Podcasts about EPH

In this New Year episode, Fr. Harry and Fr. Anthony challenge the casual habit of saying “my church” by reframing ecclesial identity: the Church is of God—not our possession, but the place to which we belong, purchased by Christ's blood (Acts 20) and built as a household on the apostolic foundation with Christ as cornerstone (Eph. 2:18–20). They trace how the Church's catholic “wholeness” is Trinitarian—the Body of Christ, the temple of the Holy Spirit, and the people of the Father—made real through baptism, chrismation, and the Eucharist. Along the way, they clarify Christ's unique mediation (mesitēs), show why the Church can be called “of Christ” without diminishing the Trinity, and close with Theophany's vivid sacramental imagery—especially the ancient practice of breathing/blowing over the waters as participation, not mere remembrance.

Pleasing God over people is a tension every believer faces. This Christian devotional explores the difference between people-pleasing and God-honoring obedience, drawing wisdom from Ecclesiastes 3:1–2 and the life of Jesus. True biblical love is not rooted in appeasement or fear of conflict, but in discerning when to speak truth, when to remain silent, and when obedience to God requires courage over comfort. Highlights People-pleasing and peace-making are not always the same Biblical love values truth over appeasement There is a God-appointed time to speak and a time to remain silent Jesus modeled courage, truth, and discernment in every situation Fear of man can prevent growth and obedience God equips believers with the right words when we trust Him Pleasing God sometimes requires speaking up, not staying quiet 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! This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org Full Transcript Below: How to Please God Above ManBy Kelly Balarie Bible Reading:“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot.” – Eccl. 3:1-2 NIV I knew if I gave in, the argument would be over. Yet, I also knew if I said, "You're right," I'd be lying. In reality, there is a difference between people-pleasing and peace-making. They are not always one and the same. In the past, I'd be inclined to lie to keep the peace. I'd be inclined to brush things under the carpet of don't-lift-up-the-corner-of-this-rug for anything—to keep everyone happy. I'd be inclined to adapt to make sure everyone is okay. This is not biblical love, but it verges more towards manipulative love. Appeasing man is not always the same as pleasing the Lord. We must be careful here. There is a time for everything under the sun. “There is a time for everything,and a season for every activity under the heavens:a time to be born and a time to die,a time to plant and a time to uproot…” (Eccl. 3:1-2) There is a time to speak truth and a time to be quiet. There is a time to bring clarity and a time to listen. There is a time to defend and a time to back off. There is a time to pray, and there is a time to say things. Jesus didn't always back away; sometimes He spoke truth. He called out the Pharisees and told them the truth when they fought Him (Matt. 23:27-28). He said, "Forgive them" aloud when He was being crucified (Luke 23:34). He addressed the Pharisees' lack of mercy with a straightforward address (Matt. 23:23). He powerfully used His words and actions to drive the merchants out of the temple (Matt. 21:12-13). The list goes on and on... Jesus did not always stay silent. To turn the other cheek does not always mean taking it... There is a time to speak up. There is a time to not fear man. There is a time to tell the truth. The key is to pray and discern what God would have you do (Eph. 5:17). Sometimes things never change because we never change our approach. Sometimes ruts continue because we don't trust God to equip us with the right words. Sometimes habits continue because we fear man more than we believe God will help us. Don't mistake fear of man for fear of the Lord. The Lord may have you speak up louder than the fear of man has ever permitted you to. This is not unbiblical; it may be monumental in your walk with the Lord. The answer is not always silence. Sometimes the way that most pleases God is speaking up. Wisdom is knowing the difference. Lying is sinning, even if it is pursuing peace-making. The question is—how do we be true, while being godly and loving? Sometimes, this requires pausing to seek God for what needs to be said. Other times, it may require praying to get a couple of levels deeper than what is on the surface. The ultimate key is to respond to a person from God's will and not to react from our own. Intersecting Faith & Life: How do you tend to react? Do you negate your feelings? Do you cover the truth to keep peace? How might God be leading you in a new direction? Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Our Election in Christ (4) (audio) David Eells, 1/28/26 We've covered our election in Christ previously pretty well. Today, I'm going to cover more about being predestined in Christ and its connection to Election. (Eph.1:4) Even as he chose (The Greek word here again is eklectos, “elect.”) us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blemish before him in love: (5) having foreordained (or “predestined”) us unto adoption as sons through Jesus Christ unto himself, according to the good pleasure of his will. Those who are elect are predestined to come into the adoption of sons, which is the same thing we just read. (Rom.8:16) The Spirit himself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are children of God: (17) and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with [him], that we may be also glorified with [him]. Notice that those who suffer the death of their self-life, will manifest their election. What does Paul mean when he says, “Having foreordained us unto adoption as sons”? The answer is found a few verses further down. (Rom.8:23) And not only so, but ourselves also, who have the first-fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for [our] adoption, [to wit,] the redemption of our body. Those who receive the first-fruits of the Spirit are on their way to the adoption of sons, which is when you receive your redeemed body. Notice that a child must receive the Holy Spirit to manifest sonship.  (25) But if we hope for that which we see not, [then] do we with patience wait for it. The manifestation of our sonship begins when we receive our born-again spirit and then are obedient to receive the Holy Spirit, which enables us to “walk as He walked”. Peter said that your soul is born again through your obedience to the truth. (1Pe.1:22) Seeing ye have purified your souls in your obedience to the truth unto unfeigned love of the brethren, love one another from the heart fervently: (23) having been begotten again (or “born again”), not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, through the word of God, which liveth and abideth. The soul is where we manifest the fruit of Christ 30-, 60- and 100-fold. Those who have a born-again soul will be given a redeemed body. A born-again soul is the “fruit” that the Bible talks about. It's the fruit of Christ in you. It's the nature of Christ. Your soul is your mind, will and emotions; in other words, it is your nature and your character. While we are still in this body, we can manifest our sonship in spirit and in soul. Full adoption comes when we receive our redeemed body. The elect were chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4; Revelation 13:8; 17:8) and they will manifest Christ 30-, 60- and 100-fold, according to what Jesus said (Matthew 13:23; Mark 4:20). They will manifest Christ-likeness. I want to talk about what it is to be “foreknown” and who it is whom Christ knows, because there are Christians, using the term loosely, whom Christ doesn't know, and there are Christians whom He does know. You say, “David, that sounds crazy!” No, from out of all the called among the Christians, there are those whom Christ knows and those whom He doesn't know. I'm going to prove this to you. (2Ti.2:19) Howbeit the firm foundation of God standeth, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his (From the foundation of the world, they've been His because from the foundation of the world He has foreknown them.): and, Let every one that nameth the name of the Lord depart from unrighteousness. This is what proves who are God's people. The people who depart from willful sin are the ones who are His. If you depart from unrighteousness, you will be manifestly His. (20) Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some unto honor, and some unto dishonor. (21) If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified.... Who is sanctified? The elect, who are the ones whom God foreknew, will be sanctified. We read this earlier in Peter. (1Pe.1:1) Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the elect who are sojourners of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, (2) according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied. The Lord knows right now those who are His. (2Ti.2:21) If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, meet for the master's use, prepared unto every good work. (22) But flee youthful lusts and follow after righteousness, faith, love, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. The Lord knows right now those who are sanctified. Is every Christian His? Well, does God know every Christian? We've seen that those whom He foreknew, He's going to know at the end, but does He know every Christian among the called now? What is it that makes God know you? (1Co.8:3) But if any man loveth God, the same is known by him. God knows those who love Him. Notice, (Rom.8:28) And we know that to them that love God all things work together for good, [even] to them that are called according to [his] purpose. That's not everybody. (29) For whom he foreknew, he also foreordained [to be] conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. The ones whom God foreknew are the ones who love Him. What distinguishes between the Christian who loves God and the Christian who doesn't love God? Jesus said, (Joh.14:21) He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself unto him. These people are Christians because they have a born-again spirit. All of the called have a born-again spirit, but not all of the called will bear fruit. The called who will bear fruit and be manifested as the elect are the ones who love God. They are going to obey God. They are going to give up their life to have His. They are going to pay the price and the Lord says He knows them. (Jer.1:5) Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee, and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee; I have appointed thee a prophet unto the nations. God knew us by faith before He even formed us in the womb. Amen! Another example, which is one that's constantly misused by the “once saved, always saved” crowd, is this verse: (Joh.10:27) My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me (That's not everybody out there who ever professed the name of Christ. It's only those who professed the name of Christ and departed from unrighteousness.): (28) and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of my hand. That's true; they will never perish. They will receive eternal life. Nobody will ever pluck them out of the Father's hand because they love God and so they will obey God. I didn't say they all overcome immediately, but they do obey God and they overcome. Notice, Jesus says, “I know them.” Doesn't He know everybody? Of course, God knows everybody in this world. God knows their names, and He knows everything about them, but that's not the kind of “know” He's talking about here. This word “know” is the Greek ginosko and it means the kind of personal relationship Adam had with Eve, in that Adam sowed his seed in her and she brought forth fruit. That's the kind of “know” that the Scriptures are talking about. Let me further prove to you that not every Christian, as we use the term loosely, is known by God or has ever been known by God. Jesus said, (Joh.15:2) Every branch in me that beareth not fruit, he taketh it away (This is speaking of the Father taking it away.): and every [branch] that beareth fruit, he cleanseth it, that it may bear more fruit. And now look at this verse: (Mat.7:19) Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Jesus said, “Every branch in me,” so He's talking about people who are Christians, although we use the term “Christian” very loosely nowadays. (20) Therefore by their fruits ye shall know them. (21) Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven (These people are calling Him “Lord.” Who else but Christians would have the nerve to do that?); but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven. (22) Many will say (What “many” is this? This is the “many” who are calling Him “Lord, Lord.”) to me in that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy by thy name, and by thy name cast out demons, and by thy name do many mighty works? These are Christians who are doing the “many mighty works,” unless you believe that today Satan casts out Satan, but Jesus tells us Satan doesn't cast out Satan: (Mat.12:25) And knowing their thoughts he said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand: (26) and if Satan casteth out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then shall his kingdom stand? So these people were casting out Satan and they were doing mighty works by the power of the Holy Spirit, yet in their own lives, they were not being obedient to the will of the Father. (Mat.7:23) And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. What does He mean by “I never knew you”? He means, “I didn't know you from the beginning. I never knew you from before the foundation of the world and you were not written in the Book.” Yes, they were Christians, but they were not found written in the Book at the end because they were not foreknown. They were physically written in the Book when they were born again, but they were erased out of the Book before the end. In the beginning, the ones whom God foreknew were written in the Book by His faith. They are going to overcome. They are going to bear fruit, and they are still going to be there at the end. Others are going to be written in who will not overcome. They will not bear fruit and they will be erased, so even though they were called, they will not be chosen. (Rev 3:5) He that overcometh shall thus be arrayed in white garments; and I will in no wise blot his name out of the book of life, and I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. (Mat.7:24) Every one therefore that heareth these words of mine, and doeth them, shall be likened unto a wise man, who built his house upon the rock: (25) and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon the rock. (26) And every one that heareth these words of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand: (27) and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and smote upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall thereof. Notice, Jesus is only talking about two groups of Christians here. He's talking about those who “heareth these words of mine, and doeth them,” and He's talking about those who “heareth these words of mine, and doeth them not.” These can only loosely be Christians. He's not talking about the lost world. Jesus is talking about Christians who, in their own life, are not being obedient to God. They are not loving God, which is not being obedient, therefore He says, “I never knew you.” His seed was not in them. Let me show you more proof of this in the parable of the 10 virgins: (Mat.25:1) Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, who took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. (2) And five of them were foolish, and five were wise. Obviously, they had to be Christians or they would not have started out with the “oil” of the Holy Spirit in their lamps. (Pro.20:27) The spirit of man is the lamp of the Lord, Searching all his innermost parts. The oil the virgins had in their lamps symbolized the Holy Spirit, which gave them light. (Mat.25:3) For the foolish, when they took their lamps, took no oil with them: (4) but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. (Obviously some are filled with the Spirit) (5) Now while the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. (6) But at midnight there is a cry, Behold, the bridegroom! Come ye forth to meet him. (7) Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. (8) And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are going out. (9) But the wise answered, saying, Peradventure there will not be enough for us and you: go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. (10) And while they went away to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage feast: and the door was shut. The five foolish virgins should have been “buying” the oil of the Holy Spirit all along. How do you “buy” the oil of the Holy Spirit? You “buy” it when you give up your life to gain your higher life (Matthew 10:38-39; 16:25; Mark 8:35; Luke 9:24; John 12:25). You do have to buy it. You can be filled with you or you can be filled with Him. We do have to give something for His life. Jesus said we have to give up our life, and they were not doing this. (Mat.25:11) Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. (12) But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. (13) Watch therefore, for ye know not the day nor the hour. The 10 virgins were all Christians, but the five foolish virgins were not filled with the Spirit of God and they were not being disciples of Christ in their own lives. Jesus said to them, “I know you not.” This is the second witness. Can you have been born again? Yes, you can be born again in spirit. Some people like to think that they are just a shoo-in for the Kingdom because they are born again in spirit and even have the Holy Spirit. However, remember what the Bible says about the children of God: (Rom.8:17) … If so be that we suffer with [him,] that we may be also glorified with [him]. Only the ones who suffer with Him will be the glorified sons of God. We have to suffer the crucifixion of the old life; that's why we were put here. These are the ones who are going to be glorified. (29) For whom he foreknew, he also foreordained [to be] conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren: (30) and whom he foreordained, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. These are the ones who were foreknown to be conformed to the image of His Son and be glorified. Jesus said in (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. The five foolish virgins wanted to go through the door, too, but found that it was shut to them. (25) When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door (indicating we have a limited time to bear fruit), 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. Again, He's talking to disobedient Christians here. The people in this verse are just like the foolish virgins who didn't bear any fruit to be able to enter through the door. Jesus will say of them, “I know you not whence ye are.” The Amplified Bible says, “I know not of what family, or of what parentage, you are from.” You see, it's only by bearing fruit that we can prove God is our Father. Maturity is coming to know God the way He knows us. (1Co.13:9) For we know in part, and we prophesy in part; (10) but when that which is perfect is come, that which is in part shall be done away. (11) When I was a child, I spake as a child, I felt as a child, I thought as a child: now that I am become a man, I have put away childish things. Paul is talking about maturity, about growing up and bearing fruit in God, and he's using a little parable here to show us how to do that. (12) For now we see in a mirror, darkly (Some versions have “dimly,” or “indistinctly,” or “obscurely.”); but then face to face (The more you grow in God, the more you truly know Him clearly.): now I know in part; but then shall I know fully even as also I was fully known. God fully knew the elect; He fully knew those who would come to maturity. God is speaking about one specific group of people here: He's speaking about those who come to see Him face-to-face. Paul says that these people will come to fully know God in the same way God knew them. (13) But now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; and the greatest of these is love. God knows those who love Him. We are coming to know Him because He first knew us. Those who love God will seek the truth; they will humble themselves to the truth, and they will be obedient by His grace through their faith. An example can be found in the life of Moses: (Exo.33:12) And Moses said unto the Lord, See, thou sayest unto me, Bring up this people: and thou hast not let me know whom thou wilt send with me. Yet thou hast said, I know thee by name (What is this talking about? Of course, God knows everyone's name.), and thou hast also found favor (The Hebrew word there is chen and it means “grace.”) in my sight. (13) Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found favor in thy sight, show me now thy ways, that I may know thee, to the end that I may find favor in thy sight: and consider that this nation is thy people. (14) And he said, My presence shall go [with thee], and I will give thee rest. Moses is saying, “You know me by name, and You say that I have Your grace, so now let me know You.” That's the same situation with God and His elect. He has always known them by name since the foundation of the world and they have His grace. Now they are coming to know the one who has always known them. They are coming to know Him fully, even as they also were fully known. (Exo.33:17) And the Lord said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken; for thou hast found favor in my sight, and I know thee by name. There it is again. Knowing us by name means knowing us by His nature and character in us. (18) And he said, Show me, I pray thee, thy glory. We've seen that the ones who were foreknown before the foundation of the world are those who will be glorified (Romans 8:29,30). (19) And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and will proclaim the name of the Lord before thee (God knew Moses by name and now Moses is going to know God by name. The Hebrew word for “name” is shem and it means “nature and character.”); and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. God is talking about predestination and election here and we recognize this from Romans, where God talks about Jacob and Esau: (Rom.9:10) And not only so; but Rebecca also having conceived by one, [even] by our father Isaac-- (11) for [the children] being not yet born, neither having done anything good or bad, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth, (12) it was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. (13) Even as it is written, Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated. Before they had done anything, Jacob belonged to God; Jacob was God's before he was born. That makes it obvious that “God so loved the world” means He's only loving worldly Jacob, or Israel, because these are the people who have been given the gift of faith to come to Him and believe on Him. So God had mercy on Jacob, but He gave justice to Esau. (Psa.33:12) Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, The people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance. (13) The Lord looketh from heaven; He beholdeth all the sons of men; (14) From the place of his habitation he looketh forth Upon all the inhabitants of the earth, (15) He that fashioneth the hearts of them all, That considereth all their works. It's God who fashions the hearts of all people. (Ecc.3:11) He hath made everything beautiful in its time: also he hath set eternity in their heart, yet so that man cannot find out the work that God hath done from the beginning even to the end. Man cannot find the way of God unless He draws them. Yes, everything is beautiful in its time. Everything that God has made has a good purpose and that includes the evil. Isa 45:7 I form the light, and create darkness; I make peace, and create evil. I am Jehovah, that doeth all these things. The evil gives man a choice and also a crucifier of his flesh. Now, let me ask you a question here. If God predestined some to life from the beginning of creation, what is He doing with everybody else? Remember we read, (Rom.9:21) Or hath not the potter a right over the clay, from the same lump to make one part a vessel unto honor, and another unto dishonor? Of course, God does this, but why? (22) What if God, willing to show his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering (God has done this. In order to show His power, He has endured suffering from.) vessels of wrath fitted unto destruction (Or, in other words, “made to be destroyed,” and here's the reason.): (23) that he might make known the riches of his glory upon vessels of mercy, which he afore prepared unto glory. I don't know about you, but when I look out at the lost multitudes in the world, it makes me appreciate grace and mercy given to the few. How can you know grace and mercy, except you look out over the world and see all of the people who don't have grace and mercy? That should make you feel blessed: “There but for the grace of God, go I.” The multitudes, the masses who are going down the broad road (Matthew 7:13), should make you appreciate the grace and the mercy of God, who said, (Rom.9:15) … I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion. Well, God had mercy upon us and we can appreciate His compassion when we look at the lost multitudes. God actually does do this. (1Pe.2:8) … A stone of stumbling (This is speaking of Christ.), and a rock of offence; for they stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. The Scripture says these people were “appointed,” or “designated,” or “preordained,” to stumble at the Word and be disobedient. (9) But ye are an elect 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 marvelous light. You were chosen to be obedient to the Word. You were chosen not to stumble at the Rock of Christ. (2Pe.2:12) But these, as creatures without reason, born mere animals to be taken and destroyed (They were born animals to be destroyed.), railing in matters whereof they are ignorant, shall in their destroying surely be destroyed. These are vessels who have been raised up to put us on our cross and also to show us God's mercy and grace. You ask, “How so, David?” When you go out there and tell them about Christ and they totally can't and wont understand, they show that what God has done for us is mercy and grace. God gave you a revelation and opened your understanding. Why would God do this for you and not for them? He did it for you only because of predestination and election. There are some objections to election and predestination even though it is clearly in the Word. The one I hear the most from people is that God loves the world but we see that it is a people in the world who believe. (Joh.3:16) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life. Of course, when people read this verse, they think it means that God loves the whole world. As we've seen from the Scriptures, the Bible doesn't teach that God loves the whole world and even in this verse it doesn't say that because there is a condition given for God's love. That is, “whosoever believeth on him” and that limits God's love to a very few. The majority are not going to believe on the Son, since the only way to have any hope of believing on the Son is to receive the 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 works, that no man should glory. You see, faith is a gift from God; believing on the Son is a gift from God. The people in the world who do believe on the Son are the ones to whom God has given the gift to be drawn to the Son and have eternal life. (Joh.15:19) If ye were of the world, the world would love its own: but because ye are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. God did not choose the world; He chose us out of the world. In effect, that means God chose not to choose the rest of the world. And so when we read verses like John 3:16, we have the level of revelation that God permits because of our lack of understanding. I feel as if the Lord showed me that when we are carnal, it's easier for us to understand this as if God does love the whole world, and therefore not attribute foolishness to God. But as we grow in knowledge, the more we see the plan and wisdom of God, and the more we fear God. Jesus didn't claim everybody in the world and here's another good example of that: (Joh.10:16) And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring (So they haven't come to Him yet.), and they shall hear (They haven't even heard of Him yet.) my voice: and they shall become one flock, one shepherd. He's talking about a multitude of people that includes us. We are included in this group. So at the time Jesus made this statement, some people didn't know Him, they hadn't heard of Him, and they hadn't even been born yet, but they have been His. God chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world; therefore, our election has nothing to do with time. (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: (5) having foreordained (or predestined) us unto adoption as sons through Jesus Christ unto himself, according to the good pleasure of his will. We have belonged to Christ since the time God set His plan into action at the beginning. We were chosen in Him as our Savior at the very beginning. “Other sheep I have, which are not of this fold” and they are going to become one flock with one Shepherd. So when He says, “having loved his own,” He's only talking about those who come from God, those who belong to God. He's only talking about the wheat and the sheep. (Joh.15:19) If ye were of the world, the world would love its own: but because ye are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. God did not choose the world; He chose us out of the world. In effect, that means God chose not to choose the rest of the world. The Bible says God hates all workers of iniquity: (Psa.5:5) The arrogant shall not stand in thy sight: Thou hatest all workers of iniquity. Jesus told us, (Joh.14:21) He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself unto him. So, again, we see the love of the Father is shown only to those who love Jesus. Another verse, where the wisdom of God is speaking, says the same thing: (Pro.8:17) I love them that love me; And those that seek me diligently shall find me. The Bible says three times in the New Testament that Jesus is the wisdom of God (Luke 11:49; 1 Corinthians 1:24,30). There is a condition to the manifestation of God's love. I say “manifestation” because God loved us before we were. God loved Jacob before he was born. God loved him even before he had done anything because it's not by works, it's by election. (Rom.5:8) But God commendeth his own love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. God wanted to show us His love in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. God, who sees the end from the beginning (Isaiah 41:4), loved us for what He knew He was going to create in us from before the foundation of the world (Romans 8:28-30). God loved the end creation that He saw by faith. His love is manifested for those who walk according to His commandments because they love Christ “God commended His own love toward us....” Who is He talking to here? (Rom.1:7) To all that are in Rome (You might think that he's addressing everybody in Rome, but he goes on to qualify this.), beloved of God, called [to be] saints.... That's very, very conditional. He's talking to those who are beloved of God and called “saints.” (Rom.1:7) To all that are in Rome, beloved of God, called [to be] saints: Grace to you (The only people who receive grace are the people who are beloved of God, called “saints.”) and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. God didn't give grace to anyone else. The Lord promised salvation to those who were in Christ from the foundation of the world because Christ died for us. People always say, “Well, Christ died for the world.” No, the Bible says that Christ died “for whosoever will” (Mark 8:34; Revelation 22:17). God is the one who works in us to will and to do of His good pleasure (Ephesians 1:5,11; Philippians 2:13), and “whosoever will” is only those who have the gift from Father of being drawn to Christ. (Joh.6:44) No man can come to me, except the Father that sent me draw him: and I will raise him up in the last day. They're the ones who have the will. So, it is to “whosoever will” but, specifically, Christ died for us and for everyone in the world who is the called of God. They're the ones who are invited to partake of Christ. (Joh.14:22) Judas (not Iscariot) saith unto him, Lord, what is come to pass that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? Why would He want to manifest Himself to these and not to the world? It's because He's very particular; He's revealing Himself only to God's chosen. (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. And in the next chapter it says in (15:10) If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. So the manifestation of God's love is for those who are obedient and who walk in Christ. And the manifestation of God's love by faith is for those who have not yet come to Christ, but will come to Him because Jesus said, (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. God loves them, not for what they are now, but for what they will be when they do come to Christ and walk in obedience to Him. Now I want you to look at this next verse again because people like to claim it for just anybody who says they're a Christian. (Rom.8:28) And we know that to them that love God all things work together for good, [even] to them that are called according to [his] purpose. But people don't go on to consider the next verse. (29) For whom he foreknew, he also foreordained [to be] conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. The promise is to work “all things together for good,” and is made to those who love God and we know who loves God because Jesus told us those who keep His commandments are those who love Him. Those who walk by faith are empowered to obey. I'm not saying that they don't ever fail; I'm saying they are able to walk into obedience, getting closer and closer to God, because they walk by faith. We know that power comes from God because of faith (Romans 1:16; 1 Corinthians 1:24; 1 Peter 1:5). So Romans 8:28 is talking about those “whom he foreknew.” They are the ones He predestined to come into the image of His Son, 30-, 60- and 100-fold. Everything is going to work together for their good; even chastening and the curse work together for the good of those who are called of God to come into the image of His Son. In the prophecy given to Joseph, the husband of Mary, it said, (Mat.1:21) And she shall bring forth a son; and thou shalt call his name JESUS; for it is he that shall save his people from their sins. The only ones who are saved from their sins are the ones who are already His people. Only sinners can be saved. They are His people by election, not by manifestation.

Indulgences can sound like scorekeeping. They're not. Joe Rockey and Father Boniface Hicks unpack indulgences in plain relational terms: the Church's “treasury of merit” is like trusted relational credit you can lean on—the saints' friendship with God helping you deepen your own. We connect First Fridays/Saturdays, rosaries, Scripture, adoration, and pilgrim practices to one aim: better spiritual health, i.e., a stronger, freer relationship of trusting love with God.Key IdeasIndulgence = relational help, not a magic pass: you “tap” the Church's treasury of merit (the saints' lived friendship with God) through concrete practices.Always personal: you still act (prayer, Scripture, adoration, works of mercy); grace perfects, doesn't replace, effort.Apply to self or the dead: love shares its credit—our bonds in Christ extend beyond death.Keep the frame human: think “street cred” or a trainer's plan—habits that restore and strengthen relationship, not accounting tricks.Sin harms relationships; practices heal: less “temporal punishment” math, more repair, trust, and re-ordering of love.Helpful ParallelsTrainer plan → spiritual plan:30 min Scripture reading (indulgenced)Rosary in common30 min Eucharistic adorationStations of the CrossPilgrimage/holy door (in jubilee years)Works of mercy + usual conditions (state of grace, confession, Eucharist, prayer for the Pope's intentions)Scripture touchpoints“Whatever you bind on earth…” (Mt 16:19; 18:18)“The communion of saints” (cf. Heb 12:1; Eph 2:19)Reconciliation and restoration (Jn 20:21–23; 2 Cor 5:18–20)One-week Spiritual Health Tune-up (simple, doable)Pick one indulgenced practice above and do it twice.Go to confession (once).Add one concrete act of mercy (call, visit, forgive, give).Close each day with a 2-minute examen (gratitude → review → ask help for tomorrow).CTAIf this clarified indulgences, share the episode and leave a written review—helps others find us.TagsFather and Joe, Joe Rockey, Father Boniface Hicks, indulgence, treasury of merit, communion of saints, First Friday, First Saturday, adoration, rosary, Scripture, pilgrimage, spiritual health, confession, temporal punishment, works of mercy, Catholic podcast, practical spirituality, relationship with God

Eph 6:1-3 Pastor Sam Cirrincione

A church near us recently had protestors storm in during a worship service and derail everything. How should Christians be responding to actual persecution?In today's episode, Pastor Derek and Pastor Jackie talk through what the Bible has to say about persecution. We look at how often the Bible tells us to expect it, as well as how to respond in moments of persecution and the results of responding in a godly manner. Our hope is that this episode can be encouraging to believers in America and around the world suffering persecution and feeling confused in how to respond to such tough trials.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: Gen. 50:20; Phil. 1:29; 1 Pet. 4:12; 2 Tim. 3:12; 1 Pet. 4:16; John 15:18; Matt. 5:10-12; 1 Pet. 3:17; Gal. 5:22-23; Luke 12:4; Prov. 29:25; Psa. 3:6; Psa. 118:6; Eph. 4:1-3; Rom. 12:17-21; Matt. 5:44; 1 Pet. 2:21-23; 1 Pet. 2:21-23; Rom. 10:1; Heb. 10:24-25; 1 Thess. 5:11; Gal. 6:2; 1 Pet. 3:16; James 1:2-4; Phil. 1:12-14; Acts 7:59-60; Matt. 10:16-19; Acts 21:37-38; Acts 22:23-29; Acts 25:10-12; Rom. 13:1-7; Exo. 22:2; Neh. 4:14-18; Exo. 2:11-12;Acts 7:23-25; Prov. 31:8-9; Isa. 1:16-17; Job 29:12-17; Job 1:8.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!

Todaywe come to the closing verses of Ephesians 5:29-33. In these verses, theApostle Paul lifts our understanding of marriage to its highest level byshowing us that the Christian home is meant to be a living picture of Christ'srelationship to His church. Paul reminds us that no one ever hates his ownflesh, but nourishes and cherishes it—and then he adds these important words—“justas the Lord does the church.” Christ cares for His people tenderly andfaithfully. He nourishes them, protects them, and provides for them. Paul saysthis is the pattern for marriage. Eachbeliever is a member of Christ's body, and each believer is to help nourish thebody in love (Eph. 4:16). We are one with Christ. The church is His body andHis bride, and the Christian home is a divinely ordained illustration of thisrelationship. This certainly makes marriage a serious matter. Paulreferred to the creation of Eve and the forming of the first home (Gen.2:18-24). Adam had to give part of himself in order to get a bride, but Christgave all of Himself to purchase His bride at the cross. God opened Adam's side,but sinful men pierced Christ's side. So united are a husband and wife thatthey are "one flesh." Their union is even closer than that of parentsand children. The believer's union with Christ is even closer and, unlike humanmarriage, will last for all eternity. Paul closed with a final admonition thatthe husband love his wife and that the wife reverence (respect) her husband,all of which require the power of the Holy Spirit. IfChristian husbands and wives have the power of the Spirit to enable them, andthe example of Christ to encourage them, why do too many Christian marriagesfail? Somebody is out of the will of God. Just because two Christians know eachother and get along together does not mean they are supposed to get married. Infact, not every believer is supposed to marry. It is sometimes God's will for aChristian to remain single (Matt. 19:12; 1 Cor. 7:7-9). It is wrong for abeliever to marry an unbeliever, but it is also wrong for two Christians tomarry out of the will of God. Buteven if two Christians marry in the will of God, they must stay in God's willif their home is to be the creative fellowship God wants it to be. "Thefruit of the Spirit is love" (Gal. 5:22), and unless both husband andwife are walking in the Spirit they cannot share the love of Christ, the lovethat is so beautifully described in 1 Corinthians 13. The root of most maritalproblems is sin, and the root of all sin is selfishness. Submission to Christand to one another is the only way to overcome selfishness, for when we submit,the Holy Spirit can fill us and enable us to love one another in a sacrificial,sanctifying, satisfying way—the way Christ loves the church. Toexperience the fullness of the Spirit a person must first possess the Spirit—bea Christian. Then there must be a sincere desire to glorify Christ, since thisis why the Holy Spirit was given (John 16:14). We do not use the Holy Spirit;He uses us. There must be a deep thirst for God's fullness, a confession thatwe cannot do His will apart from His power. Byfaith yield yourself to Christ; by faith ask Him for the fullness of theSpirit. By faith receive. When you find yourself joyful, thankful, andsubmissive, you will know that God has answered. Onemore important factor should be considered. The Spirit of God uses the Word ofGod to work in our lives. Read Colossians 3:16-4:1, and you will note that to be filled with the Word ofGod produces joy, thanksgiving, and submission. In other words, when you arecontrolled by the Word of God, you are filled with the Spirit of God. Not onlyhusbands and wives, but all Christians need to spend time daily letting theWord of Christ dwell in them richly, for then the Spirit of God can work in ourlives to make us joyful, thankful, and submissive. And this means heaven in thehome—or wherever God may put us. 

In our new afternoon service Pastor David teaches on the regulative principle of worship using selected scriptures and references to our church's confession [2LBC, ch. 22].» Definition of the Regulative Principle:The church must only do what God has commanded in His Word—nothing more and nothing less.» Scripture is sufficient:2 Timothy 3:16-17» Biblical Examples of Acceptable and Unacceptable Worship:Exodus 20:3-6Genesis 3:21, 4:5-7, Deuteronomy 12:29-32Leviticus 10:1-2, 2 Samuel 6:6-7Hebrews 12:28-29» New Covenant PracticeJohn 4:24,Acts 2:41-42, Hebrews 10:24-25» Defining Elements & Circumstances» Basic ElementsReading Scripture (Luke 4:16-19, Acts 15:21, 1 Tim. 4:13)Call to worship (Ps. 122:1, 95:1-3)Benediction (Num. 6:24-27, 2 Cor. 13:14)Preaching and teaching the Word (Acts 20:20, 27, Rom. 10:17, Eph. 4:11-14, 2 Tim. 4:1-2)Prayer (Acts 2:42, 12:5, 1 Cor. 11:3-5, 16, 14:14-19, 1 Timothy 2:1-2a)Congregational singing (Ps. 100:1-5, Matt. 26:30, 1 Cor. 14:15, 26, Eph. 5:18b-19, Col. 3:16)Baptism (Matt. 28:18-20)The Lord's Supper (Acts 20:7a, 1 Cor. 11:18, 26)» Other Elements *(may include)Offerings/Giving Financially to Support Ministry (Mal. 3:8-10, Mark 12:41-44, 1 Cor. 16:1-2, 2 Cor. 9:1-7)Confession of Sin & Assurance of Pardon (1 Jn. 1:9-10, 2:1-2)» Summary of distinctions:Exodus 3:5, Isaiah 6:3-5» Will-WorshipColossians 2:23 *(KJV)» Practical applications / Conclusion

     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.

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.

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

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

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

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