Podcasts about EPH

Newlyweds, a promotion, a new house, a baby - new things, new experiences are great aren't they? But eventually the shine comes off and life falls into the same routine. Would you like to know how to keep the joy and the wonder in your work and relationships? Then join Chip as he shares how you can overcome personal stagnation.All living things are either growing or dying.Growth is exciting!Growth comes from God!Growth is not automatic!Growth is difficult!Growth can be stymied, thwarted, stagnated, and retarded!7 Keys to Personal Growth:People Who Grow . . .Live daily with the END IN VIEW. -Matt 5:48; Eph 4:13; Rom 8:29Make a PERSONAL COMMITMENT to grow. - Luke 9:23-25; 1 Tim 4:7-8Value PROCESS more than event. -Heb 5:11-14Cultivate stimulating RELATIONSHIPS. -Heb 10:24-25; Pro 13:20Choose to become progressive RISK-TAKERS. -Heb 11:6; Luke 6:38Leverage life's HARDSHIP. -James 1:2-4Make time for SOLITUDE and SILENCE. -Mark 1:35Developing a Plan for Your Personal Growth:Make a commitment to grow TODAY!PRIORITIZE the area of your growth!Take one specific step this WEEK!Broadcast ResourceDownload MP3Message NotesAdditional Resource MentionsI Choose Love BookDaily Discipleship - Psalms of HopeConnect888-333-6003WebsiteChip Ingram AppInstagramFacebookTwitterPartner With UsDonate Online888-333-6003

Newlyweds, a promotion, a new house, a baby - new things, new experiences are great aren't they? But eventually the shine comes off and life falls into the same routine. Would you like to know how to keep the joy and the wonder in your work and relationships? Then join Chip as he shares how you can overcome personal stagnation.All living things are either growing or dying.Growth is exciting!Growth comes from God!Growth is not automatic!Growth is difficult!Growth can be stymied, thwarted, stagnated, and retarded!7 Keys to Personal Growth:People Who Grow . . .Live daily with the END IN VIEW. -Matt 5:48; Eph 4:13; Rom 8:29Make a PERSONAL COMMITMENT to grow. - Luke 9:23-25; 1 Tim 4:7-8Value PROCESS more than event. -Heb 5:11-14Cultivate stimulating RELATIONSHIPS. -Heb 10:24-25; Pro 13:20Choose to become progressive RISK-TAKERS. -Heb 11:6; Luke 6:38Leverage life's HARDSHIP. -James 1:2-4Make time for SOLITUDE and SILENCE. -Mark 1:35Developing a Plan for Your Personal Growth:Make a commitment to grow TODAY!PRIORITIZE the area of your growth!Take one specific step this WEEK!Broadcast ResourceDownload MP3Message NotesAdditional Resource MentionsI Choose Love BookDaily Discipleship - Psalms of HopeConnect888-333-6003WebsiteChip Ingram AppInstagramFacebookTwitterPartner With UsDonate Online888-333-6003

Understanding how to live as people who no longer dwell in the darkness of sin; avoiding sexual sin, greed, obscene talk, etc.; living to please the Lord (based on Eph. 5:3-20) To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1213/29?v=20251111

JAN. 14, 2026A prayer for God-confidence."I sought the Lord, and He...delivered me from all my fears." Ps 34:4 NKJVFather, I come boldly before Your throne of grace to obtain mercy and find grace for deliverance from emotional insecurity (see Heb 4:16).  Your Word says You will make all Your grace abound toward me so that I will always have all sufficiency in all things and abound in every good work (see 2Co 9:8). I cast down every thought of inadequacy and every imagination that rises up against what Your Word says about who I am and what I can do (see 2Co 10:5). I resist any anxiety over the possibility of losing a social, professional, or other position or a desired relationship. I know that no one can thwart Your purpose for my life. You, O Lord, have sealed my destiny (see Isa 14:27). “You guard all that is mine" (Ps 16:5 NLT). I know, according to Your Word, that You deliberately shaped me in the womb to be Your servant. Therefore, I rest, rejoice, and trust that I am designed for my destiny and perfect for my purpose (see Isa 49:5). Because of Your grace, I walk neither in self-doubt nor in self-confidence because I know that apart from You, I can do absolutely nothing (see Jn 15:5). Therefore, my eyes are on You alone to do exceedingly abundantly above all that I could ask or think according to Your power that works in me (see Eph 3:20). I thank You that You have heard me and delivered me from all my tears, and they no longer have any power over my life (see Ps 34:4). In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, amen.A prayer for God-confidence I rest, rejoice and trust.Share This DevotionalSend us a textSupport the showChanging Lives | Building Strong Family | Impacting Our Community For Jesus Christ!

Do you feel like you're stuck in a rut? You know, same job, same routine, day in and day out, same old thing. Would you like to learn how to break out of that rut and experience renewed joy and motivation? Join Chip as he shares how you can overcome personal stagnation.All living things are either growing or dying.Growth is exciting!Growth comes from God!Growth is not automatic!Growth is difficult!Growth can be stymied, thwarted, stagnated, and retarded!7 Keys to Personal Growth:People Who Grow . . .Live daily with the END IN VIEW. -Matt 5:48; Eph 4:13; Rom 8:29Make a PERSONAL COMMITMENT to grow. - Luke 9:23-25; 1 Tim 4:7-8Value PROCESS more than event. -Heb 5:11-14Cultivate stimulating RELATIONSHIPS. -Heb 10:24-25; Pro 13:20Choose to become progressive RISK-TAKERS. -Heb 11:6; Luke 6:38Leverage life's HARDSHIP. -James 1:2-4Make time for SOLITUDE and SILENCE. -Mark 1:35Developing a Plan for Your Personal Growth:Make a commitment to grow TODAY!PRIORITIZE the area of your growth!Take one specific step this WEEK!Broadcast ResourceDownload MP3Message NotesAdditional Resource MentionsI Choose Love BookDaily Discipleship - Psalms of HopeConnect888-333-6003WebsiteChip Ingram AppInstagramFacebookTwitterPartner With UsDonate Online888-333-6003

Do you feel like you're stuck in a rut? You know, same job, same routine, day in and day out, same old thing. Would you like to learn how to break out of that rut and experience renewed joy and motivation? Join Chip as he shares how you can overcome personal stagnation.All living things are either growing or dying.Growth is exciting!Growth comes from God!Growth is not automatic!Growth is difficult!Growth can be stymied, thwarted, stagnated, and retarded!7 Keys to Personal Growth:People Who Grow . . .Live daily with the END IN VIEW. -Matt 5:48; Eph 4:13; Rom 8:29Make a PERSONAL COMMITMENT to grow. - Luke 9:23-25; 1 Tim 4:7-8Value PROCESS more than event. -Heb 5:11-14Cultivate stimulating RELATIONSHIPS. -Heb 10:24-25; Pro 13:20Choose to become progressive RISK-TAKERS. -Heb 11:6; Luke 6:38Leverage life's HARDSHIP. -James 1:2-4Make time for SOLITUDE and SILENCE. -Mark 1:35Developing a Plan for Your Personal Growth:Make a commitment to grow TODAY!PRIORITIZE the area of your growth!Take one specific step this WEEK!Broadcast ResourceDownload MP3Message NotesAdditional Resource MentionsI Choose Love BookDaily Discipleship - Psalms of HopeConnect888-333-6003WebsiteChip Ingram AppInstagramFacebookTwitterPartner With UsDonate Online888-333-6003

Learning from our heavenly Father how to love others; what it means to walk in the way of love (based on Eph. 5:1-2) To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1213/29?v=20251111

Vermon Pierre | Grow Together | Acts, Eph 4, 1 Cor 12, Gal 6 | January 18, 2026

Learning from our heavenly Father how to love others; what it means to walk in the way of love (based on Eph. 5:1-2) To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1213/29?v=20251111

“22 The children struggled together within her, and she said, ‘If it is thus, why is this happening to me?' So, she went to inquire of the LORD. 23 And the Lord said to her,  ‘Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you shall be divided, the one shall be stronger than the other, the older shall serve the younger.'” Genesis 25:22-23 (ESV)WE WRESTLE WITH FLESH“22 The children struggled together within her.” Gen 25:22 (ESV)“15 For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.16 Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good.17So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing.20 Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.” Romans 7:15-20 (ESV)Nature #1: the FleshOur flesh/sin nature is the part of us that actively opposes God.Flesh is the traitor within“14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.” James 1:14-16 (ESV)“And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the courseof this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—3among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the flesh and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.” Eph 2:1-3 (ESV)The reality of nature #1: It is opposed to God. And it makes us deadNature #2: the Spirit“4 ButGod, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us,5even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved.” Ephesians 2:4-5 (ESV)“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation...” 2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV)The reality of the wrestling: It actually is proof of the power of the cross“Now there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1 (ESV)“‘Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you shall be divided, the one shall be stronger than the other, the older shall serve the younger” Gen 25:23 (ESV)“Whether it goes one round, or three rounds, or ten rounds, it will be a fight and a fight all the way.”- James J. Braddock#1. Go to the corner“20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” Galatians 2:20 (ESV)“that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being” Ephesians 3:16 (ESV)#2 Listen to the coach“ Don't sit down. You're not tired. You don't need it (chairs). You're stronger than this guy! Don't back up, don't back off. This guy's a bull rush. He's gonna keep coming at you all night until you stop him. He can't back up. You stop him!”“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” Galatians 5:16 (ESV)#3 do it every round“Let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9 (ESV)“…one shall be stronger than the other, the older shall serve the younger” Gen 25:23 (ESV)

Nathan risks everything to confront David with his sin, and the result is deep confession and repentance.  David is no longer hiding and manipulating.  How are we similarly called to speak truth into the lives around us? (2 Sam 12:1-13, Eph 4:32, I Peter 3:8-9, Jn 17:11, I Sam 13:4, Acts 13:22, Luke 5:31-32, 2 Sam 7:16, Prov 27:6, Matt 7:1, Matt 7:3-5, Matt 5:9, Matt 18:15, James 4:25-26, Prov 18:2, Jn 16:8, Gal 6:1, Matt 5:23-24, Rom 12:18, Heb 12:14)

Learning from our heavenly Father how to love others; what it means to walk in the way of love (based on Eph. 5:1-2) To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1213/29?v=20251111

Dave and Bethlie continue their series on overcoming with this part 2 of Overcoming Anger. How do you overcome anger in your marriage and family Start with confession Eph 4:30. Confess it as sin Control your anger - better - confess your anger Jesus got angry - you aren't Jesus Meditate on Scripture Proverbs 15:1-3 A soft/gentle answer turns away wrath Recognize that you are most vulnerable to sin when you are sinned against the tongue of the wise uses knowledge aright Recognize that your words evidence your heart the eyes of the Lord are in every place beholding the evil and the good Recognize that God is always present and always holding us accountable  Proverbs 17:19 Ecclesiastes 9:17 Start with some growth/spiritual steps If you have an anger issue this is the answer You have to grow Confess it as sin Pray about it every day Ask forgiveness Secure accountability Respond immediately to any failure You have to sow As you sow the right seeds, you will begin to see fruit You have to love and honor Your wife matters Your husband matters If you are married to someone with an anger problem, this is the answer. You have to grow too In order to confront your spouses anger, you have to put your spiritual house in order essential to have the strength, courage, perspective, and ability to help your spouse Pray about how to respond in a right way Practice how to respond in a right way That was a very angry way to say that, can you say it differently so I don't feel so defensive You have to allow time for fruit Anger is usually a learned behavior that is habitual When you respond to your spouse with gentleness and a request for a different response, allow your spouse to process that It makes them aware It give the Spirit time to work Separate as a last resort. I can't (with a clear conscience) believe that anger is a grounds for divorce Separation however, may be needed if a man's anger is making him abusive

Struggling with perfectionism, productivity pressure, or the constant need to do more? This devotional reflection on Ephesians 2:8–9 reminds us that peace is found not in performance, but in God’s grace. When achievement becomes identity, rest feels uncomfortable—but Scripture gently redirects our hearts back to the truth that salvation, worth, and purpose are gifts from God, not something we earn. Through honest reflection and biblical truth, this message invites us to release perfectionism, embrace weakness, and rest in the grace of a God who completes the work He began in us. Highlights Perfectionism often disguises itself as faithfulness and diligence God’s grace, not our effort, defines our worth Productivity is not the same as purpose God’s power is made perfect in weakness, not strength Rest is an act of trust, not laziness Busyness can quietly pull our hearts away from God Peace grows when we surrender control and performance Do you want to listen ad-free? When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts! Sign Up Today! Full Transcript Below: Trading Perfectionism for PeaceBy Megan J. Conner Bible Reading:“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” Eph. 2:8-9 (NIV) Do you wrestle with the incessant need to do more, be more? Do you find yourself struggling to sit still? Are you bothered by empty hours or blank spaces on the planner? Do you worry about how others perceive your efforts, or lack thereof? Do you feel frustrated by days that cannot be quantified as “productive”? If any of these prompts ring true for you, know you are not alone. One of my greatest struggles in life has been my inner battle with performance and perfectionism. A typical, Type-A, first-born, I am naturally a mover, a shaker, and a doer. I can possess a fierce determination when something needs doing, and can conjure endless endurance to accomplish whatever goal lies ahead. If there is a job to do, you can likely find me in line, ready and waiting to help. Our current culture esteems and celebrates such traits, but at what cost? I used to be proud of these characteristics. However, I have learned over time that all of the “achieving” can cause unwanted repercussions. Several years back, I recognized this reality the hard way, through hurt inflicted on those I love most. Full of grief and repentance, I spent years surrendering my pursuits of performance and perfectionism to the Lord and saw a real change in my behavior and my heart, so much so that I joked that I was a recovering perfectionist. You would think, after putting so much effort towards such an outcome, I would steer clear of potential pitfalls in this area. However… “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? (Jer. 17:9, NIV). As I reflect on where I find myself today, I am disappointed and frustrated that I have once again journeyed down the slippery slope of achievement and works. I am deeply grieved by the recognition of this repeated pattern. How do I keep ending up here? What am I doing wrong? I feel like Paul when he said, “I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate,” (Rom. 7:15, NLT). Perhaps you can relate. Despite my failings, hope remains because hope stems from a source far beyond me. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” Eph. 2:8-9 (NIV) Even further, the Bible says His power is best demonstrated through my weakness, not my strength (2 Cor. 12:9), and the good work God began in me will be completed by HIM (Phil. 1:6). I am not responsible for anything other than surrender and worship to HIM. The Lord does have work for each of us to do, but He is not requiring us to take on more than He asks. If you are anything like me, then there is a good chance you, too, are doing more than God has called you to do. He isn’t asking you to prove your worth to Him or anyone else around you. You are precious and valuable simply because you are. He is pleased with who He created you to be, and any effort to gain approval or satisfaction from busyness and productivity will only draw you farther away from Him rather than towards Him. Will you join me today in laying down the clamor and call of perfectionism? If so, pray this prayer with me: “Lord, I recognize that my longing for productivity is an attempt to validate my purpose in this world outside of you. Would you forgive me for trying to gain Your approval and the approval of others through my own efforts rather than depending on you? Would you help me to see how I can rest in You? Today, I yield my heart to you. Help me to understand how I can live differently, how I can live in the present moment, filled with peace. Thank you for your unending mercy and grace. Amen.” Intersecting Faith & Life: Where do you find yourself today? Have you overfilled your plate with endless commitments and now feel overwhelmed and exhausted? If so, spend some time with the Lord today and ask Him to reveal to you if there are any changes He is calling you to make, either now or in the future. If helpful, set a timer for ten minutes and simply sit in the quiet. Don’t pick up your phone or check your email. Don’t read a book. Just sit in the quietness and converse with your Lord. Further Reading:Ps. 46:10 2 Cor. 12:7-9 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

We believe God knows everything, but if He does, why does He do things that grieve Him? Why does he regret decisions He makes if He doesn't make mistakes?In today's episode, Pastor Derek and Pastor Jackie answer a listener question around God's omniscience (knowing all things) and how that connects to his grief and sorrow over how things play out. There are some Scriptures that may give us pause when it comes to understanding the heart and mind of God, especially when we know God doesn't make mistakes. Our hope is that as you listen to this episode, you are able to learn a little more about the heart of God and why He allows things to happen in life that cause Him grief and heartache.The 17:17 podcast is a ministry of Roseville Baptist Church (MN) that seeks to tackle cultural issues and societal questions from a biblical worldview so that listeners discover what the Bible has to say about the key issues they face on a daily basis. The 17:17 podcast seeks to teach the truth of God's Word in a way that is glorifying to God and easy to understand with the hope of furthering God's kingdom in Spirit and in Truth. Scriptures: Psa. 147:5; Job 28:24; Prov. 15:3; Psa. 139:4, 16; Jer. 1:5; Psa. 44:21; 1 John 3:20; 1 Pet. 1:1-2; 1 Sam. 15:11; 1 Sam. 15:28-29; 1 Sam. 15:35; Gen. 6:5-7; Gen. 24:67; Judg. 21:6; 1 Chr. 19:1-2; Job 42:6; Exo. 32:14; Num. 23:19; Jonah 4:2; Judg. 2:18; Gen. 6:6; Gen. 34:5-7; Gen. 45:5; 1 Chr. 4:10; Psa. 78:40; Isa. 63:10; Matt. 26:36-39; Mark 3:1-5; Eph. 4:30; Exo. 34:6-7; Psa. 103:8; Ezek. 33:11; Lam. 3:32-33; 2 Pet. 3:9; Joel 2:13; 1 Pet. 2:21-24; John 10:11; Luke 6:27-35.If you'd like access to our show notes, please visit www.rosevillebaptist.com/1717podcast to see them in Google Drive!Please listen, subscribe, rate, and review the podcast so that we can reach to larger audiences and share the truth of God's Word with them!Write in your own questions to be answered on the show at 1717pod@gmail.com.  God bless!

God wants us to be free of independence and not to be codependent but interdependent WITH Him. Eph 5:14-21 / Gen 1 / Gen 2:7-9 / Gen 1:2 / Job 33:1-6 / Is 32:9-15 / Ps 133 / Rom 8:9-14 / Rom 5:1-2

Introduction I remember the first time I sat down to read the book of Revelation. It was the summer of 1992a pleasant Pennsylvania eveningsitting on the back patio of the small house where I spent my teenage years. That night, I read all twenty-two chapters in one sitting. Early on, I underlined a verse that encouraged me:Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy(Rev. 1:3). Those words felt like a promisethat something good awaited anyone willing to step into this book. But as I kept reading, I grew more and more confusedespecially when I reached chapter 6. The imagery became overwhelming, the questions multiplied, and when I finished, I had only highlighted a handful of verses. That night marked both my introduction to Revelation and the limits of my confidence in ita confidence that, for many years, did not grow much beyond that patio chair. Part of the reason I read Revelation in the first place had to do with a movie I watched with my friends calledA Thief in the Night, which focused on what theologians call the rapturethe belief that believers will be caught up to meet Christ in connection with a future tribulation. Passages like 1 Corinthians 15 and 1 Thessalonians 4 are often cited in support of this view. For the sake of time, we read just the words from 1 Thessalonians:The Lord himself will descend from heaven and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words (v. 16). Because the wordrapturedoes not appear in the Bible, many people encounter it through popular books and films, such as theLeft Behindseries. Those works helped popularize one particular way of reading prophetic textsknown as dispensationalismwhich has had a significant influence on American evangelical churches. Dispensationalism is one of several interpretive approaches Christians have used to read Revelation, and it developed in the nineteenth century before spreading widely through conferences, study Bibles, and evangelical institutions. My own thinking as a new Christian was deeply shaped by this framework. I share that not to critique my past, but to be honest about the lenses I brought with me as I opened this bookand the lenses many of us bring with us still. Its also important to know that dispensationalism is not the only way Christians have read Revelation. Throughout church history, believers have approached this book in several major ways:Preterist,Historicist, andIdealistreadings. Faithful Christians have held each of these views while confessing the same gospel and worshiping the same Lord. That diversity of interpretation is not new. In fact, G. K. Chesterton once observed,Though St. John the Evangelist saw many strange monsters in his vision, he saw no creature so wild as one of his own commentators.[1] How to Read Revelation Today When I began myRevelation and Its Parallelsproject, I heard a simple statementone Ive never been able to trace to a single sourcethat has guided everything since:Revelation cannot mean for us what it did not first mean for John and the first-century church.That sentence has served as a compass for my book, my preparation for this sermon, and every message in this series. I believe this principle is confirmed by Revelation 1:3, where we are given one of the clearest clues for how this book is meant to be read:Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.This is the first of seven blessings in Revelation,[2] and it was originally spoken to seven real churches that existed in history. That blessing was not abstract or theoreticalit was given to ordinary believers gathered in local congregations. To read Revelation rightly, we must first recognize that it is aletterwritten to seven churches. At the same time, it is alsoapocalypticfrom the Greekapokalypsis, meaning unveiling. Apocalyptic literature communicates truth through visions and symbolic language, revealing heavenly realities that are normally hidden from everyday sight. It invites us to question the assumption that appearances always reflect reality. What seems powerful and permanent by earthly standards may already be exposed as temporary when seen from heavens perspective. What does that mean for us today? Revelation was writtentofirst-century churches, but it was writtenforthe church in every generation. It speaks across time, culture, and ethnic boundaries precisely because it first spoke clearly and meaningfully to the first-century church. And one of the clearest ways John teaches us to read this book is through the careful and consistent use of numbersespecially the number seven. Let me show you what I mean. Reading Revelation Through Its Use of Numbers There are a series of numbers that you must be aware of that are used throughout the Bible. When you are trying to figure out what those numbers mean, you MUST understand how those numbers are used throughout the Bible. So, the important numbers you need to be aware are 3, 4, 7, 10, 12, 24, 3 (also 42 months, and 1260 days), and 1000. I have a whole chapter in the beginning of my book on the use of numbers in the book of Revelation, but for now let me highlight why this is important without getting into the weeds. The Number Seven The most predominant number used throughout the book of Revelation is the number seven. Many people associate seven with judgmentbut Revelation begins withseven churches, not seven disasters (Rev. 13). Before Christ judges the world, He walks among His churches, knows them by name, commends their faithfulness, and calls them to endurance. Throughout Revelation, the number seven consistently communicatesdivine completenessthe fullness of Gods purposeful and perfect work. There are not only seven churches, but alsothe seven Spirits of God. The seven Spirits are before Gods throne (Rev. 1:4) and are sent out into all the earth (Rev. 5:6). John is drawing on the imagery ofZechariah 4, where the emphasis is not on multiple spirits, but on thefullness of Gods Spirit at work. John is not describing seven distinct spirits, but the complete, sevenfold Spirit of the Lord. Each time we encounter this phrase, we should hear the echo of Zechariah 4:6:Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts. In Revelation 5, John is told,Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals(v. 5). Then something that happens often in Revelation occurs: John hears one thing, but when he turns to see, he sees something unexpected. In verse 6 he seesa Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes.Jesus is the Lamb. The seven horns do not describe physical features, butcomplete authority, since horns symbolize power. The seven eyes representperfect knowledgethe Lamb fully knows His people and their suffering. Throughout Revelation there is a scroll withseven seals, followed byseven trumpetsandseven bowlsof wrath. But here is what often surprises people: there are alsoseven blessings, sometimes called the seven beatitudes of Revelation. So let me ask this question: if the number seven is used everywhere else in the book to communicate a real and meaningful theological truth, why would we assume it functions differently when applied to a period of suffering often called the tribulation? The number seven is even applied toevil powersnot to suggest their equality with God, but to show how evil attempts tomimicthe completeness that belongs to God alone. Even then, its power is borrowed and its end is certain. We will return to the number seven again at the end of the sermon. The Number Three The number three is also an important number in Revelation. It does not appear as obviously or as frequently as the number seven, but it is woven throughout the book in meaningful ways. We see it immediately in Revelation 1:4, where John writes: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. In the Greek, John begins very simply and deliberately:from the One who is, and who was, and who is coming.[3]This threefold description refers to the Father and emphasizes His faithful presence across all of timepast, present, and future. Before Revelation introduces conflict, judgment, or suffering, it grounds the church in the identity of the eternal God. Heres the encouragement: before Revelation tells uswhatwill happen, it tells uswhoGod is. The book does not begin with fear, but with divine testimonya settled assurance that the God who was faithful in the past is present now and will remain faithful in what is yet to come. Before Revelation confronts the church with suffering, it anchors the church in the faithful, triune God who speaks with one unified voice. The Number Four After Revelation reveals the nature of God, it shifts focus to encompass all of creation and its relationship to Him. In the Bible, the number four frequently symbolizes the entirety of the created worldrepresenting the total extent of Gods handiwork. By utilizing this number, Revelation emphasizes that Johns vision is not limited to a specific location or group, but instead embraces the whole of creation. We see this in Revelation 4 with the four living creatures who surround the throne of God (Rev. 4:6-8). Have you ever thought about the way they are described? The first living creature had the appearance like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third was like a man, and the fourth was like an eagle in flight. Taken together, the point is that the entire created order is made to worship the One who is on the throne. God rules over creation! So when you read in Revelation about the four horsemen of the apocalypse, the four corners of the earth, the four winds, know that what is being referred to is the whole created world. One of my favorite places the number 4 is used is in Revelation 5:9-10 regarding the song that the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders sing: Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth. Jesus ransomed a people for God 1) from every tribe, 2) from every language, 3) from every people, and 4) from every nation. The Numbers Twelve and Twenty-Four The numbertwelverepresents the people of God. In the Old Testament, it refers to the twelve tribes of Israel, and in the New Testament, to the twelve apostles. Scripture consistently uses twelve to communicate that Gods people are known, formed, and established by His saving work. As Paul reminds us in Ephesians 2, Gods people are being built together on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone (Eph. 2:1922). In Revelation, the numberstwelveandtwenty-fourfunction together to identify the people of God as a unified whole. Twelve signals Gods covenant people, and twenty-four brings that picture to completion. In Revelation 4 and 5, John seestwenty-four eldersseated around the thronetwelve representing Gods people under the old covenant and twelve under the newtogether, at rest, and worshiping. The emphasis here is not on calculation, but on reassurance. Revelation is not telling us how many belong to God; it is assuring us thatallwho belong to Him are gathered, secure, and present with Himnot one is missing. The Number 1000 A final number worth mentioning isone thousand. Like the other numbers weve seen, Revelation does not use one thousand to satisfy curiosity or to function as a precise chronological measurement. Throughout Scripture, the number one thousand often communicates theall-encompassing scopeof Gods work and promises. We see this clearly in the Old Testament. Psalm 50:10 says,For every beast of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills.The point is not that God owns exactly one thousand hills and no more. The psalmist is using the number to say thateverything belongs to God. One thousand functions as a way of expressing abundance and totality, not limitation. That same use of the number helps us understand Revelations reference to144,000. This number is not meant to be decoded, but understood. Twelve tribes multiplied by twelve apostles, multiplied by one thousand, forms a picture of thecomplete people of God, fully known, fully gathered, and fully secure. The emphasis is not on how many are counted, but on the assurance thatno one is missing. In the same way, when Revelation later speaks of a period described as a thousand years, the focus is not on constructing a timeline, but on affirming that Gods purposes arefull, complete, and lacking nothing. In Revelation, one thousand does not tell ushow longGod reignsit tells ushow completelyHe reigns. Conclusion Now, back to the number seven. One of the most startling discoveries I madeone that truly floored mecame as I traced the biblical parallels shaping the book of Revelation. As I worked through both the Old and New Testaments, I began to see a repeated pattern suggesting that Revelation is intentionally structured in a particular way. As I sketched out what I was seeing, that structure took shape as aheptagon, reflecting seven distinct yet interconnected perspectives. At the same time, I noticed that Revelation consistently moves toward a single, overarching theme:a new Eden, infinitely better than the firstwhere redemption reaches its climax in the new heaven and new earth. I also became convinced that theseven Jewish feastshelp govern the movement of the book. As you can see in the diagram, Revelation is designed to be read fromseven different vantage points, much like the four Gospels present Jesus from four complementary perspectives. What this prepares us to see is that Revelation is not laid out like a straight timeline moving neatly from beginning to end. Instead, John repeatedly returns to the same redemptive realitiessometimes from the perspective of the church, sometimes from heaven, sometimes through judgment, and sometimes through worshipeach time helping us see more clearly what is already true. You may have noticed the small slinky on your seat this morning. I put those there intentionally. A slinky doesnt move forward in a straight lineit advances by looping back over itself. And in many ways, thats how Revelation works. The book moves forward by returning again and again to the same redemptive realities, each time from a different vantage point. Thats what I mean when I talk about therecapitulatory natureof Revelationand thats what thisseven-fold vantage point diagramis designed to help us see. Rather than presenting a single, forward-moving sequence of events, Revelation shows us the same story from seven different angles, each one reinforcing the same central truth:God reigns, the Lamb has conquered, and His people are secure. This diagram isnt meant to flatten Revelation or oversimplify it. Its meant to help us see how its visions relate to one anotherhow seals, trumpets, bowls, and worship scenes are not competing timelines, but recurring perspectives on the same unfolding reality. Revelation isnt a puzzle to be solved, but a picture book meant to be seen. When we view it from heavens perspective, it becomes a source of assurance rather than confusion. Its purpose is not to challenge us with riddles, but to steady our faith, strengthen our hearts, and draw us into worship of the Lamb. [1] G. K. Chesterton,Orthodoxy(London: John Lane, 1908), 21. [2] On the seven beatitudes of Revelation, see 1:3; 14:13; 16:15; 19:9; 20:6; 22:7, 14 [3] Craig R. Koester, Revelation and the End of All Things, Second Edition (Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2018), 54.

     The spiritual life cannot be fully understood or lived until the believer grasps the distinction between positional truth and experiential truth. Learning God's Word is always the starting point for the Christian way of life (1 Pet 2:2; 2 Tim 3:16–17). Until the believer orients to what God has already accomplished at initial salvation, he cannot discern what God now expects in fellowship (Rom 6:3–11). Confusion or neglect of Scripture inevitably drives the Christian into legalism, emotionalism, ritualism, activism, or frustration (Col 2:8, 20–23; Gal 3:1–3). Bible doctrine learned and applied provides the foundation for executing the spiritual life (Rom 12:2; Jam 1:22). God's riches for the believer include both positional and experiential blessings, and the former establishes the ground on which the latter are enjoyed (Eph 1:3; Col 2:6–7). Full study notes here: https://thinkingonscripture.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/10-The-Believers-Riches-in-Christ.pdf Steven R. Cook, D.Min., M.Div.

Understanding how to live as people who no longer dwell in the darkness of sin; avoiding sexual sin, greed, obscene talk, etc.; living to please the Lord (based on Eph. 5:3-20) To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1213/29?v=20251111

Understanding how to live as people who no longer dwell in the darkness of sin; avoiding sexual sin, greed, obscene talk, etc.; living to please the Lord (based on Eph. 5:3-20) To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1213/29?v=20251111

Understanding how to live as people who no longer dwell in the darkness of sin; avoiding sexual sin, greed, obscene talk, etc.; living to please the Lord (based on Eph. 5:3-20) To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1213/29?v=20251111

Learning from our heavenly Father how to love others; what it means to walk in the way of love (based on Eph. 5:1-2) To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1213/29?v=20251111

Now that the Hebrew people are free from slavery, they find themselves at the foot of Mt. Sinai, where God gives them the 10 commandments, and the law.  What purpose do these old rules have for Jesus followers? (Ex 20:19, Eph 2:6-10, I Jn 1:5, James 1:17, Matt 9:12, Matt 5:21-22, Matt 5:27-28, Gal 3:23-25, Rom 8:3, Matt 22:34-40, Jn 13:34-35, 2 Cor 5:17)

Learning from our heavenly Father how to love others; what it means to walk in the way of love (based on Eph. 5:1-2) To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1213/29?v=20251111

Everyone defines us or attempts to create our description of who we are.  God designed us, and GAVE us our identity.  Our identity is received, it is not achieved.  “We are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works” Eph 2:10.  Therefore, watch and hear who created us, formed us, and understands us better than we understand ourself.  We are the clay, he is the potter, he perfectly formed us, in HIS image. ❤️

Scripture models a family-integrated church. Not youth church, old church, or middle-aged church—but one family growing together. That's the pattern throughout God's Word (Deut. 31:11-13; Eph. 6:1–4). Hosts Scott Brown and Jason Dohm discuss this biblical picture with Pastor Ben Seewald. Ben has not only led a long-established Southern Baptist church to drop age-segregated worship for this approach, but has worked with his wife Jessa to train their six children to participate in weekly corporate worship. Yes, there have been awkward moments—for his family and others—but seeing every generation stretched and growing together has brought him great joy.

Pastor Andy continues his new series, "More>" with "More than meets the eye." Our main text is Eph. 3:20-21 "Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen."

How does revival come? When we do what He says to do!Eph 4:30 / Ps 51:5-12 / Is 63:8-10 / 1John 1:5-10 / John 16:7 / John 16:12-15 / 1Cor 2:10-13

Anointing in Heavenly Places (1) (audio) David Eells 1/11/2026 Shaking Out the Sinners Vision given to Ueli Surbeck I saw the Father standing above me with the world in His hand, and He began shaking it -- violently shaking the world up and down, left to the right and backward and forward, and this is what the Father says: “My church has to be shaken out of the world. I want it out, and I am shaking My church until it comes out of the world! They have become so entwined in the world, it is the only way to get them out”. He continued to shake the world violently (it very much reminds me of the process of harvesting potatoes); as I saw the church being shaken out of the world, I saw 3 things happening in the Church: Preachers were falling out of the pulpits, head first, pulpits started falling out of the Church, I saw the prophets falling, as they fell they lost their mantles, their mantles fell out of the churches and then I saw the reprobates start falling out of the Church; and then the Father said IN THE VOICE OF THE GENERAL, “THEY HAVE MISSED THE HOUR OF THEIR VISITATION”. He said it three times consecutively. “They missed the hour of My visitation.” They think they are somebody, but in fact they are blind and naked. (As it was in the days of Jesus and before every beast kingdom brought them down.) As the prophets fell out and lost their mantles, I saw the Father pick up the mantles and give them to the faithful prophets of the hour that had not missed THE HOUR OF THEIR VISITATION. (Isa.66:15-16) For behold the Lord will come with fire, and with His chariots, like a whirlwind, to render His anger with fury, and His rebuke with flames of fire. For by fire and by His sword the Lord will judge all flesh; and the slain of the Lord shall be many.   Faith Escapes a Sinking Ship B. A. - 11/04/2011 (David's notes in red) I've been studying and talking to friends lately about faith, and I had the following dream: I was standing on the deck of a large cruise ship when all of a sudden I heard the captain say, “The ship was sinking.” The cry of peril from the captain was so sudden that none of the lustful people below deck had time to prepare at that point, and they began to panic as confusion overtook them. Some were crying out for God to save them, while others were screaming hysterically, and some were cursing God. I saw people running all over the ship, trying to find something that would float (trying to save themselves); everything was in total chaos. I didn't see any of the ship's crew anywhere. (This cruise ship represents the trap of the kingdom of this world and its pleasures. B.A. had all this under her feet represented by standing on the deck, but the rest were trapped by this.) I went up to the bow of the ship and knelt down by the railing to pray. I heard the word “come” in a soft but firm voice. I stood up and looked out over the water into the distant horizon, and I saw a bright light, and there on the water stood an angel of the Lord. I didn't hesitate; I climbed over the railing and dropped down onto the water. It was very interesting; the water felt soft but firm under my feet. My spirit told me not to take my eyes off the angel, to walk forward, and not to look back. (Faith is the only way to escape what comes so naturally to our carnal life. (Mat.14:29) And he said, Come. And Peter went down from the boat, and walked upon the waters to come to Jesus. (30) But when he saw the wind, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried out, saying, Lord, save me. (31) And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and took hold of him, and saith unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? (Luk.9:62) But Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. (Gen.19:26) But his [Lot's] wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.) I thought it strange that no one on the cruise ship seemed to notice me climbing over the railing. (They cannot see faith nor recognize it as a way of escape without a gift of faith from God. (Eph.2:8) for by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, [it is] the gift of God; (9) not of [man's] works, that no man should glory.) As I drew near the angel, the light kept getting brighter and brighter. I noticed that I had no fear, just an overwhelming sense of joy and peace about me. Finally, I reached the angel, and he took my hand, and instantly we were standing on the shore. I asked the angel why there were no lifeboats on the ship, and he told me that no one on that ship could be saved. I then asked the angel why was I on that ship, and he told me it was to test my faith. Then I awoke from the dream. (We need this world and its corruption to test who it is who will prove to be chosen by their faith and its corresponding works to leave this world beast system. (Mat.16:24) Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man would come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. (25) For whosoever would save his life shall lose it: and whosoever shall lose his life for my sake shall find it. (26) For what shall a man be profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and forfeit his life? or what shall a man give in exchange for his life?) I couldn't help but think how sad it was that all those thousands of people on that cruise ship died. I thought to myself, what does a cruise ship represent? I believe the Lord was showing me that the cruise ship represented the pleasures of this world and being caught up in fleshly desires. These were all earthly people who were only interested in pleasing the flesh and not getting spiritually prepared. When times get really bad, people who have not prepared spiritually are going to cry out to God to save them, but He will not send them a lifeboat. (Luk.13:24) Strive to enter in by the narrow door: for many, I say unto you, shall seek to enter in, and shall not be able. (For lack of faith… Rom 10:17 So belief cometh of hearing, and hearing by the Word of Christ. Spending time in the Word fills one with faith.) (25) When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, open to us; and he shall answer and say to you, I know you not whence ye are; (26) then shall ye begin to say, We did eat and drink in thy presence, and thou didst teach in our streets; (27) and he shall say, I tell you, I know not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.   Walking on Water Michael Hare - December 2010 (David's notes in red) I had a dream about walking on water. I was on a lake with other people, and on the lake was one of those platforms that kids get on and then jump from into the water. One man just stepped off the platform and started walking across the water. My thought (in the dream) was that if I imagined that the water was solid that I could walk on it, as well. I then imagined that the water was kind of like fiberglass (with the crisscrossing fiber), and I stepped onto the surface. I sank up to my ankles but didn't sink any further. It was like walking on a very mushy surface. I don't remember anyone else attempting to take a stroll on the lake. As I remember, the other man who stepped onto the water didn't even sink; he was right on top of the water. The natural truth here is that we must believe to do the “greater works” that Jesus said we would do. Imagining that He lives in us to do those works is biblical. We must see, by faith, Jesus living in us, and it will be so. (2Co.3:18) But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord the Spirit. The spiritual truth is we must believe to walk above the curse of the Word, which is the water, in order to live above it.   Floating on Top of the Water David Eells Briefly, I had a dream of floating on top of the water while going upstream while my eyes were on the sun/Son. Others were floating with me but when they went under a tent stretched over the water and the sun was obscured, they sank. (With our eyes on the Son of God who is the Word we can go totally against all nature. The tent represented man's religion which has obscured the promises bringing their experience down to a natural level. Many die before their time.)   Taking Refuge in the Heavenlies Anonymous - 03/22/2011 (David's notes in red) Another couple, my wife and I, were getting ready to lift off in this rocket. (Now I know some minds would perceive a rapture here but the rest of the dream will deny this interpretation.) We were going to leave the earth to escape the tribulation. (To leave the earth means to overcome the world. (Rev.3:10) Because thou didst keep the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of trial, that [hour] which is to come upon the whole world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. The bride escapes to the King's house, as in Esther, and the rest are threatened by the beast. What does the scripture mean by “dwell upon the earth” or “dwelling in the heavens?” These terms are not used physically, as in flying to heaven, as the last sentence of this revelation confirms. I will read the revelation below: Dwelling on Earth or in the Heavens?  And you can listen to the audio: Dwelling on Earth or in Heaven? A second, more physical aspect of leaving the world has to do with separating from it, meaning the refuge we'll have here, is about to be separated from it by an earthquake cracking fault lines down both sides of what looks like a ship or a rocket ship. And the base of the rocket ship is, according to dreams, going to stay on the ground, just as the revelation below says. Both Brad's vision and Warren's dream depict this shape of a ship and connected to the ground on the south or bottom end. On top of that, the brother who had this dream is one whom we have suspected was living outside the boundaries of this ship's fault lines and would have to get on board. Putting this all together, it is clear that one must “dwell in the heavenlies” by faith in Christ in order to be on this ship that is to separate from earth. The rest of this dream seems to say that some are not yet ready to separate from the earthly and so are not yet worthy of escaping the hour of trial. We were all together at the rocket ship, looking at it and making provisions, and talking about the plans of leaving. We then split up to go home and gather what we could. (Literally, this identifies what we have been doing. We gather at our local assembly, which is geographically on the ship, and plan our provisions, and then split up to go home.) I went to a church to convince my family to come. I told them that an earthquake is going to happen in May. (Update: A spiritual earthquake did, in fact, happen on May 14, 2011, when God separated our spiritual earth in TN. We had been warned for almost two years that a spiritual attack from demonic forces was coming to try to destroy UBM and me, but in effect would only separate those who were not to be with us in the ship. It happened just as dreamed.) I said that we have been getting dreams about this, and also scientific articles that back up the dreams. (We had been getting dreams about this ship and scientific articles about it separating from the earth through earthquake faults.) At first, my family was listening to me, then my younger brother and older sister arose (although in the dream I saw her as my younger sister), who started to put doubt in their minds, and it persuaded my family. (The immature will be doubtful of the possibility of leaving the earthly for the heavenly.) Even though I was talking to my family directly, I was not being discreet, and no one in the church even stirred about the news either. I left very frustrated, especially with my dad, because he was hung up on the “once-saved-always-saved” doctrine. He could not see that if you did not leave, the judgment of God was going to be on you. (His dad here represents a spiritual father over his spiritual children above, who do not yet have spiritual eyes to see or ears to hear. Their doctrine makes them think it is not necessary to overcome to escape in tribulation, and so they will not be counted worthy to escape all these things (2 Thessalonians 1:5). (Luk.21:34) But take heed to yourselves, lest haply your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that day come on you suddenly as a snare: (35) for [so] shall it come upon all them that dwell on the face of all the earth. (36) But watch ye at every season, making supplication, that ye may prevail to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.) My wife and I started to head back to the rocket ship and called the other couple, telling them the news of my family. I also told them that it was not so bad that they were staying here as much as it was that I had a strong feeling that my dad's salvation was going to be lost. (The leaders of Christianity who teach such things as unconditional eternal security destroy the motivation for their spiritual children to be counted worthy to escape. These people, if they do not quickly repent, will be lost for this.) I then told them we had a trailer with very little in it, so if they needed, we could put some of their stuff in the trailer to bring it to the rocket ship. (They never did answer if they needed it.) (Very little baggage if any will be needed in the ship or ark as dreams have foretold.) At this point, I knew in the dream that the people who were lifting off the earth were not physically leaving it but were a part of the first-fruits of the Man-child ministry. (The Bride is the first fruits of the Man-child's ministry, as Esther was the first fruits of Mordecai's ministry. “Mordecai” means “little man” meaning, “man-child”. Solomon and the Shulamite are the same parable in the Song of Solomon. In our case, the ship of separation from the earth is the place to escape the earthquake and tribulation, so that in this wilderness, we can train up disciples to go forth with the Gospel in a wonderful revival. We are getting closer to the general call for the saints to go to the ship or ark.) So what is it to dwell on the earth or in the heavens? Let me share this revelation with you called:   Dwelling on the Earth or in the Heavens? Valerie Gleaton - 08/23/2009 (David's notes in red) In a dream, my mother and I were flying in the same direction in two lanes down a highway at a very moderate speed. We were not in any type of vehicle, but felt we were covered by some invisible shield (like a spiritual ark). (Those who overcome will fly “in heavenly places in Christ” above the dangers to those who dwell in earthly realms of this world, but will not use any vehicle or help made by man. (Isa.40:31) but they that wait for Jehovah shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles... (Rev.8:13) And I saw, and I heard an eagle, flying in mid heaven, saying with a great voice, Woe, woe, woe, for them that dwell on the earth... (Rev.12:11) And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb, and because of the word of their testimony; and they loved not their life even unto death.) We came upon what appeared to be an intersection. As we came to a stop, we noticed a cartoon-like, life-sized airplane on the ground next to us. The plane had a lot of people aboard looking straight ahead, as if they were in a daze. (Those who religiously make believe they are overcoming while dwelling upon the earth are out of touch with spiritual reality.) My mother and I looked at one another and wondered what they were doing or where they were going. We didn't say anything; we just knew what the other was thinking. I didn't notice any traffic signals, but I had the sense it was our turn to move ahead. After we had taken off, we noticed the airplane did not move ahead. Instead, it stood still with the people still looking ahead in a daze. (Those who sense the light is green by the Spirit and Word advance, but many are stopped at a green light they never see. We have been given the “GO” by all the very positive promises in the Word.) As we continued to the next intersection, we encountered the same type of airplane sitting still. We then noticed there were quite a few of these types of airplanes sitting still on the road. (Planes can't dwell in heavenly places unless they GO forward. The majority never know about the overcoming life because they are drinking the wine of their Babylonish religion and not the Word.) The road began to get so congested that we had to maneuver our way around the planes to continue. (These are the ones who believed in the false pre-trib rapture doctrine. They are waiting to fly away to escape the tribulation and are in a daze at believing a lie.) We ended up at the house of one of my long-time friends. (She is in an apostate church and is reluctant to come out because of popularity.) She invited us in and immediately told me that she wanted me to talk to one of the women from her church because they were having a revival soon, and she thought I should attend. (She has been trying to get me to visit her church for quite some time.) I ended up in this dark, dreary room, sitting in the middle of a bed, and began conversing with this woman. She spoke as if she had great authority and began to tell me how everyone should be teaching and preaching prosperity because it is what we need in this economy. (The apostates comfort themselves with their popular, false hopes of raptures, eternal security, prosperity, and their false, approving god. Tribulation will be a rude awakening from their stupor.) I responded to her by saying that we are entering a season of judgment and we should worship the Lord in spirit and truth. I told her we all need to turn to Jesus in these times. She immediately became agitated and noticed that I was not supportive of the megachurches and their prosperity preaching. She then said, “I have a Doctorate in Divinity”. (Their trust in religious academia and letters behind their name has deceived them.) I told her that her Doctorate was insignificant because Jesus chose simple, uneducated fishermen as Apostles. (Jas.4:6) But he giveth more grace. Wherefore [the scripture] saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble. As I moved to get out of bed and stand to face her, I noticed that she was eating something, and the crumbs were falling to the floor. She was clutching the food container close to her bosom and was packing her mouth as if she was starving and hadn't eaten in days. (They are starving because they are “ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth”, which is their true spiritual food.) As I stood facing her, I saw she was a black form and had no defining features. (They have a dark “form of godliness” but are not transformed by the renewing of their mind or conformed by the Scriptures.) I shared with her what I remember from the UBM bible studies when David shared the revelation the Lord had given him that the Gospels and the Book of Acts will happen again in the latter days. Soon after I had said this to her, she vanished. (We pray this means she lost her form of godliness and became spiritual.) End of dream.   Taking the King's City Back R. S. - 09/28/2008 (David's notes in red) I dreamed I was camped out under an old bridge, and all I had with me were my sleeping bag, chainsaw, and my three dogs. My twin brother, Reuben, was also there, and he had a sleeping bag and a long plastic gun case. (My identical twin brother Reuben has been dead several years now, since age 21, when he drowned in a lake, but in this dream, he was alive. I think he represents my spiritual man, who has already drowned the old man in baptism and is now battling spiritually. When my brother drowned in 2000, it was like losing my other half.) There was a little town a bit down the road. I told my brother that we should go check out the grocery store. He said, “OK”, but before we left, I put my chainsaw and his gun case close to our sleeping bags where the dogs were. I noticed that the chainsaw was almost out of gas. We walked to the town and went to the grocery store. When I walked into the store, it seemed like my twin brother turned into my one-year-old son, who was named after him -- Reuben. (The name “Reuben” means “Behold a son” and in the dream, he changed into my son or my “fruit”.) I picked him up and put him in a shopping cart. As I was pushing him down the aisle of the store, this guy walked up in front of me and began to yell and curse at me. I was kind of shocked at first because I didn't even know him personally, but I knew we had met once before. Almost immediately after he began to yell at me, my son turned back into my twin brother Reuben again. At this point, I just wanted to leave, but the guy just stayed in front of me, blocking the way to the door, and he seemed like he was on drugs and was full of demons. My brother just walked around me and went up to the guy and began to squeeze the guy's hand really hard. The guy tried to squeeze him back, but my brother overpowered him and pushed the guy over to the side of the aisle so we could both get by. We then made a quick exit through the door. We got out of the store and began to walk back to the bridge where we had been camped out. The guy came out of the store with a few other people following him and began to follow us. As we continued walking, people began to come out of other buildings and houses with different kinds of weapons in their hands. Some had axes, pickaxes, machetes, and all kinds of knives. The entire town seemed like they had become possessed, like the guy in the store. They all wanted to kill us. We just kept on walking until we almost made it to the bridge. I told the people following us that I would sic my dogs on them if they kept coming, but they said that my dogs wouldn't do anything because their dogs were with my dogs. I didn't know what they meant by this at first. When I turned the corner, I saw my three dogs sitting by our stuff, and there were about four or five other dogs there with them. Some were a lot bigger than my dogs. All of the dogs were just sitting there, not doing anything. (I believe the dogs represent trusting in the beastly flesh. We are not supposed to fight in the flesh, which is why they did not defend me. They just sat around with the enemy's dogs, which were even bigger; more flesh. They were all comfortable just hanging around together; they were at ease together, just like how our flesh is at ease with the enemy. As long as we are living in our flesh, others are at ease with us, but when we begin to fight our spiritual warfare, it makes the same people become uncomfortable with us and attack us.) I then thought about getting my chainsaw to see if maybe I could scare all the people away with it, even though I knew it only had a little gas left in it. So I went around the dogs, and as I began to pick up my chainsaw, one of the guys ran at me and threw a hatchet and an ice pickaxe (the kind mountain climbers use). I turned and caught the hatchet in mid-air right before it hit me, and the pickaxe landed just to the left of me. I picked it up and then looked over at my brother, and there were a few guys who had attacked him. He seemed like he had been able to take some of their weapons away from one of them, and he was fighting back. At this point, I began to fight back. I went at them with the hatchet in one hand and the pickaxe in the other, swinging and hacking at them. I took a few of them down, and then I turned and saw that my brother was surrounded. So I ran at the guys who were around my brother and began to fight with them. Once we were both together, we were able to push them back toward the town. They seemed to get afraid of us once we were fighting together. (Once the new man, who is Christ in us, fights with the natural man in submission, we are unconquerable.) Some of them began to run away back to their homes. We kept on fighting until there was only one last guy. We chased him into his house. Then I felt someone put a hand on my shoulder. I turned around to see who it was. There was a man who had a crown on his head and a long robe with a sword in his hand. (Now it is Christ fighting in the midst of His people.) There were about two or three other guys with him. I then told my brother, “The King has come”. Then the King with the sword said to me, “Let's go!” I asked, “Where are we going?” He said, “It's time for Me to take back My city on the hill. (Zion the Bride) I'm going to make it shine and we are going to conquer the kingdom”. (I got a picture in my mind of a glowing city on a hill and the verses in Matthew 5:14-16 Ye are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do [men] light a lamp, and put it under the bushel, but on the stand; and it shineth unto all that are in the house. Even so let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.) At this time, I remember thinking that the guys we were fighting didn't really matter anymore. We had already beaten them and now we were supposed to go with the King to take back his city. So I asked the King if I could go get some stuff that I had left at the campsite. He said that if I wanted to, I could, but that he was going to take back his city. He then began to leave in the direction where I knew the city to be. I asked, “Are you going to take it back already? Don't you need to raise an army?” He said, “I'm going to take it right now. I will have all I need by the time I get there.” He was very confident that he would take his city back, regardless of how many troops he had. I then felt that if I left him to pick up the things I had left, which weren't much, I probably would not be able to catch up with him before he took his city back. I knew I had to leave with him right then and there. (The main point I felt the Lord showed me was that when the King returned, He was going to take back His city, and if I was not prepared and ready to go, I would be left behind.) We have to forsake all to follow the King. (Mat.19:27) Then answered Peter and said unto him, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee; what then shall we have? (28) And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, that ye who have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit on the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. (29) And every one that hath left houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and shall inherit eternal life.   Birth Like a Breaking Dam  Daniel Paul - 06/21/2011 (David's notes in red) I dreamed I was flying above Israel in the Spirit and looking down and viewing the Sea of Galilee below. The Lord then spoke to me and said, “This is a freshwater lake. The water is good to drink”. I knew that this sea represented a holding place of truth. (Jesus was the truth.) Then I began to follow the Jordan River out of the Sea of Galilee. As I followed the river, I understood that this represented truth flowing out of a holding place. It is almost like the Sea of Galilee represented all the truth that man has come to understand by revelation of the Holy Spirit and revelation from the Word of God. (Which is Jesus, the Man-child, Who is the Word made flesh. Jesus was from Nazareth in Galilee. His Word come down to us from Galilee to the Man-child reformers of our day.) The Jordan River was like all of the teachings from pastors, teachers, audio and video tapes, books, radio programs and all sources of available teaching. (More likely this represents the Man-child ministry birthing as it was in Jesus' day to us.) As I followed the Jordan River for quite a while, I came to the Dead Sea. I could smell the Dead Sea before I actually saw it! The smell was putrid and very rank. As I flew over the Dead Sea, I could see salt encrusted on rocks, tree stumps, and other objects that were sticking out of the water. It seemed so dismal and dead. I was very grieved about this sight, and I wanted to know what caused the condition. (Like Ezekiel 47 prophesied, the Dead Sea is having an infusion of fresh water, with it now having even fish swimming in it. This speaks of the beginnings of a revival of reformation truth: https://www.israeltoday.co.il/read/commentary-dead-sea-comes-to-life/  (A Reformation of polluted teachings come to life from the original living waters of Jesus.) As soon as the question hit my heart, I knew the answer: this was the church (polluted with false teachings), the salt that was meant to go out into all the world was being held and contained in a confined area with no outlet. It wasn't going anywhere! (This of course results in stagnant poisoning) As sorrow and grief filled my heart, I continued to fly over the Dead Sea (church). I looked, and I could see the end of this Dead Sea. It was stopped or restrained by a large object, which appeared to be a wall. I flew around the right side of the object, and I landed about 30 yards in front of this wall on the dry side of the Dead Sea. I looked up at the wall and realized it wasn't a wall at all but rather a great dam made up of two giant floodgates that were firmly clasped together with a giant black lock. (Like the 3 Gorges Dam) As I looked at these ominous and intimidating floodgates, I was filled with indignation. These gates were massive, probably 200 feet high and approximately 500 feet across. The smell and the feel of the floodgates were very familiar to me. It was the smell and the feel of religion, control and pride. It was the smell and the feel of Jezebel. I felt as if I wanted to tear them down right then and there. The floodgates spoke to me and said, “We are here to prevent a great disaster from happening. If this water were to be let loose without being governed properly, it would create a disaster of monumental proportions”. I was filled with such indignation and frustration. I was confused and could not explain why the floodgates were even there. (The Dead Sea represents everything dead and stagnant about Christianity, which is a curse on those bound in it; on the other hand, it is a blessing in that it has been kept in check by a merciful God and not taken over the earth. It first needs that infusion of fresh water we call revival.) After a while, I realized there was very little that I could do about the floodgates or the black lock. I just turned around and found something to occupy myself. In turning around, I noticed a great dry riverbed leading from the gates. At first, I wasn't sure if it was a riverbed or a lakebed because it was so large. (Representing the masses of lost people waiting for truth to bring them to life.) Then, as I looked at my hands, I noticed that I was carrying two objects. One object was a chisel called “Truth” that actually had the word “Truth” engraved on it. The other was a large hammer called “Spirit”; it also bore the inscription of its name. I wasn't sure what to do with these objects, so I just began using them to carve out large sections in the riverbed. I thought that I would help prepare this river for the work that God would do because I was sure that there was no way that God would put up with those floodgates much longer. (He is now doing something about this. A great storehouse of truth is ready to be unleashed, which will bring healing to the waters and great revival.) After some time of futilely carving large trails across the riverbed, I was startled by a voice behind me. I knew that voice because whenever I heard it, my spirit and soul were both as excited as they had ever been. A great feeling of expectation and a reverent fear filled me. It was the voice of the Lord! I knew He was standing behind me! He asked, “Daniel, what are you doing?” I said, “Lord, I am adding depth and breadth to this dry riverbed with Spirit and Truth”. He put His hand on my shoulder and turned me toward the floodgates. He pointed at the black lock. At this moment, I was aware of what the black lock was and its dark purpose. The black lock was the lies and deception that are used by Jezebel (the religious spirit) to keep them in place. The Lord said to me, “Use Spirit and Truth on the black lock”. (Paul tells us that great delusion will be in these end times, but the good side of the story is that many who have been held in bondage to this Babylonian DS and religious captivity will be released. (2Th.2:9) [even he], whose coming is according to the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, (10) and with all deceit of unrighteousness for them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. (11) And for this cause God sendeth them a working of error, that they should believe a lie: (12) that they all might be judged who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. (13) But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, for that God chose you from the beginning unto salvation in sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:) So, I flew up to the black lock, grabbing it with my feet, and I began to labor away with Spirit and Truth. It was then that I noticed that there were several other people doing the same thing. I did not see them until I began to work on the black lock. The floodgates were screaming at us, saying, “Who authorized you to do this? You are working against God! (Representing another Spirit, another Jesus, and another gospel and the Pharisees of our day.) You are blaspheming heaven! You are unloving and cruel! You are rebellious and shall be judged!” These lies kept pouring forth, and the floodgates of religion continued to assail us, trying to stop us, but the harder I worked with the hammer of Spirit and the chisel of Truth, the less their words affected me. (This must happen at this time to separate the wheat from the tares and the sheep from the goats.)   Part Two After it had been some time since I had seen the vision of the floodgate, not really knowing how it ended or what happened, I received the second part of the revelation in a different vision. This time, I was flying over an extremely long beach. The beach was covered with hundreds of thousands of large black dots. As I got closer to the beach, I could see that these black dots were actually large circles of men. They were dressed in business suits, but their clothing varied from circle to circle. Each group surrounded a chalkboard, a whiteboard, or a large set of blueprints. They were writing mathematical formulas, studying plans, or writing theories about surfing. That's right, surfing. The kind of surfing that is done in the ocean. Their theories and formulas were very complex, but the funny thing was that none of them appeared to be dressed to surf. In fact, I did not see even one surfboard! (Surfing represents living above the curse, just like Noah's Ark was above the curse of the flood ordained by God's Word. Abiding in Jesus and His Word is our ark. It is dwelling in heavenly places in Christ. The problem is that in many religious “circles” like these, whose formulas do not help them live above the curse. Only those who are dressed up with Christ's Word and works can live above the curse. (Rom.13:12) The night is far spent, and the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. (13) Let us walk becomingly, as in the day; not in revelling and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and jealousy. (14) But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to [fulfil] the lusts [thereof].) Just then a large wave came onto the beach, rolling over and up the sand. The water came to about the knee height of the men who were the closest to the ocean. The ones farthest from the water were hit at about ankle-level by the water. Yet not one man seemed to even notice the water. Then I saw thousands upon thousands of surfers on the beach, dripping and soaking wet with the Spirit of God. They had just ridden the wave onto the beach. Most of them had long hair, and they were wearing love beads and peace symbols, plus many were wearing sunglasses with funky hats. I knew this to be the Jesus movement of the 1970s. It was a real revival! These surfers immediately began to approach the groups of men standing around with their chalkboards. They began telling the men about the experiences they'd just had. They were telling them all about their ride on the waves, using all kinds of surfing lingo and slang. This went on for a short time. Then suddenly the men in the groups turned to the surfers and began to condemn them, saying, “You don't know anything about surfing! We are the surfing experts! If you want to know something about surfing, learn it from us!” (These new Christians who were born of the Spirit were seduced by the harlot religions.) Many of the surfers went away. Many others conformed and became just like the men around the chalkboards. Others joined existing groups and some created their own groups. Some even created groups that were not committed to Jesus Christ at all. (Some who were saved by grace and the Spirit were brought into bondage to religion, like the denominational sects of Christianity.) Then I heard the Lord say, “The next wave that comes in will be so large and so powerful that everything on the beach will be removed! (A wave of the truth waters from Galilee with the righteous riding it.) Whoever comes riding the wave in will be the ones standing on the beach”. (The first-fruit reformers) Then the Lord explained to me that before this happens, He would direct the men on the beach to take up their surfboards, paddle out into the sea, and wait on Him for the great thing that He would do. (They are now prepared, and outpouring will come upon them). I somehow knew that only a few would respond because some of those who paddled out would feel like they had wasted their time and would return to the beach. Others would paddle out, get tired or disillusioned and stop short of the distance required to ride the wave in. (Many, when God doesn't move in their time, will take destructive steps for their life.) Still, I saw many others who would take up their surfboards, stand at the edge of the water, either peering out into the sea or calling friends to come with them, and still, they would never actually get in the water with their surfboards. (Those who stand on the earthly will be destroyed. The righteous will ride the clear water from the Galilean to wash away the corruption. They are dwelling in heavenly places, abiding in Christ. The dragon/serpent sends forth a flood of deception and corruption to take down the woman in the wilderness, but the earth swallows the deception, and the woman Church is spared. (Rev.12:14) And there were given to the woman the two wings of the great eagle (a gift of overcoming the world through the Man-child ministry), that she might fly into the wilderness unto her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time (by the Man-child just as it was with the Man-child Jesus), from the face of the serpent. (15) And the serpent cast out of his mouth after the woman water as a river, that he might cause her to be carried away by the stream. (16) And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth and swallowed up the river which the dragon cast out of his mouth. We have many revelations of the dragon ruling over false religion and faction.) As I continued to consider all these things, I kept looking at the beach. Suddenly, I saw in front of me the floodgates again! It was almost as if I was looking at a split screen. On one side of the screen, I could see the beach covered with men, and on the other side of the screen, I could see the large group of people, including myself, feverishly hammering and chiseling away at the black lock. I noticed, however, something different about the people working on the black lock. There was something different about them than the last time I saw them. All of them, including myself, were clutching surfboards with our feet and somehow being suspended in the air as we continued to work at the lock. (Those who stand in heavenly places in Christ will ride the wave from the Galilean and many who have been held captive will be set free.) Then I knew within myself what was to happen. I was filled with thrilling excitement and so much hope I couldn't stand it. I knew that when the lock broke, the floodgates would fly apart and be dashed to pieces. The water would come through the floodgates with a massive force like a tidal wave. I heard the Lord speak to me again, but this time it was from inside of me instead of outside of me. He said, “All who labored in obedience to what I told them to do will ride the forefront of this wave”. I knew that this wave would go all the way to that beach that I had seen in my other vision, that we would meet up with all those who obeyed the Lord and paddled out into the ocean, and there would be a new day of the church. The church age as we have known it will end, and the True Church will rise up. (Actually, the Bride led by the Man-child reformers will raise up the Church with a true 5-fold ministry. This is just what happened when Jesus the Man-child reformer led the Bride, identified by John as the first-fruits disciples, who followed the Lord and went forth to raise up the 5-fold ministry and the Church.) Later, I heard the Lord say to me, “I, the Father, had My Twelve, the 12 Tribes, and they were cut off. From the stump came a Holy Seed, a new shoot, My beloved Son. And He had His Twelve, the 12 Apostles”. I knew that there were another 12 coming (in these end times) and it would be a work by the Holy Spirit, according to the Word of God, but I do not know what 12 this will be. I do, however, know that though the new thing will come out of the old thing, it will in no way resemble, look like, or operate like the old thing. (Jesus came out of the old thing but didn't look or operate like it. History always repeats, but with larger groups of people. A modern-day 12 Man-child ministry, in whom Jesus lives, will raise up from the 12 spiritual tribes, apostolic forefathers, to go forth and raise up the real five-fold ministries and the Church. [see 12 Man-child revelations ] The greatest revival of true Christianity will cover the earth as persecution burns up the wood, hay and stubble of their lives.) There will be a new Church; through a Holy Bride without blemish, without spot, and without wrinkle. (A holy Bride will come forth from the Church as Esther, Song of Solomon and Psalm 45 teach. Song 6:8-9 There are threescore queens, and fourscore concubines, And virgins without number. 9 My dove, my undefiled, is but one; She is the only one of her mother; She is the choice one of her that bare her. The daughters saw her, and called her blessed; Yea, the queens and the concubines, and they praised her.) It's been a while since I've shared these revelations of the 12 Man-child ministry, so let me share a few of them with you.   12 Man-children Going Forth Anonymous - 10/9/2008 (David's notes in red) I had a dream about David, and I have never dreamed about him before. In this dream, he was in a large room with the other brethren and me. We were talking together, and for some reason, my mother was with me, and I called her over to introduce her to David. About this time, some men came to take David to another place, and they went off to his right. (Many have taken our Word on the Man-child and passed it on.) Everyone started rushing in that direction. I also started running and came up to a railing with an opening in it. I had the impression that this may have been a stadium or an arena, as I believe there were steps to go down and possibly also levels above. I stood there in the opening to see what was happening. (Stadiums are places where the Word is passed on to increasingly larger circles of people.) I stood there for a bit and then moved to another area. However, there were so many people in front of me that I could not see, so I went back to where I was at first. When I got there, someone said, “It is over; it is finished! Only 12 received this gifting, anointing or equipping for the work ahead.” (I believe it could be 12 from the UBM fellowship.) Everyone was very joyful and excited about this. When I awoke, I pondered this dream for a long time and believe that this was the “Man-child anointing”. I distinctly remember that only 12 were given this anointing. I through UBM have been prophesied for years to be a spearhead for the Man-child ministry. The head of the Man-child body is born first; then the body; then the anointing. This could represent 12 people from UBM, and it could also represent a first fruits of 12 spiritual tribes, passed down through the 12 Apostolic forefathers. In all, there will be 12,000 from 12 spiritual forefathers of 12 tribes, making 144,000 that come into the Man-child ministry.   Twelve at the Feast R.V. - 10/13/2009 (Deb Horton's notes in green) I had a dream about a week or two ago, and it's the first dream I've had with David and me both in it. I've sought the Lord for meaning. I know it is spiritual and it's about preparation, but that's it, besides being very short. I dreamed it more than three times. (2Co.13:1) This is the third time I am coming to you. At the mouth of two witnesses or three shall every word be established. Each time I would ask, “What does this mean?” and then the dream would start over: In the dream, there were 11 men, besides David, who made 12. (This is the Man-child company, represented by the 12 loaves of unleavened showbread.) The only one I saw and recognized was David, but I felt we were all very close. We were all mature and wearing white flowing robes with a belt at the waist. There was a long table (representing the Table of Showbread) covered with a white, silk tablecloth (representing the prayer shawl, or tallit) with gold tassel fringe (the tzit-tzit) all the way around. (To the best of my knowledge, the showbread was covered by a tallit.) The plates, forks, knives, spoons, goblets and napkin holders were all of gold and neatly in place. They were very ornate and regal and there was a very pleasing, sweet aroma (frankincense, representing the anointing) wafting through the space. (Lev.24:6) And thou shalt set them in two rows, six on a row, upon the pure table before the Lord. (7) And thou shalt put pure frankincense upon each row, that it may be to the bread for a memorial, even an offering made by fire unto the Lord. (8) Every sabbath day he shall set it in order before the Lord continually; it is on the behalf of the children of Israel, an everlasting covenant. A voice with love, authority, and power told us to sit down. There was no jockeying for position or placement; we just seemed to know where we were supposed to sit, and we took our places. (2Ch.13:11) And they burn unto the Lord every morning and every evening burnt-offerings and sweet incense: the showbread also [set they] in order upon the pure table... There was a sense that food was on its way. (The Man-child company is the food, the unleavened bread.) I felt the 12 in the room were getting ready to receive something really wonderful, and a call that would be like the ministry of Jesus and even greater. There were six seats on each side of the table, with a place set at each end, but we 12 were the only ones in the space. I say space because there were no walls -- none that I could see -- nor was there a ceiling that I recall. I didn't pay attention to the flooring. I'd ask the question, “What does this mean?” and the dream would start over, but nothing changed.   12-Pointed Star of the Man-child Lion Jena Neal - 12/17/2008 (David's notes in red) In the dream, Jena was at some public showers. Later, everyone went outside into what appeared to be something like a campground. Everyone started to look up because there was a star approaching in the sky. The star was radiating light and had several colors emanating from it like fireworks or Christmas lights. She felt so much joy in her heart and soul. Daniel, her husband, then said, “Baby, it's the first sign”. She had some papers in her hands, and she somehow knew they represented the 12 points on the star. The star was so beautiful and started to move over them, sparkling and shooting light. Everyone started singing the song that says, Praise God from whom all blessings flow, although she knew some people who sang didn't do it from the heart. Jena then fell on her knees and then on her face on the ground. She was overwhelmed with peace, joy, and love. Then something fell into her hand like a wooden dowel of some kind with knobs at the ends. (An ancient scroll representing the Word) She didn't see it, but only felt it. She wanted to praise God but was speechless and overwhelmed with joy. She then woke up, unable to move from the impression. She couldn't go back to sleep for a long time. When she fell asleep again, she had another dream. She (representing the Bride) was driving in a car with her mom (representing the Church) while it was dark. In the sky, there was the face of a lion, but her mom couldn't see it. End of dream. The star announced the coming of Jesus the Man-child and now history repeats. The 12-pointed star represents the birth of Jesus in the Man-child body today, from whom many blessings will flow. The face of the lion is what the earth and evil will see now. First the Lamb and now the Lion.   12 Man-children Alan Charles Simpson - 08/13/2015 (David's notes in red) At first, I see a vision of a man in chainmail (Covered in Armor, representing invincibility.) kneeling behind a shield “at 12:00,” and then there were 11 others. All 12 were on and around the face of a clock in the 12 hourly positions, facing forward toward those who could view the clock with their heads toward the outside edge of the clock. All had on chainmail. (Which was high tech armor that permitted better movement that the old armor.) This seems like the coming Man-child warriors in a defensive position and invincible. The 12:00 represents the beginning of a new day and new time. We are almost there!   Twelve Baby Boys Sandy Shaw, Dreams given 1/28/19 and 1/29/19 (David's notes in red) The way this dream starts, I don't think it's in a hospital, but I saw twelve newborn baby boys. I was looking around to find the mothers or nurses. Each of the babies had a bottle in their bassinets. All the babies were crying at the same time, and all of them wanted milk all at the same time. (The 12 babies acting together “At the same time” represents that a corporate body of the Man-child, new reformer leadership, will be in one accord.) The first one I changed had cloth diapers with rubber pants. Then I picked him up to feed him and noticed that the milk was at the perfect temperature because I had tried it on my wrist. I burped him and put him down, then went to the next one. I did that twelve times and that's when I really realized that they were all male. (The Man-child administration will be all male as were previous types in the Bible, including Jesus' administration.) There was a recliner chair in the back of the room. So I went to sit down, went to sleep, and it only seemed like a few minutes. Then I heard crying, so I opened my eyes, and now the babies were all one year old. (This maturing happens very quickly as in previous revelations, and we can see it happens as a corporate body). As I went each time to feed them, I sang a worship song. On the other side of the room, I saw a table on which their bottles were sitting. They were crying because they couldn't reach them. They had to be fed. (For they were growing so fast) I grabbed a bottle and diaper set, and then I laid them down on a diaper pallet. It looks like a two-inch pad with a pillow and a blanket. Then they fell asleep. I had been singing to them. I did it twelve times. And then I went to the recliner again and fell asleep. I woke up and because they were “tapping” my legs. They're now two years old. One of them said, “Eat; eat.” Now on that table instead of bottles were sippy cups and a bowl of baby food. I grabbed the bowl and went to the carpet in the right corner of the room. And I sat down and fed them there. When the food was gone, we would go get the sippy cups full of milk. And I kept thinking, “There should be clothes for them now.” (The clothes represent them putting on the works of Jesus.) There was a pile of clothes sitting on the right side of the floor. (They are sheep not goats.) Then I thought, “I've got to wash them.” There was a sink in the back of the room. So I threw them in and reached for the SNOW soap. And as I washed them, I noticed that they were immediately dried. I put them on the boys and then gave them their sippy cups. Then we went back to the carpet and sat down and started singing. The three songs we were singing were “Jesus Loves Me, The B-I-B-L-E,” and then “Walking Hand In Hand.” (That's the song I love to sing in Spanish). The boys sang the words that they knew. We had just finished singing when one little boy stood up and said, “When is he coming?” and I said, “Who?” And they all said in unison, “Jesus!” Then I woke up. (I dreamt this twice on January 28 and 29). (Jesus is coming with the anointing of the Man-child administration. Hos 6:1-3 Come, and let us return unto Jehovah; for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up. 2 After two days will he revive us: on the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live before him. 3 And let us know, let us follow on to know Jehovah: his going forth is sure as the morning; and he will come unto us as the rain, as the latter rain that watereth the earth. He is coming as the anointing on the Man-child body of reformers.) A verse I got at random, Mark 7:15. There is nothing from without the man, that going into him can defile him; but the things which proceed out of the man are those that defile the man. (Those who speak against the Word will not be in the Man-child body and will be removed from the leadership by Babylon.)

The spiritual life cannot be fully understood or lived until the believer grasps the distinction between positional truth and experiential truth. Learning God's Word is always the starting point for the Christian way of life (1 Pet 2:2; 2 Tim 3:16–17). Until the believer orients to what God has already accomplished at initial salvation, he cannot discern what God now expects in fellowship (Rom 6:3–11). Confusion or neglect of Scripture inevitably drives the Christian into legalism, emotionalism, ritualism, activism, or frustration (Col 2:8, 20–23; Gal 3:1–3). Bible doctrine learned and applied provides the foundation for executing the spiritual life (Rom 12:2; Jam 1:22). God's riches for the believer include both positional and experiential blessings, and the former establishes the ground on which the latter are enjoyed (Eph 1:3; Col 2:6–7). Full study notes here: https://thinkingonscripture.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/10-The-Believers-Riches-in-Christ.pdf Steven R. Cook, D.Min., M.Div.

The three-stage process of becoming new in Christ; several habits we need to develop as followers of Christ (based on Eph. 4:25-32) To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1213/29?v=20251111

The three-stage process of becoming new in Christ; several habits we need to develop as followers of Christ (based on Eph. 4:25-32) To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1213/29?v=20251111

We celebrate achievement in every arena of our daily lives, and rightly so. Parents rejoiced when we first slept through the night; the first time we rolled over in the crib; when we finally tolerated the puréed squash; when we took our first tottering steps. We were congratulated for learning our numbers; mastering the alphabet; riding a bicycle; reading a sentence. People cheered when we scored the soccer goal; sank the jump shot; hit the home run. Accolades flowed if we exceeded our peers in history, algebra, languages, or physics. Employers nodded appreciatively at résumés crammed with academic and professional excellence. That's why we find ourselves so unprepared for the unexpected gift of grace, for which we didn't work, and which we never earned. t takes us days, months—often years—to quiet our over-trained and striving souls long enough to receive what God says only He can provide. “God saved you by His grace when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God's masterpiece” (Eph 2:8-19). Grace is the story of what Jesus has achieved for us. Accept His gift, and He will take you further than you've ever dreamed. So stay in grace. -Bill Knott

The three-stage process of becoming new in Christ; several habits we need to develop as followers of Christ (based on Eph. 4:25-32) To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1213/29?v=20251111

Our Election in Christ (2) (audio) David Eells - 1/7/26 I'm going to continue where we left off in part one, about our election in Christ. We were speaking about how Judas was identified from among the disciples. (Joh.6:70) Jesus answered them, Did not I choose you the twelve, and one of you is a devil? (71) Now he spake of Judas [the son] of Simon Iscariot, for he it was that should betray him, [being] one of the twelve. So, Jesus understood that Judas was a son of the devil, yet He called him to walk among the 12 in (Joh.13:18) I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen.... So Judas was not chosen . He went on to explain that He was not speaking of Judas, who never had ears to hear the spirit words and didn't believe. (Joh.6:63) It is the spirit that giveth life; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I have spoken unto you are spirit, and are life. (64) But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who it was that should betray him. (65) And he said, For this cause have I said unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it be given unto him of the Father. Let me point out to you that it's not who receives the call and starts out with you who is chosen; it's who is still with you at the end. (2Jn.7) For many deceivers are gone forth into the world.... John is talking about them leaving Christianity. (1Jn.2:18) Little children, it is the last hour: and as ye heard that antichrist cometh, even now have there arisen many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last hour. (19) They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us: but [they went out,] that they might be made manifest that they all are not of us. “They” here is referring to the antichrist body leaving the Church. The Beast is antichrist in the world, but antichrist in the Church is this son of perdition or destruction. They will all be reprobated like Judas so you will know them. (2Jn.7) For many deceivers are gone forth into the world, (I.e, out of the Church) [even] they that confess not that Jesus Christ cometh in the flesh. (They deny, “Christ in us the hope of glory.”) This is the deceiver and the antichrist. (8) Look to yourselves, that ye lose not the things which we have wrought, but that ye receive a full reward. (9) Whosoever goeth onward and abideth not in the teaching of Christ, hath not God: he that abideth in the teaching, the same hath both the Father and the Son. So it's not “he who began with you” who is chosen; it's “he that abideth in the teaching” to prove they are not antichrist. Some people say they love the Word and seem very eager to study the Word, but there comes a point where they decide not to go any deeper, usually because it comes against their flesh. You know, lost people like knowledge. They like knowing things that other people don't know because they are prideful and this gives them a reason to be puffed up. The son of perdition likes knowledge, but when it comes to knowledge that demands a change in their life, that's where those people start filtering out, as the Bible says: (1Jn.2:19) They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us: but [they went out,] that they might be made manifest that they all are not of us. In the parable of the sower, three out of four, fell away. (2Jn.9) Whosoever goeth onward and abideth not in the teaching of Christ, hath not God: he that abideth in the teaching, the same hath both the Father and the Son. “He that abideth not in the teaching of Christ, hath not God.” This is saying you have to be obedient to have the Father and the Son. Antichrist are those who go out from among you and are denying the Father and the Son because they are not obedient to the Word. Remember that Jesus said, (Joh.14:15) If ye love me, ye will keep my commandments. (23) Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my word: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. That's not a promise to those who are disobedient or to those who start out and don't finish the course. That's a promise to those who endure until the end denying their flesh. (Mat.24:13) But he that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved. (1Co.1:23) But we preach Christ crucified, unto Jews a stumblingblock, and unto Gentiles foolishness; (24) but unto them that are called (meaning “invited” to partake in election), both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. People who are called understand the wisdom of the Gospel, but to the rest, it's foolishness and a stumblingblock. However, you may preach the Gospel to somebody today, and they won't come, but they might come later on because the right foundation was finally laid and the right timing has finally come. Just because someone doesn't accept the Gospel today doesn't mean that they're forever lost of God's calling, but only the called are going to come to Christ. Only the called have initial salvation. A good example of that is, (26) For behold your calling, brethren, that not many wise after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, [are called:].... It's not many who “accept Christ” to begin with. This calling is not to the lost. This calling is internal; the calling is a gift from God to those who are being saved. The Bible never says, all are called. But it does teach that not all have the gift of faith. Everything in this world was created for the purpose of manifesting sons of God and everything that Paul did was toward that purpose. He said in (2Ti.2:10) Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sake, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. God called His Son out of Egypt (Hosea 11:1), but then He tried Him in the wilderness to find out who was going to go on to the Promised Land. Those who went on into the Promised Land were in type God's elect. Notice that His whole purpose was for the elect, not for those who fell away in the wilderness. You see, God's grace has been given to all those who are called, but it's the elect among the called who are going to take advantage of it and that's the difference. Paul dealt with many, but everything he did was for the few, the elect. God used Paul to fulfill His purpose. (Joh.6:37) All that which the Father giveth me shall come unto me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. This is very interesting because the phrase “come to me” is used many places in Scripture. Jesus told the Jews in (Joh.5:39) Ye search the scriptures, because ye think that in them ye have eternal life; and these are they which bear witness of me; (40) and ye will not come to me, that ye may have life. That was obvious about most of the Jews then, who rejected everything that Jesus said. And it's obvious about those people today who reject everything that Jesus said, but did you know that some of those people who walked with Jesus, even as disciples, wouldn't come to Him? (Joh.6:66) Upon this many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. That actually happened, then and now. Notice the verse number 666. Antichrist was coming out from among them as we saw. Only God can cause a person to come to Jesus: (Joh.6:39) And this is the will of him that sent me, that of all that which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. (40) For this is the will of my Father, that every one that beholdeth the Son, and believeth on him, should have eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day… (44) No man can come to me, except the Father that sent me draw him: and I will raise him up in the last day. It's not possible for anyone to come unto Jesus, except the Father draws them. It is possible for them to come to church and to believe many doctrines. They can go to an altar and accept Jesus as their Savior, even though we don't see anything in the Scriptures about that. But people will not actually come unto Jesus unless they are drawn by God. (Son.1:4 Draw me; we will run after thee:) (Mar.1:14) Now after John was delivered up, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, (15) and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe in the gospel. “Repent and believe” is the Gospel being preached in the Scriptures, but it's been pushed aside for another gospel that says, “Just accept Jesus Christ.” That's a gospel that fills up the Church with tares because you can “accept” Him while He does not “accept” you. You can “accept” without repenting and believing. We've seen people who have come to the Unleavened Bread Bible Study and even when they were shown, “This is what the Scripture says,” they refused to believe it. The Greek word for “repent” is metanoeo and it means “to change your mind; to think differently.” Repenting means to change your mind and believe the Scriptures.  Some people refuse to do that. Yes, they can “accept” Jesus all they want, but Jesus doesn't accept them unless they repent and believe. Let me show you again that you can walk with Jesus, but not come unto Jesus: (Joh.6:64) But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who it was that should betray him. That tells you Jesus knew from the beginning that Judas didn't believe. (65) And he said, For this cause have I said unto you, that no man can come unto me.... Judas was doing the same mighty works, and he was accepted among the disciples because they didn't know that he wasn't like them. Did he come to Jesus? No. Judas was walking with Jesus, and yet Judas didn't come to Him. Somewhere along the way, if you adhere to the Scriptures, those who are not of God are going to be filtered out. They are going to come to a place where the Scripture demands obedience and they will not obey, which is to repent and believe. (Joh.6:65) And he said, For this cause have I said unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it be given unto him of the Father. (66) Upon this many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. (67) Jesus said therefore unto the twelve, Would ye also go away? (68) Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. (69) And we have believed and know that thou art the Holy One of God. (70) Jesus answered them, Did not I choose you the twelve, and one of you is a devil? He said several things about this devil. Jesus said that he didn't believe, he hadn't come unto Him, and he's not going to obey. (71) Now he spake of Judas [the son] of Simon Iscariot, for he it was that should betray him, [being] one of the twelve. The son of perdition is still in the Church today. Let's read (2Th.2:3) Let no man beguile you in any wise: for [it will not be,] (the coming of the Lord) except the falling away come first, and the man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition, (I.e., Like Judas they will eventually faction and fall away to prove who they are. We have seen this first hand.) (4) he that opposeth and exalteth himself against all that is called God or that is worshipped (Like Judas, they don't start out this way, they end up this way.); so that he sitteth in the temple (Which in Greek is the word, Naos, which is always used by Paul as the people, not the building.) of God, setting himself forth as God. (I.e., They are their own God) (5) Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? (6) And now ye know that which restraineth, to the end that he may be revealed in his own season. (7) For the mystery of lawlessness doth already work: only [there is] one that restraineth (the coming of the Lord) now, until he be taken out of the way. (The numeric pattern shows “until he be come out of the midst”. He will be taken out so that the body can be spotless, ready for the coming of the Lord.) (8) And then shall be revealed the lawless one, whom the Lord Jesus shall slay with the breath of his mouth, and bring to nought by the manifestation of his coming; (9) [even he,] whose coming is according to the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, (10) and with all deceit of unrighteousness for them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. (Everyone they deceived also became one of them.) (11) And for this cause God sendeth them a working of error, that they should believe a lie: (12) that they all might be judged who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.  That's talking about the corporate son of perdition in the corporate body of the Church. They are walking with Jesus, but they are not coming unto Jesus and they are doing the works that Judas was doing because Jesus gave Judas authority along with the others. You can have some works without the Life. (Mat.10:1) And he called unto him his twelve disciples, and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of disease and all manner of sickness. (Mar.6:12) And they went out, and preached that [men] should repent. (13) And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them. He didn't choose Judas to be one of the elect, but he chose him to be one of the 12 and He gave him authority. We read in (1Co.11:19) For there must be also factions among you, that they that are approved may be made manifest among you. It's necessary for factions to be among the people of God to prove them. (Luk.17:1) And he (Jesus) said unto his disciples, It is impossible but that occasions of stumbling should come; but woe unto him, through whom they come! It's necessary that these occasions of stumbling and these “heresies” come because they weed out the tares from among the wheat. They weed out those who don't bear fruit, and so Jesus chose Judas and didn't do anything to separate him from out of their midst, even though He knew what Judas was. It was the Word that finally ended up separating Judas; just as in these days, it's the Word that separates the Judas', the sons of perdition, from among the disciples. Judas brought Jesus to His cross. (Joh.17:2) Even as thou gavest him authority over all flesh, that to all whom thou hast given him, he should give eternal life. Remember that Jesus said in (6:37) All that which the Father giveth me shall come unto me.... The “freewillers” say, “If you don't go get them, they won't come.” Well, I do believe in going and preaching the Gospel, but I tell you, if you don't go, somebody will, and those who are His are going to come. Some people think that Jesus failed in His mission because He gained so few disciples. No, He said in (Joh.17:4) I glorified thee on the earth, having accomplished the work which thou hast given me to do. What was that work? (6) I manifested thy name unto the men whom thou gavest me out of the world.... Notice that the Lord manifested His name only to the elect among Israel, a type of the Church. He was not manifesting His name to anybody else. (Psa.147:19) He showeth his word unto Jacob, His statutes and his ordinances unto Israel. (20) He hath not dealt so with any nation; And as for his ordinances, they have not known them. Praise ye the Lord. Jesus is still doing that today; He is still revealing His statutes and His commandments only to the Israel of God, circumcised in heart not flesh. Only spiritual Israel is a “chosen” generation now. But to the true Church He said in (1Pe.2:9) But ye are an elect (chosen) race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, that ye may show forth the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light. Notice carefully who the elect race is now. (Joh.17:6) I manifested thy name unto the men whom thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were.... This is the Church whom He “called out” of Judaism. Church means “the called out ones”. You see, before they came to Jesus, they belonged to God. They always belonged to God. Let me tell you something about the sons of God and the sons of the devil. According to election, a child of God was never a son of the devil. According to nature, they were sons of the devil as in (Ephesians 2:2,3), but according to election, they were never sons of the devil. Why? (Eph.1:4) Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blemish before him in love. In the mind of God, anybody who is a son was always a son. So Jesus tells us, (Joh.17:6) I manifested thy name unto the men whom thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were and thou gavest them to me (They belonged to God, who doesn't dwell in time, before they came to Jesus.); and they have kept thy word.  When the disciples walked with Jesus as His children (Mark 10:24; John 13:33; 21:5), they grew in wisdom and understanding, as the Bible says of Jesus: (Luk.2:52) And Jesus advanced in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. God didn't attribute to Him any of the childish things that Jesus might have done as a child because children do things grownups would never think of. He didn't attribute to the disciples any of the childish things that they said and did. (Psa.32:2) Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, And in whose spirit there is no guile. Jesus didn't hold against them the mistakes they made in ignorance. He had to rebuke them so that they would know what was displeasing to God. (Matthew 17:17; Mark 9:19; 16:14; Luke 9:41; 24:38; John 20:27; etc.) In spite of this He said, “They have kept thy Word.” (Joh.17:9) I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for those whom thou hast given me; for they are thine.... Notice Jesus was not going to pray for the world, but it's something we see done all the time. Do you know for whom we are actually praying when we pray for the world? We are praying for God's elect. Jesus said, “I don't pray for the world; I pray for those whom You have given me because they are Yours.” Someone who is not God's, will never be God's. We were chosen in Christ before times eternal, before the world was made. A person who is a child of God always belonged to God through election. Remember that God uses methods in election and He doesn't go around these methods.  He always uses the faith and prayers of His people to manifest election. He's going to use the faith and prayers of parents for their children to bring their children into the election. He's going to use the faith and prayers that you have for other people who are the elect of God. Some people say, “If my children are elect, they will just come into the Kingdom.” No, those people are neglecting the method by which God elects. God's method for election is faith and prayer. I personally don't believe that God does anything on the earth whereby He doesn't use someone in faith and prayer to bring it to pass. We have examples in the Scriptures of how God always used the faith and prayers of people to manifest miracles, to heal, to bring salvation, and so on (Genesis 32:9-12,18; Job 42:7-9; Luke 22:31-32; Acts 9:10-19; etc.) God has chosen to use the vessel of man to bring things to pass, and He's not going to circumvent man. You may have heard the old saying, “Prayer changes things,” but that's not a Scriptural statement. Prayer fulfills things. God chose, from the foundation of the world, His elect to come into His Kingdom. Through faith and prayer you can be a vessel to bring this to pass. What happens is that God puts in you the desire and faith to pray for certain people, and then He brings them in. (Php.2:13) For it is God who worketh in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure. And Jesus told the disciples in (Mar.11:24) Therefore I say unto you, All things whatsoever ye pray and ask for, believe that ye received them, and ye shall have them. What's the condition there? “Believe that ye receive them.” Faith is a gift of God. You see, “All things whatsoever” is a dangerous promise unless you know that God has total control over the situation because He's the one who gives faith in the first place.  If you've ever tried and failed, over and over, to believe for something, sometimes it's because you are praying for something that's not Scriptural. And your faith doesn't hold up, of course, because God doesn't want you praying for that. I don't want you to use this as an excuse, though; many people pray for things and then don't endure in their faith to receive them. Jesus rebuked His disciples for their unbelief in (Matthew 8:26; 17:20; Mark 9:19; Luke 7:9; etc.)  Remember what God said to Ananias when he questioned God's choice of Paul: (Act.9:15) But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles and kings, and the children of Israel… (17) And Ananias departed, and entered into the house; and laying his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, [even] Jesus, who appeared unto thee in the way which thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mayest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Spirit. (18) And straightway there fell from his eyes as it were scales, and he received his sight; and he arose and was baptized. God chose Paul to do wonderful things, and God put it into the heart of Ananias to come and pray for Paul to receive his sight and the Holy Spirit. That's a good example of how God uses people to do His will. Another good example is the story of Cornelius: (Act.10:3) He saw in a vision openly, as it were about the ninth hour of the day, an angel of God coming in unto him, and saying to him, Cornelius. (4) And he, fastening his eyes upon him, and being affrighted, said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are gone up for a memorial before God. (5) And now send men to Joppa, and fetch one Simon, who is surnamed Peter: (6) he lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side. (21) And Peter went down to the men, and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come? (22) And they said, Cornelius, a centurion, a righteous man and one that feareth God, and well reported of by all the nation of the Jews, was warned of God by a holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words from thee. The angel was showing Cornelius to send for Peter and he will come and tell you how to be saved. Angels could do this but they don't because God chooses to use men. Jesus said, (Joh.17:12) While I was with them, I kept them in thy name which thou hast given me: and I guarded them, and not one of them perished, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled. Again, in our day, the only one who is going to perish among the people, who are thought of as disciples of Christ, will be the son of perdition. “Not one of them perished” who was truly a child of God. Judas was not a child of God. According to Jesus, he was a son of the devil. Is there a “son of the devil” in the Church today? Yes, there certainly is; he was called “Antichrist.” Also in (Joh.3:18) He that believeth on him is not judged: he that believeth not hath been judged already, because he hath not believed on the name of the only begotten Son of God.  Now the Armenians want you to believe that God loves everybody, but they must not have read this verse: (Joh.13:1) Now before the feast of the passover, Jesus knowing that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto his Father, having loved his own that were in the world, he loved them unto the end. You see, the doctrine that says God loves everybody is not in the Scriptures: (Rom.9:13) Even as it is written, Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated. That's what the Bible says and we should believe it. Jacob, in type and shadow, represents the true Church. Esau represents those who hate the chosen people and fight against them to our day. Both of these men had the same mother and father. So we can see that among Christians, there are those whom God loves and there are those whom God hates for mistreating their brother. Physical lineages of flesh mean nothing in the New Testament. There are born-again men in all races. Many verses prove God is particular about whom He loves: (Psa.5:5) The arrogant shall not stand in thy sight: Thou hatest all workers of iniquity. Yet it also says, (Rom.5:8) But God commendeth his own love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. I discovered something about that. I discovered that God's love is just like His faith. He doesn't love you for what you are; He loves you for what He will make of you. God sees the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10). If He loves you for what you are, then that would mean He loves sin and that's not true because the Bible says He hates “all workers of iniquity,” and the worker of iniquity is the “old man.”  Let's read (Eph.4:17) This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye no longer walk as the Gentiles also walk, in the vanity of their mind, (18) being darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardening of their heart; (19) who being past feeling gave themselves up to lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. (20) But ye did not so learn Christ; (21) if so be that ye heard him, and were taught in him, even as truth is in Jesus: (22) that ye put away, as concerning your former manner of life, the old man, that waxeth corrupt after the lusts of deceit; (23) and that ye be renewed in the spirit of your mind, (24) and put on the new man, that after God hath been created in righteousness and holiness of truth.  There is a means to the end of election. (Col.3:5) Put to death therefore your members which are upon the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry; (6) for which things' sake cometh the wrath of God upon the sons of disobedience: (7) wherein ye also once walked, when ye lived in these things; (8) but now do ye also put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, railing, shameful speaking out of your mouth: (9) lie not one to another; seeing that ye have put off the old man with his doings, (10) and have put on the new man, (That is faith.) that is being renewed unto knowledge after the image of him that created him: (11) where there cannot be Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondman, freeman; but Christ is all, and in all. God hates the old man and the Bible says the old man is the enemy of God: (Rom.8:6) For the mind of the flesh is death; but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace: (7) because the mind of the flesh is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can it be: (8) and they that are in the flesh cannot please God. Some people want to convert the old man. He cannot be converted; it's not possible. He has to die. God loves you for the seed that He's sowing in you and what that seed is going to bring forth. God loves the fruit and the fruit is Jesus. He doesn't love the dirt. The Bible says He hates all workers of iniquity and people are workers of iniquity. Maybe you've heard someone say, “God loves the sinner but hates the sin.” Well, that's a complete lie and it's not Scriptural. He hates all workers of iniquity, so how can God love the sinner when the sinner IS sin and his whole nature is sin? Pick out any sinner in the world. They are bound in sin and “shapen in iniquity” (Psalm 51:5; Acts 8:23); their whole nature is sin. Their whole nature is self-will and rebellion against God.  There's no way to pick out something there that is righteous and good because nothing righteous and good is in a person if the seed of God hasn't been sown in them. (Psa.11:5) The Lord trieth the righteous; But the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth. (Pro.6:16) There are six things which the Lord hateth; Yea, seven which are an abomination unto him: (17) Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, And hands that shed innocent blood; (18) A heart that deviseth wicked purposes, Feet that are swift in running to mischief, (19) A false witness that uttereth lies, And he that soweth discord among brethren. You know, that clearly describes unregenerate man, so it's clear that when we come to God, His love for us is a love of faith. (Rom.5:8) But God commendeth his own love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. He loves us by faith; for what He sees we will be (1 Corinthians 13:12; 15:49; 1 John 3:2). It's a false doctrine that God loves everybody. God can save anybody He wants to save, as you can see in Apostle Paul's conversion, and if He loves them, He will certainly save them. (Psa.147:19) He showeth his word unto Jacob, His statutes and his ordinances unto Israel. (20) He hath not dealt so with any nation; And as for his ordinances, they have not known them. Praise ye the Lord. God called Israel and He didn't call any other nation. Did He love any other nation? No, obviously not. Whom did He love? He loved Israel and He still loves Israel. He still calls His spiritual Israel, and He still reveals His statutes unto them.  (Deu.7:7) The Lord did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all peoples: (8) but because the Lord loveth you, and because he would keep the oath which he sware unto your fathers, hath the Lord brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. God revealed Himself to Israel and He knew that they were the least of the nations. They were the smallest nation; they were the weakest nation, and He revealed Himself to them. It's the same today! True spiritual Israel is a very small percentage of the world's population, and God is revealing Himself to them. He loves them and He doesn't love the rest. As it was with Noah in the ark.

Pastor Andy starts the new year off with a new sermon series, 'More>'. We are encouraged that God has so much for us in the life to come, but also in the here and now! Eph. 3:20-21 "Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen."

JAN. 5, 2026Living in the Promised Land."These things happened to them as examples for us." 1Co 10:11 NLTEgypt represents our days in bondage to sin. Then Jesus liberated us and gave us a new life. Our Promised Land isn't a physical territory; it's a spiritual reality. It's not real estate, but a real state of heart and mind. It's a life in which "we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us" (Ro 8:37 NKJV).A life in which "we do not lose heart" (2Co 4:16 NKJV). A life in which we are "exceedingly joyful in all our tribulation (2Co 7:4 NKJV); we are "anxious for nothing" (Php 4:6 NKJV); we are "praying always" (Eph 6:18); and a life in which we "do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him" (Col 3:17 NKJV). Max Lucado wrote: [In Canaan]...'we win more often than we lose, forgive as quickly as we are offended, and give as abundantly as we receive. We serve out of our giftedness and delight in our assignments.We may stumble, but we do not collapse. We may struggle, but we defy despair. We boast only in Christ, trust only in God, lean wholly on his power. We enjoy abundant fruit and increasing faith." Canaan symbolizes the victory we can have today, and God invites us to enter it. There is only one condition; we must turn our backs on wilderness living." Paul wrote: "You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light" (1Pe 2:9 NKJV).Living in the Promised Land "You are a chosen generation."Share This DevotionalSend us a textSupport the showChanging Lives | Building Strong Family | Impacting Our Community For Jesus Christ!

The three-stage process of becoming new in Christ; several habits we need to develop as followers of Christ (based on Eph. 4:25-32) To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1213/29?v=20251111

The three-stage process of becoming new in Christ; several habits we need to develop as followers of Christ (based on Eph. 4:25-32) To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1213/29?v=20251111

What's different for you between Sunday and Tuesday? Is there a shift in your mindset about “faith” when you leave church? We're looking at practical aspects of living out the gospel in this study.Eph 5:22-6:9

Vicar nearly dies, the wise men see the star, and we plan out our evangelism program.   The Epiphany of Our Lord: Isaiah 60:1–6, Eph. 3:1–12, Matt. 2:1–12

Msgr. Roger J. Landry Convent of the Missionaries of Charity, Bronx, NY Solemnity of the Epiphany January 4, 2026 Is 60:1-6, Ps 72, Eph 3:2-3.5-6, Mt 2:1-12   To listen to an audio recording of today’s homily, please click below:  https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/catholicpreaching/1.4.26_Homily_1.mp3   The following text guided the homily:  The Epiphany, the “manifestation” of the eternal […] The post Manifestation and Mission, The Solemnity of the Epiphany, January 4, 2026 appeared first on Catholic Preaching.

"Chosen in Christ"; Christmastide; Eph. 1:3-14; The Rev. Sergio Sapunar.

Ephesians 2:20, 3:6 Family of God: The Church I.  Intro – I'm so glad I'm a part of the family of God…. II.  God's Purpose for the Family:   a. Marriage and parenthood would reveal God's character.   b. Love. (God put children in families so they can experience His love and learn how to love others.)   c. Relationship and a sense of belonging   d. Support   e. Provide resources   f. Maintain physical and mental health   g. Pass on values to the next generation III.  Sin fragmented God's plan for families. Part of God's redemption plan is to adopt people into a new family, the Church. IV.  Family is not just a social structure, we should see it through the lens of the Trinity. Humanity, created in the image of the three-in-one God, is designed for relationships that mirror the Trinity itself.   a. This establishes family as not just about bloodlines but rather about covenant bonds. Mk 3:31–35 Ephesians 2:20-21 V.  Covenant Refresher: Parts of the covenant   a. Word – Jesus , living word, The Bible and it's truths   b. Terms   c. Blessing & Cursing   d. Oath   e. Blood      i. Sacrifice: Jesus death on the cross      ii. Priesthood, Us (1 Peter 2:9)   f. Seal – Holy Spirit (John 14:16, 17) VI.  God created humans and commanded them to fill the earth both with natural children and “godly offspring” (Genesis 1:28) to extend God's Kingdom. VII.  The Church family   a. functions as an instrument through which God accomplishes salvation. Col 1:18–22   b. is a means through which God blesses his people. §  Eph 3:6 And this is God's plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God's children. Both are part of the same body (family), and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus VIII.  Quotes   a. Lexham Survey of Theology The doctrine of the church can deliver us from individualism, from the idea that Christianity can all somehow be reduced or concentrated to fit into my experience, my personal relationship with God. As important as that relationship is, God has something much larger in mind. All of God's ways move towards the end of establishing the people of God, who he has called out from the world to be set aside as his people   b. Edmund Clowney – The Church The church is the community of the Word, the Word that reveals the plan and purpose of God. In the church the gospel is preached, believed, obeyed. It is the pillar and ground of the truth because it holds fast the Scriptures (Phil. 2:16) IX.  The Church is to be:   a. Holy – Set apart   b. Universal – the application of teaching should be accessible to all people and should not be added to.   c. Apostolic – remains faithful to the teaching and the mission of spreading the Good News of Jesus. X.  How does the church function? Acts 2   a. Devotion definition: to preserve, constantly diligent, great care and perseverance, adhere closely to.   b. Devoted themselves to the apostles teaching   c. Devoted themselves to prayer   d. Worshiped at the Temple each day   e. Met in one place   f. Devoted themselves to the fellowship §  Some theologians say that the real miracle of Pentecost is “from every nation under heaven” a body of believers is formed.   g. Devoted themselves to sharing meals (including the Lord's Supper)   h. Shared everything they had   i. This communal spiritual and practical way of life created a “family” of people that were not only set apart from the rest of society in how they loved and cared for each other but which also produced “signs and wonders”. (Acts 2:43) XI.  What are we to do?   a. Have a personal relationship with Jesus – this affects the others in the church. Who am I when I show up? Does God want to give me a word of encouragement or a scripture to someone in my church?   b. Go to church (Hebrews 10:25)   c. Be Devoted to your church   d. Be in unity      · Unity affords the greatest identifying mark of the people of God. That's why Luke emphasizes, all the believers were together and had everything in common. – “Acts” by Kenneth Gangel      · The most prominent features are the brotherly love and the undisturbed harmony of the believers. – A commentary on the Holy Scriptures by Lange (et. al.)   e. Be who God has called you to be, do what God has called you to do.   f. Be fruitful and multiply – Make disciples XII.  The Church is the Bride of Christ (Covenant Relationship)   a. Revelation 19:6   b. Ephesians 5:27

The three-stage process of becoming new in Christ; several habits we need to develop as followers of Christ (based on Eph. 4:25-32) To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1213/29?v=20251111

The three-stage process of becoming new in Christ; several habits we need to develop as followers of Christ (based on Eph. 4:25-32) To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1213/29?v=20251111

 Happy New Year, friends! This season is often filled with fresh goals and inspiration—but it can also feel heavy and uncertain. As we look back on the past year, it's easy to wonder whether our efforts really mattered. In these darkest days of winter, optimism can feel hard to come by. If you're feeling doubtful about your work as a leader, take heart: your Father in Heaven sees your faithfulness, and your efforts matter to Him. We have been created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do (Eph 2:10) "He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God" Micah 6:8 Hebrews 6:10 “God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.” Next Steps:  Schedule a coaching call:  https://homeschoolcommunitybuilders.com/ Join our Facebook group- Lead Your Homeschool Co-op https://www.facebook.com/groups/72507320516066 Become a Lead Your Homeschool Co-op Insider and get first dibs on valuable resources to help you lead, organize, and connect your community.  https://homeschoolcommunitybuilders.com/contact/

The three-stage process of becoming new in Christ; several habits we need to develop as followers of Christ (based on Eph. 4:25-32) To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1213/29?v=20251111

Barry heads toward our sixth maxim, focused on change. At the beginning of the year, it is common to make some new year's resolutions. In this episode, Barry urges us to direct our changes toward a target, in community, in faith, and even in our origin.     Scriptures: Rom 3:20 Eph 2:8-11, 4:11-16 Phil […]