Podcasts about consider paul

How does God use evil for good? Rabbi Schneider shares the covenant names of God: if we want to know God as our healer, we must walk in His ways. But don't deny that God does use sickness to accomplish His objectives. But God is not interested in keeping someone sick. God is a God that wants you healed. Consider Paul, who God used sickness to keep him from becoming puffed up in himself and to keep Paul relying on God's strength. God uses ALL things to accomplish good. God is Yahweh Nissi—God Our Victory. Learn how God lives within you, heals you, and helps you to be victorious. How you believe and speak so you will be. God is the victorious banner over you. You have been called by Jesus to victory and freedom. God loves you and wants you to enter into His victory.   Visit our website at DiscoveringTheJewishJesus.com

Sometimes you may feel like God isn't using you, even though you're praying to be a witness for Him. Consider Paul's unexpected ordeal on the island of Malta. After surviving a shipwreck, he was bitten by a snake while building a fire. The islanders watched, expecting him to die, but when he didn't, their perception of him changed dramatically. This story, detailed in Acts 28, illustrates how we may unknowingly demonstrate God's power. Your daily actions, the way you handle challenges, and the transformations within you can powerfully testify to others about the work of God in your life.

Ephesians 6:10-13 What is the church's greatest challenge? Consider Paul's command to the Ephesian church to stand firm against evil spiritual forces. Listen in and discover the strength and protection God provides and why it's crucial for us to put on the whole armor of God.

Matthew Dowling, preaching minister at the Plymouth Church of Christ, preached a message titled "Renewed by the 'Kingdom Men' in our Church" from Romans 12:2 and various scriptures. The February sermon series is "Brand New: Becoming the Person God Created You to Be." Day 1: The Mind's Significance Reading: Proverbs 23:7; Romans 12:2 "Proverbs 23:7 - For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he..." "Romans 12:2 - And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." Devotional: Today, reflect on the power and significance of the mind as presented in Proverbs and by the Apostle Paul. Your thoughts shape your actions and your character. Ponder the ways in which your current thought patterns align with the mind of Christ. How do your thoughts reflect your faith? In what ways might you need renewal? Reflection Question: What is one area of your thought life that you need to surrender to God for transformation? Day 2: Surrendering to God Reading: Romans 7:22-25 "For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members." Devotional: The internal battle between our desires and God's will is a universal Christian experience. Consider Paul's vulnerability in sharing his own struggle and how he finds victory through Jesus Christ. Identify the areas in your life where part-time devotion has led to a divided mind. What does full surrender to God look like for you? Reflection Question: What steps can you take to move from a part-time to a full-time commitment to Christ? Day 3: Battling Spiritual Warfare Reading: Ephesians 6:12; 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." Devotional: Acknowledge the spiritual warfare that rages around us, aiming to disrupt our pursuit of the mind of Christ. Consider the armor of God that equips us for battle and the weapons we possess that are mighty in God for pulling down strongholds. Reflect on how you can use spiritual truths to combat and replace the temptations and lies of the enemy. Reflection Question: What spiritual truths can you focus on today to counteract and overcome a recurring temptation? Day 4: Embodying the 'Mind of the Master' Reading: Philippians 2:5; 1 Corinthians 2:16 "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus..." "For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ." Devotional: The call to embody the mind of Christ is a call to profound humility and service. As you read Philippians 2:5, meditate on the character of Jesus and His servant-hearted nature. Reflect on how the 'mind of the master' can become the 'master of your mind' and transform your interactions with others. Reflection Question: In what practical ways can you serve others today as an expression of having the mind of Christ? Day 5: Divine Possession and Personal Renewal Reading: Galatians 2:20; Psalm 51:10 "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me..." "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me." Devotional: As we conclude our journey, consider the concept of divine possession - the idea that we must be fully God's for Him to work in us. Like Paul, surrender your life so Christ can live through you. Pray for a clean heart and a renewed spirit, and ask God to transform your life into a reflection of His grace and love. Reflection Question: How can you live out the truth of Galatians 2:20 and demonstrate that it is Christ living in you?

Following Jesus comes with adversity, but as we persevere, it will lead to eternal rewards. In this sermon, Pastor Allen Jackson discusses the cost of sharing our faith. Not everyone will accept Jesus or honor Him—some will ridicule us for our faith. But our assignment is to take the hope and truth we know to the people around us, every place we go. The apostles were willing to follow Jesus, even to the point of death. Consider Paul, who pushed against opposition, adversity, and imprisonment to share the gospel. His perseverance changed the world. Are we willing to live our lives with a similar determination?

Reflect, Renew, and Rejoice: A Spiritual Review of the Last 12 Months for Christians and Christian Groups Introduction “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts. See if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23-24 NRSV) As the year draws to a close, it's the perfect time for us to conduct a spiritual review of the past 12 months. Reflecting on our personal and congregational spiritual journey can deepen our relationship with God, provide valuable insights, and help us discern to will of the Spirit for the future. In this class, we'll explore two ideas for conducting a spiritual review that will help you and your local group to grow in Christ. Before we dig in to those three areas, we might take a moment to consider if this kind of reflection has Scriptural warrant. I believe it does. For example, Paul's letters are tools of the Spirit to help the congregations he writes to reflect on their spirituality, what God has been teaching them, and their direction for the future. We see the same in the sermons to the churches in Revelation chapters 2 and 3.  As an example, take this passage in 1 Thessalonians chapter 5 “But we appeal to you, brothers and sisters, to respect those who labour among you, and have charge of you in the Lord and admonish you; esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. And we urge you, beloved, to admonish the idlers, encourage the faint hearted, help the weak, be patient with all of them. See that none of you repays evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to all. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise the words of prophets, but test everything; hold fast to what is good; abstain from every form of evil.” (1 Thessalonians 5:12-22 NRSV) We will not go into all the issues here, but we can see Paul asking the Thessalonians to reflect on their attitude to leaders and the weak, on their response when people harm them and their gratitude to God. It is with this perspective in mind that we will go on to examine two specific areas for review. 1. Embrace Gratitude: Counting Blessings and Lessons Gratitude is a powerful spiritual practice that can transform our outlook on life. In 1 Thessalonians 5:18, we are reminded to give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for us in Christ Jesus — “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18 NRSV) Consider David in the Psalms, where he expressed his gratitude for God's blessings even in the midst of challenges — “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and do not forget all his benefits—who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the Pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good as long as you live so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.” (Psalm 103:2-5 NRSV) Take time to discuss and write down all the ways you have seen God's hand at work over the last 12 months. Do this for your personal life and for your group. Spend some time in prayer thanking God for all he has done, his support, and his loving presence through all the ups and downs.  Some examples relevant to me include the gift of a granddaughter, the arrival of TJ and Sonia Masilamani in Thames Valley and a young man called Nana getting baptised into Christ in the Watford church. 2. Honest Self-Reflection: Acknowledge Failures and Seek Forgiveness Honest self-reflection is a crucial aspect of any spiritual review. In Psalm 139:23-24, David prays, "Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."  One way to conduct an evaluation for yourself and your group is to discuss three crucial areas of the Christian life: Faith, hope and love. These key qualities are mentioned many times in the New Testament, and all three show up together in the passages below: “And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.” “…remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labour of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.”  “But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, and put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.” (1 Corinthians 13:13; 1 Thessalonians 1:3; 5:8 NRSV) You could discuss the following questions: How is my/our faith (loyalty-trust in God) How is my/our hope (in Christ) How is my/our love (for God, one-another, the vulnerable and the lost) Conclusion We will talk about the future more next time, but after embracing gratitude and some honest self-reflection, we will be in a good place to set some spiritual areas of focus. Consider Paul's heart. He had a consistent spiritual-growth-spirit. In Philippians 3:13-14, he writes, “Beloved, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but this one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus.” His desire was greater and greater Christlikeness as the years went by. Again, we will explore this further in the following class, but for now, why not pray about what God is revealing for you and your local group? Please add your comments on this week's topic. We learn best when we learn in community.  Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here's the email: [malcolm@malcolmcox.org](mailto:malcolm@malcolmcox.org).  If you'd like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://[www.malcolmcox.org](http://www.malcolmcox.org/).  Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review.  “Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11)  God bless, Malcolm 

Reflect, Renew, and Rejoice: A Spiritual Review of the Last 12 Months for Christians and Christian Groups Introduction “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts. See if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23-24 NRSV) As the year draws to a close, it's the perfect time for us to conduct a spiritual review of the past 12 months. Reflecting on our personal and congregational spiritual journey can deepen our relationship with God, provide valuable insights, and help us discern to will of the Spirit for the future. In this class, we'll explore two ideas for conducting a spiritual review that will help you and your local group to grow in Christ. Before we dig in to those three areas, we might take a moment to consider if this kind of reflection has Scriptural warrant. I believe it does. For example, Paul's letters are tools of the Spirit to help the congregations he writes to reflect on their spirituality, what God has been teaching them, and their direction for the future. We see the same in the sermons to the churches in Revelation chapters 2 and 3.  As an example, take this passage in 1 Thessalonians chapter 5 “But we appeal to you, brothers and sisters, to respect those who labour among you, and have charge of you in the Lord and admonish you; esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. And we urge you, beloved, to admonish the idlers, encourage the faint hearted, help the weak, be patient with all of them. See that none of you repays evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to all. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise the words of prophets, but test everything; hold fast to what is good; abstain from every form of evil.” (1 Thessalonians 5:12-22 NRSV) We will not go into all the issues here, but we can see Paul asking the Thessalonians to reflect on their attitude to leaders and the weak, on their response when people harm them and their gratitude to God. It is with this perspective in mind that we will go on to examine two specific areas for review. 1. Embrace Gratitude: Counting Blessings and Lessons Gratitude is a powerful spiritual practice that can transform our outlook on life. In 1 Thessalonians 5:18, we are reminded to give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for us in Christ Jesus — “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18 NRSV) Consider David in the Psalms, where he expressed his gratitude for God's blessings even in the midst of challenges — “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and do not forget all his benefits—who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the Pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good as long as you live so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.” (Psalm 103:2-5 NRSV) Take time to discuss and write down all the ways you have seen God's hand at work over the last 12 months. Do this for your personal life and for your group. Spend some time in prayer thanking God for all he has done, his support, and his loving presence through all the ups and downs.  Some examples relevant to me include the gift of a granddaughter, the arrival of TJ and Sonia Masilamani in Thames Valley and a young man called Nana getting baptised into Christ in the Watford church. 2. Honest Self-Reflection: Acknowledge Failures and Seek Forgiveness Honest self-reflection is a crucial aspect of any spiritual review. In Psalm 139:23-24, David prays, "Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."  One way to conduct an evaluation for yourself and your group is to discuss three crucial areas of the Christian life: Faith, hope and love. These key qualities are mentioned many times in the New Testament, and all three show up together in the passages below: “And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.” “…remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labour of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.”  “But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, and put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.” (1 Corinthians 13:13; 1 Thessalonians 1:3; 5:8 NRSV) You could discuss the following questions: 1. How is my/our faith (loyalty-trust in God) 2. How is my/our hope (in Christ) 3. How is my/our love (for God, one-another, the vulnerable and the lost) Conclusion We will talk about the future more next time, but after embracing gratitude and some honest self-reflection, we will be in a good place to set some spiritual areas of focus. Consider Paul's heart. He had a consistent spiritual-growth-spirit. In Philippians 3:13-14, he writes, “Beloved, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but this one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus.” His desire was greater and greater Christlikeness as the years went by. Again, we will explore this further in the following class, but for now, why not pray about what God is revealing for you and your local group? Please add your comments on this week's topic. We learn best when we learn in community.  Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here's the email: [malcolm@malcolmcox.org](mailto:malcolm@malcolmcox.org).  If you'd like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://[www.malcolmcox.org](http://www.malcolmcox.org/).  Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review.  “Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11)  God bless, Malcolm 

* Four weeks ago we began to consider the Perfect Law of Liberty - summed up in our call to love our neighbors as ourselves - and then, subsequently, the application of that Law of Liberty in our lives. * As we transition into the next section of James' letter, we will see him transition from the Application of the Perfect Law of Liberty to the Perfect Way of Wisdom. Yet, as we transition, we will note that James' assertion that TRUE FAITH is evidenced by TRUE WORKS is also true regarding when it comes to a consideration of WHICH WAY of Wisdom you are following. * Last week, as part of our study of the Importance of Words, saw that those who set themselves up as teacher would receive the stricter judgment (assessment). As we considered the wording of that warning, we turned to Romans 8:1 where we are told, "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus ..." But, the verse continues as does the flow of thought. Consider Paul's statement in Romans 8:1-9 * Those who "are in Christ Jesus" will not -as a practice- walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. This statement is evidenced as well in James' declaration regarding The Contrast of the Wisdoms from which we choose. * This message was presented on October 29, 2023 by Bob Corbin.

Thursday, 28 September 2023   “For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. Acts 20:27   Paul just said that he was innocent of the blood of all. He now explains exactly what that means, beginning with, “For I have not shunned.”   It is the same word just introduced in verse 20:20, hupostelló. It signifies to withhold, draw back, keep back, etc. There, he said that he “kept back nothing that was helpful.” To get a fuller flavor of its meaning, the word is also found in Galatians 2:12 when speaking of Peter withdrawing from the Gentiles because he feared those who were of the circumcision. It is used again in Hebrews 10:38 along with the noun form in Hebrews 10:39 –   “For yet a little while, And He who is coming will come and will not tarry. 38 Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him. 39 But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.” Hebrews 10:38, 39   Paul continues the thought, saying, “to declare to you.” HELPS Word Studies says the word signifies “to tell all the way up, i.e. clearly – declaring a thought (communication) that shows it has cleared (gone through) its necessary stages.” Paul is therefore saying that he has not withheld anything but instead fully expressed everything included in “the whole counsel of God.”   The whole counsel of God specifically meant Scripture for Paul, but it also included his revelation of Jesus. For example, in Ephesians 3, Paul says –   “For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles— 2 if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you, 3 how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, 4 by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), 5 which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets: 6 that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel, 7 of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power.” Ephesians 3:1-7   Such insights and revelations are a part of the whole counsel of God that had been revealed to Paul. He had held nothing back and had given every detail necessary for those who heard to both be saved and to walk properly in Christ.   Life application: Consider Paul's words carefully. The words of Paul and the other apostles are now a part of “the whole counsel of God.” These men were commissioned to express what they knew about Jesus Christ. Their writings are now complete and sealed.   We are to not abuse them, misuse them, add to them, or subtract from them. In 2 Timothy 3, it says –   “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16, 17   As these things are true, we can know – without any doubt or ambiguity – that any supposed revelation beyond Scripture is false. For example, Paul has said that he has withheld nothing. He revealed to us the doctrine of the rapture. He has given the sequence of events exactly as they will occur. However, he has not given us any word that will allow us to know when the rapture will occur.   Therefore, any rapture prediction or prophecy is false. We don't need to guess if this is true. We are to take it as an axiom. Think about what Paul has said and be sure to consider claims made by people in light of his words. In the end, the whole counsel of God is about Jesus Christ. From beginning to end, it is all about Him. And it is sufficient.   Lord God, thank You for this precious word that tells us just what we need to know. We don't need to worry that maybe there are details that were mistakenly left out. Nor should we think there is anything unnecessary or superfluous recorded there. Rather, it is a sure and pure word we have received. Thank You that we can have this confidence. Amen.

SCRIPTURE: Acts 15:6-16:3 REFLECTION/DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:Think about Kenny's “archery target” illustration for finding the right church: have you ever been in a church that was too close to the center for you, where you struggled to be challenged? Have you ever been somewhere that was too far for you to ever feel comfortable?Have you experienced growth from staying in a challenging community or relationship, and in what ways did it change you?Consider Peter: he looks at the lives of the Gentiles they are discussing before he considers the intellectual arguments about their fate. What can we learn from this?Consider James: he looks for verses in Scripture that speak to God's heart over verses that seem to offer legal clarity. What can we learn from this?Consider Paul and Timothy: they consider the anxieties of the communities they want to reach above what they know they have a right to do (or not do). What can we learn from this?In your own words, what seems to be the key to building a community where people will feel safe enough to stay?

How does God use evil for good? Rabbi Schneider shares the covenant names of God: if we want to know God as our healer, we must walk in His ways. But don't deny that God does use sickness to accomplish His objectives. But God is not interested in keeping someone sick. God is a God that wants you healed. Consider Paul, who God used sickness to keep him from becoming puffed up in himself and to keep Paul relying on God's strength. God uses ALL things to accomplish good. God is Yahweh Nissi—God Our Victory. Learn how God lives within you, heals you, and helps you to be victorious. How you believe and speak so you will be. God is the victorious banner over you. You have been called by Jesus to victory and freedom. God loves you and wants you to enter into His victory.

What is your “Achilles Heel,” the weakness or “limp” that is always there in your life?  Do you judge yourself for it, berate yourself for having it?  Do you try to avoid it, chasing feelings that make it seem less painful for a while? Healthy self-esteem involves a balance, both for individuals and for society.  We tend instead to swing back and forth on a pendulum, clinging to inferiority, then over-valuing our own good qualities.  This is because we tend to cling to performance-oriented evaluations of ourselves and others, judging worth and value by achievements, accolades, approval, looks, accomplishments, etc.  The key to getting off the pendulum is to learn that our worth is separate from our performance, that we are valuable because God made us on purpose and for a specific purpose.  Secure in that knowledge, we then strive to be the best versions of ourselves, not to make ourselves worthwhile but to honor the One Who made us so well. Instead, we often try to meet our needs for self-value by “chasing a feeling.”  We may berate ourselves, hoping to force change that will make us feel better about ourselves.  But when we depend on the feelings that come from our accomplishments or the approval of others, we find them to be fleeting.  We fear failure, exposure, rejection, increased self-loathing, etc.  It is like trying to nourish ourselves on dessert or a diet of artificial sweeteners without laying a foundation of good nutrition to sustain us.  This means that chasing good feelings ultimately creates bad feelings, leading to more self-judgment and pain and inspiring more feeling-chasing behaviors.  We tend to believe the lies that match our emotional states.  This can lead to tragic outcomes including suicide.  Believing all our emotions creates a hellish experience, which we then try to fight with more perfection, feeling-chasing, etc.  What do you do to try to meet the needs inside you? However, Jesus told His disciples that, by abiding in His word, they would know the truth and the truth would set them free (John 8:32).  Truth frees us even when it is uncomfortable, unpleasant, and the opposite of easy.  We must tell the truth to others and to ourselves.  We are terrified of truth, but God wants to use it to heal us.  God doesn't tell mercy lies, but He has mercy on us by telling the actual truth to heal in order to heal us. Cinthia discussed “limps” of her own including an eating disorder that stemmed from her belief that she was not “good enough,” as well as her dream of being a performer, which she thought must be God's design since it was her dream for herself.  Instead, God used the truth to heal her: that He had made her and liked the way He had done so, that He wasn't going to change His design of her to suit her, that she could enjoy who He made her to be or not, and, finally, that He had given her musical giftings and creativity as an “add-on” and not her primary mission in life. God tells us the truth because He cares. When we care about ourselves, we also address our weaknesses and discipline ourselves.  We learn to recognize the fleeting nature of feelings.  God doesn't just want us to feel good.  He wants us to know that He created us in a way we like and that He is sad that we don't.  What are you fighting within yourself?  What are you fighting yourself about, and is it worth the effort?  Are you being your own worst enemy, or are you being a true friend to yourself?  About what do you constantly argue with yourself?  What are you fighting for, and what are you trying to achieve?  Are you fighting for yourself or against yourself?  What do you talk yourself into and out of?  What are you willing to fight for yourself to achieve?  Don't die for a feeling.  Don't give up over a feeling. Finally, Cinthia discussed an article by Cindy Rooy (Times News.net/living/faith/has-god-given-you-a-limp) and asked, “What is the limp that God has given you?”  Jacob, notes Rooy, was self-sufficient and independent, but this wasn't what God wanted for him.  Finally, God wrestled (or sent an angel to wrestle) Jacob through the night, finally leaving him with a limp that remained for the rest of his earthly life.  After that, Jacob stopped scheming to obtain God's blessings and learned to trust and depend on Him. God will wrestle with us to break our will so He can bless us in our brokenness.  This is because He loves us.  We were never meant to live in our own strength, independent of Him, and we destroy ourselves and miss out on the life we were meant to live when we try.  Don't judge your need for Him.  Don't feel badly that you can't do it without Him.  Think of how we feel about children and pets who need our help.  God wants us to rely on Him in our need and learn to trust Him.  Consider Paul's “thorn in the flesh” (II Corinthians 12:7-10).  We submit to God most consistently out of our need.  God disciplines His children because He loves us.  Similarly, when we learn to care about ourselves, we learn to discipline ourselves.  We only discipline ourselves if we care enough about ourselves.  It is not ok to care so little about ourselves that we don't discipline ourselves toward what is good for us.  Who do you trust, and who trusts you?  Jesus is the Good Shepherd.  He wants you to know His voice and follow Him.  He does not want to give you a debilitating limp before you submit.  He wants you to trust Him.  His plan for you is specific, and He wants you to walk it out the way He intends, which will ultimately result in your highest fulfillment, though not necessarily all your best feelings right now. God is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or think (Ephesians 3:20).  Trust Him.

What is your “Achilles Heel,” the weakness or “limp” that is always there in your life?  Do you judge yourself for it, berate yourself for having it?  Do you try to avoid it, chasing feelings that make it seem less painful for a while? Healthy self-esteem involves a balance, both for individuals and for society.  We tend instead to swing back and forth on a pendulum, clinging to inferiority, then over-valuing our own good qualities.  This is because we tend to cling to performance-oriented evaluations of ourselves and others, judging worth and value by achievements, accolades, approval, looks, accomplishments, etc.  The key to getting off the pendulum is to learn that our worth is separate from our performance, that we are valuable because God made us on purpose and for a specific purpose.  Secure in that knowledge, we then strive to be the best versions of ourselves, not to make ourselves worthwhile but to honor the One Who made us so well. Instead, we often try to meet our needs for self-value by “chasing a feeling.”  We may berate ourselves, hoping to force change that will make us feel better about ourselves.  But when we depend on the feelings that come from our accomplishments or the approval of others, we find them to be fleeting.  We fear failure, exposure, rejection, increased self-loathing, etc.  It is like trying to nourish ourselves on dessert or a diet of artificial sweeteners without laying a foundation of good nutrition to sustain us.  This means that chasing good feelings ultimately creates bad feelings, leading to more self-judgment and pain and inspiring more feeling-chasing behaviors.  We tend to believe the lies that match our emotional states.  This can lead to tragic outcomes including suicide.  Believing all our emotions creates a hellish experience, which we then try to fight with more perfection, feeling-chasing, etc.  What do you do to try to meet the needs inside you? However, Jesus told His disciples that, by abiding in His word, they would know the truth and the truth would set them free (John 8:32).  Truth frees us even when it is uncomfortable, unpleasant, and the opposite of easy.  We must tell the truth to others and to ourselves.  We are terrified of truth, but God wants to use it to heal us.  God doesn't tell mercy lies, but He has mercy on us by telling the actual truth to heal in order to heal us. Cinthia discussed “limps” of her own including an eating disorder that stemmed from her belief that she was not “good enough,” as well as her dream of being a performer, which she thought must be God's design since it was her dream for herself.  Instead, God used the truth to heal her: that He had made her and liked the way He had done so, that He wasn't going to change His design of her to suit her, that she could enjoy who He made her to be or not, and, finally, that He had given her musical giftings and creativity as an “add-on” and not her primary mission in life. God tells us the truth because He cares. When we care about ourselves, we also address our weaknesses and discipline ourselves.  We learn to recognize the fleeting nature of feelings.  God doesn't just want us to feel good.  He wants us to know that He created us in a way we like and that He is sad that we don't.  What are you fighting within yourself?  What are you fighting yourself about, and is it worth the effort?  Are you being your own worst enemy, or are you being a true friend to yourself?  About what do you constantly argue with yourself?  What are you fighting for, and what are you trying to achieve?  Are you fighting for yourself or against yourself?  What do you talk yourself into and out of?  What are you willing to fight for yourself to achieve?  Don't die for a feeling.  Don't give up over a feeling. Finally, Cinthia discussed an article by Cindy Rooy (Times News.net/living/faith/has-god-given-you-a-limp) and asked, “What is the limp that God has given you?”  Jacob, notes Rooy, was self-sufficient and independent, but this wasn't what God wanted for him.  Finally, God wrestled (or sent an angel to wrestle) Jacob through the night, finally leaving him with a limp that remained for the rest of his earthly life.  After that, Jacob stopped scheming to obtain God's blessings and learned to trust and depend on Him. God will wrestle with us to break our will so He can bless us in our brokenness.  This is because He loves us.  We were never meant to live in our own strength, independent of Him, and we destroy ourselves and miss out on the life we were meant to live when we try.  Don't judge your need for Him.  Don't feel badly that you can't do it without Him.  Think of how we feel about children and pets who need our help.  God wants us to rely on Him in our need and learn to trust Him.  Consider Paul's “thorn in the flesh” (II Corinthians 12:7-10).  We submit to God most consistently out of our need.  God disciplines His children because He loves us.  Similarly, when we learn to care about ourselves, we learn to discipline ourselves.  We only discipline ourselves if we care enough about ourselves.  It is not ok to care so little about ourselves that we don't discipline ourselves toward what is good for us.  Who do you trust, and who trusts you?  Jesus is the Good Shepherd.  He wants you to know His voice and follow Him.  He does not want to give you a debilitating limp before you submit.  He wants you to trust Him.  His plan for you is specific, and He wants you to walk it out the way He intends, which will ultimately result in your highest fulfillment, though not necessarily all your best feelings right now. God is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or think (Ephesians 3:20).  Trust Him.

In this episode we discuss...working together in a meaningful way with other likeminded churches and pastors:We have the great commission as our marching orders, but we can possibly achieve disciples of every nation on our own.We NEED each other.Consider Paul's example in 1 Corinthians 16 and Acts 24.Stuff Rural Pastors Can Use Review:Drowning in paper work, emails, texts, and a cluttered calendar? Consider a ministry like Ministry Desk.Our Quote of the Day:However advanced a man may be in piety or age, he is still in danger of falling. - Charles SimeonCONTACT Call and leave a message at (570) 724-3741 Email: ruralpastorstalk@gmail.com Website: http://ruralpastorstalk.buzzsprout.com/ SOCIAL MEDIA Facebook: http://facebook.com/ruralpastorstalk Twitter: @ruralpastorsLISTEN Itunes Spotify

**Thank you for supporting this ministry, I lovingly refer to as "The Little Green Pasture." Click here: PayPal: http://paypal.me/JoanStahl **Please prayerfully consider becoming a ministry partner: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/joaniestahl **Contact Email: jsfieldnotes@gmail.com **Send Donations To: Joanie Stahl - P.O. Box 1386 - 205 Avenida Del Mar - San Clemente, Ca. 92674 **Subscribe to me on Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/c-534183 **Subscribe to me on Bitchute by going straight to https://www.bitchute.com/ and typing "Joanie Stahls Field Notes" in the search bar. Yesterday I was having a kind of down-day. It was gloomy and overcast. I could not shake myself out of it, even with several attempts at prayer. As I was reading the word I came across this verse in 2 Corinthians 10:10: "For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible." I continued to read on but I kept boomeranging back to that verse and knew it was something God wanted me to meditate on. I then was compelled to do some research on it which gave me such a deeper understanding of what God was shining His light on. According to Tyndale and Wycliffe about Paul: "he had a small and contracted body, somewhat crooked and bowed, a pale face, looked old, and had a little head; he had a sharp eye; his eyebrows hung downwards; his nose was beautifully bent, somewhat long; his beard thick and pretty long; and that, as the hair of his head, had a sprinkling of gray hairs." The “contemptible speech” meant literally, speech of no value; counted as of nothing, referring to a weak voice. Many said his presence had the look of one infirmed. It is as though he felt that his appearance was against him. The impression of one who was acutely sensitive." We think about a man whose outward appearance and voice denoted weakness. The appearance of his body as infirmed. But this man is the one whom God chose to write the very letters we live by in the New Testament. Do you feel weak? Do you feel as though your appearance is not good enough? That you do not measure up? Consider Paul. He says, "Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ." Never equate any outward appearance as the qualifications of those you listen to, or yourself to be listened to. "The outward man perishes, and the inward man is being renewed day by day." The Lord lifted me up and refreshed my soul and strengthened me with strength in my soul. "Bare heights of loneliness...a wilderness whose burning winds sweep over glowing sands, what are they to Him? Even there He can refresh us, even there He can renew us." -Amy Carmichael --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/joanie-stahl/support

Scripture Reading: John 17:1-26 When Jesus had finished saying these things, he looked upward to heaven and said, “Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, so that your Son may glorify you— 2 just as you have given him authority over all humanity, so that he may give eternal life to everyone you have given him. 3 Now this is eternal life—that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you sent. 4 I glorified you on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me at your side with the glory I had with you before the world was created.6 “I have revealed your name to the men you gave me out of the world. They belonged to you, and you gave them to me, and they have obeyed your word. 7 Now they understand that everything you have given me comes from you, 8 because I have given them the words you have given me. They accepted them and really understand that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. 9 I am praying on behalf of them. I am not praying on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those you have given me because they belong to you. 10 Everything I have belongs to you, and everything you have belongs to me, and I have been glorified by them. 11 I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them safe in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one just as we are one. 12 When I was with them I kept them safe and watched over them in your name that you have given me. Not one of them was lost except the one destined for destruction, so that the scripture could be fulfilled. 13 But now I am coming to you, and I am saying these things in the world, so they may experience my joy completed in themselves. 14 I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. 15 I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but that you keep them safe from the evil one. 16 They do not belong to the world just as I do not belong to the world. 17 Set them apart in the truth; your word is truth. 18 Just as you sent me into the world, so I sent them into the world. 19 And I set myself apart on their behalf, so that they too may be truly set apart.20 “I am not praying only on their behalf, but also on behalf of those who believe in me through their testimony, 21 that they will all be one, just as you, Father, are in me and I am in you. I pray that they will be in us, so that the world will believe that you sent me. 22 The glory you gave to me I have given to them, that they may be one just as we are one— 23 I in them and you in me—that they may be completely one, so that the world will know that you sent me, and you have loved them just as you have loved me.24 “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, so that they can see my glory that you gave me because you loved me before the creation of the world. 25 Righteous Father, even if the world does not know you, I know you, and these men know that you sent me. 26 I made known your name to them, and I will continue to make it known, so that the love you have loved me with may be in them, and I may be in them.”Main ThemesJesus' Last Will and TestamentChapters 13 to 17 resemble a testament, what we now call a will (the full name being a Last Will and Testament). Chapter 17 is particularly reminiscent of the genre, given the frequency of blessings and wish-prayers in testaments. Although recognizing the “testament flavor” of this chapter does not teach us much theology, it certainly does tell us something about the mood. To Jesus' audience, he sounds like someone who is saying good bye in light of his upcoming death. We should keep in mind this somber tone when reading the text.Praying With Eyes OpenIf we saw Jesus pray, we would probably think his mannerisms were quite strange. As in many modern cultures, we pray with our eyes cast down, probably closed, and our hands together. First century Jews and Greeks prayed quite differently. Their eyes would be open with their gaze directed up to the heavens. Their hands often would be lifted up. This is by no means the main point of this passage, but awareness of our cultural practices is always valuable. If someone does not bow his head to pray, he is not necessarily a heathen.A Fulfilling PrayerChapter 17 is a long prayer. It can roughly be divided into three sections. Jesus prays for himself, then for his disciples, and finally for all future believers. Before we proceed to analyze each section, we should consider how Jesus is fulfilling different Old Testament types.The prayer is thoroughly Jewish while being thoroughly Christocentric. The common Jewish motifs of the unity of God's people; the people's love for God; God's glory; the paramount importance of obedience to God; the setting apart of God's people; and, the crucial role of God's agent are all present. However, each of these themes is reinterpreted through the lens of Christ. Perhaps a better word than reinterpreted is fulfilled. Let's review the Old Testament types that express these themes.Jesus Fulfilling MosesIn chapter 17, Jesus is the greater Moses. Recall Moses' interaction with God immediately after the Golden Calf incident. Exodus 33:3-18 (edited for brevity):[The Lord said to Moses,] “Go up to a land flowing with milk and honey. But I will not go up among you, for you are a stiff-necked people, and I might destroy you on the way.”When the people heard this troubling word they mourned . . . .Moses took the tent and pitched it outside the camp, at a good distance from the camp, and he called it the tent of meeting. Anyone seeking the Lord would go out to the tent of meeting that was outside the camp.And when Moses went out to the tent, all the people would get up and stand at the entrance to their tents and watch Moses until he entered the tent. And whenever Moses entered the tent, the pillar of cloud would descend and stand at the entrance of the tent, and the Lord would speak with Moses. When all the people would see the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance of the tent, all the people, each one at the entrance of his own tent, would rise and worship. The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, the way a person speaks to a friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his servant, Joshua son of Nun, a young man, did not leave the tent.Moses said to the Lord, “See, you have been saying to me, ‘Bring this people up,' but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. But you said, ‘I know you by name, and also you have found favor in my sight.' Now if I have found favor in your sight, show me your way, that I may know you, that I may continue to find favor in your sight. And see that this nation is your people.”And the Lord said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”And Moses said to him, “If your presence does not go with us, do not take us up from here. . . .The Lord said to Moses, “I will do this thing also that you have requested, for you have found favor in my sight, and I know you by name.”And Moses said, “Show me your glory.”Notice the similar themes between Moses' intercession for Israel and Jesus intercession for his disciples. Particularly, both Moses and Jesus pray for a display of glory. We have discussed glory many times before. It is a pregnant term with a large range of meaning. We normally associate it with exaltation. However, its main (although not exclusive) meaning is revelation. “Show me your glory” could be paraphrased as “show me who you really are; show me all of you.” Besides glory, the other theme strongly shared between Moses' intercessory prayer and Jesus' intercessory prayer is the request that God's presence go with his people.Jesus Fulfilling the High PriestThe comparison between Jesus and the office of the high priest is not an inference—it is made explicit in the New Testament.Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, he likewise shared in their humanity, so that through death he could destroy the one who holds the power of death (that is, the devil), and set free those who were held in slavery all their lives by their fear of death. For surely his concern is not for angels, but he is concerned for Abraham's descendants. Therefore he had to be made like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he could become a merciful and faithful high priest in things relating to God, to make atonement for the sins of the people. For since he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted. (Hebrews 2:14-18)What was the role of the high priest? Let's consider what a Christian website tells us (edited for brevity):The high priest was the supreme religious leader of the Israelites. The office of the high priest was hereditary and was traced from Aaron, the brother of Moses, of the Levite tribe (Exodus 28:1; Numbers 18:7). . . .Because the high priest held the leadership position, one of his roles was overseeing the responsibilities of all the subordinate priests (2 Chronicles 19:11). . . . [T]he Hebrew people would go to the high priest in order to know the will of God (Numbers 27:21). . . . In the New Testament, we find a reference to the high priest having the gift of prophecy (John 11:49-52).The high priest had to offer a sin offering not only for the sins of the whole congregation, but also for himself (Leviticus 4:3-21). . . .The most important duty of the high priest was to conduct the service on the Day of Atonement, the tenth day of the seventh month of every year. Only he was allowed to enter the Most Holy Place behind the veil to stand before God. Having made a sacrifice for himself and for the people, he then brought the blood into the Holy of Holies and sprinkled it on the mercy seat, God's “throne” (Leviticus 16:14-15). He did this to make atonement for himself and the people for all their sins committed during the year just ended (Exodus 30:10). It is this particular service that is compared to the ministry of Jesus as our High Priest (Hebrews 9:1-28).In light of chapter 17, consider the following prayer by the high priest:The Lord spoke to Moses: “Tell Aaron and his sons, ‘This is the way you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them:“‘“The Lord bless you and protect you;The Lord make his face to shine upon you,and be gracious to you;The Lord lift up his countenance upon youand give you peace.”'”“So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.” (Numbers 6:22-26)There are is an unmistakably common theme between the high priestly prayer in Numbers and Jesus' prayer in John: “Lord make [your] face to shine upon [your people].”Jesus Fulfilling the ProphetsThe main role of the prophets was to receive the word of the Lord and communicate it to the people. However, there were instances in which the prophets acted as intercessors. Consider the prophet Amos:The Sovereign Lord showed me this: I saw him making locusts just as the crops planted late were beginning to sprout. (The crops planted late sprout after the royal harvest.) When they had completely consumed the earth's vegetation, I said,“Sovereign Lord, forgive Israel!How can Jacob survive?He is too weak!”The Lord decided not to do this. “It will not happen,” the Lord said.The Sovereign Lord showed me this: I saw the Sovereign Lord summoning a shower of fire. It consumed the great deep and devoured the fields. I said,“Sovereign Lord, stop!How can Jacob survive?He is too weak!”The Lord decided not to do this. The Sovereign Lord said, “This will not happen either.” (Amos 7:1-6)The intercessory role of the prophets is natural—indeed, nearly inevitable. If the Lord communicates terrible news to you, you could hardly avoid responding, “Oh Lord, relent!”Just like there is a similarity of themes between the messages of Moses and Jesus and the high priest and Jesus, there is a similarity of themes between the words of the prophets and Jesus. Throughout the Gospel of John, Jesus has shared not only the words of God but God's very image with the people. In chapter 17, Jesus considers the tribulation to come and prays that God may show favor to his people.Jesus Prays for HimselfAs I pointed out above, Chapter 17 is a long prayer. The first section (vv. 1-5) can be considered a prayer for Jesus himself.Mutual GlorificationJesus begins by highlighting the mutual glorification between the father and the son. Remember, for example, John 12:23-28:Jesus replied, “The time has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. I tell you the solemn truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains by itself alone. But if it dies, it produces much grain. The one who loves his life destroys it, and the one who hates his life in this world guards it for eternal life. If anyone wants to serve me, he must follow me, and where I am, my servant will be too. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.“ Now my soul is greatly distressed. And what should I say? ‘Father, deliver me from this hour'? No, but for this very reason I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.”God receiving glory by glorifying his servants is also commonly found in the Old Testament in relation to Israel. For example:Shout for joy, O sky, for the Lord intervenes;shout out, you subterranean regions of the earth.O mountains, give a joyful shout;you too, O forest and all your trees!For the Lord protects Jacob;he reveals his splendor through Israel. (Isaiah 44:23, emphasis added)Glorification Through HumiliationAbove I said that “glory” has a large range of meaning and that revelation is its primary aspect. Sure, it's primary but certainly not exclusive connotation. Glory also implies honor. Notice how Jesus will be “glorified”: through crucifixion—the most shameful punishment imaginable. To quote Tom Holland (the historian, not Spider-Man):Crucifixion, the Romans believed, was the worst fate imaginable, a punishment reserved for slaves. How astonishing it was, then, that people should have come to believe that one particular victim of crucifixion—an obscure provincial by the name of Jesus—was to be worshipped as a god.To further quote Tom Holland:“We preach Christ crucified,” St Paul declared, “unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness.” He was right. Nothing could have run more counter to the most profoundly held assumptions of Paul's contemporaries – Jews, or Greeks, or Romans. The notion that a god might have suffered torture and death on a cross was so shocking as to appear repulsive. Familiarity with the biblical narrative of the Crucifixion has dulled our sense of just how completely novel a deity Christ was. In the ancient world, it was the role of gods who laid claim to ruling the universe to uphold its order by inflicting punishment – not to suffer it themselves.Holland's statement that “[f]amiliarity with the biblical narrative of the Crucifixion has dulled our sense[s]” hits me quite hard. We have a difficult time understanding the offense of Christ praying, “Glorify your Son,” as he means “May your Son be crucified.”Authority Over All HumanityIn verse 17:2, we read to that Jesus has been given authority over all humanity. Depending on the translation you are reading, your text may read “all flesh” (the literal Greek) instead of “all humanity.” The meaning is exactly what it seems: Jesus has been given authority over all people. This is an attribute exclusive to God, hence emphasizing Jesus' divinity. It is also a powerful restatement of prior teachings, such as:The Father loves the Son and has placed all things under his authority. (John 3:35)Now This is Eternal LifeIn a striking statement, Jesus says eternal life is to know God and know Jesus. Because we understand the Jewish conception of eternal life and that Jesus has consistently referred to eternal life as something quite literal, we need not consider a gnostic interpretation of the statement. Instead, we need to understand how eternal life is tethered to having an intimate connection with God.And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us insight to know him who is true, and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. This one is the true God and eternal life. Little children, guard yourselves from idols. (1 John 5:20-21)Jesus Prays for the DisciplesIn verse 6, Jesus begins to pray for the disciples—and I mean his disciples present at the time. In verse 20 there is a shift towards future believers.They Belonged to GodJesus begins his prayer for the disciples by specifying that they “belonged to [God].” We should consider, in what sense? Obviously all creation belongs to God, so the statement must mean something beyond that. There are different interpretations available. One alternative is that these men were part of Israel's remnant—the few Jews still faithful to God. Because they were already true believers, they belonged to God and recognized his voice.Jesus replied, “I told you and you do not believe. The deeds I do in my Father's name testify about me. But you refuse to believe because you are not my sheep. My sheep listen to my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish; no one will snatch them from my hand. (John 10:25-28)Another alternative is that there was nothing particular about the disciples, not even earnest faith. God simply placed them in the right place and at the right time such that they would be the ones to hear and follow Jesus.Regardless of which interpretation one takes, in chapter 17 Jesus makes clear that the disciples have come to believe that Jesus and his words are from God and that they are true (“they accepted them”). Notice, however, that this belief alone will not keep them from deserting Jesus in the darkest hour.Jesus Returns Custody to the FatherThe disciples belonged to God, and God gave them over to Jesus. Jesus watched over them and kept them safe while he was in the world. As Jesus leaves, he returns custody of God's people to God. “Holy Father, keep them safe in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one just as we are one.” (emphasis added) “When I was with them I kept them safe and watched over them in your name that you have given me. Not one of them was lost except the one destined for destruction . . . .” (emphasis added) “They do not belong to the world just as I do not belong to the world. Set them apart in the truth; your word is truth.” (emphasis added)Given the context of persecution in the prior chapters and alluded to in verse 14 of the current chapter, the safety for which Jesus prays is partly physical. But notice that the prayer for Jesus' disciples alludes to even greater dangers: deserting or antagonizing the community of believers; being lost and destroyed; and becoming separated from “the truth.” At the expense of opening a theological pandora's box, I think I should point out the prayer at least partially about apostasy.The apostasy that Jesus prays about is hardly theoretical. In John's letters we learn that it happened often.Children, it is the last hour, and just as you heard that the antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have appeared. We know from this that it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us because if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us. But they went out from us to demonstrate that all of them do not belong to us. (1 John 2:18-19)Three verses down from the quotation above, John defines an antichrist as follows: “Who is the liar but the person who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This one is the antichrist: the person who denies the Father and the Son.” (1 John 2:22) This verse is most likely referring to the apostates who no longer confess the unity of Jesus and the Father (as opposed to someone who does not make that confession but never made it to begin with).In the World but Not of the WorldThe phrase “in the world but not of the world” is a popular Christian mantra (and I say that without a hint of criticism). It is in fact a true and accurate statement, found nearly word for word in the Gospel of John. Notice that Jesus does not pray for a less awkward situation. Jesus could say, “Father, give them their nation.” Or, “Father, rapture them into the heavens.” But he does not. He says, “I am not asking you to take them out of the world.” (emphasis added) But, “keep them safe from the evil one.”What safety is Jesus praying for? This relates to my prior discussion of apostasy. Of course some level of physical safety is in view here, but the passage returns again and again to the idea of keeping Jesus' disciples “in the truth” (e.g., v. 17). The prayer is that disciples will not fall away or be misguided as the world hates them and the enemy opposes them. Remember the Lord's Prayer:And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. (Matthew 6:13)Forgive me as I go a bit off script here, but I think we should consider a practical application of this “in the world but not of the world” idea. Consider Paul's teaching in 1 Corinthians 5:I wrote you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people. In no way did I mean the immoral people of this world, or the greedy and swindlers and idolaters, since you would then have to go out of the world. But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who calls himself a Christian who is sexually immoral, or greedy, or an idolater, or verbally abusive, or a drunkard, or a swindler. Do not even eat with such a person. For what do I have to do with judging those outside? Are you not to judge those inside? But God will judge those outside. Remove the evil person from among you. (1 Corinthians 5:9-13)Notice that Paul, in a very practical setting, repeats the theme found in Jesus' prayer. He advises the early church not to take itself out of the world. Not at all. Who are the real problems? To use the words in John, those who are not “one just as [Jesus and the Father] are one;” those who claim to be but are not “in the truth;” those who claim to be found but “are lost.” Indeed, those that John might call “antichrists.”I acknowledge that the words of Paul take a great deal of wisdom to apply. What I have written here is by no means a comprehensive discussion of the topic. The purpose of this detour is to show how the spiritual truths discussed in John have very real, practical applications. Jesus Prays for Later DisciplesBeginning with verse 20, Jesus changes his focus from his current disciples to his future disciples.Those Who Believe Through TestimonyFor centuries now, critics and scholars have attempted to recover the “historical Jesus.” Many claims have been made. Maybe Jesus really was attempting to lead a coup but failed when he died. Perhaps Jesus really thought he was divine but was proven sorely mistaken upon his defeat on the cross. The theories are countless. However, notice that in the Gospel of John we have a clear and accurate prediction of events.(1) Jesus will submit to his persecutors and be killed.(2) Jesus' sacrifice will glorify God, which in turn will glorify Jesus.(3) Jesus will be gone from the disciples for a little while.(4) Then Jesus will appear to them for a little while.(5) Jesus will send another Advocate to play the role of Jesus to his disciples.(6) Then future disciples will be made through the testimony of the current disciples.The plan is crystal clear. And although critics can deny the spiritual implications of these events, no one can deny these events played out exactly as set forth. (Of course, the text could have been written later to conform to the facts, but at least there is consistency between the text and reality.)Moreover, we should pause for a moment when we read that future believers will come through the testimony of current believers. God could have chosen to spread his word differently, but this is the method he chose. We should also remember that the Advocate bears witness with believers. There is a spiritual dimension to what is happening.The Unity of Later DisciplesJesus prays that later disciples will be like his chosen, twelve disciples. All believers ought to be one with one another just like Jesus and the Father are one! In a prior session I remarked how shocking this comparison of unity really is, and now we see clearly that it applies not only to the twelve but to us. And to make matters more spectacular, every believer is to be united not only to one another but to God himself (“I pray that they will be in us.”)! And what is the purpose (or at least one of the purposes) of this unity with each other and Christ? That the world might believe that God sent Jesus.Wait, what? Literally in the prior verse Jesus tells us that future believers will come to faith through the testimony of current believers. A few words later Jesus is telling us that future believers will come to believe by the unity of believers with one another and God. Which one is it? Of course you know where I am headed with this, but it must be made explicit lest we miss it. That testimony in verse 20 is clearly not only words—unity itself is integral to that testimony. This theme of unity as testimony is found all over the epistles of John, so much so I had a hard time selecting just one passage. Nonetheless, here is one example:Dear friends, let us love one another, because love is from God, and everyone who loves has been fathered by God and knows God. The person who does not love does not know God because God is love. By this the love of God is revealed in us: that God has sent his one and only Son into the world so that we may live through him. In this is love: not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.Dear friends, if God so loved us, then we also ought to love one another. No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God resides in us, and his love is perfected in us. By this we know that we reside in God and he in us: in that he has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world. (1 John 4:7-14)As a closing thought, consider this shocking comparison:I am not praying only on their behalf, but also on behalf of those who believe in me through their testimony, that they will all be one, just as you, Father, are in me and I am in you. I pray that they will be in us, so that the world will believe that you sent me. (John 17:20-21, emphasis added)So they took away the stone. Jesus looked upward and said, “Father, I thank you that you have listened to me. I knew that you always listen to me, but I said this for the sake of the crowd standing around here, that they may believe that you sent me.” When he had said this, he shouted in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The one who had died came out, his feet and hands tied up with strips of cloth, and a cloth wrapped around his face. Jesus said to them, “Unwrap him and let him go.” (John 11:41-44)Our unity should reveal Jesus like raising a man from the dead revealed Jesus.Love, Love, LoveJesus imminent departure will not mean abandonment. Jesus has and will continue to make God known to his disciples. The result will be unity and that we might know “[God] ha[s] loved [us] just as [God] ha[s] loved [Jesus].” (v. 23, 26) God loves us like he loves Christ. May we rejoice in that forever.

"Set aside a tenth of all." Dt 14:22 NIVWhy did God command His people to give Him the first tenth of their income? He tells us: "So that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands" (v. 29 NIV). That means tithing doesn't cost, it pays! When you give God the first tenth of your income, He promises to bless "all the work of your hands." So the question is not does the church needyour tithe, but do you need God's blessing? God's work won't go broke if you don't tithe, but how well will you do if you disobey Him? Paul writes, "On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income" (1Co 16:2 NIV). You say, "I thought tithing was only the rule under Old Testament law. Did the New Testament Christians practice it too?" Consider Paul's words: "Each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income." That's proportionate giving! And since the only "Bible" the New Testament believers had was the Old Testament, what sum of money do you think they gave to God? Certainly not less than a tenth! Jesus told the Pharisees: "Woe to you, teachers of the law..You give a tenth…But you have neglected the more important matters of the law-justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter [tithing], without neglecting the former" (Mt 23:23 NIV). Question: Would you give God less under grace than you do under law? The tithe is the minimum, but only your love for God and His kingdom can determine the maximum.He promises to bless "all the work of your hands."Support the show

Have you ever thought you were in charge, only to find out that you did not have any authority? It happens to us in our pride all too often. So, here is a quick reality check, you are not actually in charge of most things in this life. In truth, we have few things we can control. For example, our thoughts, the choice to be present, how well we listen, our work ethic, the boundaries we set, or the words we speak, just to name a few. However, You and I may have some stewardship that we have been given in our jobs, life as a spouse, parent, friend, servant, and ministry partner in church, or as a student. Yet, in the end, Jesus is the King of everything, not us, and we serve at His good pleasure. Consider Paul's teaching to the church in Corinth, "Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required in stewards that one be found faithful." (1 Corinthians 4:1–2) We are not called to be successful and act large and in charge but to be humble and faithful with the precious things of God. Conflict ensues, however, every time we seek to pull Jesus off His throne and pridefully, ignorantly, and I will add, dangerously take the seat of authority in our lives or ministry. This is what religious leaders had done when Jesus confronted them in His day when he cleansed the temple. The problem is we can be, well, pretty dumb because of sin. As soon as Jesus entered the temple, He began to drive out those who were buying and selling in it. He is establishing who is really in charge of the worship in the temple of God. Jesus' action shows his rejection of the religious establishment of the nation who lifted up ritual for God over relationship with God, not once but twice. So maybe today we should take the time to examine ourselves too. References: Isaiah 56:7 Jeremiah 7:11 Pr 26:11–12 1 Jn 2:15–17 Titus 3:5 Jeremiah 17:9–10 1 Corinthians 11:27–32 ----- Call us: 208.524.4747 prayer@watersprings.net Online Giving: https://watersprings.net/give.php Serve at Watersprings: https://watersprings.churchcenter.com/people/forms/8221 CCLI Streaming License: 20080252 Size E CCLI Copyright License: 1406906 Size F DISCLAIMER: Closed captioning and/or transcription is being provided solely for the convenience of our viewers. Watersprings Church does not review for accuracy any information that appears in a closed caption or transcript. Watersprings Church makes no representations or warranties, and expressly disclaims any responsibility or liability with respect to, any errors or omissions in, or the accuracy, reliability, timeliness or completeness of, any information that appears in a closed caption or transcript.

Today's Reading: Small Catechism: Seventh CommandmentDaily Lectionary: Genesis 44:1-18, 32-34; Mark 12:28-44 You shall not steal. What does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we do not take our neighbor's money or possessions, or get them in any dishonest way, but help him to improve and protect his possessions and income. (Small Catechism: Seventh Commandment) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. The Small Catechism is full of questions and answers, like the famous catechism question, "What does this mean?" Whenever we spend time unpacking the meaning of the commandments and their explanations, it's also helpful to ask a few additional questions. What gift of God is being preserved and protected by God in the Seventh Commandment? How have we failed to keep this commandment? And, most important of all, how does Jesus keep this commandment for us?Luther's short but insightful explanation reveals the meaning of the Seventh Commandment. It also reveals the gift of God in this commandment: our possessions and earthly blessings, or, in other words, our stuff. Everything we have from the kicks on our feet, to the lid on our dome, is all a gift from God. When we come to the Seventh Commandment, it's easy to think, "Well, I haven't been arrested for grand theft auto or stolen anything lately, so I'm good to go." Not so fast! Have we always helped our neighbor to improve his possessions and income? Have we taken a pencil from school? Spent five more minutes at our lunch break at work than we should have? And the list goes on. Not one of us can say we've perfectly kept the Seventh Commandment.Thankfully, while it's true that we have broken the Seventh Commandant, it's also true that our Lord Jesus kept this commandment perfectly in our place. How so? Consider Paul's words in 2 Corinthians 8:10: "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich."You see, everything in all creation belongs to our Lord Jesus. And yet He provides for all our physical needs. And more than that, he uses the stuff of His creation--water, word, bread and wine--to give us heavenly treasures of His grace in His holy, precious Word and Sacraments as well. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. O God, the protector of all who trust in you, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy: Increase and multiply upon us your mercy; that, with you as our ruler and guide, we may so pass through things temporal, that we lose not the things eternal; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.-Rev. Samuel Schuldheisz is pastor of Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in Milton, WA.Audio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Duane BamschLearn more about your favorite hymns and find the deeper meaning behind the text with Eternal Anthems: The Story Behind Your Favorite Hymns. The book includes devotional commentary and historical facts from forty different contributing authors on fifty different hymns. Now available from Concordia Publishing House.

The Unbound Gospel — Pastor Trey Russell.Philippians 1:8-13Sermon Series: Philippians December 26, 2021DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions1. What has happened to Paul and why is it so unlikely, humanly speaking, that it would result in gospel advancement? Can you think of other times in Scripture when the gospel advanced against all odds?2. How can you better see all of life as ripe for gospel advancement?3. Why is it so crucial to connect the gospel to the message of the life, death, and resurrection of Christ? What other “gospels” do we commonly hear that actually are not?4. Consider Paul's interaction with his guards and his response to those with impure motives. What does this tell us about his focus? Would this focus change anything in your life? How?5. In 2022, how can you use the advance of the gospel as a filter for all of life?References: Romans 15:24-25; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, 2:2; Romans 1:16; Matthew 7:21-23; Philippians 4:22; Ephesians 6:19-20; Acts 4:29-31; Galatians 5:20-21; Ephesians 3:7-13

 Audio recordingSermon manuscript:Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say rejoice. Rejoicing is celebrating, being happy. We know how to rejoice. We rejoice when good things happen to us. We rejoice when we get some unexpected money, when we get a good deal, when it's time to have fun with friends. Nobody has to tell us to rejoice. The circumstances prompt us to rejoice. We might not even be able to help it. There are two modifiers, though, to Paul's command to rejoice. We are to rejoice in the Lord. That's the one modifier. The other modifier is that we are to rejoice always. What does it mean to rejoice in the Lord? We know how to rejoice in good circumstances. How do we rejoice in the Lord? This can only be done through faith. There is no way for anyone to know the Lord God except if he reveals himself to them. Only those who believe in what he has revealed of himself can ever rejoice in him. What has God revealed about himself? He is your God. You are his people. In the whole Bible this is always what he has to say, no matter who he is dealing with, so long as they are his chosen ones. He says the same thing to all of them: I am your God. You are my people. Stay close to me. I am your rock and your castle. For you I strive and wrestle. I am yours and you are mine and where I am you may remain. The foe shall not divide us. Whereas the circumstances are what make us rejoice otherwise, what makes us rejoice in the Lord is what he has revealed of himself to us. He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. His mercy endures forever. Just as you might rejoice that you can put some new-found money into your pocket, so you can rejoice that God is yours and you are God's. This good relationship is something to rejoice about. The other modifier is that we should rejoice always in the Lord. Nobody's in the habit of rejoicing always. Nobody celebrates always. The party has to come to an end sometime. The circumstances that cause us to rejoice either get taken for granted or go away. We do not rejoice always. And Paul is not calling upon us to rejoice always in the normal way we use that word. We are to rejoice always in the Lord. This means that our rejoicing is probably going to look a little different than the rejoicing and celebrating that we might see or experience with Christmas presents, for example. Sometimes people get the idea that the Christian life is supposed to be uninterrupted happiness, never-failing victory, a charmed life. This is not what we see, though, when we examine the people who have believed in God before us in the Bible. We do not see this even with Jesus. He did not always skip around with a smile on his face. He didn't look this way when he was being whipped or crucified. When he was looking ahead to the suffering that was coming upon him, he prayed that the cup should pass from him. And yet, we must say that Jesus rejoiced in the Lord always. Rejoicing in the Lord does not have to match up with certain looks on one's face or even certain feelings or emotions. Rejoicing in the Lord is inextricably tied up with faith in him. To believe in him is to trust in his salvation. No matter what might come our way, no matter which cross God might lay upon us, we can rejoice in our salvation. We can rejoice always, because salvation is his business and not ours. Since it is his business, and not ours, we can rest assured that it will never fail. Consider Paul who penned these words. Earlier in the letter he says that he is writing while he is shackled with chains. He is in prison for preaching the Gospel. He is on his way to Rome where he will be tried and falsely found guilty. Since he was a Roman citizen it is thought that he was executed by having his head chopped off instead of being crucified. Being crucified was considered to be too shameful of a punishment for Roman citizens. Crucifixion was reserved for slaves and non-citizens. In the midst of all of this perhaps Paul's rejoicing may have occasionally faltered, for he was flesh and blood like any one of us. But in the main, there's no reason to think otherwise than that he continued to rejoice in the Lord always. This doesn't necessarily mean that he was grinning or skipping while he was being led to the executioner. People think rejoicing has to mean a certain look or a certain visible emotion. But that's a rather superficial way of thinking. Paul believed in the Lord his God and rejoiced. Would he have rather had his head on a pillow rather than on the chopping block? Perhaps. But he took what the Lord gave him, trusting in his steadfast mercy. Apply this also to yourself. Unless Christ comes back first, one day you are going to be dying. The circumstances will probably be such where you definitely do not feel like rejoicing in the normal way that this word is used and understood. But you are not a slave to your circumstances, where the circumstances dictate everything that's going on with you. You have a relationship with the Lord. It is my great wish for you that you are blessed to have someone with you at that time to help you die well. I hope that you have someone who knows God's revelation of himself to us. Knowing that revelation, that person can tell you about the Lord God. Knowing God's revelation, you can rejoice in the Lord while you are dying. There's nothing magical that has to happen. There's nothing that has to be charged with the right emotions, or perfectly persuasive. All that's necessary is to hear what God says about himself and about you. What God has said is that he is yours, and you are his. You can stay with him. The foe can't divide you. Just as God gave Abraham the sign of circumcision, so God has given us the sign of baptism. God says so often in the Old Testament that he is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and the believing descendants of Israel always rejoiced to hear that. The Lord was their God. Their God was for them, no matter what circumstances they happened to be in. You are a Christian. You have been given the name of Christ. You are baptized into him. You have eaten his body and drank his blood. The Lord God has revealed himself to you thoroughly. What he reveals about himself is that he forgives you and graciously receives you. No matter what happens to you, you cannot be separated from this God, because he has joined himself to you. Paul says, “Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say rejoice.” He really means it. Rejoice in the Lord always. Death can be really hard. It can be really painful. But in the midst of this sorrow and sadness you can look to your God's salvation of you like it's a north star. It is a true guide. It will not lead you astray. It's the only true guide. It's not uncommon the hear people say that they hope that they die in their sleep or that they will die very suddenly. There's nothing wrong, per se, about dying in your sleep or very suddenly, but I think it's overrated. This kind of talk makes people hope for something that doesn't happen all that often. Plus it makes people afraid to die in a slower way. That's not good. We're already screwed up enough as it is when it comes to our feeble attempts to cope with dying and death. We don't need to have Christians fear it on top of all that. A good death is one where a person is given the opportunity to rejoice in the Lord by hearing his promises, even while their body is shutting down. A good death is one where the person who is dying is given the opportunity to believe in Jesus's victory over death, even while they are experiencing the unpleasant side effects that go along with death. The person who dies with trust in Christ the crucified dies well, no matter what the circumstances of that death might be. Helping your friends and your loved ones to die well does not take a lot of smarts. You don't have to be a gifted speaker. The main thing that it requires is courage. To help that courage along it is also very helpful to be well catechized, to know God's revelation. If a person does not feel like they know who God is and what he has revealed, they probably won't have the confidence to speak about him—especially in such a fraught and stressful situation. Regardless, the main thing that is needed is courage. I have become convinced that there are powers and principalities that shut us Christians down from talking to one another about God and what God has revealed. We are comfortable talking about the weather, about sports, about what-have-you, but if someone starts to talk about God we get very nervous. It's as though this is something that is strictly set apart. Only the pastor can speak that way. This is false, false, false. By your baptism you have been given the keys to the kingdom of God. You have been given all that Christ has. There is nothing that a pastor has that you don't already have by virtue of your baptism. The only difference is that God has given me the job of doing this full time. The Law or the Gospel that you might speak is no less effective or powerful than the Law or the Gospel that I might speak. The Sacrament that you might administer, an emergency baptism, for example, is no different from the Sacrament that I would administer. All of this is to say that you are fully equipped to tell your loved ones about the God who has revealed himself to us in Christ the crucified and risen. You may urge your loved ones to rejoice in the Lord always, just as I've urged you in this sermon. The message that makes all the difference is the one that says God has chosen you. This is what we are to believe in. I can authoritatively declare that God has chosen you because he has baptized you. You are hearing his word as it is being spoken right now. This Word of God says that he is yours and you are his. Where he is, you may remain. The foe shall not divide you. How can we not rejoice (even if it be quietly and inwardly) when we hear that we have such a great and powerful friend as God himself? If there were any circumstances over which we  could rejoice, it certainly has to be this. The mercy of God is beyond our comprehension. His power knows no bounds. He loves you and receives you, even though you are a sinner. There is peace between God and you because of the sacrifice of Jesus.

You're able to withstand anything if you're standing for the right things. Consider Paul. He persevered even though he had been put in prison, flogged, exposed to death, beaten with rods, pelted with stones, and shipwrecked three times. (See 2 Corinthians 11:23-28) But it wasn't for nothing. It was so that GOD could continue his … Continue reading Able to withstand anything

Paul asserted that his message was so important that any deviation from it was to be rejected out of hand and opposed in the strongest possible terms. How could he make such a bold statement-- He claimed that his message was not from men, but from God Himself. Consider Paul's personal testimony as the support for that claim and consider for yourself the truthfulness of the apostolic testimony to the gospel.

Paul asserted that his message was so important that any deviation from it was to be rejected out of hand and opposed in the strongest possible terms. How could he make such a bold statement- He claimed that his message was not from men, but from God Himself. Consider Paul's personal testimony as the support for that claim and consider for yourself the truthfulness of the apostolic testimony to the gospel.

Romans 8:1-4 Sermon Notes:1) In Christ, we have no condemnation, 12) In Christ, we have freedom, 23) In Christ, we have atonement, 36 ideas in this verse:1) The law couldn’t do it, because it was weakened by the flesh.2) But God did it.3) God did it BY sending His own Son4) Sending Him in the likeness of sinful flesh5) Sending Him for sin6) God condemned sin in the flesh (Summary of 2-5)4) In Christ, we have Spirit-filled life, 4Reflection questions:1. Do you ever fear the judgement or punishment that man can give? What did Jesus say about such fear? (See Matthew 10:28)2. How would you answer the rhetorical question posed by Psalm 130:3? (Ps 130:3 – “If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?”) Hint: read the rest of the Psalm, too.3. How should we respond to the gift of “no condemnation in Christ Jesus”? Consider Paul’s response in the immediately preceding verses: Romans 7:24-25.

Bible Study with Jairus - Acts 23 Let's look at a rough outline of Acts 23.  Paul was imprisoned but uses his identity as a Pharisee to his advantage to defend himself and cause division amongst the Sadducees and Pharisees. The Lord Jesus appeared to Paul later that night assuring him that He would be with him and not to be afraid. The chapter ends with a group of Jews taking an oath to kill Paul but were unsuccessful because Paul's nephew heard about the plot and reported it to the centurion.  The centurion snuck Paul out of the city in the middle of the night surrounded by soldiers to protect him.  He was kept in Herod's palace. The revelation we received from this chapter is that God will use us to change society if we don't compromise with the religious spirit of the church. What do I mean by this? Listen carefully, and I'll explain. One man in our study shared that he felt Paul was using the conflict between the Pharisees and the Sadducees to divide them. Scripture says, But the Lord appeared to him at night, stood near him and said, "As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome." (NIV, Acts 23:11) We know that Jerusalem was the center of religious power at that time, and Rome was the center of secular power. I think this man's analysis makes some sense. I call the Pharisees' sect "Vigilantism". They are neither Levites nor priests, and they consider themselves to be defenders of the Jewish law.  They incorporated hundreds of laws that went far beyond the Law of Moses. Their laws were intolerable. Thus, when the Lord Jesus came, He criticized them for being hypocritical and blamed them for putting heavy burdens on people. They also opposed Roman rule. This represents religious power in  the Jewish religion. Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection. They even challenged the Lord Jesus on the resurrection of the dead. They did not believe in resurrection and angels, but the Pharisees did believe these things were true.   The Sadducees were known to have vested interest in Roman rule, so they had a mixed bag of secular power among the Jews.       Paul was breaking the traditional boundaries of Judaism by spreading the Gospel to the Gentiles, so both groups joined forces against him.  There are religious and secular forces here. The main issue is the religious spirit stirred the Jews up against Paul. Instead of giving in to the religious spirit, Paul bravely fought the spirit of the religion, which stirred the Jews into making a vow to kill him. I shared my experience of leaving one evangelical church and moving to a Pentecostal church to learn more about what they believe.  This caused a lot of trouble because my original church didn't understand or accept the Pentecostal Movement.  The rise of the religious spirit in several members of my former congregation caused many arguments.  If you've ever left a traditional church and moved towards Pentecostalism, you understand what I mean.  If someone as unimportant as me can cause such opposition from this religious spirit, you can imagine how an important figure like Paul, who was steeped in Judaism, was strongly opposed for converting to Christianity and preaching the Gospel. I went to the Pentecostal Movement to seek prayer for healing and prophetic guidance because my wife was unable to conceive.  Over time I learned many new truths from this movement.  I understand that there is a lot of the enemy's infiltration as well as human flesh that can get in the way but there are many truths that are important to examine and study.  The baptism of the Holy Spirit, speaking in tongues, healing, spiritual gifts and worship are a few to consider.  I tried to explain to my former church members what I was learning but some believed they possessed the only truth and didn't accept what I was trying to get across.  Others were too afraid to accept it. I realized that one of the reasons that my evangelical friends who are older than me cannot accept the Pentecostal Movement isn't necessarily because it teaches the wrong doctrine. It's because they may pay a price for joining this movement.  Some will lose family or friends through this association.  An evangelical pastor runs the risk of losing his congregation.  In my situation, I wasn't a pastor or elder, and the price I paid was to have several evangelical friends who no longer talk to me.  That was a low price to pay compared to some. Older members of the evangelical church I belonged to spent their whole lives believing that they hold the only truth.  If I come along and challenge these truths with what I'm learning in the Pentecostal Movement, it has a great psychological impact.  If they admit I might be right, they have to face the fact that they have actually been deceived. It's so much easier for them to say that I'm wrong and deceived by evil spirits.  Unfortunately, their minds will be closed to seeking out truths that may not be comfortable to them, which can lead to spiritual stagnation. I have challenged their comfort zone and what they have been taught to think for so many years.  The religious spirit immediately tries to convict and stigmatize.  Isolation is the next step that keeps them from being "defiled." In places where an extreme religious spirit operates, such as the one Paul faced, they will try to destroy or eliminate you physically.  Although not common in modern Christian civilization, historically, it has happened and still happens with extreme Islamists.  Paul was facing the counter-attack of the religious spirit. Remember, the religious spirit comes from Satan, and it is pervasive in this world and in the church.  This doesn't mean, however, that our fellow believers, Jews or Muslims are the initiators.   They are just victims who were used. The master behind it is Satan. Paul said that our struggle is not against flesh, but against the spiritual forces of evil (NIV, Ephesians 6:12). In my personal experience, many fellow believers have triumphed over this religious spirit. Wherever we are, they love us with the love of Christ. They realize that each person has a different calling from God that they need to lay hold of.  Judgment is not the aim here.  The point is to show how the religious spirit operates.   Fear of confronting the religious spirit can be terrifying.  I faced it when I left the church where I was saved. They didn't encourage people to step out into their own ministry because they taught that it was spiritual pride.  They were afraid you would get more caught up in your own ministry and neglect the church.  I started my ministry secretly using the pseudonym "Jairus" rather than my real name.  In January 2016, I attended a prophetic conference.  God told me that I was going to have a child that year and that Jairus Bible World ministry came from Him.  In 2017 we ended our ten-year infertility trial and had our miracle baby girl.  What God spoke to me gave me confidence and encouragement to break through the traditional teachings and openly start my own ministry. The religious spirit controls people through fear. Wherever fear exists, there is a lack of God's love.  Psalm 65:3 tells us that the love of God covers all of our transgressions and 1 John 4:18 says that there is no fear in perfect love.  Many of the Jews thought Paul was wrong and wanted him put to death.  I don't think that everyone believed it, but many jumped on the bandwagon out of fear.  Perhaps they were worried they would be kicked out of the temple or excommunicated from their family or community.  I think that many of our fellow Evangelical believers may reject the Pentecostal Movement because they fear evil spirits or are afraid of what people would think of them, not necessarily because they feel the movement is heretical. The United Methodist Church will be voting in May, 2020 to formally split.  The church has been divided for years regarding the biblical authority and acceptance of homosexuality.  The division is between conservative and liberal Christians and both sides have decided it would be better to separate.  The seminary I attend has a United Methodist background, so I understand some of the feelings behind the controversy.  A fellow student in my doctoral program, a Methodist pastor from Virginia, believes that what's happening in the Methodist church today stems from the church's compromise on white racism in the early years.  He told me that when African-American Methodist churches were first being formed, the church leaders would not allow African-Americans into their congregations.  They feared challenging the racism amongst white believers which led the church to compromise and divide into white and African-American churches.  This pastor believes that such a compromise led the church to repeatedly compromise on other issues, and eventually, homosexuality.  His perspective really helped me to understand the problem.  Religious spirits often use our narrowness, including racism, to keep us divided, not accepting other nationalities, races and various Christian denominations.  What if the leaders of the Methodist Church had included the African-American believers into their fellowship according to the Bible?  They may have gone through challenges and experienced persecution due to racism, but if they stood firm perhaps the spiritual condition of the Methodist Church would be very different today.  Remember, the religious spirit often cooperates with the spirit of racism and cultural superiority to control the church.  I realize racism exists in many different forms. I'm only using white racism as an example here. The decline of Christianity in the United States can be traced back to Christian leaders compromising and embracing the religious spirit.  One compromise causes the religious spirit to grow and require more compromise.  The morality of American society has gradually fallen, starting from the 1950s.  In 1963 prayer and Bible reading were not allowed in schools which caused further decline. On January 16, 2020, National Public Radio news published an article about President Trump supporting kid's rights to pray in school and warning those schools that they may lose federal funds if they hinder students from their first amendment rights. It's good to hear that this is changing. The church overall, as well as each individual Christian, must overcome the religious spirit in order for the power of the Gospel to transform society.  When the church continually compromises with the religious spirit, it will lose the ability to be the light and salt to those around us, and our influence on society will weaken. That's why the Lord Jesus came to stand near Paul at night to encourage him. The Lord said to Paul, "Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome." (NIV, Acts 23:11). Our spiritual journey is also from Jerusalem to Rome, with Jerusalem being the church and Rome the world around us.  This is what God ordained for us.  The church and its believers must be able to overcome the persecution of the religious spirit within Jerusalem before it can go to Rome and change the world through the Gospel.   To the extent that we can transform and influence the church by overcoming the religious spirit will determine how effective we will be influencing society. How does the religious spirit control the church? I've already shared the first angle of how the religious spirit controls the church through fear.  If you come against the traditions of the Jews or Christian denominations, you will be eliminated, defiled, and rumors will be spread about you.  You may eventually even be killed.  Although people may know the truth, fear of persecution keeps them silent.  This cowardly spirit is pervasive in the church. Lance Wallnau, an American prophet, shared a story about Donald Trump when he was running for President.  Donald invited several Christian leaders to a meeting to exchange views.  They discussed the Johnson Amendment, which is a bill that stipulates that if a church or nonprofit organization publicly supports a candidate, the IRS can revoke their nonprofit, tax-exempt status.  If this happened, the church wouldn't be able to accept donations, and the pastor's income would also be affected.  Lance noted that Trump said something to the effect of "Why are you guys so weak?  You let the Left-Wing and homosexual forces persecute you without fighting back." Many priests in this meeting were silent because this Johnson Amendment is like a gag order on churches and pastors.  They fear taking any risks and possibly losing their careers.  Trump mentioned in this meeting the he would help the church by repealing the bill.  When he became President, he didn't repeal it, but he issued an executive order prohibiting its execution. This bill and many other similar things have allowed the religious spirit and the spirit of this world to restrict and persecute the church.  If the church compromises, it will be grabbed by the throat and not be able to refute its biblical position regarding homosexuality publicly.  Fear will force the church into a corner over time.  Many Christians believe that President Trump has intervened for Christians against the left-wing politics in the United States.  President Trump has one quality that many Christians lack. He's bold and not afraid to be politically incorrect. Around the same time that Trump came to power, I was struggling with whether or not to start my own ministry.  I was filled with fear and uncertainty. In addition to God's confirmation that this ministry came from Him, Trump's experience also encouraged me.  He was brave enough to go against the establishment and say what he thought in spite of being seen as politically incorrect.  I do feel that God called me and inspired me to start my own ministry.  I decided to break through the traditions of my former church and bravely follow God's lead.  Through this process, I also achieved a spiritual breakthrough. Besides fear, the religious spirit uses confusion to suppress believers and the church.  Many of the Jews who plotted to kill Paul were not necessarily bad people.  They were just confused because of the religious spirit.  They believed they were honoring and serving God.  Once a person is confused, it's difficult to pull them out of it.  We need to have compassion for those who are confused, just like when Jesus prayed, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing (Luke 23:34).  However, we must understand that the religious spirit is against any new work of God that would link people together, breaking down the barriers of race, culture, and denominations.  This spirit wants to keep us bound to old traditions that keep us divided. Consider Paul's example.  The Jews had been worshipping the same way for thousands of years, when suddenly a new move of God called Christianity arose.  This new move of God allowed you to eat pork and didn't require keeping the Sabbath.  This was heretical to the Jews.  Through the traditions of the Jews, the religious spirit was used to persecute God's new move. It's not that the Jews weren't God's true children.  They couldn't look beyond their traditions to see what God was doing.  This allowed the religious spirit to take over.  This same thing is what happens in churches today. Through God's sovereignty, Paul's nephew was able to protect him from the Jews who planned to kill him. Through God's sovereignty, Paul was taken to Rome and imprisoned in Herod's palace.  This was God's plan to allow Paul to preach the Gospel in Herod's house and bring them to salvation.  Herod was an ungodly man but it says in Acts 13:1 that Manaen, had been brought up with Herod, the tetrarch.  This shows that some in Herod's family were saved, possibly as the result of Paul's testimony. To a certain extent, God permits the persecution we face from the religious spirit to help us become stronger.  When we can take a stand and testify in our own Jerusalem, we may then be taken to Rome to affect the world and possibly save many people like Manaen.  On the contrary, if we compromise to this religious spirit, we will gradually lose the ability to testify to unbelievers in the world. We need to cast down the fears of offending church traditions and fear God alone. Let's break off that religious spirit so the church can have a glorious testimony in the world.  

So American Girl just came out with a doll for their HISTORICAL line who is from 1986. Guess I’ll go lay down with the Crypt Keeper now. Just kidding. I plan to put myself on the Paul Rudd plan and just not age.  Today’s episode is brought to you by Better Help, the largest online counseling platform, worldwide. You can get 10% off your first month of counseling by visiting BetterHelp.com/indiana. Find the full show notes at TodayByTheWay.com/episodes and connect with me on Instagram at  @indianaadams. Our FB community is My Internet Besties. Join us.

Today’s Scripture reading comes from 2 Corinthians 1:20, quoting from the NASB: “For as many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes; therefore, also through Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us.” Spare me the goat trails. Just give me a straight answer! Ever had one of those days when all you wanted was a straight answer? If the Corinthian people ever desired a straight answer, Paul gave it to them. God’s promises are “Yes,” and the appropriate response is “Amen” (so let it be). There’s no gray, no verbal spin, only a matter of fact “Yes.” Leaders operate in a fact-based realm that sometimes calls for rapid fire decisions. Paul, Silvanus and Timothy preached a fact-based gospel. In our flesh, so much of what we say is colored with political viewpoints and opinions, but God has not called us to deal in questionable, opinionated answers. His Word is sure and certain. How can we know that His Word is true? Consider Paul’s approach, written about in Acts chapter 18: “When Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul began devoting himself completely to the Word, solemnly testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ.” Paul’s unwavering confidence in the Lord’s intent and direction enabled him to speak truth and to move on when his message was rejected. Are you seeking clarity from God on a matter but are uncertain that you are hearing correctly? Here is a thought: Do not ask for something for yourself but ask that His will in that situation be done and earnestly desire to be part of the answer. God cannot say no to what He has already said yes to.   // Points to Ponder Over the next week, here are 3 points to ponder during your personal time of reflection or with a small group or mentor. First, how do we know the truth? Those who continue in His Word know the truth. Second, God grants clarity to the concerns of our heart as we spend time with Him and seek His guidance. Third, are you embracing the promises of God, or are you relying on your own understanding?   // About the Narrator COL Laurence Mixon, USA, a 1986 graduate of the US Military Academy at West Point, retired in June 2016 after a 30-year career with the Army and transitioned to an Army Senior Executive assignment at Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD. He served on the OCF Council from 2011-2019 and has also been active as a local leader in OCF. He and his wife, Tracey, have 8 children.   // Purchase a Copy Call the OCF Home Office at 800-424-1984 to purchase a paperback copy of the book, or buy a Kindle version at Amazon.

Consider Paul’s message to the Philippians on how to stand firm and reflect on what that looks like for us today by following Christ like examples, walking in the way of the cross and looking towards Christ’s return.Sermon from Central Gathering on Sunday 16th August 2020

Northwest Bible Church - July 19, 2020 - Book of Acts - Alan ConnerActs 21:15-26Did Paul Compromise the Gospel?IntroA. PAUL’S VISIT WITH JAMES AND THE ELDERS (21:17-25).1. Paul’s report of God’s grace to the Gentiles (Acts 21:17-20a). a. “one by one” (Acts 21:19) - b. The response (Acts 21:20a) - 2. The immediate concern (Acts 21:20b-25). a. Tens of thousands Jewish believers are zealous for the Law (Acts 21:20b). b. Fake news about Paul’s teachings (Acts 21:21). c. The proposed plan (Acts 21:22-24). 3. This has nothing to do with Gentile believers (Acts 21:25). 4. Paul went along with the plan (Acts 21:26). B. TWO VIEWS OF PAUL’S ACTIONS.1. Sinful compromise of the gospel. 2. Christian liberty. a. Weaker brethren - b. Consider Paul’s personal strategy in doing evangelism: 1 Cor. 9:19-22 c. What was Paul’s motivation in doing this? Applications

SermonKids’ Sermon Notes PageSermon Slides Sermon Outline The Authority of Jesus Matthew 8:1-17Three appropriate responses to King JesusBelieve that Jesus has authority Place yourself under Jesus’ authorityRejoice in Jesus’ mercy Sermon Discussion QuestionsConsider the leper and centurion’s responses to Jesus. What do you believe about the authority of Jesus?Read Matthew 9:1-8 and 28:18-20. What significance does Jesus’ authority have in those passages? Share a specific way(s) Jesus’ authority has changed the way you’re living. (Give of an example from when you first professed faith in Christ and a more recent example from 2020.) What are some areas where you struggle with honoring or obeying Jesus’ authority?Mercy was defined as “compassion or forgiveness shown towards an enemy or person in one’s power.” How does knowing that Jesus used his authority to show you mercy impact you? Consider Paul’s reflection in 1 Timothy 1:12-17. How did Jesus’ mercy change Paul’s life?Identify 1-2 ways you are personally going to respond to Jesus’ authority this week. Compassion International Give Email Pastor Nick FinancialsMonthly Need - $29,167July Total Giving - $15,871Harvest Kids’ MaterialKid’s Discussion QuestionsPreschool Activity PagesK-2nd Grade Activity Pages3rd-5th Grade Activity Pages

What would you like for someone you love- Spiritual stability is certainly a worthy desire. Consider Paul's spiritual stability throughout his four years in prison. He can still write to the Philippian church with joy. At the heart of his stability is the drive to make God look beautiful, even through suffering. Even through suffering there are moments where people are not actually suffering. The painful moments in spiritual suffering do not destroy the good ones. In relationships too--we can destroy all of the good we have because of some negative aspects. So many people are not like this. Therefore, they consider a challenge not worth the inconvenience. They won't even start. Paul learned the secret of being content. Being content is the key to spiritual stability. Christians need to believe in their hearts that they have enough. It is a secret that must be learned. Contentment is a heart issue that says, -God will give me the ability to honour Him in any situation, even if I don't have food to eat-- In this way, Christians can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.

Sermon NotesThe word is:1. Astonishing, vv. 31–322. Authoritative, vv. 32–363. Alive, vv. 36–37Reflection questions:1. When is the last time you read something in God’s Word that astonished you? When is the last time you prayed the words of Psalm 139:23-24? Should there be any connection between those two questions?2. Have you ever experienced a time in life where your knowledge of God was increasing but your love for God and others did not? Read 1 Cor. 13:1-7 (esp. v.2). In which aspect of love (from I Cor. 13) do you need to grow the most right now?3. We often focus on evangelism as an act of obedience (as it should be), but do we also make it a regular item of prayer? Consider Paul’s prayer requests in Ephesians 6:18-20 and Colossians 4:3-4.

We start off in ministry excited about all that God can do on the mission field or in our church and forget that the call to minister often includes suffering. Consider Paul. I realize that he was a unique vessel in local church ministry, but Paul provides for us an example of the reality of suffering…and what it means to glory in our sufferings. This is the second part to a conversation that I had with veteran Missionary Forrest McPhail. There are a few things that he mentions that are references to the first half…it might be helpful to listen to that part first as we talk about the spiritual warfare that is involved with church planting….specifically on the mission field.

We start off in ministry excited about all that God can do on the mission field or in our church and forget that the call to minister often includes suffering. Consider Paul. I realize that he was a unique vessel in local church ministry, but Paul provides for us an example of the reality of suffering…and what it means to glory in our sufferings. This is the second part to a conversation that I had with veteran Missionary Forrest McPhail. There are a few things that he mentions that are references to the first half…it might be helpful to listen to that part first as we talk about the spiritual warfare that is involved with church planting….specifically on the mission field.

We are continuing in our series called “Hungry”, a study through the book of Romans, with this message from Pastor Phil about how we live out our faith. Weekly Challenge KNOW: Read Romans 12-13. Consider Paul's call to live out our faith for Christ. GROW: What is the “therefore” in your life? What history do you have with God? And what motivates you to love others? OVERFLOW: Ask yourself if you are open to God's call to love others. Are you living like someone who is “awake” and ready to act?

Explore the use of stories in the Bible. Even Paul used stories. Consider the story of Adam in Romans; the story of Sarah and Hagar in Galatians; and the story of Paul himself in Galatians. Some have argued that Paul should not have spoken or written about himself. Note that when we see Paul speaking about his own skills he is virtually forced into it. Consider using personal stories or testimonies and that is important to realize that sin needs to remain in the realm in which it is committed. Consider the value of a story. A great deal of what we learn we learn from a story. Don't be upset when people come to you and remember a story from a sermon. At least they remembered something. All books in the Bible are books of stories. Some are a narrative themselves and some are responding to a narrative. James is responding to the fact that his readers are having a hard time. Thus he uses diatribe and perhaps apostrophe. Knowing the backstory can help us understand the text. Consider Paul's reference to baptism for the dead. Stories communicate on their own and sometimes we need to resist the urge to explain them. Don't hit a ball over the net and then run over and hit it back. Leave it to the congregation and they will get it. Consider that we don't ask, "What can we learn from Star Wars?" but we experience it. Explore Isaiah 7:14 and The Virgin Birth Passage. There are also cautions on the use of stories. Don't let a story overtake the text. Don't find a good story and then try to get up a text to go with it. (Saturday prayer: Lord provide me with a scripture for this story.) Keep good stories and use them when most appropriate. Consider an example of the “power” story. Understand the importance of the genres of the text. One cannot understand a particular text without at least some implicit knowledge of the genre to which that text belongs.

  Please, Please, Please share on the social networks.  Thank you so much for the support. Hard Verses Episode 10: Blaspheming the Holy Spirit   Want to thank Ted Burleson.  About podcast and the class.   The Problem. Luk 12:10  And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven. How is it that speaking against the Son of God is forgivable but speaking against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven? If you speak against the Holy Ghost as a child or drunk or out of your mind would this mean you just give up and live like you want because you are eternally lost, no matter what you do? The Solution. Let’s look at the parallels. Luk 12:8  Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God: Luk 12:9  But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God. Luk 12:10  And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven. Luk 12:11  And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say: Luk 12:12  For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say. Mat 12:22  Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw. Mat 12:23  And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David? Mat 12:24  But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.Mat 12:25  And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:Mat 12:26  And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand? Mat 12:27  And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges. Mat 12:28  But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you. Mat 12:29  Or else how can one enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house. Mat 12:30  He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad. Mat 12:31  Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. Mat 12:32  And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come. Mat 12:33  Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.Mat 12:34  O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. Mat 12:35  A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. Mat 12:36  But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. Mat 12:37  For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. Mar 3:22  And the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said, He hath Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils casteth he out devils. Mar 3:23  And he called them unto him, and said unto them in parables, How can Satan cast out Satan? Mar 3:24  And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.Mar 3:25  And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand. Mar 3:26  And if Satan rise up against himself, and be divided, he cannot stand, but hath an end. Mar 3:27  No man can enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house. Mar 3:28  Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme: Mar 3:29  But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation: Mar 3:30  Because they said, He hath an unclean spirit. What does it even mean to blaspheme? Blasphemeo- to vilify, specifically to speak impiously, defame, rail on, revile, speak evil.   How were they to blaspheme Jesus and still receive forgiveness? Consider Acts chapter 2. Act 2:22  Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: Act 2:23  Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: Act 2:24  Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. Act 2:36  Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. Act 2:37  Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Act 2:38  Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Act 2:40  And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Act 2:41  Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.   How did they revile or speak evil of the Holy Spirit? They had attributed the power of the Holy Spirit with the power of Satan. Are we saying that those Pharisees saying these things are eternally lost? Consider the tense of the word blasphemeth.  There is a continual action.  If every time you see a miracle of God and attribute that to the work of Satan, there is not much hope for you.  Notice Mark 3:29  But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation: Mar 3:30  Because they said, He hath an unclean spirit. Consider also that the words of the Holy Spirit that will be spoken through the apostles after the resurrection and ascension.  These would be the words of the New Testament, the new covenant.  The Christian age.  The final age on earth.  You miss this, that is it. Notice-- Luk 12:10  And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven. Luk 12:11  And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say: Luk 12:12  For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say. Consider for us today, Luke talks about confessing Jesus before men and then mentioning the blaspheming of the Holy Spirit. Consider who these people were that had this message. They were Pharisees, Scribes, Doctors of the law (lawyers).  They knew the law of Moses.  They knew the prophesies about the Messiah, yet they rejected the Messiah outright because of their reprobate heart. Is our heart so lost that we do not see the clear teaching of the gospel? To sum up the most prevalent from the evidence about what the blasphemy of the Holy Ghost is, let me sum it up in points. This was a spoken sin or sin of the tongue. Mark clearly states that Jesus said this because they said , “He has an unclean spirit.” We see the Pharisees speaking ill of the power of God performing these miracles. Consider Paul who stated that he had been formerly been “a blasphemer, a persecutor…” 1Ti 1:13  Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.                 Notice what Paul’s reaction was when faced with a miraculous event.  “This is by the power of Satan.” NO! Act 9:1  And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, Act 9:2  And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. Act 9:3  And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: Act 9:4  And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? Act 9:5  And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. Act 9:6  And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. Act 9:7  And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man. Act 9:8  And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. Can we commit this sin today? Consider these verses. Consider the time frame. 1Jn 1:7  But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 1Jn 1:8  If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 1Jn 1:9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Was this sin ever mentioned in the New Testament church?  No. Now we have the gospel that was set motion because of the blood that was shed on Calvary.     The lesson for us today. There is a connection for us today. Is the word confirmed to us today and we are still rejecting it? Heb 6:4  For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,Heb 6:5  And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,Heb 6:6  If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. Do you understand what the Bible says and you simply are not doing it? You need to recognize what you are doing. Are we not familiar with the message of the Holy Spirit through the apostles and prophets in the New Testament?  We may be speaking against something that you should be adhering to.  My mom tells the story of her praying, “I take your name in vain.”   Tools I Used Student’s Pericope book (I have a copy but it has not been published or printed yet).  Let me know if you are interested in getting a copy.  My section is placed in the show notes below. Burton Coffman module in e-sword. Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge module in e-sword. http://apologeticspress.org/apcontent.aspx?category=11&article=1218#   Call to action. Share on social media, THIS EPISODE, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE (Imagine a little child at Walmart screaming at you).  

God not only provides patience for us as we seek to reach a tough audience. He also provides perseverance. Consider Paul's testimony before King Agrippa and Festus.

How do you see yourself? That will effect your life of faith. Consider Paul’s teaching, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” More ...

Tribulation comes when the Word is sowed. Consider Paul and his experiences and response to tribulation – including Paul’s thorn and ours!