Pensacola, we got halfway to the bridge, and it was storming. We could barely see out of the car windows because it was storming. After we got back home, we learned that a tornado had passed through right at our corner. It hit the Western Auto, knocked a bunch of trees down on the golf course, and knocked out the neighbor's back fence. I told my kids, “I blew too hard.” But, you know, you can't count on your power; it's nothing. We have to count on His power in us. What we're going through right now is mostly education, and there's going to come a time when we're going to need this education. Did you know the Bible says we can walk as He walked? (1Jn.1:6) If we say that we have fellowship with him and walk in the darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: (7) but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanseth us from all sin. He said, Ask, and it shall be given you (Mat.7:7). He also said that “ye have not, because ye ask not” (Jas.4:3). Don't put anything beyond God. If it's a part of the curse (Deuteronomy 28), it doesn't matter what the circumstance is when things come against you. Our property belongs to God. You don't own anything. Nothing's yours. If you're doing what you want, then you're still the owner of it; you haven't learned anything yet because it doesn't belong to you. We are stewards, not owners, and that includes this tithing business. You'd better look more closely at the New Testament because Jesus said you have to renounce it all (Luke 14:33). All. “If you don't renounce everything, you cannot be My disciple.” A disciple is a learner and a follower of the Lord. He did not possess and own the things He had. It was only a stewardship entrusted to Him. So what we have belongs to God, and if it belongs to God, then the devil can't destroy it. Jesus has already bound the strong man, and He gave you the command to go and spoil his goods (Matthew 12:29; Mark 3:27). What good is a great outpouring of God's power if you don't believe that you can do anything with it? See, right now God is preparing us for a great outpouring. Remember the vision I had about the rabbit and the turtle, and the anointing oil that fell on the rabbit who was on the edge of a wilderness? Well, we're on the edge of that right now. Right now. The anointing oil of God is going to fall on a rabbit to run through that wilderness. Power is going to come on God's people. And right now, we're going through a little education stage. God is just showing us how to walk. If the lesson doesn't appear really important, it's enough for God if it educates you and it causes you to overcome the old man, the old, unbelieving old man. That's enough reason for it. Don't think there has to be a big reason for it because it could be something really simple. It doesn't matter what your need is, for “my God shall supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory” (Php.4:19). It doesn't say “greed”; it says “need.” God said if you had a need, it would come in, and if you didn't have a need, it wouldn't. That's good. Praise the Lord! Why would you want to store up treasures on earth? All you need is your need met. But having food and covering we shall be therewith content (1Ti.6:8). Why would you need more than that? We don't. Isn't it so wonderful that it doesn't matter what the need is? God brings it in according as you have need. Don't ever fear making a bold statement of faith. You may think, “Well, is this God?” Don't worry about it. If it's to meet your need, if it's to overcome the curse, don't worry about it. I remember once when I called Sid, and we were talking about what happened the time my washing machine seal had gone out. Sand had gone in it and ruined the seal. Sid had volunteered and said, “Oh, I have a friend who works on those things. I'll get him to come by there and get it.” So I agreed, and he came by and picked it up. Sid called me back a few days later. He said, “Look, he fixed this and he fixed that, and it'll just cost you $70.” I said, “Fine. Bring it on over.” Well, I knew Sid was coming over the next day to drop off the washing machine, and I only had $20. And so I prayed a prayer. I said, “Father, You said You supply my every need according to Your riches in glory and I thank You for it.” Then I stuck my finger out there and I pointed at the mailbox. I said, “And in the name of Jesus, that $50 is in that mailbox.” Do you know, I went out to that mailbox, and there was a $50 check inside that mailbox with a note. It read, “God wouldn't let me go to sleep. It's now after midnight and God wouldn't let me go to sleep until I sent you this check for $50.” And the funny thing was, I don't ever look at postdates, but I looked at the postdate on the check, and it had been sent two weeks before this day, a full two weeks before this day when I stuck my finger out and pointed at the mailbox. That envelope had been hung up in the mail somewhere for two weeks, wandering around, and it didn't make it into that mailbox until the right time. But God wouldn't let this poor guy sleep until he went out there and wrote the check and stuck it in the mail, even though it wandered around in the mail. I don't know what the reason was for it, but it didn't arrive until it was time for it to be there. God answers before we call (Isaiah 65:24). Do you realize that? God does not dwell in time, but we do. Don't think it's too late because it's never too late for God. God has the answer coming when you speak it, and I've seen the biggest miracles happen when a bold statement of faith is made. The devil is telling you all the time, “Nah, nah, nah,” in your ear, saying, “Boy, you're going to look like a fool!” But God won't let you be put to shame. The Bible says that He won't let you be put to shame (Romans 9:33). Anybody who puts their trust in Him shall not be put to shame, the Lord says. (Rom.10:10) For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. You need to actually say it.  That was an education for me because there have been other times when I just prayed over a leaking washing machine seal, and God sealed it up. And there have been times when I've prayed over a carburetor, and God fixed it. Then there have been times when I decided I would take that carburetor off and fix it, like one time with my daughter's car. I took the carburetor off there, and I tore it down. And I'm not bad at working on carburetors. So I tore it down, checked it out, cleaned it up, and put it back in there, but it did the same thing. I took it back out. It wasn't easy to get out either, but I took it out and went through it again. I said, “Nothing's wrong with this car. I don't see a thing wrong with this carburetor,” and I put it back in, but it still did the same thing. Finally, the revelation came to me: “The devil is messing with you; he's robbing your time.” And so I rebuked the devil off that carburetor. I commanded the devil to lose it. Do you know that there doesn't have to be something wrong with a piece of equipment? The Lord showed me that many times. The devil is real, and he can manifest himself in the physical realm and he can take advantage of you. Until you take the Word of God and fight him, he can take advantage of you. He was doing that to me. He robbed my time twice to fix that carburetor. And you know what? Just because you don't see something manifest immediately doesn't mean it hasn't happened. The Bible says, “all things whatsoever ye pray and ask for, believe that ye received them, and ye shall have them” (Mar.11:24). So I commanded that carburetor to be healed in the name of Jesus. Then Mary went and got in the car, but when she cranked it up, it was doing the same thing. I said, “Just go; it's healed.” She said before she got to the end of the street, it straightened right out, and I never had another problem with it. You see, sometimes you have to walk it. If you believe it, you confess it, walk it. It's like the 10 lepers who were doing according to the Law (Luke 17:12). They had to go show themselves to the priest healed (Leviticus 14). But when they were walking, they weren't healed. It didn't come until they walked it out that they got healed (Luke 17:14). So you have to walk it out. Faith without works is dead (James 2:17). Just remember that. Some of Jesus' miracles didn't happen immediately. And He didn't even pray twice. We are disciples of Jesus now. We can't see Him, but we're walking with Him, and He wants to take us by the hand and show us the way through every problem and situation we come to because it's already been provided for. It says in Scripture, my God shall supply every need of yours…. (Php.4:19). It doesn't matter what the need is. Why does it say that? Why did Paul say that? He said that because he knew it was taken care of at the cross. The curse was put upon Jesus. You can't imagine what this world would be like if there was no curse. Can you imagine what it was like in the Garden of Eden with tomato plants growing 20 feet tall, everything working, nothing breaking, including you, without the curse? Now I realize nobody is totally entered into whatever this means about being delivered from the curse, but individually God's people are entering into different parts of it. The body needs one another because sometimes other people have the faith we don't have in a situation that we're in, and we need to pray for people and exercise our faith over one another. But don't think it's not possible. We're going to see God do things in the next few years that we would have considered impossible, that we would have just wondered, “Is that real?” Yes, God's going to do things we haven't seen. This outpouring of the Holy Spirit, this outpouring of power, has never been on this earth that God's getting ready to do. People are going to walk on water again. People have done it before in these years. I don't know if any of you ever read Like a Mighty Wind or Gentle Breeze of Jesus. They are about the Indonesian revival where, many times, many people saw people walk on water. Those little islands out there where they were trying to get the Gospel to; in some cases, it was the only method. It was necessary and they didn't let the circumstances stop them from doing the Will of God. The Will of God was to go, and so they went. They did not let the circumstances get in the way. They walked on the water and many people witnessed it. Yes, the day is coming when you may need to drive a car that doesn't have any gas in it. I've done it quite a few times and it works. When you're going by faith, it works. Or you may have to command some gas into that car and God puts some in it. He's done that for me, too. Listen, circumstances can't stop you. Circumstances didn't stop Jesus from doing the Will of God. Did you notice that? It's the same Jesus Whom we have that your “faith may become effectual, in the knowledge of every good thing which is in you” (Phm.6). Wait a minute! He was talking to the saints, people on this earth. That's right. But that's Jesus Christ in the heart of the believer. He has all the power that He ever had. But if you limit Him, you won't let Him speak that word out of your mouth; you won't walk that walk with your feet; you won't do those things. I'm not saying this is the most important thing to do. The most important thing, of course, is to overcome sin, and we've studied that in other teachings. Right now we're talking about not limiting God in this sozo and seeing just how big it is. It doesn't matter what your need is. God has promised to meet your need. Do I say you won't be tried? Absolutely not. You're going to be tried. How do you get tried? You get tried by lack. God suffered the Israelites to lack so that He might know what they would do (Deuteronomy 8:2,3). What are you going to do when you lack? Do you never get sick? No, you get sick sometimes, but the Bible says by His stripes you were healed (1 Peter 2:24). It's a trial of your faith. God wants to see, “What are you going to do with this?” We are being tried. We are going through the wilderness just like the Israelites did. When they went through the wilderness, they suffered lack in this kind of a way and then in that kind of a way and then in this kind of way, and God answered miraculously. Right now, the righteous, just like always, shall live from faith (Galatians 3:11). The life of faith is an exciting walk with the Lord. You'll see many miracles if you walk the walk of faith. That's our purpose for being here. God considers a person who walks by faith and speaks faith, and uses faith in the circumstances they get into, to be righteous. He calls them “righteous,” like Abraham when he believed God about his seed. That didn't have anything to do with salvation. God called Abraham righteous because he believed God in that point and, you know what? God calls you righteous every time you believe the Word of God. Every time you believe in the prayers that you've prayed, whenever you pray believing you have received (Mark 11:24), when you keep on holding onto that in faith until you see it manifested, then God calls you righteous. Look at it as if Jesus is taking you by the hand. He's going to show you something tomorrow. He is going to do a miracle through you tomorrow. Big or small, He's going to show you how to walk by faith. Jesus walked by faith. His disciples walked by faith. People who are in the world are under bondage, but people who walk by faith are not under bondage. When Jesus sent out His disciples, He told them, “Don't take anything with you, don't take any money” (Matthew 10:9,10; Luke 10:4). He sent them out in total weakness and later He asked them, “Well, when I sent you out without all these things did you lack anything?” and their answer was, “No, Lord” (Luke 22:35). They found out what it was to walk by faith. They didn't need to bring their own supply because God was there. He did it on purpose. Now, in this day, the church is supposed to be doing the same thing. If you obey what Jesus said, you'll be weak, because Jesus made some statements in there that put you in a position of weakness; but every time, you're going to see miracles. When you obey the principles of Jesus, you're going to see miracles because you're always in a position where you can't do it, you can't handle it. He does that on purpose. (Mat.14:25) And in the fourth watch of the night he came unto them, walking upon the sea. (26) And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a ghost; and they cried out for fear. (27) But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. (28) And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee upon the waters. (29) And he said, Come. And Peter went down from the boat, and walked upon the waters to come to Jesus. (30) But when he saw the wind, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried out, saying, Lord, save me. That's the word sozo right there. By grace are you saved through faith (Ephesians 2:8).  (31) And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and took hold of him, and saith unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? (32) And when they were gone up into the boat, the wind ceased. (33) And they that were in the boat worshiped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God. You know, the Lord saved Peter here even in his failure, didn't He? Every trial is from God. Every trial. God is sovereign. (Joh.3:27) … A man can receive nothing, except it have been given him from heaven. The circumstances you get into are not by accident. There's no such thing as an accident or luck. The worldly pagans believe that. When Peter took his eyes off Jesus and saw the wind, then he judged by the circumstance instead of judging by the Word. If he had judged by the Word, when the Almighty God said, “Come,” Peter must have been able to do it, since He said it. That's the way we have to look at these promises. We must be able to do it because He said it. It's really simple. Peter believed if Jesus said it, he'd be able to do it, and he stepped out of the boat, but then he got his eyes on the circumstances.  You always get fearful when you get your eyes on the circumstances because you don't have any hope. Get your eyes on the Savior. You can walk on water when you get your eyes on the Savior. Listen, the laws of faith are totally above the laws of nature; they're always above the laws of nature. You just can't fathom how God could do some of these things. You can't fathom how the lot can come up like it does. Can you think about flipping a quarter up in the air and it coming down exactly the way God wants it to come down? The lot worked. Go back and study it. The lot worked. Why? That wasn't gambling because they believed in a sovereign God. Some people might think it was gambling, but it wasn't to the Israelites. They believed in the sovereignty of God, and they believed God would answer that way and He did. He did consistently, even to the extent of finding one man out of all Israel, and that happened quite a few times. Saul was picked out that way (1 Samuel 10:21). Saul's son was picked out that way when he made a mistake with eating the honey (1 Samuel 14:32). Jonathan was picked out of all Israel. You know they took the lot by the tribe, then they went to the lot by the family, then they went to the lot by the house. They cast lots several times. But you know what? If you believe in luck, what are the chances of the thing coming out to pick one guy out of all Israel? That's phenomenal. That's a lot of numbers. But God is sovereign. Well, it can be done in our day, like I said, with a quarter. I don't recommend people lead their lives that way, but I have seen mighty miracles come to pass that way, where the answer had to be from God. But I'm just pointing out that there's no such thing as luck. The world believes in luck and chance, but everything that comes to you is by the hand of God, even if it comes through the hand of the devil. If you remember from reading in the Book of Job, there was no luck involved with that. God was sovereign, even over the devil, and He's still sovereign. God sends the devil against you so you can ‘whoop him real good.' Did you know that? God will send him against you so you can whip him, so that you learn how to walk by faith and not by sight. In most cases, it's the devil who administers the curse. Who sent the curse? The Bible says that God sent the curse (Deuteronomy 28). I don't care what men say; the Bible says God sent the curse. Who administers it? The devil does. He loves to do it. It's his nature to do it. But I'll tell you, God sent the curse, and God sent Jesus to deliver from the curse. He's working from both sides. God sent the curse to cause people to repent and turn to Him. He sent Jesus to those who will repent. And in the circumstances that we get ourselves into, God wants to show us how to give the devil a bloody nose. He wants to show us how to overcome in the circumstances, just like Jesus did. Jesus wants to move through His hand. (Isa.53:10) … The pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand. That means God is going to be successful in doing what He did through Jesus, through you. That's what it means. God is going to do that. We should consider it done. He did this for Peter, but what was the whole point? You may think there has to be some real reason for this, that you had to be saving souls or something. No. It didn't do anything for Peter to get out of the boat, except that he learned a lesson. We should ask God to bring us these lessons. It's really valuable to have these lessons we can look back on and tell others to encourage them in the faith and so on. God wants to do miracles through us. Right now we have a short time left to learn some lessons from God; and then great trouble is going to come, greater trouble than this land has ever seen. The people who walk in Psalm 91-type faith and who understand about the curse are the people who are going to be saved through the midst of this great trouble. A lot of the people are not going to be saved. A lot of Christians, the majority, are going to die through this trouble because the people coming against this land don't like Christians. Let's look at the story of the Gerasene demoniac. (Luk.8:36) And they that saw it told them how he that was possessed with demons was made whole. And the word there is sozo. For Christians, for God's people, this has been accomplished. It's part of sozo. It's by grace. It's not by grace you will be. It says by grace you have been saved through faith (Ephesians 2:8). So it's not a matter of trying to convince God to deliver this person. It's not that. Jesus never tried to convince God to heal or to deliver anybody. By grace have you been. It's all past tense. Now there are some places where the people whom we want to deliver are not in covenant with God. And it's strange but most of the church does not even believe that Christians can have demons. I'm going to show you that's not true from the Scriptures. I'm going to show you that it's a lie and anybody who has the gift of discerning of spirits knows that it's a lie. I can truthfully tell you almost all the people that I've ever cast demons out of were Christians.  When I'm talking discernment of spirits, I'm talking about the Biblical gift and that is when you see the demons. You see them manifested in their face, you see them manifested in their eyes, and in their body. The gift is manifested in different ways, but the discerning of spirits is to be able to see those demons. Anybody who has that gift knows that Christians can have demons. And I'll tell you what the Lord showed me about it. Those who don't believe that Christians can have demons quote, “My spirit will not dwell in an unclean temple,” but there's no verse like that in the Bible. It's not there. What the Bible actually says is that the flesh is an unclean temple (Galatians 5:19). Did you know that? It's an enemy. It's at enmity with your spirit. It is the enemy of your spirit (Galatians 5:17).  The covering over the tent of the tabernacle in the wilderness was animal skins, and guess what kind of animal skins they were? Goats. Who were the goats? The goats were those placed on the left, while the lambs, the sheep, were on the right. Well, that was goats' hair covering it. Why? Because the flesh is the enemy of God. The flesh cannot go to Heaven; ever.  (1Co.15:50) … Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God…. You either get a new body or you don't go. You either go in spirit and in soul, or you don't go because this body doesn't go there. You get a new one. The flesh is the enemy of God.  God showed me this years ago. I had to have a theological reason because I was casting demons out of Christians and everybody said you can't do that. So I went to God and said, “God, show me in the Scriptures.” And God brought me back to the tabernacle in the wilderness and He showed me, as I read about the tabernacle in the wilderness, how it represents us because we are the tabernacle in the wilderness. The holy of holies, of course, is your spirit because that's where God dwells. And then there's the holy place representing your soul. And there's the outer court, which represents your flesh. What God showed me I've never forgotten because I learned what the Christians told me was the difference between oppression and possession. They say that oppression is when the devil's on the outside and possession is when he's on the inside, but the Lord showed me that's not true. When we look at the outer court in the wilderness, we see that many wicked men went into the outer court. In fact, wicked men even came near unto the holy place and some were even killed in the holy place because they went in. But no wickedness ever entered into the holy of holies because the high priest had to be in good shape with God, or he'd better not go into the holy of holies. They even tied a rope onto the foot of the high priest, so if he went in there and he wasn't walking in right covenant with God, they could drag out his body. They weren't going in after the high priest because you'd be smitten dead if you didn't walk in right covenant with God. The tabernacle in the wilderness represented a Christian because God Almighty dwells in the holy of holies. We have examples in the Scriptures of wickedness coming into both the outer court and the holy place, but not into the holy of holies. God was showing me that in your holy of holies dwells the Spirit of God, and only Jesus, Who is the High Priest, can go in there. By the way, ministers don't have a right to get into your holy of holies. They have to stay without. The One Who is the head of your being is the Lord, always the Lord. If a minister becomes your head, you become a disciple of him and you, in a way, put him in your holy of holies. That's dangerous for him and you because then he's between you and God. Remember from our example that wickedness entered into both the outer court and the holy place.  Now here's what the Lord showed me about oppression and possession. Did you know that God seeks to possess you? He just comes from a different direction; that's all. He comes from your spirit, seeking to possess. What He really wants to possess is your soul. He wants to possess your soul, which is your actions and your nature. That's your whole walk. But the demons come in through the flesh, and they also seek to possess your soul. They want to come into the holy place. They want to rule in the holy place because that's the control over your actions; that's the control over your thinking, and the control over your life. They want to control your life.  But the fallacy of the worldly church view gives us is that oppression is without; possession is within. However, the demons can dwell in your flesh, and as long as they're just in the flesh but not in the holy place, not in the soul, they're still in; they're just not in possession. Possession is when they reach into your soul. If you watch demon-possessed people, you'll see this happen. One moment they'll be totally normal, but don't think the demon left. He hasn't left; he's still there. I've had this experience with Christians. Everybody who is led by the flesh is not led by the Holy Spirit, and a Spirit-filled Christian can be led by the flesh. The flesh is made in the image of the devil and you're a son of the devil if you walk after the flesh. You're manifesting being a son of the devil. But here's the point. If you walk after the flesh, you're opening yourself up to let the devil in. You are the one who either permits or forbids. (Mat.16:19) I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Those demons can come into your flesh. If you give in to some sin, they can come into your flesh, but what they want to do is reach into your soul. Your soul is your nature; it is the controlling factor of your life. When the demons reach into a person's soul, that's when everybody says that a person is possessed. But, you know what? They'll back out of the soul into the flesh, and the person will be relatively normal. Then they'll come in again; they'll manifest, and they'll back out. We've seen people who look and behave totally normal. Then, all of a sudden, when you're right in the middle of preaching the Gospel, demons manifest in these people and they start crying out. The demons cry out. Why? Were they there all the time? Yes, they were there all the time. Did they leave the person? They never ever left the person; they were there all the time. So you can be oppressed as long as the demon is in the flesh, but when he reaches into your soul, then that is possession.  Who has the right to have demons cast out? Well, let me give you a few examples. First of all, what we have in the New Testament is Jesus dealing with His Covenant people, which was Israel. That was the type and shadow of what God does today. Jesus was dealing with Covenant people, and He even said, “I was not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Mat.15:24). Who was He dealing with when He cast out demons? It was the lost sheep of the house of Israel. When the pagans came, such as in the instance of the Syrophoenician woman, then Jesus said, “it is not meet to take the children's bread and cast it to the dogs” (Mat.15:26). Well, what was He talking about? He was saying that the lost have no right to God's provision.  The biggest proof to me is my experience. The only time God ever let me cast demons out of a lost person, I had to get His permission to do it. You have to have permission to do it because you can destroy someone by casting demons out of them. The Bible even says they'll come back with seven worse. (Luk.11:26) Then goeth he, and taketh [to him] seven other spirits more evil than himself; and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man becometh worse than the first. So casting demons out of a lost person is not good business unless you have God's permission, since they have no right to God's provision. God's provision of deliverance and healing and other blessings is for Covenant people. We are Covenant people; they are not. They have no right to it. Don't try to give God's pearls to the swine (Matthew 7:6); they have no right to it.  I'm going to prove it to you now from Scripture. (Mar.7:25) But straightway a woman, whose little daughter had an unclean spirit, having heard of him, came and fell down at his feet. (26) Now the woman was a Greek, a Syrophoenician by race. And she besought him that he would cast forth the demon out of her daughter. (27) And he said unto her, Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children's bread and cast it to the dogs. He's calling casting out demons “the children's bread.” It's not for the world. No, it's only for the children. Now not only did this woman's daughter have a demon, but she also had a spirit of infirmity. We know this from the same story in Matthew. (Mat.15:28) … And her daughter was healed from that hour. So her daughter was healed at the same time that Jesus cast out the demon. The children's bread is deliverance from demons and healing in the body and all these things. Why? Jesus said that His Body is our bread. Were there any demons or any sickness in Jesus' body? The reconciliation was that He gave His body for your body. See, only we have a right to have a holy, delivered body. The world does not have this right. (Mar.7:26) … And she besought him that he would cast forth the demon out of her daughter. (27) And he said unto her, Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children's bread and cast it to the dogs. (28) But she answered and saith unto him, Yea, Lord; even the dogs under the table eat of the children's crumbs. (29) And he said unto her, For this saying go thy way; the demon is gone out of thy daughter. (30) And she went away unto her house, and found the child laid upon the bed, and the demon gone out. And in Matthew, it says she was healed.  So we can see, as a revelation from this example by Jesus, that someone who is a Jew according to the flesh is not necessarily a Jew according to this New Covenant. Only Jews in this New Covenant are the ones who walk in the faith of Abraham. You can't recognize the Jew according to the flesh anymore; it's whether they are a believer or not. It's according to your faith or your unbelief as to whether you're grafted in or broken off (Romans 11) – totally according to your faith. If you have faith, you're a child. You have a right to the children's bread. The world has no right to the children's bread because they are not in covenant with God. Our part of the Covenant is faith. God's part is supply. We enter into it by faith and God enters into it with supply. It's kind of a lopsided covenant, but that's the way He designed it. We got a good deal and that's why it's called the Good News. 

Happy Thursday! Topics today include God's refining fire, Almighty God wants to show Himself strong for you, you feel empty when you focus on the loss, getting your teens around Godly adults, what your children need from you when they need you less, and more.  CHECK OUT SHARI HOUSE'S NEW BOOK! Her Story Silhouettes: Volume 2 is now available for preorder.  Janice's books What Do I Have to Lose? Books 1 and 2   are available NOW!! The complete set is just $25. Check it out at FaithMusicRadio.com. >> Also, featuring A Word of Encouragement with Vicky Mutchler, CW Today with Loretta Walker and Silhouettes with Shari House. Be sure to subscribe to this podcast and please share this podcast with your friends so we may be an encouragement to them through the music and programming on Faith Music Radio. Music is brought to you by Faith Music Missions. Learn more here >>> https://www.faithmusicmissions.org Eleven2One Facebook  Eleven2One on Instagram Faith Music Radio is a listener supported Christian station.

How did the cosmos come into existence? To address that question, we must first determine if there is a God. Today, people often claim to believe in science and therefore, cannot believe in a God. However, the field of science can hardly declare with certainty that there is no God. But logic can be utilized to find a conclusion. As we embark on this series, we ask that you come to it with an open mind. If there is an Almighty God, an Intelligent Designer, He would exist beyond the laws and realm of science – in fact, He would have created it. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------DONATE: https://evidence4faith.org/give/WEBSITE: https://evidence4faith.org/NEWSLETTER: http://eepurl.com/hpazV5BOOKINGS: https://evidence4faith.org/bookings/CONTACT: Evidence 4 Faith, 349 Knights Ave Kewaskum WI 53040 , info@evidence4faith.orgMy goal is that their hearts, having been knit together in love, may be encouraged, and that they may have all the riches that assurance brings in their understanding of the knowledge of the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. - Colossians 2:2-3CREDITS: Developed & Hosted by Michael Lane. Produced & Edited by Noah Sauder. Graphics & Publication by Noah Sauder. Additional Art, Film, & Photography Credits: Stock media “Memories” provided by mv_production / Pond5 | Logo Stinger: Unsplash.com: Leinstravelier, Logan Moreno Gutierrez, Meggyn Pomerieau, Jaredd Craig, NASA, NOASS, USGS, Sam Carter, Junior REIS, Luka Vovk, Calvin Craig, Mario La Pergola, Timothy Eberly, Priscilla Du Preez, Ismael Paramo, Tingey Injury Law Firm, Dan Cristian Pădureț, Jakob Owens | Wikimedia: Darmouth University Public Domain, Kelvinsong CC0 | Stock media “A stately Story (Stiner02)” provided by lynnepublishing / Pond5

What happens when a former cult member goes undercover inside another cult? In this episode of Cultish, Mitch from Cult Audit takes us inside his infiltration of Eastern Lightning, also known as the Church of Almighty God—a secretive movement that claims Jesus Christ has returned in the flesh as a Chinese woman.How does Eastern Lightning recruit unsuspecting Christians through social media and online Bible studies? And what happens when you work your way deep enough into the organization to gain their trust?Mitch shares how he moved through their training, became a host, attended their house churches, and eventually traveled to New York to visit their church and obtain internal materials. He also exposes their teachings about “Almighty God,” their rejection of the Bible as the final authority, and the intense emphasis they place on duties, obedience, and salvation through the words of their supposed female Christ.Join us as we go inside one of the most secretive cult movements we've ever covered on Cultish.Mitch's Go Fund Me: HEREBe Part of the Mission to Change Lives: HERESHOP OUR MERCH: HEREPlease consider subscribing to our YouTube Channel: CultishTV.comCultish is a 100% crowdfunded ministry.

One of the most beautiful things about the Lord's Prayer is found in the first two words, "Our Father." Jesus could have said, “My Father.” Instead, He said Our Father, and, in doing so, He invited all mankind to address Almighty God in this way. Today, Ron takes an in-depth look at the first stanza of the Lord's Prayer, with special emphasis on these first two words—what they meant to the original audience, and what they mean for you and me today.  

Today we started to dig into this amazing letter. John is given a vision from God to bring to the 7 churches. But this letter is a Revelation of What? It is a Revelation of Jesus Christ. That means it is not intended to compare to the news, to create conspiracies, to fulfill agendas. This is Jesus revealing Himself to John for the churches in Asia. This letter is a Revelation of the glory, power, might and victory of our Almighty God.

“When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers—the moon and the stars you set in place—what are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them?” (Psalm 8:3–4 NLT) There’s an old saying that goes, “You wouldn’t worry so much about what other people thought of you if you knew how infrequently they do.” And while the truth of that statement may sting, there’s an amazing truth in Scripture that can bring you tremendous comfort if you’re able to wrap your head around it. Here it is: God is thinking about you. In Psalm 8:3–4, David, the shepherd and giant-slayer who would become king of Israel, tries to come to grips with that very realization. One night, probably when he was watching over his sheep, he looked up at the incredible array of stars above him and made this statement: “When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers—the moon and the stars you set in place—what are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them?” (NLT). This same wonder and awe should grip us when we read these verses. It’s incredible to think that the Creator of the universe, the Almighty God who knows every star by name, would care about us. Not only does He care about humanity as a whole, but He also cares about us as individuals. Not only does He care about us as individuals, but He also knows about every detail of our lives. If you want to take it one step further, look at the Lord’s words in Jeremiah 1:5: “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb” (NLT). God even knows the very thoughts that we think. Jesus said, “Your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him” (Matthew 6:8 NKJV). Psalm 40:5 tells us, “Many, O Lord my God, are Your wonderful works Which You have done; And Your thoughts toward us Cannot be recounted to You in order; If I would declare and speak of them, They are more than can be numbered” (NKJV). Psalm 115:12 (NKJV) says, “The Lord has been mindful of us; He will bless us.” Your heavenly Father thinks about you because you are precious to Him. He sees what isn’t always apparent to other people. He sees your value, your worth, and your potential. He sees your heart. He sees the raw materials He can use to accomplish amazing things in and through you. So, even when family and friends have forgotten about you, know this truth: The Lord is thinking about you. The Lord cares about you and takes an interest in even the smallest details of your life. They might seem trivial to someone else—but not to God. If it concerns you, then it concerns Him. Reflection question: What does it mean to you to know that God is thinking about you right now? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Costi Hinn explores El Gibbor, the Mighty God, and what this name reveals about the strength, sovereignty, and victory of God. When life feels bigger than you, remember: you don't have to be strong enough. Your God is.

It's Labor Day Monday, September 7th, A.D. 2026. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Adam McManus Elderly Chinese pastor still missing A 73-year-old Chinese pastor, who suffers from serious cardiovascular issues, is still missing months after Chinese Communist authorities arrested him at his home in March, reports International Christian Concern. Pastor Wang Sanyuan is the pastor of Chanchunli Church in Jinan, the capital of Shandong Province in eastern China. As the influential leader of a government-registered church with 500 regular attendees, his arrest shocked his community.  No one knows where Wang was taken — not even his wife and children. A church statement said, “The family has nowhere to turn with their complaints and is pushed to the point of desperation.”  One local pastor said, “I believe the authorities are now settling old scores.”  In 2009, despite protests from the congregants, the church building was demolished by Communist authorities to make room for a shopping mall. Believers still protested, pitching their tents on the property. They were met with a force of more than 200 police, who stormed through their tents and injured 27 people. Through it all, Wang had encouraged his congregation to stand strong in their faith, according to ChinaAid. Pastor Wang, like those described in Hebrews 11:16, is a great man of faith.  Like our ancient Biblical heroes, Pastor Wang longs for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called his God, for the Lord has prepared a city for Pastor Wang and all who name Jesus as the Christ. Write a polite, 4-sentence note to the Chinese Ambassador to America, Xie Feng, urging him to persuade Chinese President Xi Jinping to reveal Pastor Wang's whereabouts and release him. Send it to the Chinese Embassy, 3505 International Place NW, Washington, DC 20008. US strikes three Iranian oil tankers after Iran's attack on US ships U.S. forces struck three Iranian oil tankers on September 5th including one off the coast of Kharg Island, near Iran's key oil export hub, reports Reuters. The strikes were carried out ‌after Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched ballistic missiles at two U.S. Navy ships, according to Central Command. Admiral Brad Cooper, head of U.S. Central Command, said, "Let the message ‌to the [Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps] be clear: If you shoot at two of our ships, we will impose an even higher economic cost — taking out three of ​yours.” Lindsay Clancy's mistrial on three murder charges Lindsay Clancy's six-week-long triple-murder trial ended in a mistrial in Massachusetts on September 4th after the jury failed to reach a unanimous verdict, reports NBC News. The jury weighing the 36-year-old's fate was sent back twice to deliberate but said that “with a heavy heart” it was ultimately unable to reach a verdict after seven days of deliberations. With the deadlock, Judge William Sullivan told the court he would declare a mistrial in the case, prompting Clancy's 73-year-old defense attorney, Kevin Reddington, to announce his intent to appeal to Massachusetts' top court, an effort which ultimately failed. The jury was tasked with determining whether Clancy was criminally responsible in the 2023 deaths of her three young children — 5-year-old Cora, 3-year-old Dawson, 3, and 8-month-old Callan — or whether she was not guilty by reason of lack of criminal responsibility because of mental illness. Prosecutors alleged Clancy strangled the children with exercise bands before attempting suicide by jumping from a second-story window which left her paralyzed and in a wheelchair. Steven Watercotte, a defense attorney who practices in Missouri and Illinois, explained what will happen next. WATERCOTTE: “A mistrial is basically going to put this trial back to square one, as if it didn't happen. A jury has to be unanimous in their verdict, meaning all 12 jurors have to either decide on guilty or not guilty. When a jury does not come to a unanimous verdict, it results in a mistrial, a mistrial by way of a hung jury. “What this means for the defense and the prosecution in the Clancy case is that you're back to square one. The case and the charges are still pending against the defendant Lindsey Clancy. “However, they will pick a new trial date. They will empanel new jurors. That's the important part. This jury's service is done. The jurors in this case that sat for this trial will no longer be serving.” Sadly, even if Lindsay Clancy is found guilty in the next trial of murdering her own three children, Massachusetts has rejected God's standard altogether. Genesis 9:6 states, "Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in His own image." Feminist Gloria Steinem rejected God's design And finally, glowing obituaries are pouring in after the September 2nd death of feminist icon Gloria Steinem, the founder of Ms. Magazine. The Associated Press called her “a potent voice of U.S. feminism,” and the Washington Post heralded her as the “lodestar of the modern women's movement.” Not surprisingly, Leftist women of today -- Hillary Clinton, Jill Biden, Meghan Markle, and Lena Dunham – all took to social media to feature pictures of themselves with Steinem. But, if you have a Christian worldview, Steinem represented one thing: a rejection of God's divine design. She told women they did not need God, they did not need a husband, and they certainly did not need children. Steinem famously declared: “A woman needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle.” and “A gender-equal society would be one where the word ‘gender' does not exist.” In Matthew 19:4, Jesus asked, “Haven't you read that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female'?” Carrie Gress, founder of the online women's magazine Theology of Home, wrote, “Gloria Steinem may have been the first to say publicly that a child would have ruined her life as she reflected on her abortion while a waitress in London, awaiting a visa to work in India.” Steinem said, “My life would've stopped there.” Gloria promoted the feminist notion that men are contemptible — and women need to become just like them. To fully understand the roots of Steinem's feminism, Carrie Gress noted that Steinem's father was “a traveling salesman, gone most of the time while providing very little financially or emotionally. Young Gloria was left for months at a time to care for her mentally ill and bedridden mother — truly something no child should be left to do. She adopted feminism as a kind of bubble wrap against any kind of vulnerability that comes with being a female.” STEINEM: “Since a lot of us had mothers who were driven crazy by society, or who just couldn't be powerful through no fault of theirs, the society wouldn't let them be powerful. In some sense, we were motherless. What the women's movement has done is to allow women to become each other's mothers, and to support and model and hope, and praise, and love each other enough so that we can begin to repair the early damage.” As a result of Steinem's feminism, only 35% of women under 25 today have a favorable view of men, according to The New Statesman. And, as we documented on The Worldview's September 4th newscast, the West faces a birth dearth that threatens us on a civilizational level.   Gress concluded, “Feminism has slowly corroded civilization from the inside out. Steinem is no heroine.” Indeed, she spat in the face of Almighty God. Proverbs 31:30 captures the Biblical picture of what is admirable in a woman. “Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” Close And that's The Worldview on this Monday, September 7th, in the year of our Lord 2026. Subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com.  Plus, you can get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

What kind of "CHRISTian" are you? And how do you reconcile the platform message with the "truth" you will inevitably sermonize to your children?Celebrity, neighbors, family member, friend.. each must assess what they choose to believe.Just how did you get that glorious salvation? What was the original cost?And most importantly, when did the Almighty God you claim to serve STOP being enough?Again, listener/undercover christian: you don't answer to me, or in this life even. But maybe figure some shyt out before your time comes to an end..?**episode artwork includes images from Google searches: "escape plan+chaos," and "escaping christianity."**

What should believers do when the foundations of society seem to be crumbling? In today's episode of the MY Devotional Podcast, Dr. Michael Youssef points to Psalm 11 and the prophet Isaiah for encouragement in seasons of anxiety, uncertainty, and change. Judah faced such a moment when King Uzziah died after more than five decades on the throne. The nation suddenly found itself asking, “What happens now?” Isaiah may have wondered the same thing. But in that very season of upheaval, God gave him a transforming vision: “I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne.” The message could not have been clearer. Earthly rulers change, nations shift, and circumstances become uncertain—but the true King never leaves His throne. That same Truth speaks powerfully to believers today. Our hope is not ultimately anchored in political stability, cultural strength, or human leadership. It rests in the changeless promises and sovereign rule of Almighty God. And we know even more than Isaiah did. Jesus Christ—the King who was mocked, crucified, and buried—rose victoriously from the grave and reigns today. Whatever uncertainty surrounds you, lift your eyes above the turmoil. Your King is alive, His throne is secure, and He can be trusted with whatever comes next. Let us pray. Lord Jesus, help me to trust You, resting in Your love and promises even when this world and my circumstances look bleak. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen. The voice you hear on the MY Devotional podcast is digitally generated with Dr. Youssef's permission. If today's devotional stirred a question, burden, or need for prayer, you don't have to walk through it alone.

Welcome to Day 2940 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom. Day 2940 – Wisdom Nuggets – Proverbs 3:29-35 Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2940 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2940 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. The title for today's Wisdom-Trek is: The Curse on Oppression and the Honor of the Humble – Walking in Friendship with the King On our previous podcast, on Day Two Thousand Nine Hundred Thirty-Eight, we explored Proverbs chapter three, verses twenty-one through twenty-eight. We discovered how hanging on to common sense and discernment brings unshakeable peace, sound sleep, and divine security during unexpected storms. We also learned the vital mandate of neighborly integrity—refusing to delay when we have the power to do good to someone in need today. Today, as we step onto Day Two Thousand Nine Hundred Forty of our ongoing trek, we arrive at the conclusion of Proverbs chapter three, focusing on verses twenty-nine through thirty-five. In these seven closing verses, Solomon completes his royal instructions on social ethics and divine covenant reality. He shifts our gaze from doing good to our neighbors, to actively refraining from harm, violence, and contentious conflict. Then, he pulls back the cosmic veil, showing us how the supreme King of heaven evaluates human pride and humility! Having spent over fifty years focusing on and studying Biblical wisdom, and having accumulated seventy years of life experiences—watching reputations built and destroyed, seeing family lineages thrive or crumble, and observing the ultimate end of arrogant oppressors—I am eager to walk through these powerful verses with you today. Let us open our hearts to the first logical pair of prohibitions regarding our daily human interactions, as recorded in the New Living Translation, grouping together the connected thoughts found in Proverbs chapter three, verse twenty-nine, and verse thirty. Don't plot harm against your neighbor, for those who live nearby trust you. Don't pick a fight without reason, when no one has done you harm. Look at the solemn ethical boundaries Solomon sets around our daily relationships! In verse twenty-nine, he commands, "Don't plot harm against your neighbor, for those who live nearby trust you." The Hebrew word for plot is charash—which literally means to plow or manufacture! Solomon warns against secretly manufacturing evil schemes against those who live right next door in quiet vulnerability and trust. Then, in verse thirty, he addresses contentious behavior, warning: "Don't pick a fight without reason, when no one has done you harm." The Hebrew word for picking a fight is riv—referring to legal disputes or aggressive verbal warfare. Solomon exposes a dark flaw in human nature: the temptation to exploit a trusting neighbor or stir up unnecessary drama simply to exert power. This connects directly back to what we studied in Proverbs chapter three, verse twenty-seven and verse twenty-eight, where we were commanded not to withhold good when it is in our power to act. Here, Solomon shows us the opposite side of the coin: a wise person never weaponizes their power to harm those who trust them! Over my seventy years of living, I have observed that trust is a fragile, sacred currency. Once you betray the trust of a neighbor, a business partner, or a friend, you fracture a relationship that may take decades to repair. The narrative now deepens, moving from covert scheming to the temptation of envying open oppression, weaving together the logical thoughts found in Proverbs chapter three, verse thirty-one, and verse thirty-two. Don't envy violent people or copy their ways. Such wicked people are detestable to the Lord, but he offers his friendship to the godly. Look at the urgent warning in verse thirty-one: "Don't envy violent people or copy their ways." The phrase "violent people" translates as ish chamas—a man of ruthless, predatory aggression! This links us right back to the warning we examined in Proverbs chapter one, verses ten through nineteen, where a gang of violent men tempted the youth to join their predatory ambush for quick riches. Culturally, ruthless people often appear to win in the short term. They cut corners, intimidate others, seize power, and amass wealth. Solomon commands us: do not envy them, and under no circumstances copy their methods! Look at the staggering cosmic reality Solomon reveals in verse thirty-two to explain why: "Such wicked people are detestable to the Lord, but he offers his friendship to the godly!" In the Hebrew text, a person who is "detestable" is an to'evah—an abomination, something utterly repulsive that cannot exist in the holy presence of God. Now, consider this through the Ancient Israelite divine-council worldview! In the heavenly court, where Yahweh sits enthroned surrounded by His celestial council, the ruthless oppressor who builds an empire through violence is viewed not as a successful leader, but as a repulsive outcast whose ways violate cosmic order. But look at what Yahweh offers to the "godly"—those who walk in integrity! He offers them His sod—His intimate friendship and secret counsel! In ancient royal courts, to be admitted into the king's sod meant sitting in his private cabinet. The ruthless man gets temporary plunder, but the humble, godly trekker is admitted into the divine council room, walking as an intimate friend of the King of the cosmos! In my fifty years of studying wisdom, I can assure you that no amount of worldly wealth or power can ever compare to walking in friendship with Almighty God. Solomon now expands this cosmic verdict from individual lives directly into the family home, as recorded in Proverbs chapter three, verse thirty-three. The Lord curses the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous. Consider the long-term contrast presented in this single verse! The text contrasts the bayit—the house or household—of the wicked with the home of the righteous. The curse of Yahweh is the spiritual reality of divine opposition resting upon a household that builds its foundation on violence, deceit, and oppression. That house may look like a luxurious mansion on the outside, but its foundation is rotting from spiritual decay. In stark contrast, Yahweh "blesses the home of the righteous!" The word for "home" here is naveh—which refers to a peaceful dwelling, a meadow, or a resting place where a shepherd leads his flock. In my seven decades of life, having raised a family and watched generations grow, I have seen this spiritual law proven time and again. A home built on the fear of the Lord, covenant loyalty, and daily integrity becomes an oasis of peace, safety, and joy, passing down a rich spiritual legacy to children and grandchildren. But a home built on ruthless ambition and covert wickedness eventually collapses under the weight of its own curse. The narrative reaches its ultimate climax as Solomon contrasts how God responds to human pride versus human humility, combining the logical thoughts in Proverbs chapter three, verse thirty-four, and verse thirty-five. The Lord mocks the mockers, but is gracious to the humble. The wise inherit honor, but fools are burdened with disgrace. Look at the divine irony in verse thirty-four: "The Lord mocks the mockers, but is gracious to the humble!" The "mockers"—the letzim—are those arrogant scoffers who laugh at moral boundaries, mock the fear of God, and look down on others. Solomon reveals that Yahweh turns their own arrogance back upon them! This verse is so crucial that both Peter and James quote it directly in the New Testament, declaring that "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble!" When a person walks in pride, the Almighty King sets Himself in active opposition against them; but when a person bows in humility, Yahweh pours out an endless river of unearned favor and grace. Solomon closes the entire third chapter of Proverbs with verse thirty-five: "The wise inherit honor, but fools are burdened with disgrace!" In the Hebrew language, the word for honor is kavod—which means heavy, weighty, enduring glory! The wise person, who walks in the fear of the Lord, inherits a heavy, lasting legacy of dignity that withstands the test of time. But the fool, who relied on self-conceit and violent shortcuts, ends up carrying a crushing burden of disgrace—qalōn—a shameful memory that blows away like dust. As we complete our trek through Proverbs chapter three today, take time to reflect on the two paths set before you. Are you maintaining integrity in your...

What is the purpose of a creed or ‘I Believe' statement? Where creeds overlap, you find companions for the journey. Creeds can unite us, but they can also divide. Some attempts to rewrite the Apostles' Creed help us understand who God is and can change both our view of the world, and God. Paul saw the shrines to the unknown god in Athens as misguided. Our God is known, and close. Not far away, distant emotionally or unknown. His message to the Athenians suggests that we should embrace those around us while hewing to the bible's teachings. God made this earth spacious for all living creatures., human and otherwise. Because we trust in God, and we are created by God, we can peel back the layers and more fully understand. This message comes from Pastor Sarah. Our New Testament Lesson comes from Acts, Chapter 17, verses 16-28.   Carolyn Winfrey Gillette provides a restated creed: I believe in God the Father, the Almighty God above, Maker of the earth and heaven which were formed in God's great love. And in Jesus, loving Jesus, God's own Son, who makes us new. This the creed of generations, is the faith for our church too. Jesus by God's Holy Spirit was so wondrously conceived, Born unto the Virgin Mary, who your promises believed. Jesus suffering under Pilate, on a cross was crucified. Soldiers mocked hi, friends denied him; he hung there until he died. So it was, our Lord was buried, in a borrowed tomb he lay. To the dead he then descended, where was joy on earth that day? There's more to God's great story: In three days he rose again. He ascended into heaven and he sits at God's right hand. I believe what God has promised: Christ will come as he has said. He will judge the nations' peoples, both the living and the dead. I believe God's Holy Spirit makes the church one family. We're surrounded by God's people, saints who in our Lord believe. I believe that God forgives us for the times we turn away, And that God will raise our bodies on that resurrection day. We rejoice that we'll live forever, singing praise to God's great name. This the creed of generations is the faith that we proclaim.  

What gives believers the courage to obey God when His plan seems confusing or impossible? The heroes of Hebrews 11 understood that their confidence did not rest in circumstances—it rested in the character of Almighty God. In today's episode of the MY Devotional Podcast, Dr. Michael Youssef reminds us that courageous faith begins by recognizing the greatness of God's power and the certainty of His promises. The God who created the heavens and calls every star by name cannot fail, lie, or make a mistake. When He speaks, His people can trust Him enough to obey. Consider Joshua marching around the fortified walls of Jericho or Gideon facing an army described as being “thick as locusts.” God's instructions may not have made sense from a human perspective, but both men moved forward because they trusted the One who gave the command. That same faith is necessary when our circumstances puzzle us, suffering weighs us down, or the road ahead appears impossible. God does not promise that obedience will always be easy, but He does promise to remain faithful—equipping, guiding, and strengthening His people through every battle. Whatever you are facing today, remember the foundation of courageous faith: God is powerful, God is faithful, God is sovereign, and Christ has already secured the ultimate victory. Keep praying. Keep obeying. Keep trusting the God who works all things for the good of those who love Him. Prayer: God, thank You for the examples of courageous faith found in Your Word. Help me to always trust You and Your plan for victory. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen. “For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory” (Deuteronomy 20:4). Learn more in Dr. Michael A. Youssef's sermon They Were Just like Us, We Can Be like Them: LISTEN NOW The voice you hear on the MY Devotional podcast is digitally generated with Dr. Youssef's permission. If today's devotional stirred a question, burden, or need for prayer, you don't have to walk through it alone.

August 29, 2026Today's Reading: Mark 6:14-29Daily Lectionary: 1 Kings 11:42-12:19; 2 Corinthians 7:1-16“King Herod heard of it, for Jesus' name had become known. Some said, ‘John the Baptist has been raised from the dead. That is why these miraculous powers are at work in him.' But others said, ‘He is Elijah.' And others said, ‘He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.' But when Herod heard of it, he said, ‘John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.' For it was Herod who had sent and seized John and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, because he had married her. For John had been saying to Herod, ‘It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife.' And Herodias had a grudge against him and wanted to put him to death. But she could not, for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he kept him safe. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed, and yet he heard him gladly.” (Mark 6:14–29)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.John the Baptist was the last of the prophets of old. He was the forerunner of Christ with the command of making straight the way of the Lord. John was the new Elijah, and John was not afraid to speak truth to power. John told Herod that it was unlawful for him to have his brother's wife, and this speaking of Law was what made Herod imprison him. But John was a righteous and holy man, which made Herod fear him. Herod was perplexed by John, but still heard what he said gladly. John continued preaching God's word and preparing His way until the day he died. His death shows that even the greatest born of women (Matthew 11:11) is not enough to save himself. He died like every other prophet who came before him. It was going to take someone outside of himself to save him from his sins. John knew this, which is why he proclaimed that he must decrease so that He may increase. He knew his cousin was the Son of God who had been foretold from the beginning. This horse-hair-covered, locust and honey-eating wilderness man was the second greatest prophet. He is the second greatest, behind our Lord, the one who lives and reigns for all eternity. John knows that he is not the Christ, and the faith he carried to his death by beheading is the same faith that we hold to this very day.In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Almighty God, You gave Your servant John the Baptist to be the forerunner of Your Son, Jesus Christ, in both his preaching of repentance and his innocent death. Grant that we, who have died and risen with Christ in Holy Baptism, may daily repent of our sins, patiently suffer for the sake of the truth, and fearlessly bear witness to His victory over death; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.Jonah Clausen, seminary student at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne.

Courageous faith can lead to extraordinary victories—but sometimes it also leads straight into danger, suffering, and persecution. In today's episode of the MY Devotional Podcast, Dr. Michael Youssef turns to Hebrews 11:30–40, where Scripture remembers men and women who trusted God even when obedience cost them dearly. Some conquered kingdoms and defeated enemies. Others endured imprisonment, rejection, torture, and death. Yet both groups were commended for the same thing: faith. From Rahab and Gideon to Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets, these Biblical heroes demonstrate that God works powerfully through people who trust Him. They were not flawless. They failed, sinned, and needed repentance just as we do. But when they turned to Almighty God in faith, He received them and used them for His glory. Their courage was rooted not in their own strength but in confidence that God would remain faithful to His Word. They trusted that He would ultimately deal with sin, provide righteousness, and fulfill His promises. Looking forward to Christ by faith freed them to obey God even when the cost was great. Whatever hardship, opposition, or uncertainty you face today, remember: courageous faith is not confidence that nothing painful will happen. It is confidence that God will be faithful through it all. The question is whether we are ready to trust Him enough to say, “Here I am, send me.” Prayer: Father, help me to have courageous faith. During times of persecution, danger, or hardship, help me to stay committed to You because I know that You have the ultimate victory. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen. “Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. . . . the world was not worthy of them” (Hebrews 11:36, 38). Learn more in Dr. Michael A. Youssef's sermon They Were Just like Us, The Warring Faith: LISTEN NOW The voice you hear on the MY Devotional podcast is digitally generated with Dr. Youssef's permission. If today's devotional stirred a question, burden, or need for prayer, you don't have to walk through it alone.

August 24, 2026Today's Reading: Luke 22:24-30 or John 1:43-51Daily Lectionary: 1 Kings 5:1-18; 1 Kings 6:1-7:50; 2 Corinthians 1:23-2:17“A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest. And he said to them, ‘The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves.'” (Luke 22:24–28)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Is it greater to serve or to be served? Throughout the world, the answer is obvious: it is better to be served. Kings exercise lordship, and it's good to be the king. But the King of Kings has a different answer. He is the King who says, “the first shall be last” and “Blessed are the Poor.” He is the one who came down from the heavens to serve. The eternal Son took on flesh and dwelt among us, not as a conqueror but as a servant. This continues to be a comfort to us because our God is the one who gave his life on the cross to cleanse us from our sins and did not stop there. Our God continues to sanctify his people, and He has created Good Works for us to do as fellow servants and Children of God. However, God has not stopped serving us. He continues to serve us every Sunday when the saints on earth gather together to receive the Word and Sacrament from our pastors. God's work began for us and continues to be for us as our generous King gives freely to his people for all eternity. Jesus shows that the greater one is the one who serves. If God Himself serves us, we, as His people, continue to serve our neighbor.In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Almighty God, Your Son, Jesus Christ, chose Bartholomew to be an apostle to preach the blessed Gospel. Grant that Your Church may love what he believed and preach what he taught; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.Jonah Clausen, seminary student at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne.

I declareyou are for rising You are For lifting You are For joyYou are For peaceYou are For coast enlargementYou are For a divine compensationYou are for Health restoration fruitfulnessHeaven is setting you up for unexpected visitations.Every step of the way God will announce youLike an eagle you are rising above every storm.The scourge will not come near you Fear will not be your lotShame will not know you.Whoever whatever planning to use you as spiritual scape goat.let them become the scapegoat.Whatever altar of darkness planted in your father's house let the blood of Jesus uproot them .Every strange appearance in your dreams making you Fear for your life let the blood of Jesus bury them alive.Whoever has taken your names and those of your children to any shrine for evil , as those names are mentioned let thunder and fire of God Almighty answer on your behalf and destroy the evil.As the sun rises mercy will speak for you.As the sun and moon Rise in their time the glory of God will not leave you.The Almighty God will stand you out today.Whoever will bring calamity to you will not see you ,they will not come near ,they will carry their evil load.Every situation making prayer look impossible recieve the blood of jesus and bow.

غ ن يAcademic institutions, like religious institutions, are metropolitan in nature, gathering where the Scriptural God scatters. They are the elephant whose snout hoards knowledge for the tyrants of the earth like the Egyptian scribes (Genesis 41:8), inscribing their will with an iron stylus on the foreskins of human hearts, concealing them from God (The Eucharist, 270).The psychē (ψυχή) fights against God by clinging to the sarx (σάρξ), desperately struggling to shut out the pneuma (πνεῦμα) with all its might, concealing the uncircumcised heart from the Almighty God under cover of the circumcision of human institutions.Oh yes, Hellenists love the psyche. It's what they “turn” (to) and in, epistrephein (ἐπιστρέφειν, Corinthians 3:16), away from him, spinning as they spin their rejection of the sufficiency of God. It's the source of all they talk about on their podcasts. They gather it up in their communities to meditate on it and its endless crisis of “loneliness.” (2 Timothy 3:2–4) “If only they knew.” (Qurʾan, Sūrat al-ʿAnkabūt سورة العنكبوت “The Spider” 29:64)But God, in his sufficiency, is all seeing and all knowing, and their schemes will fail.Each moment in life, each kairos, each encounter with the unseen God in the crossing of neighbors in the ʿarabah terrifies the human institution, because the crossing presents each living, breathing soul with a divine uncovering, and the possibility of a revelation: we do not need the institutions.We never did.It's ironic. The academy will insist it exists to question, to challenge and to tear down, but of its nature a building is incapable of the apostle's turning in his withering, let alone the prophet's birth-pains. Yes, they critique, but not to tear down, one stone from another.No.They critique in order to build their artificial mother. Their blasphemous alma mater.“Because they disbelieved and uttered terrible slander against Mary.” (Qurʾan, Sūrat al-Nisāʾ سورة النساء “The Women” 4:156)Yet, “God is not mocked” (Galatians 6:7), for everyone knows that milk sweetened with chemicals is toxic.Well, not everyone.Against them, and all who are like them, the Abrahamic scriptures neither build nor synthesize. They present no dogma. People who “read” them do, of course. That's how we end up with buildings and tribes, which all three scrolls summarily condemn.Instead, what these texts offer is a method for hearing and seeing in daily living, so that each of us can hear how to walk our path in this life.Indeed, God, who is the source of all knowledge, has assigned a path for each of us, and this life is your test. Only you can hear and see what he has presented for you to understand, for your sake. It is your test. On that day, you have no advocate but yourself and no recourse but him.The sooner you stop covering your ears and hiding behind your eyes; the sooner you open your heart to his instruction, the better your chance of receiving his gift with empty hands.God has assigned a lesson for you in your brief time on earth, which, as the song says, is as “but a dream.”True knowledge does not come from men. It comes directly from him, and Scripture is a guide on the path through his wilderness. Unlike human institutions which traffic in recycled human words, Scripture offers only the witness—the martyrdom—of the unseen, of the done-unto by God, who stand by you on the path, bearing witness to your witness to his divine words.And the words are signs along that path to help you find your way, as you uncover the test he has prepared for you, which is yours and yours alone.The Bible was not written to establish anything. It was written to keep the path open, for your sake, so that nothing would ever stand in between you and God on the path, before the time, until the time he shall judge the living and the dead; and of his kingdom, there shall be no end.This week, I discuss Luke 9:38 ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

The Rise of Islam & the Crisis of Biblical Christianity | KWR0062 Kingdom War Room DESCRIPTION What happens when a civilization loses its biblical foundations while competing religious and ideological systems grow stronger? In this powerful Kingdom War Room discussion, Dr. Michael Lake, Dr. Mike Spaulding, and Pastor Corby Shuey examine the growing influence of Islam in the Western world, the ideological conflicts facing America, and the spiritual condition that has left much of the modern Church unprepared to respond. This conversation is not a call for hatred, hostility, or mistreatment of Muslims. The speakers explicitly distinguish between people and the doctrines and ideological claims they are examining. The deeper question is: DO CHRISTIANS ACTUALLY KNOW WHAT THEY BELIEVE? The Church is entering an age in which shallow Christianity will not be sufficient. As competing worldviews grow increasingly bold, believers must understand the Scriptures, know why they believe what they believe, develop biblical discernment, and become deeply rooted in Jesus Christ. This episode examines: ·      The rise of Islamic influence in Western culture and politics ·      Islam, Sharia, jihad, and competing religious worldviews ·      Why Christians must understand the theological differences between the biblical Jesus and the Islamic understanding of Jesus ·      The relationship between postmodernism, cultural deconstruction, socialism, and Islamism discussed by the panel ·      How emotionalism has weakened biblical Christianity ·      Why believers must learn to distinguish feelings from biblical truth ·      The danger of churches abandoning serious biblical study ·      Why spiritual discernment will become increasingly important ·      The need for pastors and Christian leaders to preach biblical truth without fear ·      Why the next generation desperately needs a biblical worldview ·      The difference between emotional conversion and genuine faith in Jesus Christ ·      Why worship must be centered on God rather than human experience ·      The necessity of spiritual discipline and deep biblical conviction Why the Remnant must develop deep spiritual roots for the days ahead One of the central warnings of this Kingdom War Room is simple: A shallow faith cannot withstand a serious spiritual battle. Dr. Lake observes that Christians have moved from being a studious people to becoming an entertainment-oriented people. Dr. Spaulding warns that believers who do not know Scripture or understand why they believe what they believe will find themselves increasingly unprepared for opposition. The answer is not fear. The answer is not hatred. The answer is not political violence. The answer is a Church that returns to the Word of God, walks in the fear of the Lord, develops spiritual discernment, and becomes firmly rooted in Jesus Christ. Pastor Corby makes this especially clear in the closing prayer: the response being advocated is not rudeness, violence, or aggression toward others, but humble submission to Scripture and faithful allegiance to Jesus Christ. The time for "three-millimeter-deep Christianity" is over.  We need roots that run deep.  We need believers who know the Word.  We need men and women who understand their faith.  And above everything else, we need a generation that knows Jesus Christ as Lord, King, Messiah, Redeemer, and Savior. CALL TO ACTION If Kingdom War Room helps you understand the spiritual battles confronting our generation, please SUBSCRIBE to Biblical Life TV and turn on notifications so you do not miss future teachings. LIKE this episode to help more believers discover this discussion. SHARE this program with pastors, ministry leaders, family members, and believers who need to understand the importance of developing a deeply rooted biblical worldview. COMMENT BELOW: What can the Church do today to prepare the next generation to stand firmly upon the Word of God? PARTNER WITH BIBLICAL LIFE TV Kingdom War Room and Biblical Life TV are made possible through the prayers and faithful support of our partners around the world. Your partnership helps us continue producing biblical teaching designed to inform, equip, and strengthen the Remnant for the challenging days ahead. If this ministry has strengthened your walk with God, please prayerfully consider becoming a financial partner with Biblical Life TV. Your support enables us to continue producing Kingdom Intelligence Briefing, Kingdom War Room, biblical teaching programs, research, books, and resources without compromising the message God has called us to proclaim. Biblical Life P.O. Box 160 Seymour, Missouri 65746-0160 Online giving is also available through the Biblical Life store. Thank you to every partner who prays, gives, shares these programs, and stands with us. Together, we are helping believers GO DEEP IN THE WORD and GO DEEP IN GOD. The transcript itself closes with this partner appeal and identifies partner support as what makes Biblical Life TV programming possible. TIMELINE / CHAPTERS 00:24 — KWR 62: The Rise of Islam in the Western World 03:08 — Radical Islam, Politics & Sharia Law 07:23 — Concerns About Parallel Islamic Institutions 10:04 — Understanding Islam Through Its Own Writings 12:48 — Postmodernism, Communism & the "Long March" Through Institutions 17:27 — Deconstructionism & the Problem of the "Useful Idiot" 19:00 — Historical Alliances Between Political Movements & Islam 20:06 — Sharia, Halal & Concerns About Islamic Influence 21:53 — Competing Systems & the Coming Global Control Structure 24:15 — The Beast System & Totalitarian Control 26:12 — Why Christians Must Develop Discernment 27:06 — From the Study to the Man Cave: The Loss of Serious Thinking 29:30 — The Biblical Jesus vs. the Islamic Jesus 32:44 — Hosea 11:4–7: Returning to God 39:19 — The Spiritual Void Created by Shallow Christianity 43:30 — Feelings vs. Biblical Truth 46:45 — Emotional Converts vs. Genuine Conversion 48:37 — Faith Must Rest on Fact, Not Feelings 49:08 — How Emotionalism Has Affected Modern Worship 52:06 — The Antidote: A True and Vibrant Faith 53:27 — Accountability, Discernment & Rejecting Deception 55:34 — "Go Deep in the Word, Go Deep in God" 56:22 — Closing Prayer: Awakening, Boldness & Biblical Faith 1:01:08 — Closing Remarks & Upcoming Dr. Richard Booker Interview The closing section strongly reinforces the episode's message with the imagery of Psalm 1: believers need to become like deeply rooted trees capable of remaining fruitful even during drought. KEY SCRIPTURES FEATURED Hosea 11:4–7 — God calls His people back to Himself rather than trusting competing powers and false systems. Job 38:3 — "Dress for action like a man"; the discussion uses Job to emphasize accountability before Almighty God. Matthew 24 — The episode connects contemporary deception with Jesus' warnings concerning the last days. Psalm 1 — The closing exhortation uses the image of the deeply rooted tree as a model for believers who must withstand spiritual drought. The episode also repeatedly emphasizes the biblical confession of Jesus Christ as Lord, Messiah, Savior, Redeemer, and God incarnate. The discussion specifically contrasts that confession with Islamic Christology.

Wednesday Evening Message | 1 Kings 8:22-53 | August 19, 2026

Breaking Free from the Old Gods: The Spiritual War Behind the World System | KIB545 Kingdom Intelligence Briefing DESCRIPTION What if many things modern believers consider normal are actually remnants of a world system from which Christ has called us to separate? In Kingdom Intelligence Briefing Episode 545, Dr. Michael Lake and Mary Lou Lake examine the continuing spiritual battle between the Kingdom of God and the systems of this world. Beginning with the influence of ancient Greek and Roman culture and moving deeply into the Apostle Paul's teaching in Ephesians, this episode challenges the Remnant to recognize just how thoroughly the ways of the old world can become embedded in culture, religion, education, tradition, and everyday life. Dr. Lake focuses particularly on Ephesians 2:1–3, where Paul describes three interconnected dimensions of humanity's former bondage: the world, the devil, and the flesh. But Paul does not leave believers there. Christ has been raised above every ruler and authority, and those who belong to Him have been called into an entirely different Kingdom and way of life. This leads directly into the spiritual warfare of Ephesians 6. The believer's struggle is not merely against bad ideas, political systems, cultural movements, or human opponents. Paul identifies principalities, authorities, cosmic powers over this present darkness, and spiritual forces of evil. The enemy continually schemes to entangle believers in the very system from which Christ delivered them. That makes TRUTH indispensable. The armor of God does not begin with emotionalism, religious excitement, or spiritual spectacle. It begins with the belt of truth. Dr. Lake explains why believers cannot merely SAY that they are putting on the armor of God. The armor must become a lived spiritual reality through obedience, sanctification, prayer, faith, and the renewing of the mind through the Word of God. This episode also examines: ·      The continuing influence of Greek and Roman religious ideas on Western civilization ·      Ancient gods, principalities, and the spiritual warfare behind human systems ·      Why Paul was uniquely prepared to confront Greco-Roman culture with biblical truth ·      Ephesians 2:1–3 and the world, the flesh, and the prince of the power of the air ·      Why Christ's authority is greater than every principality and power ·      How cultural traditions can pull believers back toward the world system ·      Why true biblical Christianity will never comfortably conform to darkness ·      The spiritual meaning of the armor of God ·      Why spiritual warfare is an ongoing wrestling match ·      Emotionalism versus genuine conversion and transformation ·      Why forgiveness is essential in breaking the enemy's influence ·      Torah as the loving instruction of God ·      Jesus as the perfect example of walking in the Father's ways ·      The brazen laver, the altar, and becoming a living sacrifice ·      Why the Remnant must learn again to discern clean from unclean and good from evil ·      How believers can begin disentangling themselves from the world system one decision at a time The early Church could not be conquered by persecution because believers possessed the Scriptures, the testimony of Jesus Christ, and the power of the Holy Spirit. Dr. Lake argues that abandoning the biblical foundations of the faith has left much of the modern Church unable to discern good from evil and vulnerable on the spiritual battlefield. The answer is not fear. The answer is a return to God. Every time we choose God's ways instead of the ways of the world, another strand connecting us to the world system is broken. Every act of obedience removes another avenue through which darkness attempts to influence our lives. The Kingdom of God is coming. Daniel 2:44 declares that God will establish a Kingdom that will never be destroyed. Revelation 11:15 announces: "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever." And that Kingdom can begin reigning within the hearts and lives of God's people RIGHT NOW. The Remnant must prepare. It is time to hunger for the Word of God again. It is time to learn His ways. It is time to recognize the schemes of the enemy. It is time to become disentangled from the world system. And it is time to walk as citizens of the Kingdom of God. CALL TO ACTION If this teaching strengthened your understanding of biblical spiritual warfare, help us place it into the hands of others. LIKE this video so that more believers can discover this teaching. SUBSCRIBE to Biblical Life TV and turn on notifications so you do not miss future Kingdom Intelligence Briefings. SHARE this episode with believers who are hungry for deeper biblical truth and want to understand the spiritual battle unfolding around us. Most importantly, STUDY these Scriptures for yourself. Open your Bible, examine the passages discussed in this program, and ask the Holy Spirit to deepen your understanding and help you apply the Word of God faithfully. PARTNER WITH BIBLICAL LIFE TV Kingdom Intelligence Briefing and Biblical Life TV are made possible through the prayers and faithful financial support of our partners around the world. Your partnership helps us continue producing biblical teaching designed to inform, equip, and prepare the Remnant for the days ahead. If this ministry has strengthened your walk with God, prayerfully consider becoming a financial partner with Biblical Life. Biblical Life P.O. Box 160 Seymour, Missouri 65746-0160 Online giving is available through the Biblical Life store. Thank you to every partner who stands with us in prayer and financial support. Your faithfulness enables us to continue taking these teachings to believers around the world. FEATURED RESOURCE – THE KINGDOM PRIESTHOOD The Kingdom Priesthood is Dr. Michael Lake's training manual for the Remnant, exploring the biblical priesthood, principalities wars, the fire of God, the believer as both priest and tabernacle, and the calling of God's people to represent Messiah in the earth. The book is designed to help believers understand their priesthood, purpose, and service to Almighty God—and how the Remnant must prepare to stand against the agenda of darkness in the last days. YOUTUBE CHAPTERS / TIMELINE 00:00 – Biblical Life TV Introduction 01:30 – KIB 545: Welcome to the Remnant 01:57 – Prayer for Fires, Flooding & Families Across America 03:20 – The Feasts, Traditions & Examining Their Origins 05:20 – Artemis, Hecate & Ancient Sacrifice 09:15 – Kronos, Saturn & the Ancient Death Cult 12:00 – Greek and Roman Gods Behind Western Culture 14:48 – Pagan Influence Embedded in American Culture 16:13 – Saturnalia, the Old Gods & Spiritual Influence 17:33 – Why the Apostle Paul Was Uniquely Prepared 20:25 – Ephesians 2:1–3: The World, the Devil & the Flesh 23:00 – Christ Above Every Principality and Power 25:04 – A Biblical Theology of Darkness 27:43 – Paul's Message to the Ephesians 29:18 – Why Biblical Christianity Will Never Fit the World 31:40 – Leaving Babylon and Learning God's Ways 33:01 – The Power of God Against Cultural Conformity 33:35 – Ephesians 6 and the Schemes of the Devil 35:00 – Emotionalism Versus Genuine Conversion 38:41 – Forgiveness, Sanctification & Breaking Bondage 40:23 – Spiritual Warfare Is a Constant Wrestling 41:50 – The Spider Web: Understanding the Wiles of the Devil 44:20 – How the World System Tries to Pull Believers Back 46:24 – The New Walk in Christ 48:00 – Why the Armor of God Begins with Truth 49:39 – What Made the Early Church Unconquerable? 50:40 – You Cannot Simply "Say" You Put On the Armor 52:00 – Torah, Jesus & the Perfect Law of Liberty 54:58 – Breaking Free from the Old Gods 56:46 – The Kingdom That Will Never Be Destroyed 57:22 – Revelation 11:15 and the Coming Kingdom 58:20 – Learning Clean from Unclean Again 59:09 – Small Victories Become Greater Victories 59:33 – Closing Prayer: Hunger for the Word of God 1:00:19 – The Kingdom Priesthood 1:02:43 – Biblical Life TV / Partner Information

Today, it's not about a celebrity. It's not about the latest headline. It's about the battle for truth in a culture obsessed with comfort—where cancel culture rules and Darwin's theory reigns supreme.Paul M. Neuberger throws down the gauntlet on evolution versus creation. He questions not just the science—but the worldview. He challenges the narrative. He risks ridicule. He invites debate. He draws a line in the sand: “Are we accidents… or are we intentionally crafted by an Almighty God?”And for that? He may be dismissed. Laughed at. Opposed. But the truth doesn't bow. Jesus is still Lord. The evidence still points to the Creator.So what will YOU do when the world says, “Stay quiet, Christian?” Will you stand up—or blend in? The clock is ticking. Buckle up. This one's going to be raw, real, and rooted in truth.“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” –Genesis 1:1Episode Highlights23:49 - Personally, the deeper I study the remarkable complexity of living systems, the more convinced I become that they ultimately point beyond chemistry alone. Not because science has proved God, but because the evidence continues pointing me toward an intelligent creator whose fingerprints are clearly visible all throughout the living world.37:06 - It's a conversation about who we are, why we're here, whether our lives have objective meaning, whether good and evil truly exist, whether there's a creator to whom we are ultimately accountable. Those questions matter way more than winning an intellectual debate, and I'm not trying to do that today, because how you answer them shapes every single decision that you're going to make.42:23 - Our God is the author of truth. We never have to fear honest investigation because genuine truth will never contradict the God who created all things. Scripture says this in Colossians 1:16-17: For in him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible. All things have been created through him and for him.Connect with Paul M. NeubergerWebsite

00:00:00 Genesis 1 – In the Beginning God Created the Heaven and the Earth00:04:10 Genesis 2 – And the Lord God Formed Man of the Dust of the Ground00:07:21 Genesis 3 – Yea, Hath God Said?00:10:43 Genesis 4 – Am I My Brother's Keeper?00:14:04 Genesis 5 – And He Died: The Generations of Adam00:16:56 Genesis 6 – There Were Giants in the Earth in Those Days00:19:56 Genesis 7 – The Windows of Heaven Were Opened00:22:56 Genesis 8 – God Remembered Noah and Every Living Thing00:25:49 Genesis 9 – I Do Set My Bow in the Cloud00:29:05 Genesis 10 – Nimrod: A Mighty Hunter Before the Lord00:32:20 Genesis 11 – Go to, Let Us Build Us a Tower Whose Top May Reach unto Heaven00:35:38 Genesis 12 – In Thee Shall All Families of the Earth Be Blessed00:38:19 Genesis 13 – Is Not the Whole Land Before Thee?00:40:36 Genesis 14 – Melchizedek King of Salem Brought Forth Bread and Wine00:44:02 Genesis 15 – And He Believed in the Lord; and He Counted It to Him for Righteousness00:46:32 Genesis 16 – Thou God Seest Me: Ishmael and Hagar00:48:53 Genesis 17 – I Am the Almighty God; Walk Before Me, and Be Thou Perfect00:52:34 Genesis 18 – Shall Not the Judge of All the Earth Do Right?00:57:02 Genesis 19 – Remember Lot's Wife: The Judgment of Sodom01:02:34 Genesis 20 – Said He Not unto Me, She Is My Sister?01:05:12 Genesis 21 – Cast Out This Bondwoman and Her Son01:09:15 Genesis 22 – Jehovah-Jireh: God Will Provide Himself a Lamb01:12:34 Genesis 23 – The Cave of Machpelah: Abraham Buys a Burial Place01:15:18 Genesis 24 – She Said, Drink, and I Will Give Thy Camels Drink Also01:24:09 Genesis 25 – Esau Sold His Birthright unto Jacob01:28:00 Genesis 26 – Isaac Digged Again the Wells of Water01:32:27 Genesis 27 – The Voice Is Jacob's Voice, but the Hands Are the Hands of Esau01:38:29 Genesis 28 – Surely the Lord Is in This Place; and I Knew It Not01:41:31 Genesis 29 – Jacob Served Seven Years for Rachel; and They Seemed unto Him but a Few Days01:45:31 Genesis 30 – Mandrakes, Spotted Cattle, and the Battle of the Wombs01:50:32 Genesis 31 – Mizpah: The Lord Watch Between Me and Thee01:57:53 Genesis 32 – I Will Not Let Thee Go, Except Thou Bless Me02:01:57 Genesis 33 – Esau Ran to Meet Him, and Embraced Him02:04:30 Genesis 34 – The Defilement of Dinah and the Slaughter at Shechem02:08:23 Genesis 35 – Put Away the Strange Gods That Are Among You02:11:47 Genesis 36 – Duke Timnah, Duke Alvah, Duke Jetheth: The Chiefs of Edom02:16:54 Genesis 37 – Behold, This Dreamer Cometh02:21:34 Genesis 38 – Judah and Tamar: She Hath Been More Righteous Than I02:25:35 Genesis 39 – How Then Can I Do This Great Wickedness, and Sin Against God?02:28:39 Genesis 40 – Yet Did Not the Chief Butler Remember Joseph, but Forgat Him02:31:32 Genesis 41 – Seven Years of Great Plenty and Seven Years of Famine02:38:56 Genesis 42 – Ye Are Spies; to See the Nakedness of the Land Ye Are Come02:44:03 Genesis 43 – God Almighty Give You Mercy Before the Man02:48:47 Genesis 44 – Judah's Plea: How Shall I Go Up to My Father, and the Lad Be Not with Me?02:53:09 Genesis 45 – I Am Joseph; Doth My Father Yet Live?02:56:51 Genesis 46 – Fear Not to Go Down into Egypt; for I Will There Make of Thee a Great Nation03:01:03 Genesis 47 – Few and Evil Have the Days of the Years of My Life Been03:05:48 Genesis 48 – Israel Stretched Out His Right Hand, and Laid It Upon Ephraim's Head03:09:03 Genesis 49 – The Sceptre Shall Not Depart from Judah03:13:07 Genesis 50 – As for You, Ye Thought Evil Against Me; but God Meant It unto Good03:16:35 One-Year Reading Plan Instructions03:17:20 Gospilled the Book03:18:16 I'm not looking for followers; I'm looking for others to follow Jesus with me.Download One-Year Reading Plan:https://andrewhorval.substack.com/p/kingjamesbibleinoneyearBooks:https://andrewhorval.substack.com/p/books

Drop us a note about the podcast. “If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?” Psalm 11 doesn't let us hide behind distractions, and we open with that tension front and center. When law and order feel shaky and the culture feels loud, I come back to a simple conviction: the Lord still rules from heaven, and God's justice is not asleep. That doesn't erase the problems around us, but it does change how we respond, with steadiness instead of panic and with repentance instead of excuses. From there, we slow down and pray for what actually rebuilds a nation: strong faith, forgiven hearts, and the courage to obey. We talk about marriage and family through Genesis 9 and the call to be fruitful and multiply, connecting it to modern demographic decline and the long-term impact of treating children as optional. We also read from Romans to challenge the idea that a denomination, a label, or a ceremony can stand in for real faith in Jesus Christ. We close by looking at American Christian heritage through early state constitution preambles that openly thank Almighty God for freedom and ask for His guidance. Along the way, we share a Medal of Honor note that reminds us what sacrifice and duty look like in real life. If you care about Psalm 11, Christian discipleship, American founding history, and the moral foundations that hold a society together, this conversation will give you plenty to chew on. Subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find the show. What do you think restores a nation's foundations?#ChristianNation#AmericanHistory#StateConstitutionsSupport the showThe American Soul Podcasthttps://www.buzzsprout.com/1791934/subscribeCountryside Book Serieshttps://www.amazon.com/Countryside-Book-J-T-Cope-IV-ebook/dp/B00MPIXOB2 America's Christian Heritage Podcasthttps://www.buzzsprout.com/2622483

What does it mean, and even better look like, when we hold every child as precious in the eyes of Almighty God? God, who sent His Son Jesus Christ as a child to save humankind, holds and protects the children of the world regardless of how society may or may not hold them as precious. This Sunday morning, Rev. Lisa ...

You are viewing the sermon given during the evening worship service at Reformed Baptist Church of McKinney, Texas on Sunday, August 16, 2026 at 5:00 pm. The weekly live stream of the Worship service begins at 5:00 pm (US Central Time) every Lord's Day Sunday on facebook, youtube, and our website. For more information about the life of our church, visit our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://rbcmckinney.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠To support our ministry and give of your tithes and offerings, click on the link below: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://rbcmckinney.churchcenter.com/giving⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook/Instagram/X: @rbcmckinney McKinney, Texas

Friends of the Rosary,Today, August 15, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which honors the Christian belief that the Virgin Mary was taken body and soul into heavenly glory at the end of her earthly life.Assumed into heaven, Mary reveals our own destiny.Pope Benedict XVI wrote, “Precisely because Mary is with God and in God, she is very close to each one of us. While she lived on Earth, she could be close to only a few people. Being in God, who is actually within all of us, Mary shares in this closeness of God.”She “knows our hearts, can hear our prayers, can help us with her motherly kindness. She always listens to us, and, being Mother of the Son, participates in the power of the Son and in his goodness. We can always entrust the whole of our lives to this Mother.” As Msgr. Ronald Knox said: “That transformation of our material bodies to which we look forward one day has been accomplished—we know it now for certain—in her.”On November 1, 1950, Pope Pius XII officially defined the dogma of the Assumption in his apostolic constitution, Munificentissimus Deus:“For which reason, after we have poured forth prayers of supplication again and again to God, and have invoked the light of the Spirit of Truth, for the glory of Almighty God who has lavished his special affection upon the Virgin Mary, for the honor of her Son, the immortal King of the Ages and the Victor over sin and death, for the increase of the glory of that same august Mother, and for the joy and exultation of the entire Church; by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, of the Blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, and by our own authority, we pronounce, declare, and define it to be a divinely revealed dogma: that the Immaculate Mother of God, the ever Virgin Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory.”Ave Maria!Come, Holy Spirit, come!To Jesus through Mary!Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.Please give us the grace to respond with joy!+ Mikel Amigot w/ María Blanca | RosaryNetwork.com, New YorkEnhance your faith with the new Holy Rosary University app:Apple iOS | New! Android Google Play• ⁠August 15, 2026, Today's Rosary on YouTube | Daily broadcast at 7:30 pm ET

This episode I am reading from Roy Teague's book 'Close Encounters of the Police Kind - Incredible true stories of UFO sightings by British police officers' 'I swear by Almighty God that the evidence I shall give will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.' Follow Inspector Roy Teague down the rabbit hole as he explores the intriguing world of UFOs and other inexplicable events, told by the most reliable professional witnesses, UK Police Officers. Close Encounters of the Police Kind is the first ever anthology of United Kingdom Police officer involved UFO sightings and encounters, written by a West Midlands Police Inspector, serving in their elite firearms operations unit. The majority of the cases are new, previously untold and involve not only UFO sightings and encounters but missing time and actual abductions involving sworn police officers. Inspector Teague has conducted numerous interviews with Police UFO witnesses over the last several years. From these interviews, he has obtained direct evidence of the officers' UFO and paranormal encounters bringing them out in the public domain. Many are speaking out for the first time. All have agreed to tell their stories. Each fascinating account in the book is for the reader to judge for themselves based on the evidence provided. UFO or innocent explanation? Bio Roy is a serving British police inspector. After 6 years in the army Roy joined the police and spent time as a fire arms officer. https://www.amazon.com/Close-Encounters-Police-Kind-Incredible-ebook/dp/B0H5WH1F8X https://www.youtube.com/@royteague/videos https://www.patreon.com/alienufopodcast https://simonbown.com/ My new book, Aspects of Alien Abduction https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GRRPCT9Y Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. — Romans 13:1 Throughout history, most cultures around the world have understood the family as the “building block” of human society. And many of these cultures operate with the foundational idea that where the family is strong, the society is strong.This general understanding of the importance of the family unit should come as no surprise, since this is how God has ordered human social life for flourishing. In the family, children learn to honor, respect, and obey their parents, whom God has given them. From lessons learned in the home, children mature into productive citizens in the societies where God, in his sovereign wisdom, has placed them. And just as God has called children to honor and obey their parents, all people are called to honor and obey the earthly authorities God has established.So the scope of the fifth commandment extends beyond the family to include the authority of teachers, elders, pastors, and governing authorities. In Romans 13 the apostle Paul lays out in detail the consequential meaning of submitting to those in authority over us. No earthly authority is absolute, of course. But in general God calls us to submit to governing authorities and to pray for wisdom as they make decisions for the common good. Authorities and governments can be changed, if necessary, but if they seek our good and that of our neighbors, they generally serve as God's instruments for peace and well-being.  Almighty God, as we trust in your love and wisdom, help us to honor and obey those in authority over us. For Jesus' sake, Amen.

On this episode of High Value Discussions, I sit down with a brother in Christ, Jordan Kidd. He is a Christian music artist, producer, creator, and a soldier committed to serving the Almighty God through his gifts. For Jordan, music is more than entertainment. It is ministry. His work is built around a conviction that the gifts God gives us are not meant solely for our own recognition, but for His purpose.Jordan isn't creating music simply to be catchy, he's creating music to catch people. To catch the person who is drifting. To reach the person who has forgotten what God brought them through. To remind people that even in seasons of uncertainty, struggle, success, or distance, God remains faithful. His newest release, “God I Remember,” reflects that mission.Jordan's aim is impact, reaching people, planting seeds, and allowing God to determine where those seeds grow. This is a conversation about music, but even more importantly, it is about stewardship. This episode is recognizing what God placed in your hands and having the courage to use it for His glory.High Value Discussions is produced/edited by: https://assetmediaproduction.com/https://www.instagram.com/assetmediaproductionsIf you could be so kind and subscribe to my Youtube channel, like, comment, and share.As well as giving a 5 star rating followed by a review on Apple Podcast and Spotify.This helps the show grow tremendously, and I would greatly appreciate the support as I promise to continue to give value to each and every one of you.Connect with Jordan Kidd:Website: https://essentialkidd.com/Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/jthekidd/1681414694Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/63wSGyuiU1KiEWl0LnFL4TYouTube: https://youtube.com/@essentialkiddInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/_jthekidd_TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jthekidd_Follow High Value Discussions Socials:YouTube: https://m.youtube.com/@HighValueDiscussions/videosApple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/high-value-discussions/id1704921472Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/55cxAJO4lPphznNGTTo1A8Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/highvaluediscussions/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@highvaluediscussionsHigh Value Beings (Fitness Coaching):HVB: https://www.highvaluebeings.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/highvaluebeingsHigh Value Analysis:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-gonzalez-4b21a72b1/

True Biblical Worship vs. Strange Fire: What Does God Really Want? | KIB 543 DESCRIPTION Welcome to Kingdom Intelligence Briefing Episode #543 with Dr. Michael Lake and Mary Lou Lake. What does God actually desire from those who worship Him? Modern Christianity often defines worship primarily through music, singing, emotional experiences, and church services. But Scripture presents something far deeper. True biblical worship is not merely an event we attend—it is a covenant lifestyle of reverence, obedience, holiness, truth, thanksgiving, humility, service, repentance, and wholehearted devotion to God. In this episode, Dr. Michael Lake examines the biblical theology of worship from both the Old and New Testaments. Psalm 24 reveals the necessity of clean hands and a pure heart, while Jesus declares that the Father is seeking those who will worship Him "in spirit and truth." This teaching also confronts a serious problem within modern Christianity: worship can become religious performance while the believer's daily life remains disconnected from God. Scripture reveals that obedience itself is worship. Holiness is worship. Serving others can become worship. Thanksgiving is worship. Repentance restores true fellowship with God. Even studying Scripture to discover what pleases God becomes an expression of devotion to Him. Dr. Lake also examines Cain, Nadab and Abihu, Saul, Uzziah, and Israel's golden calf to demonstrate a sobering biblical principle: sincerity does not give humanity the authority to redefine worship. God determines how He is to be worshiped. The episode concludes with a warning that much of contemporary worship risks producing "strange fire" rather than Christlikeness—and a call for the Remnant to return to worship that transforms the worshiper and exalts God alone. IN THIS EPISODE: • Why worship is a lifestyle rather than an event • What it means to worship God in spirit and truth • The Hebrew and Greek concepts behind biblical worship • Why obedience is an act of worship • Why God requires holiness from His worshipers • The relationship between thanksgiving, praise, and worship • Why biblical study itself can become an act of devotion • How religious performance can replace genuine worship • Why worship must remain God-centered rather than man-centered • Cain, Nadab and Abihu, Saul, Uzziah, and unauthorized worship • The danger of "strange fire" in the modern Church • How true worship produces transformation and Christlikeness • Why worship and obedience are powerful components of spiritual warfare Mary Lou also discusses prayer, spiritual warfare, and the importance of recognizing that the heavens belong to Almighty God—not the powers of darkness. The episode opens with a call for believers to respond to spiritual opposition by declaring biblical truth and magnifying the Creator rather than fearing the enemy. If this teaching strengthens your walk with God, please: Subscribe to Biblical Life TV Like this video Share it with someone who desires deeper biblical worship Leave a comment telling us what God has been teaching you about worship Download the teaching notes and study these principles for yourself. Visit Kingdom Intelligence Briefing for additional teachings and resources.  https://www.kingdomintelligencebriefing.com Thank you to our faithful partners around the world who make Biblical Life TV possible. Preparing the Remnant to stand firmly upon the Word of God and fulfill His purposes in the last days. TIMELINE 00:00 – Opening: Preparing the Remnant 01:29 – Welcome to KIB Episode #543 01:55 – Mary Lou: Spiritual warfare and the August 12 heavenly events 05:00 – Declaring God as Creator over occult counterfeits 08:30 – Prayer, spiritual attacks, and recognizing enemy strategies 15:01 – A powerful testimony of thanksgiving after losing a job 16:14 – Realigning believers with biblical worship and prayer 17:20 – Concerns about digital Bibles and preserving physical copies 20:00 – True biblical worship: A lifestyle, not an event 20:45 – Psalm 24: Clean hands and a pure heart 23:00 – Worshiping God in spirit and truth 26:32 – The question every worshiper should ask: What does God want? 27:30 – Hebrew and Greek meanings of worship 30:00 – Biblical study as an expression of worship 31:30 – Isaiah 29: Lip service versus heart devotion 34:00 – Religious performance and modern worship culture 36:00 – Spirit and truth: Avoiding emotionalism and dead religion 38:23 – The Psalms as the prayer book and hymnal of God's people 39:30 – Obedience is better than sacrifice 41:19 – Why the Old Testament provides essential biblical definitions 42:18 – God desires holiness 43:15 – Cover-up culture and accountability in Christian ministry 44:45 – Worship with reverence and godly fear 46:35 – Thanksgiving as worship 48:11 – Worship, obedience, and spiritual warfare 49:11 – Worship as preparation for hearing from God 52:30 – Praise must remain God-centered 54:38 – God desires humility 55:59 – Repentance, love, justice, and mercy 57:30 – Becoming a living sacrifice 59:05 – Why Sunday worship cannot compensate for an ungodly week 1:01:00 – Good works, generosity, and worship through service 1:02:46 – Christ-centered worship 1:03:20 – Cain, Nadab and Abihu, Saul, Uzziah, and the golden calf 1:04:41 – God determines how He is worshiped 1:05:15 – True worship produces transformation 1:06:15 – Strange fire in modern Christianity 1:07:05 – Worship must honor God rather than entertain us 1:09:10 – Closing prayer: Becoming true worshipers 1:09:47 – Biblical Life TV closing HASHTAGS #BiblicalWorship #TrueWorship #StrangeFire #SpiritAndTruth #BiblicalLifeTV #KingdomIntelligenceBriefing #SpiritualWarfare #Holiness #ChristianWorship #BibleStudy #Remnant #MichaelLake

We think of all the things that Moses got to experience: the parting of the Red Sea, water from a rock, the Cloud and Fire. We read in today's chapter that Moses asks God for more. And we might think, "Come on, haven't you gotten enough?" But what Moses is asking for isn't more stuff from God, He's asking for MORE of GOD. To experience Him, to know Him better, to be closer to Him. Let us never take for granted this truth: the Almighty God, Creator of the universe, desires to have a friendship with us, the creatures He breathed out of dust.

This week I'm talking to Roy Teague about his book 'Close Encounters of the Police Kind - Incredible true stories of UFO sightings by British police officers' 'I swear by Almighty God that the evidence I shall give will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.' Follow Inspector Roy Teague down the rabbit hole as he explores the intriguing world of UFOs and other inexplicable events, told by the most reliable professional witnesses, UK Police Officers. Close Encounters of the Police Kind is the first ever anthology of United Kingdom Police officer involved UFO sightings and encounters, written by a West Midlands Police Inspector, serving in their elite firearms operations unit. The majority of the cases are new, previously untold and involve not only UFO sightings and encounters but missing time and actual abductions involving sworn police officers. Inspector Teague has conducted numerous interviews with Police UFO witnesses over the last several years. From these interviews, he has obtained direct evidence of the officers' UFO and paranormal encounters bringing them out in the public domain. Many are speaking out for the first time. All have agreed to tell their stories. Each fascinating account in the book is for the reader to judge for themselves based on the evidence provided. UFO or innocent explanation? Bio Roy is a serving British police inspector. After 6 years in the army Roy joined the police and spent time as a fire arms officer. https://www.amazon.com/Close-Encounters-Police-Kind-Incredible-ebook/dp/B0H5WH1F8X https://www.youtube.com/@royteague/videos https://www.pastliveshypnosis.co.uk/https://www.patreon.com/alienufopodcasthttps://simonbown.com/My new book, Aspects of Alien Abduction https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GRRPCT9YZen AI bit.ly/zenAI_bpp_ufo Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this Bible Caddie Classic from Episode 89, William Kane, Ben Crane, and Webb Simpson sit down with 12 time PGA Tour winner and two time Masters champion Bubba Watson. Bubba shares the story behind both Masters wins, adopting Caleb and Dakota, his darkest season, and how he finally realized golf was just the way that God got him to where he wanted him to be.Topics covered:- 12 time PGA Tour winner, two time Masters champ, great friend to both Webb and Ben- Webb's favorite Bubba memory: Presidents Cup 2011, thanking God after a win and after a loss- Bubba singing Golf Boys on the microphone at Waste Management while in contention to win- I said, what would Jesus do? And Angie said, all right, what time are you flying out?- Being passed over for the Presidents Cup team as the seventh ranked player in the world and showing up as vice captain to serve- Golf is great, but being able to be a part of something bigger than me on earth, that's bigger than me- It's like the 12 disciples. There's 12 guys on the team and you're like washing their feet. That's the vision I had in my head.- Growing up in Baghdad, Florida hitting plastic golf balls around the house and how that taught Bubba every shot he knows- I had a nine iron for the first year. I was six years old and had a nine iron.- Getting turned down for adoption three times and getting the call on Tuesday of Bay Hill week- My whole focus over the last few months leading up to the Masters was becoming a husband and wife family with a baby- From four down on the back nine at Augusta to winning in a playoff on 10- Man, I got a swing, I got a shot- Winning the 2014 Masters on the back nine with Caleb in his arms high fiving the crowd- Going through mental struggles in 2015, 2016, 2017 and moving back to Pensacola- I got down on my knees and prayed and as soon as I said that in my head I was like, oh my gosh, get off the floor, what are you doing? And that's where my faith really started growing.- Golf was just the way that God got me to where he wanted me to be- I finally realized I'm giving all the glory to God- Why Bubba joined LIV and what he is trying to pour into his teammates- Romans 15:7: therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you for the glory of God- No matter where you've been, no matter what you've done, no matter how many mistakes you've made, Almighty God wants to welcome you through Jesus ChristFollow Bible Caddie:Instagram: @biblecaddieTikTok: @biblecaddieX: @biblecaddieListen and subscribe: https://www.biblecaddie.com/podcastInterested in starting a Bible Caddie Featured Group? groups@biblecaddie.comQuestions or inquiries: info@biblecaddie.comShop Bible Caddie: https://www.biblecaddie.com

Daily Dose of Hope August 5, 2026   Scripture: Genesis 1   Prayer:  Holy God, We come before you with humility and expectation as we start a new reading plan, going deep into Genesis and Exodus.  Thank you for the opportunity to read your Word and hear your voice.  We want to hear from you today.    Thank you for another day, another chance to be a change agent in our world, your world.  Guide us, Lord.  Guide our words, actions, and thoughts.  We want to be more like you.  Help us see others as you see them.  We love you.  Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope daily Bible reading plan.  Today, we begin a new reading plan – a deep dive into Genesis and Exodus.  So, we get to go back to the very beginning, really the very beginning of all time – Genesis 1.    In Genesis 1, we read about God creating the world and everything in it in six days and resting on the seventh day (the rest portion is actually in Genesis 2).  God declares everything he made good and the humans were very good.  The human beings were actually made in God's image.  The Scripture is very clear on this.  To be made in God's image is to be made to reflect God's character and values.  And because we are made in his image, this means we have inherent worth.  All human beings, every single person, has value and worth because they are made in the image of the Almighty God.    This text gives a beautiful over-arching picture of creation, emphasizing the transcendence of God, and it provides the introduction for the rest of the book of Genesis and the Bible as a whole.  As we move into Genesis 2 tomorrow, you will see that there really are two different creation accounts.  The purpose of each creation story is different but I believe they actually complement one another.  We will get into that a bit more tomorrow.   What I really want to focus on today is the concept of creation itself because it sets the scene for the whole Biblical narrative.  Just for some context, the Bible wasn't intended to be a science textbook.  The author of Genesis wasn't concerned with chronological or geological details.  The right question for us to ask is not HOW exactly did creation occur.  The author wasn't trying to give us a good answer about dinosaurs or young earth or old earth.  Rather, this was about explaining the truth about who God is and what God expects of his people.  The question is not HOW but WHO and WHY.    It was Yahweh, GOD, who created.  That is clear from the very beginning.  God created the heavens and the earth and then everything on the earth.  But why?    And this is a hugely important question.  Let's start here:  God didn't "need" creation.  He didn't need us; he wasn't lonely.  He didn't create us because he needed a friend.  Maybe that sounds silly but it is critical.  The Biblical picture we have of God is that he is complete and sufficient and flawless, and without any defect or deficiency. That means, before creation and apart from creation, God was completely and flawlessly God.  Remember, he said I AM who I AM.  And the doctrine of the Trinity, which we tend to struggle with, it helps explain God's self-sufficiency.  God is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  There was already fellowship there.  Because the Trinity implies in the relationships between the Father and the Son and the Spirit is that God is love and has always been love. 1 John 4:16 emphasizes that , "God is love." Before there was even a world to love, God was love.   Okay – then why did God create?  Colossians 1:16 reads, For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. Through him and for him.    I think this is kind of a simplistic analogy but it helps me understand this concept.  Often, when we get married, we have a desire to have children.  I think about Richard and myself.  We knew from the beginning that we wanted to try to have a family.  Why?  Because it was an expression of our love.  Putting our labor and emotions into our family was about love. We didn't have to have children, we didn't necessarily need children, but we truly wanted to have them.  We chose to have them. Creation was an expression of God's amazing love too.  Even though God does not need us, He wanted us.  Just like we are still kind of obsessed with our kids' lives because we love them so dearly, God is still intensely interested in our lives. He deeply and tenderly loves us beyond comprehension—not because He has to (out of need), but because He chooses to (out of love).  "The LORD your God in your midst, the Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing" (Zephaniah 3:17).  God rejoices in us!   Creation was also an expression of God's glory. "Glory" describes all the things God is full of—it includes his love but it is also his wisdom, creativity, beauty, strength, compassion—all the things that make him weighty and wonderful, made manifest for us to see and experience.     Throughout the Bible, we see Scripture telling us that God created to demonstrate his glory.  Psalm 19:1, The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.  Why is it that we see a beautiful sunset and we are in awe?  Or we look at snow-capped mountains and their majesty and we just feel the presence of God in our midst?  Or we experience childbirth and we marvel at how it all worked out so beautifully and perfectly and we say, wow – this didn't happen by chance.  This was not an accident.  Because all of creation – from gorgeous mountains to stars to a beautiful butterfly to the birth of a baby to scientific principles like gravity --- they all declare God's glory, his wisdom, his beauty, and his love, for this world.  When have your experienced God's glory in creation?   We'll stop there for today.  Looking forward to tomorrow!   Blessings, Pastor Vicki    

Welcome to Day 2918 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom. Day 2918 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 147:12-20 Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2918 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2918 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. The title for today's Wisdom-Trek is: The Swift Word of the Sovereign King – Fortifying Zion and Thawing the Frozen Wilderness On our previous expedition—on Day Two Thousand Nine Hundred Seventeen—we stepped onto the opening slopes of Psalm One Hundred Forty-Seven, exploring verses one through eleven. We marveled at the breathtaking paradox of our Creator: the very same Almighty God who marshals the stars of heaven, calling each one by name, is the gentle Physician who bends down to bandage the broken hearts of hurting exiles. We learned that Yahweh takes no delight in the brute strength of warhorses or human self-reliance, but instead, takes supreme pleasure in those who humbly put their hope in His unfailing covenant love. Today, as we continue along Day Two Thousand Nine Hundred Eighteen of our trek, we move directly into the second half of this glorious hymn: Psalm One Hundred Forty-Seven, verses twelve through twenty. In this concluding movement, the psalmist turns his focus toward the fortified walls of Jerusalem, the fierce power of winter weather, and the unique, incomparable privilege of receiving God's holy word. We will see how the sovereign command of yahweh rules effortlessly over both the physical elements of nature and the spiritual destiny of His covenant people. The first segment is: Fortified Gates and the Finest Wheat: The Security of the City Let us open our ears to the exuberant call to worship that begins this second stanza, as recorded in the New Living Translation, grouping together the logical, contiguous thoughts found in verse twelve, verse thirteen, and verse fourteen. Glorify the Lord, O Jerusalem! Praise your God, O Zion! For he has strengthened the bars of your gates and blessed your children within your city. He sends peace across your nation and satisfies your hunger with the finest wheat. The psalmist issues a thunderous, joyous summons to the holy city, shouting, “Glorify the Lord, O Jerusalem! Praise your God, O Zion!” He immediately anchors this call in concrete acts of divine protection and flourishing, declaring, “For he has strengthened the bars of your gates and blessed your children within your city. He sends peace across your nation and satisfies your hunger with the finest wheat.” To grasp the profound relief and joy embedded in these verses, we must remember the historical setting of post-exilic Jerusalem. The city walls had been torn down by Nebuchadnezzar's armies, the gates were burned with fire, and for decades, the returning remnants lived in perpetual fear of hostile surrounding tribes. But when Nehemiah and the people rebuilt the walls under Yahweh's guidance, the city gates were once again secured with heavy bars! Yet, the psalmist recognizes that physical iron bars are useless unless the Lord Himself strengthens them. It is Yahweh who establishes real, impenetrable security around the community, allowing children to play safely within the city streets without fear of sudden invasion. Furthermore, notice the scope of this blessing! It extends from structural safety to internal prosperity. Yahweh grants shalom—complete, untroubled peace—across the borders of the nation, and He satisfies the people's hunger with the “finest wheat.” In the Ancient Israelite divine-council worldview, neighboring pagan nations believed that agriculture and territorial peace depended on sacrificing to localized fertility gods like Baal or Asherah. But Israel knew the truth! Yahweh alone controls the borders of the earth, and Yahweh alone opens the bounty of creation to nourish His children with the very best food. The second segment is: The Cosmic Voice of Winter: Snow, Frost, and the Swift Word The narrative now transitions from civil security to the vast, sweeping power of God's command over the forces of nature, combining the contiguous thoughts found in verse fifteen, verse sixteen, verse seventeen, and verse eighteen. He sends his command to the earth; his word runs swiftly! He sends the snow like white wool; he scatters the frost like ashes. He hurls the hail like stones. Who can stand against his freezing cold? Then at his command, it melts. He sends the wind, and the ice thaws. Look at the astonishing speed and absolute authority of God's royal decrees! The psalmist proclaims, “He sends his command to the earth; his word runs swiftly! He sends the snow like white wool; he scatters the frost like ashes. He hurls the hail like stones. Who can stand against his freezing cold? Then at his command, it melts. He sends the wind, and the ice thaws.” In this breathtaking section, the word of God—His davar—is personified as an invincible, swift royal messenger! In the ancient Near East, human kings sent runners across their empires to deliver royal decrees, but those human couriers were limited by speed, terrain, and exhaustion. When Yahweh speaks from His celestial throne room, His word runs like lightning across the globe, instantly obeyed by every element of creation. Notice how the psalmist paints the freezing winter weather: snow falling soft and thick like white wool, frost coating the ground like scattered wood-ash, and hail pounding down like jagged stones! Winter in the mountainous regions of Israel could be severe, paralyzing life and threatening survival. The psalmist asks the dramatic rhetorical question: “Who can stand against his freezing cold?” Human military power, heavy armor, and thermal garments are completely helpless when the Creator turns down the tem“erature of the earth! Yet, just as quick”y as the frost seals the land in ice, Yahweh issues another swift command: He releases His warm wind—His ruach—and the ice immediately thaws, streams begin to flow again, and spring returns to the land. In the divine-council framework, the spiritual principalities that pagan nations worshipped as lords of winter or chaos are unmasked as mere puppets before Yahweh; the weather is simply obedient clay in the hands of the ultimate Cosmic Craftsman. The third segment is: The Unique Treasure: Revealing Decrees to Jacob Having demonstrated how Yahweh's swift word commands the physical cosmos, the psalmist reaches the grand finale of the psalm, revealing the supreme, incomparable gift given exclusively to Israel, as recorded in verse nineteen and verse twenty. He has revealed his word to Jacob, his decrees and regulations to Israel. He has not done this for any other nation; they do not know his regulations. Praise the Lord! The psalmist seals this magnificent hymn with a declaration of astounding covenant privilege, exclaiming, “He has revealed his word to Jacob, his decrees and regulations to Israel. He has not done this for any other nation; they do not know his regulations. Praise the Lord!” Think about the staggering theological progression of Psalm One Hundred Forty-Seven! The God who commands the trillions of stars in verse four, and who directs the freezing hail and melting winds in verses fifteen through eighteen, has chosen to speak directly to human beings! But He did not reveal His holy, written law to the mighty Egyptian empire, nor to the cultured Babylonians, nor to the warlike Assyrians. Instead, He entrusted His sacred decrees, His Torah, and His legal judgments—His mishpatim—uniquely to the descendants of Jacob! To fully appreciate this verse, we must view it through the lens of Deuteronomy chapter thirty-two in the ancient Israelite divine-council worldview. When Yahweh divided the nations after the Tower of Babel, He allocated the pagan peoples under the oversight of lesser spiritual beings, the "sons of God." But Israel was Yahweh's personal, direct inheritance! While other nations stumbled in spiritual darkness, worshipping idols and guessing at the desires of fickle gods, Israel was given the clear, brilliant, life-giving light of Yahweh's written word. They were given the blueprint of cosmic wisdom, showing them how to live in alignment with the Creator. This unique revelation calls for an explosive, ultimate response, ending the psalm with that glorious, unshakeable command: Hallelujah—Praise the Lord! As we conclude today's trek through Psalm One Hundred Forty-Seven,

Paul wants the Corinthian church to live under the lordship of Jesus Christ. Divisions had already begun among the church at Corinth, and as we'll see in these first few chapters, some of the division came because believers began attributing themselves to mere men. Paul directs them to boast, not in the teachers they follow, but in Christ and Him crucified. In other words, “let one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” The cross is foolishness to the world, but to those who are being saved, it is the power of Almighty God. The apostles weren't to be placed on pedestals, but they were to be looked to as examples of humility. 1 Corinthians 1 - 1:07 .  1 Corinthians 2 - 6:19 .  1 Corinthians 3 - 9:52 .  1 Corinthians 4 - 13:31 .  1 Corinthians 5 - 18:24 .  1 Corinthians 6 - 20:56 .  Psalm 110 - 24:57 .  :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

Many attempts have been made to define the grace of God. One definition, using an acronym, says “Grace is God's riches at Christ's expense.” Perhaps the most common definition of grace is “unmerited favor.” Another says that grace is “God's favor toward the unworthy.” All of these definitions are helpful as we consider this incredible attribute of God. I suppose my favorite definition is that grace is “God's undeserved kindness.”Main Points:1.  Think about it. God has been so kind to us. Consider all God has given you and all He has done in your life. Why? Why would God be so kind? What have you done to earn the kindness of our Almighty God? What have you done to deserve such affection and goodwill? Nothing. Not a thing. Nada. 2. You and I have received God's kindness because of His grace. Prompted by the love we can't fully understand, God demonstrates His kindness in our lives by giving us His Son, Jesus, to be our savior. It's because of His grace that we have been forgiven. It's through His grace we have a relationship with Him. 3. Maybe today, you are in need of God's grace. Perhaps you need forgiveness of sins. Reach out to God. Ask Him for His grace. He is generous to those who call on him.Today's Scripture Verses:Ephesians 2:8-9 - “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”Psalm 103:10 - “He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.”Romans 5:20 - “… But where sin increased, grace increased all the more”Quick Links:Donate to support this podcastLeave a review on Apple PodcastsGet a copy of The 5 Minute Discipleship JournalConnect on SocialJoin The 5 Minute Discipleship Facebook Group

This week, I watched a simple video of a man in a suit with a strong Irish accent explain something so beautifully and so clearly. He talked about how easily we twist salvation into being faith plus works. He posed one question: If you were to die tonight and stand at the gates of Heaven, how would you explain why you’re there? He said if you answer that question in the first person, you’ve already gone wrong. Because I believed. Because I had faith. Because I trusted. Because I did good things. Because I served. Because I stopped doing bad things. Nope. You’ve made it about you. Your way to Heaven never started with you. Look at the thief on the cross. Remember the one hanging beside Jesus? Jesus told him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” And so he was. Just like that. This man was a criminal. He wasn’t baptized. He wasn’t in a Bible study. He never served in children’s ministry. He never got his life cleaned up. He had no opportunity to prove himself worthy. And yet, he made it to Heaven. Imagine the angel guarding Heaven’s gates asking him, “On what basis are you here?” And all he can say is, “The man on the middle cross said I could come.” My friends, that is our only answer too. The Man on the middle cross. It’s not about the Scriptures I’ve memorized, the good works I’ve done, or the sins I’ve walked away from. It’s all about the cross. If I take my eyes off the cross, then suddenly my salvation depends on me. And if your salvation depends on you, it will always lead you to one of two places—absolute despair or horrible arrogance. You’ll either never feel good enough, or you’ll start believing you’re better than everyone else. Both are lies. Keep your eyes on the cross. You are not saved as a result of anything you have ever done or will ever do. You are saved solely because of what Jesus accomplished on that middle cross. And here’s the beautiful thing—your relationship with your Creator isn’t the result of your performance either. You’ve been offered a relationship with Almighty God because of His relentless pursuit of YOU. Grace didn’t simply save you. Grace has been pursuing you all along. The Bible is filled with story after story of God’s pursuit of people who had strayed. People who had failed. People who had royally messed up their lives. People the world had written off as too far gone. And Jesus? He pulled up a chair at their table. He pursued them. Relentlessly. From the moment you were born, God has been pursuing you. Now maybe you’ve spent most of your years running. Yep, me too. Not necessarily running from God, but keeping myself so busy, distracted, and self-sufficient that His knocking went unnoticed and unanswered. And yet, He pursued me. Aren’t you grateful God doesn’t give up easily? Because if He did, how long ago would He have given up on you? How many times have you ignored Him? How many times have you chosen your own way? How many times have you settled for comfortable when He was offering abundant? And still, here He stands today. Offering again. “Will you let me in?” “Will you let me help you?” “Will you draw close to Me? I’ve been drawing close to you all the days of your life.” This is His relentless pursuit of you. And even during the times you’ve given up on yourself, He hasn’t. He has never backed down. God. Still. Wants. You. Psalm 139:7 says: “I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence!” You can’t outrun Him. God loves running rebels. He sent His Son on a search-and-rescue mission for YOU. His mission was to seek and save the lost and bring you close to the Father. And that’s still His mission today—to keep bringing you in. Could that be why some of this has been happening in your life? Could the lost job, the financial struggles, the health scare, the crisis, the stress, and the worry be part of God’s relentless pursuit of your heart? Not because He’s punishing you, but because He’s pursuing you. Or perhaps He’s about to show you His power through it all so you’ll never doubt His presence again. If you’ve been running, stop. Just stop. And let Him catch you. That’s my prayer for you today—not that you’ll try harder or do better or become more impressive. My prayer is much simpler than that. Be caught today. Let Him wrap you in His love. Let Him strengthen you. Let Him shield you. Let Him provide for you. Take your refuge in Him. Many years ago, my life seemed to be falling apart. We had run out of money. Our business had dried up. Every light we saw at the end of the tunnel turned into a freight train heading straight for us. I had come to the end of my rope. One day, I sat down on my couch and surrendered. And He caught me. He and I sat on that couch and wrestled it out. I was angry. I was scared. And God was faithful. That day changed my life. God’s relentless pursuit through it all had finally captured my heart. This is where we often get it wrong. We think God primarily wants us to do something for Him. Yes, He calls us to action. Yes, He calls us to be His hands and feet. But don’t twist that. He doesn’t NEED anything from you. Your performance isn’t required. Your trophies aren’t necessary. Your winning record isn’t impressive to Him. More than anything else, He wants YOU. He wants to catch you. He wants you to stop running and simply run to Him. He’s got you. I promise He does. Elevation Worship has a song called Jireh that begins with these words: I’ll never be more loved than I am right now. Wasn’t holding You up, so there’s nothing I can do to let You down. It doesn’t take a trophy to make You proud. I’ll never be more loved than I am right now. Those words get me every single time. Maybe because I’m the girl who has always feared being a disappointment. Maybe because failure has haunted me more times than I’d like to admit. But there’s such freedom in knowing I can’t let God down because I wasn’t ever holding Him up. God isn’t impressed by my trophies, so He’s not disappointed when I don’t win them. And I couldn’t possibly be more loved than I am right now. Maybe you need to hear that too. There is nothing you could do that would make God love you more than He already does. You don’t have to perform for Him. Your failure hasn’t distanced Him. Your weakness hasn’t surprised Him. Your wandering hasn’t stopped Him. He loves you. He loves you so much that after all these years of your running and your trying and your striving and your bright ideas, He is still pursuing you. The fact that you’re hearing these words today is once again evidence of His relentless pursuit. You. Precious and priceless you. The one and only you. He sees you and knows without a doubt—you are worth pursuing. You have not escaped His Spirit. You have not gotten away from His presence. Through it all, He has been right beside you whether you recognized Him or not. You’ve been caught from the fall. You’ve been captured from the running. You’ve been chosen by grace. And when the enemy whispers that we’re not enough, that we’ve failed too many times, wandered too far, or missed our chance, may we remember our answer has never changed. If someone were to ask us, “How did you get here?” the answer isn’t because I was good enough. Or faithful enough. Or disciplined enough. Or because I finally got my life together. It’s much simpler than that. The Man on the middle cross said I could come. The Man on the middle cross pursued me when I was running. The Man on the middle cross caught me when I fell. The Man on the middle cross paid what I could never pay and opened what I could never open. And one day, when I take my final breath here and my first breath in eternity, if I’m asked, “On what basis are you here?” my answer will still be the same. The Man on the middle cross. That’s it. Not my trophies. Not my performance. Not my victories. Not my failures. Not my story. His. And until that day comes, may we stop settling for a comfortable life when God has a great big, beautiful life waiting for us. Not my way, Lord, but Yours. May you be drawn deeper into the life He created for you, all by His grace. And may you stop running long enough to discover you’ve been pursued all along. May you be caught today. Follow Pamela on Instagram – https://instagram.com/headmamapamela Or Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/pamela.crim Find out more about BIG Life – http://biglifehq.com

Here’s my prayer for you today: May you be led by what is in you, not by what is around you. Because what is around you is loud. Distractions. Drama. Disappointment. Fear. Bad news. Negative people. The invitation to live a small, defeated, mediocre life is everywhere. But daughter of God, you were never created to live looking down. Downcast. Downtrodden. Down in the dumps. Down is not your direction. And here’s how I know: Because of what is in you. Romans 8:9 says, “You, however, are controlled not by the flesh, but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you.” Then just a few verses later, Romans 8:15 says, “You have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children.” Did you catch that? God’s Spirit lives in you. Not beside you. Not near you. Not occasionally visiting you. In you. The mountain-moving, sea-parting, chain-breaking, prison-shaking, death-defeating power of Almighty God lives in you. Let that sink in. Because the enemy works overtime trying to make you forget it. He wants your attention on your failures instead of your Father. He wants your focus on your flaws instead of God’s power. He wants you obsessing over your weight, your money, your job, your house, your image, your circumstances—anything that keeps your eyes off the greatest reality of your life: The Spirit of God lives within you. If you’re consumed by what you see in the mirror, you’ll forget what Jesus placed inside of you. If you’re focused on your problems, you’ll forget you already have access to the power to overcome them. If you’re drowning in negative thoughts, you’ll start believing you’re stuck. But you’re not stuck. You’ve just forgotten what’s in you. The Spirit of God has already given you power to rise. Power to heal. Power to overcome. Power to keep going. Don’t sacrifice your power by entertaining pitiful. I know I’ve done it. I’ve had seasons where I focused more on my problems than my power. More on my circumstances than my Savior. And every single time, I felt defeated. Because when I play pitiful, I stop walking powerful. So let me ask you: Have you been focused on your problems? Have you been rehearsing your disappointments? Have you been sitting in self-pity? Because here’s something I learned a long time ago: You can be pitiful or you can be powerful, but you cannot be both. (Thank you Joyce Meyer.) At nineteen years old, I suffered a massive stroke. I was unable to walk or talk. While I was in the hospital, my newlywed husband kept my family away. He told them I was okay. At the time, I couldn’t understand why my mama and daddy weren’t by my bed. But he understood something I didn’t. Pity would have paralyzed me. Pity would have kept me in that bed. Pity would have convinced me I was a victim instead of a victor. My parents would have given me pity. So my young husband pushed me. He challenged me. He refused to hand me pity. And today I walk, talk, and live whole because I was offered God’s power instead of people’s pity. So why would we choose pity now? Girl, pity never looks good on you. But God’s power? That looks absolutely beautiful on you. Because of the Spirit living in you, defeat is no longer your identity. Mediocrity is no longer your calling. Fear is no longer your master. You don’t wake up expecting less. You don’t settle for surviving. Jesus didn’t die so you could live a little life. He came that you might have life—and have it abundantly. So stop sitting in pity over everything that’s wrong. Not when the Spirit of the Almighty lives in you. Oh no. You have every reason to get excited about today. Every reason to expect good things. Every reason to believe that what stands before you is smaller than the God within you. Why? Because God’s Spirit lives in you. You are not controlled by your feelings. You are not a slave to fear. You are a daughter of the King. And daughters of the King don’t walk through life defeated. They walk with authority. They walk with confidence. They walk knowing who they belong to. So remember this today: Nothing you face is greater than the Spirit within you. You are not helpless. You are not hopeless. You are not stuck. And if you feel that way, you’ve believed a lie that was never yours to carry. Don’t buy what the enemy is selling. A daughter of the King should never settle for the leftovers of a defeated devil. Remember what’s in you. The same power that spoke the universe into existence lives in you. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead lives in you. The same power that shattered prison walls and broke chains lives in you. The same power that turned water into wine lives in you. That means life is in you. Healing is in you. Freedom is in you. Victory is in you. Change is in you. Hope is in you. Power is in you. So don’t let what is around you make you forget what is in you. The circumstances are real. The challenges are real. The obstacles are real. But none of them are greater than the Spirit of God dwelling within you. That Spirit does not make you a fearful slave. That Spirit makes you a daughter. He brings you into the family. He places a crown upon your head. He declares, “You belong.” So straighten your crown, girl. Life may have knocked you around, but it has not changed who you are. You are chosen. You are loved. You are redeemed. You are a daughter of the King. And the power of Almighty God lives within you. So today, be powerful. Not pitiful. Follow Pamela on Instagram – https://instagram.com/headmamapamela Or Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/pamela.crim Find out more about BIG Life – http://biglifehq.com

The Eighth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 11A)  ORISON: Dixi forsitan Tenebrae (Tune: Farmborough) – Arthur S. Warrell (1883-1939); arr. Gregory W. Bloch (b. 1977)  PSALM 139 – Peter R. Hallock (1924-2014)  HYMN: Almighty God, your word is cast like seed (Tune: Walden) – Jane Manton Marshall (1925-2019); arr. Gregory Bloch (b. 1977)  NUNC DIMITTIS in E – Charles Wood (1866-1926)  ANTHEM: Iustus germinabit sicut lilium – Jacob Handl (1551-1591)   […]

Isn't prayer an amazing thing? Just stop and think for a moment. The God of eternity, the God who spoke and the world came into existence, the all-powerful, all-knowing, and always-present God, listens to me!Main Points:1. For a new Christian, prayer can be intimidating. We hear others pray, and they seem to do it so well. We think we don't know the eloquent words necessary to talk to Almighty God.  We wonder, “Am I doing it right?”2. Prayer can be spoken out loud. It can be a whisper. Prayer can be given silently in our hearts. In all of these ways we can be assured that God knows and that He hears.3. Prayer is not about the right words. Prayer is about sharing what is on your heart with God. “Help me” is a prayer. “I need you” is a prayer. “Give me peace” is a prayer. “Guide my steps” is a prayer. Today's Scripture Verses:Hebrews 4:16 says, “So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.”Exodus 33:11 - “Inside the Tent of Meeting, the LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend.”Matthew 6:8 - “…your Father knows what you need before you ask him.”1 Peter 3:12 - "The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers…”Quick Links:Donate to support this podcastLeave a review on Apple PodcastsGet a copy of The 5 Minute Discipleship JournalConnect on SocialJoin The 5 Minute Discipleship Facebook Group

“And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.” (Genesis 17:1) This is the first o... More...

Today's Bible Verse: "The Lord was with the men of Judah. They took possession of the hill country, but they were unable to drive the people from the plains because they had chariots fitted with iron." — Judges 1:19 Judges 1:19 reminds us that even when God is with us, we may still encounter obstacles that feel overwhelming. The tribe of Judah experienced victory because the Lord was with them, yet they struggled to overcome the people living in the plains because they had powerful iron chariots. This passage reveals the tension between God’s presence and the challenges we face. Become a BibleStudyTools.com PLUS Member today: https://www.biblestudytools.com/subscribe/ Looking for a peaceful way to end your day? Listen to "Your Nightly Scripture" to end your day with God's word Meet Today’s Host: Jennifer Slattery Discover more devotions with Jennifer at Your Daily Bible Verse on LifeAudio Jennifer Slattery is a national speaker and multi-published author, She’s passionate about helping believers live with bold faith, rooted in surrender to Christ’s purpose. Jennifer co-hosts both Your Daily Bible Verse and Faith Over Fear, encouraging listeners to step into their God-given identity. Her teachings blend Scripture with personal insight to help others embrace God’s power over fear and move forward with confidence.