Podcasts about esv be

Immeasurably More // New Identity Ephesians 4:17-32 (NIV)“So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed. That, however, is not the way of life you learned when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need. Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”  1.     In Christ, We Have a New Identity. Ephesians 4:22 (NIV)“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires.” Ephesians 4:24 (NIV)“And to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” Colossians 3:9-10 (NIV)“…You have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.” Romans 13:12, 14 (NIV)“…Let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.”  Ephesians 4:1 (NIV)“…I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.”  Matthew 6:8 (ESV)“Do not be like them…” Romans 12:2 (NIV)"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” 2.    In Christ We Should be Honest and Not Lie.  Ephesians 4:25 (NIV)“Therefore, each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.” Christians Are to Have Righteous Anger, Not Unrighteous. Ephesians 4:26-27 (NIV)“In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.” Psalm 4:4 (ESV)“Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent.” Psalm 119:53 (ESV)“Hot indignation seizes me because of the wicked, who forsake your law.” Mark 3:5 (ESV)“And he looked around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart…” Christians Are to Work, Be Generous, and Not Steal. Ephesians 4:28 (NIV)“Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.” Christians are to Replace Corrupt Talk with Edifying Talk. Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Ephesians 4:30 (NIV)“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.”     Christians are to Replace Bitterness and Rage with Kindness and Forgiveness. Ephesians 4:31-32 (NIV)“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

Word for Today:1 Peter‬ ‭5‬:‭8‬ ‭ESV‬‬“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”

Do you remember what it was like falling in “like” with your spouse?  What was it that originally drew you to them? Maybe it was their humor, kindness, or how they made you feel seen and appreciated. Over time, it's easy for that “like” to fade.  Instead, criticism, judgment, or even indifference creeps in.  But imagine being in your spouse's shoes—everything they say and do, examined under a magnifying glass, critiqued and picked apart. That kind of scrutiny doesn't help them thrive. And nothing wounds deeper than feeling that the person you chose, the one closest to you, doesn't actually like you. What if, instead, you accepted their weaknesses and quirks? After all, they have them, and so do you.  What if you chose to see their strengths instead? What if you noticed what they're doing right and spoke it out loud? I want to encourage you to take that step. Scripture is clear about encouragement and loving our neighbors: “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV) “Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'” Matthew 22:37-39 (NIV) “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves” Philippians 2:3 (NIV) “Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.” Romans 12:10 (ESV) “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” Ephesians 4:2 (NIV) Your spouse needs to know that you see the good in them. That you still like them. That you're rooting for them, not against them. It's amazing what a little grace and encouragement can do to rebuild connection and joy. This Christmas week, I invite you to be gracious with your spouse. Notice the small things—their kindness, their effort, their dedication—and let them know you see it. Accept their weaknesses, support them gently, and call out the good that God has placed in them. God bless you, and from all of us here at Delight Your Marriage, Merry Christmas! Love, Belah & Team PS - If you want to learn more about how to love your closest neighbor well, we would love to chat with you. Click the link to schedule a FREE Clarity Call: delightym.com/cc PPS - The third installment of our Pre-Marriage series, the Pre-Wedding Workbook, is available now! We hope this book blesses you and sets you on the path to a peaceful, playful, passionate, and purposeful marriage! Check it out here: Pre-Wedding Workbook

We've all done it: something makes us mad and we start punching others with our words. Let's learn to use our words according to God's design. In this message, Pastor Jamie shares how we can overcome angry words.Angry words are the idle words and the ugly words we say when we get mad. Being angry is not a sin.Jesus got angry.Mark 3:5 ESV The goal for a Christian isn't to never get angry; the goal is never let anger cause you to sin.Ephesians 4:26-27 (Psalm 4:4)ESV Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.Live WITH your anger but don't live BY your anger.   How do we stop angry words?1. Ask God to be your editor, not your janitor.In our anger we often say whatever comes to mind and we make a mess. But God doesn't just want to be your janitor and clean up your mess; He wants to be your editor and clean up your mouth.Prov 17:27-28 NLT We've got to stop giving ourselves permission to say everything we think. 2. Learn to intentionally respond, not instinctively react.An intentional response is measured, thoughtful, and deliberate. An instinctive reaction is unrestrained, emotional, and immediate.  Proverbs 12:16 NIV Fools show their annoyance at once, but the prudent overlook an insult. 3.  Remove "fighting words" from your vocabulary.Fighting words are words to that cause people to fight about things instead of fix things.Prov 12:18 NIV The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.Examples of fighting words:Always/neverName calling/insultsBringing up the pastTone 4. Adopt God's perspective on people.Don't treat people based on who you think they are, treat them based on who God says they are. 2 Corinthians 5:15-16 NLT "Rudeness is the weak man's imitation of strength." - Eric HofferChristians are the dwelling place of God. When you speak angry words at Christians, you are trashing God's house.If you're not kind to others, God may have to get on their side to defend them against you! Ever heard someone called a "loose cannon?"That phrase came from the fact that cannons on ships had wheels for when it recoiled when being shot. A loose cannon was one that wasn't properly secured and it would kick back, roll everywhere and endanger the crew on the ship. Without restraints, a loose cannon can potentially not just destroy enemy ships, but destroy the ship its on. We are loose cannons when we declare war with our words when there is no war. We're a loose cannon when we don't restrain our words and hurt our friends and family with "friendly fire." Don't be a loose cannon and destroy your own ship.  Are you speaking angry words?

Be The Strong ManScripture: Luke 11:20–22 (ESV) But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are safe; but when one stronger than he attacks him and overcomes him, he takes away his armor in which he trusted and divides his spoil.A Non-Resister Is An Open DoorEcclesiastes 4:12 (NLT) A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.Unbelievers Are UnawareThe Vulnerable Are Overrun - Mark 9:17–18 (ESV) And someone from the crowd answered him, “Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has a spirit that makes him mute. And whenever it seizes him, it throws him down, and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid. So I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they were not able.”Participators Are Captured - 1 Samuel 16:14–23 (ESV) Now the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and a harmful spirit from the LORD tormented him. And Saul's servants said to him, “Behold now, a harmful spirit from God is tormenting you. Let our lord now command your servants who are before you to seek out a man who is skillful in playing the lyre, and when the harmful spirit from God is upon you, he will play it, and you will be well.” So Saul said to his servants, “Provide for me a man who can play well and bring him to me.” One of the young men answered, “Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, who is skillful in playing, a man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a man of good presence, and the LORD is with him.” Therefore Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, “Send me David your son, who is with the sheep.” And Jesse took a donkey laden with bread and a skin of wine and a young goat and sent them by David his son to Saul. And David came to Saul and entered his service. And Saul loved him greatly, and he became his armor-bearer. And Saul sent to Jesse, saying, “Let David remain in my service, for he has found favor in my sight.” And whenever the harmful spirit from God was upon Saul, David took the lyre and played it with his hand. So Saul was refreshed and was well, and the harmful spirit departed from him.A Weak Man Is Easy To OverpowerLuke 4:13 (ESV) And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time.Genesis 4:7 (ESV) If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.”Luke 22:31–32 (ESV) “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”Strength mattersWe can grow our strengthWe are stronger in numbersKingdom momentum is hard to disruptA Strong Man Can Be Outmaneuvered And Overcome2 Corinthians 2:11 (NIV) in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.Job 1:8–10 (ESV) And the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?” Then Satan answered the LORD and said, “Does Job fear God for no reason? Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land.A Vigilant Strong Man Is A Locked Door1 Peter 5:8–9 (ESV) Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.2025 Strategic Response2 Corinthians 2:11 (NIV) in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.What Are Three Repeated Effective Strategies Of The Enemy In My Life In 2024?What Are Three Simple Effective Strategic Responses To Thwart His Efforts?What Would 2025 Look Like If I Enforce Those Strategic Responses?

I declare that I jump off the high speed treadmill  That my life has become so accustomed to The ceaseless moving and perpetual go go go. Where am I going if it's not with Him?  Where am I going if it's not for Him?  I declare that henceforth, I give myself permission to simply be still. Still Before my my King, before my lover, before my Daddy Be still my jittery body,  Be still my racing heart,  Be still my noisome thoughts,  And enter into His rest. Fall into his waiting arms  Put your head in his lap  And take a deep breath , one , two as many as you need. Hmmm....there... that is it  Cry if you must, Vent if you will, But regardless of your overwhelming emotions do it WITH Him.  With Him , with Him, with Him. In the beginning was the word and the word was with God  And the word was God.  So i too will be with HIM, Today and always  This is Sassy and I pray the release of the Kingdom Of God into your life. Amen ! Anchor Scripture: Psalm 46:10. ESV "Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" Connect with Pastor Yasmin O'Lugudor: Instagram: [@yasmin_o_lugudor]  https://www.instagram.com/yasmin_o_lugudor/⁠ Youtube: [Yasmin O'Lugudor]  ⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFMhc2-gpHvmDVUVE_bA_QA⁠ Email: sassy@yasminolugudor.com Produced By The Christ Creatives: https://www.instagram.com/the_christ_creatives/

2 Corinthians 2:11 (NIV) in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.2025 Strategic ResponseMy Concerns:We don't respect the reality of our adversaryWe reconcile less than best situations as, “that's just life”We learn to live with the limitations our adversary enforcesWe don't recognize our enemies repeated effective strategy in our livesWe don't recognize how our wins/losses impact the experience of othersYou Have An Active Adversary1 Peter 5:8–9 (ESV) Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.This is universal a universal truthThere is no bufferNot even spirituality.He is continually prowling looking for weaknessesHe functions in many different formsWhispers, circumstances, peopleHe is looking to devour Resistance requires standing firm (strength) in faithStrength has levelsIt can be increased.Your Adversary Takes TopographyEphesians 4:27 (NIV) and do not give the devil a foothold.Give - didomi - give vs surrenderFoothold - Topos - topography, groundYou Can Strategically Overcome Your Adversary - Job 1:6–12 (ESV) Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them. The LORD said to Satan, “From where have you come?” Satan answered the LORD and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.” And the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?” Then Satan answered the LORD and said, “Does Job fear God for no reason? Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face.” And the LORD said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand.” So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.This can be done spiritually - Job 1:5 (ESV) And when the days of the feast had run their course, Job would send and consecrate them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, “It may be that my children have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts.” Thus Job did continually.This can be done practically - What Are Three Repeated Effective Strategies Of The Enemy In My LifeWhat Are Three Simple Effective Strategic Responses To Respond In AdvanceWhat Would 2025 Look Like If You Enforced That Response?

This is Christian Meditation for A Bigger Life – a time for you to relax your body, refocus your mind, and to re-imagine and re-narrate your life to a truer reality. I'm Dave Cover. I want to help you with Christian meditation where you can break through all the distractions and experience God's presence through biblically guided imagination.  If your podcast app is set to skip the silent sections, disable that in your podcast app for this podcast. Psalm 46:10 ESV “Be still, and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10 NASB “Cease striving and know that I am God.” Who can you share this podcast with? If you found this episode helpful, consider sharing it on social media or texting it to a friend you think might benefit from it. Follow Dave Cover on X (Twitter) @davecover Follow A Bigger Life on X @ABiggerLifePod Our audio engineer is Matthew Matlack. This podcast is a ministry of The Crossing, a church in Columbia, Missouri, a college town where the flagship campus of the University of Missouri is located.

This is Christian Meditation for A Bigger Life – a time for you to relax your body, refocus your mind, and to re-imagine and re-narrate your life to a truer reality. I'm Dave Cover. I want to help you with Christian meditation where you can break through all the distractions and experience God's presence through biblically guided imagination.  If your podcast app is set to skip the silent sections, disable that in your podcast app for this podcast. Psalm 46:10 ESV “Be still, and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10 NASB “Cease striving and know that I am God.” Who can you share this podcast with? If you found this episode helpful, consider sharing it on social media or texting it to a friend you think might benefit from it. Follow Dave Cover on X (Twitter) @davecover Follow A Bigger Life on X @ABiggerLifePod Our audio engineer is Matthew Matlack. This podcast is a ministry of The Crossing, a church in Columbia, Missouri, a college town where the flagship campus of the University of Missouri is located.

John 17:14-18,25 | The Word in the World from CrossPointe Coast on Vimeo. Preacher: Jeremiah Fyffe John 17:13, 24 CONSIDER JESUS' PRAYER WHY DOES THE WORLD HATE THE DISCIPLES? WHY DID JESUS LEAVE THE DISCIPLES IN THE WORLD? WHAT IS JESUS' COMMISSION FOR THE DISCIPLES? Glory Obedience Revelation Redemption Return 1 Peter 5:8–9 (ESV) Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. John 13:36–37 (ESV) Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus answered him, “Where I am going you cannot follow me now, but you will follow afterward.” Peter said to him, “Lord, why can I not follow you now?” Martyn Lloyd-Jones The world never hates the imitation, or the spurious, or the false Christianity, but it always hates the true thing. The world never hates morality, it never hates the merely moral man (which is an interesting point), but it hates the true Christian.

1 Peter 3:1-6 | Imperishable Beauty from CrossPointe Coast on Vimeo. Preacher: Jeremiah Fyffe 1 Peter 3:1-6 THE PRINCIPLE THE APPLICATION THE ILLUSTRATION Mark 14:3–6 (ESV) And while he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he was reclining at table, a woman came with an alabaster flask of ointment of pure nard, very costly, and she broke the flask and poured it over his head. There were some who said to themselves indignantly, “Why was the ointment wasted like that? For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.” And they scolded her. But Jesus said, “Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a beautiful thing to me.” 1 Peter 2:13 (ESV) Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme 1 Peter 2:17 (ESV) Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor. 1 Peter 2:18 (ESV) Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. 1 Peter 2:21 (ESV) For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. Word Biblical Commentary In society's eyes these women were already highly insubordinate just by virtue of their Christian commitment, and Peter is concerned that they not compound the difficulty by abrasive or troublesome behavior David Helm The submission of which Peter speaks is not adherence to a principle but recognition of the person who compels us to submit in order to live lives of godly obedience. 1 Peter 2:11 abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul David Helm This passion for external adornment comes at a terrible cost for today's women—the sense of never looking good enough, never being pretty enough, never measuring up. Women are made to feel inferior, ugly, and unlovable. And the consequences are mounting. David Helm It is with a sense of irony then that we recognize that the Bible leads the way against such oppression and that Peter thinks more highly of women than does the culture in which we live. Peter wants to free women from the obscene obsession of looking good. 1 Peter 1:6–7 (ESV) In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:3–5 According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Proverbs 31:25 She laughs at the time to come. 1 Peter 2:9 (ESV) But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

In the UK, the NHS has changed its tune on gender, not wanting to erase women in the name of inclusivity. Individuals can now request that intimate examinations be performed by a person of the same biological sex. There's a reason they are suddenly telling the truth about gender. Could it be that the truth being told about gender is to help distract from the truth being revealed about the modified MRNA injections? What does God's Word say? 1 Peter 5:8 ESV Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.Ephesians 6:10-20 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.The Armor of God10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people. 19 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.Episode 1,580  Links:Today we've launched a new consultation on proposed changes to the NHS ConstitutionMP Andrew Bridgen: I'm Afraid COVID Vaccine Deaths Are ‘Going to Be Bigger Than the Holocaust' - “We are witnesses to the greatest medical scandal in this country in living memory — and possibly ever.”CDC is Sued For Scrubbing Digital Records; AFL sues federal agencies for purportedly destroying CDC emails, questioning the impartiality of federal record-keeping.EXCLUSIVE: CDC Found Evidence COVID-19 Vaccines Caused Deaths; Internal documents contradict claims from the CDC, which refused to explain the discrepancy.Pope Francis denounces ‘anti-vaxxers,' calls COVID jab refusal an ‘almost suicidal act of denial'; Pope Francis has once again touted the abortion-tainted COVID vaccines, reissuing his condemnation of those who refused to take the shot.Interviewer: "If you just planted enough trees, it could take care of the climate issue altogether."Bill Gates: "And that's complete nonsense." "I mean, are we the science people, or are we the idiots? Which one do we want to be?"4Patriots https://4Patriots.com/Todd Stay connected when the power goes out and get free shipping on orders over $97.    Bioptimizers https://bioptimizers.com/todd Use promo code TODD for 10% off your order. Sharpen your edge and reach your potential with Mushroom Breakthrough by Bioptimizers.     Bulwark Capital  Bulwark Capital Management (bulwarkcapitalmgmt.com) Call 866-779-RISK or visit online to get their FREE Common Cents Investing Guide. EdenPURE https://edenpuredeals.com Use code TODD3 to save $200 on the Thunderstorm Air Purifier 3-pack. GreenHaven Interactive Digital Marketing https://greenhaveninteractive.com Your Worldclass Website Will Get Found on Google!  Native Path Krill https://nativepathkrill.com/todd For a limited time get Native Path Antarctic Krill Oil for as little as $23 per bottle.   Renue Healthcare https://renuewellcation.com Register today for your Wellcation with Todd Herman June 7-11, 2024.  See site for details

Fresh Start – How Offense Makes Us Fools                                                                                                What is offense? Offense = An annoyance or resentment brought about by a perceived insult to or disregard for oneself or one's standards or principles.  Hebrew: peša = Transgression or sin “You know you are a true servant when it doesn't upset you to be treated like one.” - Unknown How Offense Makes Us Fools 1.     Offense makes me angry.                   Ecclesiastes 7:9 (ESV)“Be not quick in your spirit to become angry, for anger lodges (makes its home there) in the bosom of fools.”   2.      Offense distracts me from the relationship. Proverbs 17:9 (ESV)“Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends” 3.      Offense hardens my heart. Proverbs 18:19 (ESV)“A brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city, and quarreling is like the bars of a castle.” 4.     Offense distorts my view of reality. Proverbs 18:17 (ESV)“The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him.”   Proverbs 19:11 (ESV)“Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.”  Four Strategies to Overlook an Offense 1.      Give up your Rights. Philippians 2:5-8 (ESV)“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”  2.      Choose to Love. Proverbs 10:12 (ESV)“Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses.” (Hatred = loving myself more than others)  Colossians 3:12-15 (ESV)“Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.”      3.      Choose to Forgive. Matthew 6:14-15 (ESV)“For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Ephesians 4:29-32 (ESV)“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”  4.     Ask a Question. Proverbs 18:17 (ESV)“The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him.” Matthew 7:3-4 (ESV)“Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, Let me take the speck out of your eye, when there is the log in your own eye?”  

Why would you want to manufacture psychopaths? Well, psychopaths can be really helpful, especially in a cultural revolution. They need people to do cruel things, like shut the food supply, or rat out your neighbors for bad think. It isn't even my idea, the credit goes to Chairman Mao. What do we see at colleges and universities across the country? Young people are putting their professors on trial; eerily similar to Mao's cultural revolution. You raise a generation of psychopaths by programming them to expect certain things so they won't look deeper into what is actually going on. What does God's Word say? John 10:20 ESV Many of them said, “He has a demon, and is insane; why listen to him?”1 Peter 5:8 ESV  Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.Episode 1,505 Links:Chinese Cultural Revolution Scene in New Netflix Series is Disturbing Parallel of Cancel Culture, Campus Struggle Sessions; “a part of history that is not written about in fiction very much, let alone filmed”The Cultural Revolution is here. Just ask Xi Van Fleet. She's lived it twice.How to Blow up a Pipeline - Official Trailer (2023)Harvard Law School is hosting a screening of “How to Blow Up a Pipeline,” a movie whose website includes a “Take Action” page with a map of U.S. Pipelines.Karine Jean-Pierre is asked to comment on NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller's death. DrAseemMalhotra tells @JoeRogan that pharmaceutical companies operate as clinically defined psychopaths, and the drug industry paid over $33 billion in criminal fines and has had an overall negative benefit on society:‘Gender Identity' Law Spells The End Of Religious Liberty In MinnesotaShip crashing into beach scene - Leave The World Behind (2023)British farmer has a message for the Westminster elite4Patriots https://4Patriots.com/Todd Stay connected when the power goes out and get free shipping on orders over $97.    Alan's Soaps https://alanssoaps.com/TODD Use coupon code ‘TODD' to save an additional 10% off the bundle price.  Bioptimizers https://bioptimizers.com/todd Use promo code TODD for 10% of your order and get up to 2 travel size bottles of Magnesium Breakthrough free.      Bonefrog   https://bonefrogcoffee.com/todd Use code TODD at checkout to receive 10% off your first purchase and 15% on subscriptions.  Bulwark Capital  Bulwark Capital Management (bulwarkcapitalmgmt.com) Call 866-779-RISK or visit online to get their FREE Common Cents Investing Guide. GreenHaven Interactive Digital Marketing https://greenhaveninteractive.com Your Worldclass Website Will Get Found on Google!  Liver Health https://GetLiverHelp.com/Todd Order today and get your FREE bottle of Nano Powered Omega3 and free bonus gift.

Last Sunday we got an image of how Satan messes with the harvest. In this parable he isn't snatching the seed before he takes root he is sowing seeds of destruction  – weeds. Many times we wonder why God just doesn't just get rid of it all but to pull the weed is to pull out the wheat. So evil and good co-exist and grow together until the end when everything is finally sifted. This is why we are on guard but have hope.  1 Peter 5:8-11 (ESV)Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.Matthew 13:24-30 (ESV)He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field, but while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away. So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared also. And the servants of the master of the house came and said to him, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have weeds?' He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.' So the servants said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them?' But he said, ‘No, lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them. Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, “Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.”'”

Do you ever get frustrated at your lack of spiritual progress? If so, you're not alone. I recently came across a cartoon from an account on Instagram called BestChristianMemes. It quoted 1 Corinthians 11:1 (ESV): “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” In effect, Paul was saying to the Corinthians that since they … Continue reading When you’re frustrated at your lack of progress

SLIDE APOSTOLIC EXILES - QR/NOTESSLIDE The Kingdom Suffers ViolenceSCRIPTURE: Matthew 11:12 (ESV) From the days of John theBaptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force.● biazo: forceful behavior intended to hurt, damage, or kill someone/somethingPRAYERRecap:Two Kingdoms: Kingdom Of Heaven & Kingdoms Of This WorldWe focused on the Kingdom of HeavenSLIDE The Kingdom Established Eternally, Extended to EarthSLIDE Unknown Events Brought Chaos To Earth/KingdomSLIDE Earth Was Reformed With A Renewed Kingdom Presence● Genesis 1:3-2:3 - 7 Days Of Creation● Genesis 1:26 (ESV) Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over... every ... thing ...on the earth.”● Genesis 2:8 (ESV) And the LORD God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and there he put the man whom he had formed.● Genesis 1:28 (ESV) “Be fruitful and multiply and fill (replenish) the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over ... every living thing that moves on the earth.” (not just Eden)ADAM Was Heaven's Apostle To Earth:representative, messenger, ambassador, colonizer, king by proxySLIDE The Other Kingdom's King Attacked The Kingdom/Garden● Genesis 3:1 (ESV) Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden'?”● Genesis 3:4 (ESV) But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die.● Genesis 3:6 (ESV) So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate.SLIDEThe Garden/KIngdom Suffered Violence● biazo: forceful behavior intended to hurt, damage, or kill someone/something● 2 Corinthians 11:3 (ESV) ...the serpent (disguised) deceived Eve by his cunning (the art of doing something with a high level of craftiness and skill)... ○ Revelation 12:9 - the deceiver of the whole world ○ Revelation 20:3 - the deceiver of the nations ○ False Propaganda● 2 Corinthians 11:14 (ESV) And no wonder, for even Satan disguises (to change one's appearance) himself as an angel of light (sagad - to prostrate in worship to God)SLIDE: SATAN'S VISIT WAS NOT AN OPPORTUNISTIC TRICK.Satan's visit was an intensely violent attack (forceful behavior intended to hurt, damage, or kill someone/something) against the Kingdom's Presence on Earth, the Kingdom's Apostolic Leader (representative, messenger, ambassador, colonizer, king by proxy), the Kingdom's Citizens (Eve & children), the Kingdom's Mission on Earth (God's command to be fruitful, multiply, fill (replenish) the earth, subdue it, have dominion over EVERY living thing (including Satan) that moves on the earth (not just within Eden), and ultimately the King Himself. IT'S THE SAME VIOLENT ATTACK. YOU ARE ADAM.SLIDE: 7 Contemporary Violent Garden Attacks1. “In the beginning, God” ○ the violent attack against the reality of God/His Kingdom ○ Attack on God, not on all gods. ○ We have to respect all religions, ○ Fashionable to attack Judaism/Christianity ○ Mock Jesus, but not Allah or Muhammad his prophet ○ No limit to using Jesus as a curse word ○ Mental Health Facilities - people cursing Jesus2. “And God said, “Let there be...” ○ the violent attack on the creative work of God to establish Heaven/Earth ○ Mathematical impossibility: right time, place, chemicals, for us to have the exact gravity to stick to earth, -but not so much that our blood isn't trapped in our ankles. ○ Science ignored - Laws of Entropy ○ Intelligent Design ignored3. “He said to the woman...” ○ The violent attack focused on God's Apostles ○ God has apostolic people, alway under attack ○ The Jewish Nation historically, Auschwitz and today ○ Christianity historically, Nero, and today ○ Why were riots allowed but church gatherings closed. ○ Why were liquor/cannabis stores open, not churches? ○ Football continues, but not prayer meetings4. “Did God actually say” ○ the violent attack focused on reGod/King's Word ○ Why is the Bible so heavily mocked and every other publication promoted ○ School literature selections5. “God created man in his image... male and female ○ The violent attack on God implanted identity attack on God's role in conception ■ The premise that it is just a biology ○ The attack on identity ■ God's image bearer ■ Apostolic purpose ○ The reality of male/female ■ Gender confusion shows up through many different vehicles but those are disguises. It's always an attack on the Kingdom ○ The beauty of complementary roles of man woman6. “Man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” ○ the violent attack against covenantal marriage ○ Biblical Marriage covenant between three entities ○ Civil unions are not Biblical Marriages7. “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth ○ the violent attack against procreation that has defined Kingdom purposes ■ The attack comes in all sorts of disguises but ultimately this is the violent attack of all attacks. ■ Violence focused on God's Apostles before they have their intended impact. ■ Violence via: abortion or miscarriage ■ Abortion is modern day Molech worship: the promise of a better life if we kill the child. ■ Having kids is viewed as as negative ■ Large families are mocked, traditionally celebrated ■ LIES: the earth can't support it ■ LIES: what kind of evil brings a child into this suffering ■ LIES: we can't afford that ■ Ploy to keep kingdom expansion limited

Message Notes: The quality of your life is determined by the quality of your relationships. ingredients for friendship: 1. HEALTHY EXPECTATION 13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. – John 15v13-15 (ESV) You have a right to expect things from friends that you don't expect from others. 36 Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” 37 And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.” 39 And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”….. 40 And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour? – Matthew 26v36-40 (ESV) 2. COMMITMENT NO MATTER WHAT 3 Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon's, he asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat. 4 And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” 5 And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.” 6 And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking. 7 They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink – Luke 5v3-7 (ESV) 9 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: 10 If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. 11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? 12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. — Ecclesiastes 4v9-12 (NIV) “My best friend is the one who brings out the best in me.” — Henry Ford 3. AUTHENTIC ACCESS One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. – Proverbs 18v24 (NIV) LOVE IS GIVEN… BUT ACCESS IS EARNED 35 While he was still speaking, there came from the ruler's house some who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?” 36 But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.” 37 And he allowed no one to follow him except Peter and James and John the brother of James. 38 They came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and Jesus saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. 39 And when he had entered, he said to them, “Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but sleeping.” 40 And they laughed at him. But he put them all outside and took the child's father and mother and those who were with him and went in where the child was.41 Taking her by the hand he said to her, “Talitha cumi,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.”42 And immediately the girl got up and began walking (for she was twelve years of age), and they were immediately overcome with amazement. — Mark 5v35-42 (ESV) Be authentic with everyone but transparent with people you trust.

Message Notes: 51 When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. 52 And he sent messengers ahead of him, who went and entered a village of the Samaritans, to make preparations for him. 53 But the people did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. 54 And when his disciples James and John saw it, they said, “Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” 55 But he turned and rebuked them. 56 And they went on to another village. — Luke 9v51-56 (ESV) 16 I said in my heart, “I have acquired great wisdom, surpassing all who were over Jerusalem before me, and my heart has had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.” 17 And I applied my heart to know wisdom and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also is but a striving after wind.18 For in much wisdom is much vexation, and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow. – Ecclesiastes 1v16-18 (ESV) Quick timeline of tech 1901 - radio 1927 - television 1973 - the cellphone 1974 - the internet 2003 - social media 2007 - the iPhone “Your attention is the most valuable resource in the world” — Joshua Becker 4 But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. 5 For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” 6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. – Genesis 3v4-6 (ESV) What you give your attention to is the person you become – John Mark Comer So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. – Psalm 90v12 (ESV) Reasons to manage your social media use: To open up more time for God To focus more on tangible relationships To not depend on a cycle of information To practice the biblical discipline of self-control To find contentment and peace The devil has made it his business to monopolize on three elements: noise, hurry, crowds. He will not allow quietness. — Elizabeth Eliot Takeaways from week 1: 1. GIVE MORE ATTENTION TO YOUR PURPOSE THAN YOUR PAST 51 When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. 52 And he sent messengers ahead of him, who went and entered a village of the Samaritans, to make preparations for him. – Luke 9v51-52 (ESV) There is a time to keep silent, and a time to speak — Ecclesiastes 3:7 (ESV) 2. DON'T GET HOOKED WHEN REJECTION INEVITABLY COMES For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. – 1 John 2v16 (ESV) Be not quick in your spirit to become angry, because anger lodges in the heart of fools. — Ecclesiastes 7:9 (ESV) A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back. — Proverbs 29:11 (ESV) 3. DELAY COMES FROM DISTRACTION 53 But the people did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. 54 And when his disciples James and John saw it, they said, “Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” 55 But he turned and rebuked them. 56 And they went on to another village. — Luke 9v51-56 (ESV)

“Our Good Shepherd knows what we need more than we do and provides what we need at just the right time.” Today Aubrie sits down with our Appalachian Division Coordinator, Heidi Fromke, to look at another attribute of God and dig into Psalm 23 for all the rich truth it holds. Heidi helps us see life with all its difficulties in proper perspective—through the eyes of God. He is the Good Shepherd and you lack nothing. The Moms in Prayer Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual advice to help you grow into the parent you want to be visit ChristianParenting.org ABOUT OUR GUEST Learning to hold her kids loosely and trust God with them is a daily challenge which Heidi found to be especially true when her boys were just beginning school. It was during this time of trying to “let go” a bit that she found Moms in Prayer after hearing Moms in Prayer Founder, Fern Nichols, on the radio. The Lord encouraged her to start a Moms in Prayer group at her sons' school in 2003. She prayed with this group of moms for 17 years. They joined her in covering her boys, their kids and their school community. They lifted their requests to God and saw Him do immeasurably more than they could ask or imagine as He walked with them through a son's illness, Young Life established at the school, and students' hearts turned to Christ. Heidi has come to know the Lord in an amazingly intimate way as He has shown her His love for her boys and that He truly can be trusted above all else. She has been married to Mark, who has filled her days with laughter since 1990. They have three boys in their twenties and two amazing daughters-in-law! After growing up in Minnesota and spending a few years in St. Louis, they have fallen in love with North Carolina. Heidi is looking forward to watching God work as He draws other moms to experience His power, grace and loving acceptance through prayer! SCRIPTURES  if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9 ESV  The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. John 10:10-11 ESV He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young. Isaiah 40:11 ESV The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Psalm 23:1-6 ESV Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! Psalm 46:10 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 NIV I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord's holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:16-19 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Romans 8:32 ESV LINKS MOMS IN PRAYER New to Moms in Prayer? How to get started Moms in Prayer Shop Language Resources Support Our Mission

It's time to wrap up our observations on Romans 13:1-7, though we're in for a lifetime of application. Some of the next few months might feel like a “lifetime.” I don't really expect to answer *all* the questions about our relationship to civil authorities, partly because it takes a lifetime of “constant practice to distinguish good from evil” (Hebrews 5:14). That said, we can keep working to develop our discernment powers.We've outlined the whole paragraph over three previous messages. Verse 1 calls every person to submit himself to governing authorities because all governing authority has been instituted by God. Verse 2 concludes that resisting authorities whom God has appointed will result in God-approved judgment. Verses 3-4 profile the purpose of governing authorities, namely that they've been delegated to promote good conduct and punish bad conduct, even to the death penalty. Verse 5 clarifies that we ultimately answer to God for our submission or lack of it. And verses 6-7 make clear that our support of the government should be both pecuniary and postural, paying taxes and honor.These verses teach in principle that the sphere of civil authority is God-given, and so to be seen by us as good and supported by us for our own good. In principle we learn that civil authorities are God's servants, and so our default position should be that of submission. God has given us rulers and rules and we're to be submissive and tax-paying citizens.And all God's people said, “But what about…?” Or, all God's people said, “You and what army?” I am going to attempt to answer, in principle, some of our responsibilities when the governors are *not* fulfilling their delegated responsibilities. This question has been asked before, not just by Junius Brutus, but by the sweet psalmist of Israel (as David is called in 2 Samuel 23:1):> “if the foundations are destroyed,> what can the righteous do?”> (Psalm 11:3 ESV)Seven considerations/consolations to cheer our souls when the cares of our hearts, especially regarding wicked rulers, are many (see Psalm 94:19-10).# There Is a Higher Throne (1)We do not care about governors governing for state/society's good more, or more carefully, than God Himself. The LORD is God, God is the ultimate authority. He is the only Sovereign who determines the allotted periods and boundaries of every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth (Acts 17:26).After asking what the righteous can do (Psalm 11:3), the faithful are encouraged that:> “The LORD is in His holy temple;> the LORD's throne is in heaven;> His eyes see, His eyelids test the children of man.> The LORD tests the righteous,> but His soul hates the wicked and the one> who loves violence.> (Psalm 11:4-5)Not only do we not care about earthly authorities as much as God, but not one of us comes close to the LORD's delight in His Anointed, in His Son, to whom all authority in heaven and on earth has been given (Matthew 28:18). Jesus Christ will be recognized as King of kings and Lord of lords on earth at His second coming (1 Timothy 6:14-15, Revelation 17:14, 19:16). We must learn to laugh along with the Father who holds the rebellious rulers in derision (Psalm 2, see especially verses 4 and 7-8 and 12). “Blessed are all who take refuge in Him,” and this is necessarily true for *all* nations, not just Israel.This means that as Christians we must care about what God cares about, we must honor His highest throne, and we must “fret not…because of evildoers” who “will soon fade like the grass” (Psalm 37:1). This is not a political punt on difficult questions, but it is the necessary perspective of faith. This is a reminder that “our citizenship…in heaven” (Philippians 3:20) colors all our submission on earth.# De Facto or De Jure or De Bate (2)First of all, I was helped to see that I was saying the second option wrong, it should be *day JOOR-ay*. We might not be able to fix the President's dementia, but I can at least fix my pronunciation.De facto means “of fact” or in fact, whether by right or not. De jure means “of law” or according to rightful entitlement or claim. (De bate is just my playful addition about the debate.)When it comes to the governing authorities in Romans 13, is Paul talking about *rightful* rulers or about *whatever* rulers? Think of an example close to home: if an elected official stole the election, must we submit to that cheater?The text itself answers: “the powers that be” (KJV), “those that exist” (ESV). In Latin law terms, Paul is talking about whatever governing authorities are in place, the de facto ones.But that only helps us so much. Our responsibility is higher than this.It doesn't matter if the authority got his power through all the right channels if he legislates the doing of evil. We cannot do evil “for sake of conscience” (Romans 13:5). And if the authority got his power illegitimately, we still must do good and not evil, whether or not he inconsistently promotes good law later. That said, doing good might include challenging the de facto's fraud.Perhaps more difficult is when others *act* as if they are an authority; ruling in rhetoric instead of ruling in reality. Brother doesn't submit to brother, just because he's older or bigger does not make him the boss. If you got a bill from the Canadian Prime Minister for using maple syrup, you don't have to pay it. The Colonists had an agreement with the King George III, not with Parliament, so by *law* Parliament wasn't their authority. That said, we know that they eventually went to war to be free from the overreach. But on the basic point, the colonists were submitting to what was lawful.Scripture is full of examples of God's appointment of wicked rulers as a scourge to wicked people. That said, Scripture also provides us with laments over it not silent, “sit there and take it” acquiescence. We pray for judgment on those rulers, and prophets call rulers and the people to repent and fear the Lord. Whether de facto or de jure doesn't change our responsibility to do good, even if it takes wisdom to know what is the best good to do.# Paper or Persons (3)I've mentioned previously the observation that Paul doesn't use the word “law” even once in this paragraph. He consistently talks about the servant-rulers not about their standard for rules. The Romans were known for establishing a legal system, with a decent set of agreeable, knowable, consistent laws, but whatever might have been on paper had to be enforced by persons.For us, as citizens of the United States, all our laws are on paper…somewhere, probably, if you can find it, or understand it. For us to apply/obey Romans 13:1, we expect the president to fulfill his oath:> "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States." (From the [Inauguration oath of office](https://www.usa.gov/inauguration#:~:text=the%20U.S.%20Constitution%3A-,%22I%20do%20solemnly%20swear%20(or%20affirm)%20that%20I%20will,Constitution%20of%20the%20United%20States.%22))We say “no one is above the law” in reference to presidents, governors, legislators, judges, and law enforcement persons. We have a national Constitution with Amendments, we have a WA State Constitution, we have RCWs (Revised Code of Washington), along with County and City laws.Who, or what document, do we have to listen to? It's been said, when everyone is special, then no one is special. Well, when everyone is a lawyer, we all hate one another. Due to the corruption in our day, laws have about the same use as a batting average, interesting to argue about but no guarantee you ever get another hit.In a land where the happiness of the people is promoted, the laws are easy to find, easy to understand, and expected to be upheld. We are not in a happy place, whether men “frame injustice by statute” to “build disorder” (Psalm 94:20), or to provide cover under confusion, or enough people with enough power ignore the laws to make it miserable for everyone. Words have to matter, with definitions for terms that don't change, even when the words are on paper.Most of the chastisement, though, comes from pietistic, milk-of-the-Word drinkers, who read that submission is right, and are looking for the simplest understanding of that. The aftermath of so many court cases post 2020 has shown that churches that disobeyed the governors/persons were not the ones disobeying the law/papers, and so have won their cases. It's not surprising when criticisms come from the wanna-be tyrants, that's to be expected. But a lot of “friendly fire”/accusations were thrown by the stay-at-home Christians at the assembling-for-church Christians who were, turns out, the ones submitting to the law.In all this, Christians need to keep their discernment powers sharpened through mutual discernment, in good working condition.# Many Magistrates (4)What about conflicting (legitimate) authorities, in the same sphere, in layers of authority, let alone conflicting with authorities in other legitimate spheres? This has some similarity to the Paper vs. Persons, Constitution vs. President discussion, but carries over to authorities that are near and far.I've learned more about the “doctrine of the lesser magistrates” the last few years. Magistrate is another name for an authority, coming from *magister* in Latin meaning “master.” This “doctrine” is a political expression that recognizes that local authorities—so authorities over smaller areas and numbers of people—have responsibility to resist the higher authorities when the King, the governor, the higher-up has made an unlawful rule. For example, a week ago or so, the Governor of New Mexico banned the right to carry firearms in some public areas for at least 30 days (under a her emergency powers in the aftermath of a shooting), and a County Sheriff said he would not enforce that ban; a federal judge has also now blocked that ban. Good on them.While I appreciate the lesser magistrate piece, what if the lesser magistrate is the problem? What if the Mayor is a mini-despot and the Governor is a freedom-lover? It could look like we're just picking and choosing according to whatever we like, and, of course, people do that. But if we Christians are constantly distinguishing good from evil, then we would be constantly excited about whatever authority at whatever level is doing the same.The moral responsibility is the same, before God to do good. The strategic opportunity changes, to celebrate or to criticize different levels as necessary. This is not every man doing what is right in his own eyes, this is finding any man that will do what is right in God's eyes.Likewise, the church and the household have their own spheres of authority. A president does not have the authority to tell a pastor how to celebrate communion, and so a pastor *must* resist in that scenario. Pastors must also function as protection to their flocks from overreach.# Restrictions on Rulers (5)Submitting to authorities in the civil sphere does not equal the civil sphere being the “boss” sphere. The State, Church, and Household spheres are a divinely established checks-and-balances on each other.Are there limits on what the civil authority can legislate? How far does his jurisdiction extend? The men at the Kuyperian Camaraderie have been talking about this, and Grant and Philip have written up some of the options. If (righteous) civil life was a fenced in field, can the state roam anywhere he wants inside the fence, or is he on a leash, having access only to a smaller circumference? This is a good discussion, and you can read some of those posts here.Grant has written some about the issue here: https://cgweinberg.com/a-christians-responsibility-to-submit-to-authority/ and here: https://cgweinberg.com/why-christians-have-a-duty-to-defy-defend-some-governing-authorities/ And Philip wrote about it here: https://inmirkwood.com/garlic-lemon-butter-trout-is-served-best-in-blue-houses/Our national governing documents limit federal government, not just with checks and balances, but specifically Amendment IX and especially Amendment X were meant to clarify that, at least on the national level, if it's not in the Constitution or Bill of Rights, the power belongs to the State or remains with the people themselves. Again, it's good and sharpening to discuss these things, for sake of doing good for our neighbors.# Cross-Country Consequences (6)God is not mocked (Galatians 6:7). As US citizens we are connected to all the US citizens. And considered as a country, we are guilty of rebellion against and unbelief toward God.We are part of the same body-politic, and it hurts to get out of bed every morning. Most men don't want to be bothered, and it shows. There is some merit in the let your neighbor be, but not when we don't bother to pray, to pursue office, or to teach their kids lines of authority. Why should the devil have all the good politicians?The bandits and the stupid have a lot of energy, and we're getting what we deserve as a whole.That said, as Christians, we are also corporately guilty of tolerating junk in the church, among pastors, let alone in ourselves. We see the stream of stupidity in the State, and want it fixed, and fine. It's not an either/or effort. But the lack of faithfulness among Christians is the first and foremost pain, the mess we have most immediately responsibility for.# No Wasted Disobediences (7)The authorities murdered Jesus due to what they perceived as rival political claims (Luke 23). He was persecuted to death for “disobeying” the rulers. So consistently be on the lookout for the good to do, even when others call that good “disobedience”; your genuine good deeds will not be wasted, or overlooked (Hebrews 6:10).“Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good?” (1 Peter 3:13 ESV) Be *zealous*, don't hold back.“Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:28 ESV)# Conclusion*Jesus is Lord*. We should act like it. Pray like it. Vote like it. Work like it. Be zealous for good like it. We should not be craven, milquetoast, or jello-spined. Do not give way before the wicked.> Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain> is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.> (Proverbs 25:26 ESV)We also must not qualify ourselves into anarchy; authority is good from God in principle. As we see so much of the foundations destroyed, we should seek a multitude of counselors in order to be as submissive as possible citizens for sake of conscience, with thanksgiving praying for and supplicating for and interceding for those in high positions (1 Timothy 2:1-2).----------## ChargeWhen we look around, it appears that we live in days of groaning and burden; it's *bleak*. We are tempted to say “behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind.” But it is possible to be “always of good courage,” as long as “we walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:6-7). Beloved, walking and working by faith is never vanity, it is victory.## Benediction:> But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.> Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:57–58, ESV)

Istrouma Baptist Church (BR) Sep 3, 2023 ========== September 3 | Habits Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo September 3, 2023 | Micah Cating Psalm 46:10-11 ESV “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. 1) Silence & Solitude give us space to encounter God's presence. 2) Silence & Solitude allow you to refocus your attention on God in the middle of the noise of life. Mark 1:35 ESV And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. Luke 5:15-16 ESV 15 “But now even more the report about him went abroad, and great crowds gathered to hear him and to be healed of their infirmities. 16 But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.” 3) Silence & Solitude are a source of strength. Matthew 3:16 – 4:3a ESV 16 And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; 17 and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 And the tempter came… Tips to embrace silence and solitude this week: · Find little solitudes throughout your day. · Create a place in your home or find a spot in the community to practice silence and solitude. · Limit your phone usage. Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org

Brian Priebe | Executive Pastor Psalm 23 (NIV)The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23 unpacks what role the Lord as my Shepherd has in my life:• Makes me lack nothing – makes me content, provides for my needs• Makes me lie down – makes me do stuff I don’t want to do• Leads me & guides me – knows and plans my path• Refreshes my soul – lifts me up when I’m worn down• Comforts me – knows my pain and struggle• Prepares a table for me – he’s with me in the midst of daily life• Anoints me – I have his favor, he cares for me• Follows me & Dwells with me forever – his presence is near “It’s not the strength of your faith, but the object of your faith that actually saves you.” — Tim Keller “The Reason for God” Deuteronomy 31:6 (ESV)Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you. Our Shepherd doesn’t only take us on the mountain tops. When we are in even the darkest valley’s, he is with us. His hand is on our shoulder. He is our guide, our comforter, our leader, our Shepherd and therefore we do not fear the evil surrounding us as He is in control. John 10: 14-15 (ESV)I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. Reflection questions: 1. What do you think about when you hear the phrase, "the Lord is my Shepherd”?2. Read Psalm 23. What are the characteristics of the Shepherd?3. What are the characteristics of the sheep?4. What other passages come to mind when you think about sheep and shepherds in the New Testament? Next Steps: Complete the Connect Card to receive more information, have us pray for you, or to ask us any question: http://journeyweb.net/connectcard Want to worship through giving and support the ministry of Journey Church: https://journeyweb.net/giveDownload our app: https://journeyweb.net/app Join our Facebook Group to stay connected throughout the week: https://facebook.com/groups/JourneyChurchBozemanGet your children connected to our children's ministry, Base Camp: https://journeyweb.net/childrenOur Student Ministry is for High School and Middle School students: https://journeyweb.net/studentsSubscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/JourneyChurchBozemanNotes Page: https://journeyweb.net/sermons/notes/2023.08.06.pdf

Psalm 4 | I Will Lie Down and Sleep from CrossPointe Coast on Vimeo. Preacher: Jeremiah Fyffe Scripture: Psalm 4 CALMING DOWN WITH A CALL FOR HELP ORIENTING THE EMOTIONAL LIFE REMEMBERING JOY WHEN NO GOOD CAN BE FOUND LYING DOWN IN PEACE Psalm 3:5 (ESV) I lay down and slept; I woke again, for the Lord sustained me. Ephesians 4:26 (ESV) Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, Charles Spurgeon — Condensed from Henry Scudder's reflection on Psalm 4 (Jeremiah's paraphrase) When you have walked with God from morning until night, it remains that you conclude the day well, when you would give yourself to rest at night. First, look back and consider how you have walked throughout the day. Reform what you find amiss; and rejoice, or be grieved, as you find you have done well or ill. Second, since you cannot sleep in safety if God, who is your keeper, does not wake and watch for you; and though you have God to watch when you sleep, you cannot be safe, if he that watches you is your enemy. It is right and good that at night you renew and confirm your peace with God by faith and prayer, commending and committing yourself to God's care by prayer, with thanksgiving before you go to bed. Then shall you lie down in safety. All this being done, yet while you are putting off your apparel, when you are lying down, and when you are in bed, before you sleep, it is good that you commune with your own heart. Fall asleep with some heavenly meditation, then will your sleep be more sweet, and more secure, your dreams fewer, or more comfortable; your head will be fuller of good thoughts, and your heart will be in a better frame when you awake, whether in the night or in the morning.

“The enemy robs us of today by causing us to worry about tomorrow.” Today we talk with Louie Giglio, pastor, best-selling author, and Director of the Passion Movement. He is here to share biblical and spiritual tools to help break the cycle of worry that is plaguing the vast majority of us. Listen in as he encourages us through his gift of teaching and in his own personal experience with worry. ABOUT OUR GUEST Louie Giglio is Pastor of Passion City Church and the original visionary of the Passion movement, which exists to call a generation to leverage their lives for the fame of Jesus. Since 1997, Passion conferences have gathered college-aged young people in events across the U.S. and around the world. Most recently, Passion 2022 hosted 55,000 students and leaders. Louie is the national-bestselling author of over a dozen books including his newest release, Don't Give the Enemy a Seat at Your Table. His other books include Goliath Must Fall, Indescribable: 100 Devotions about God & Science, The Comeback, The Air I Breathe, I Am Not But I Know I Am, and others. As a communicator, Louie is widely known for messages like Indescribable and How Great is Our God. An Atlanta native and graduate of Georgia State University, Louie has also done post-graduate work at Baylor University and holds a master's degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Louie and Shelley make their home in Atlanta. SCRIPTURES Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; unless the LORD guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. Psalm 127:1 NKJV Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Matthew 6:34 NKJV Casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5 NKJV I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed. Psalm 34:4-5 ESV Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. Philippians 4:6-8 NKJV   There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. 1 John 4:18 NKJV BOOKS BY LOUIE GIGLIO Winning the War on Worry Don't Give the Enemy a Seat at Your Table Goliath Must Fall Indescribable: 100 Devotions about God & Science – for Kids LINK Louie Giglio   MOMS IN PRAYER ·       New to Moms in Prayer? How to get started ·       Unshaken Book ·      Unshaken Bible Study ·      Support Our Mission

Well, hey there and hello to you today. I hope that the month of May is already a month of blessings, a time when you experience the goodness of the Lord in a whole mess of ways, and that you are able to lean in and draw near to Him each day of this entire month right here at the start of the summer season. And I also hope this podcast, specifically this series on Hot Topics, can be part of your daily walk with the Lord. I'm so thankful you're listening to the show today as we discuss the second topic in this series…the power of forgiveness. Let's jump right in. Jan's books on Amazon You're listening to The Burt (Not Ernie) Show Podcast, part of the Spark Network, now playing in the Edifi app. This is episode number 145.   Connect with Jan here: Instagram @JanLBurt TikTok @JanLBurt Facebook Jan L. Burt Author & Podcaster Page Well, here we are again taking a hard look at the hard parts of life in this world, but doing so through the lens of God's Word.    His promises, they are for us and they for our good and they for His glory. Let's treat them like we believe that. And handle them with care, if you will. Believing they are true, expecting results based on what God has stated in the Bible, and seeking His glory and honor, not our own. The servant is not greater than the Master, those are the words of Jesus, and they are words that help us when we struggle with forgiveness. I'm not talking about surface level forgiveness, where you paint with such a broad brush and have a “of course we all need grace and forgiveness” - while that is totally true, it can be hard to swallow on a personal level at times. So in total honesty, I will tell you that I have had to forgive and then forgive again and then a few more times the same exact person for one singular issue…because it was big. Bigger than me or my ability to just let it go, let it drift off into the vast sea of forgiveness…I needed help. God-sized help. I needed some promises about this hot topic. And I found them. And they did what God intended for them to do (as His Word always does, it never returns to Him void.)   There is an actual difference between forgiveness and the feeling of forgiveness. Feelings are so fickle, aren't they? Sometimes our feelings are just basically useless. Nacho Libre quote coming at you: You are useless, Ignasio… Have you ever had a time when your feelings were so wrong, so off the mark, that by believing and accepting those feelings you ended up in a world of hurt? Like a whole mess came as a result of trusting in the soundness of your feelings. *Does it sound like maybe I'm speaking from personal experience? Cuz it should sound that way, since that would be the truth.   This is what makes forgiveness a hot topic, part of this podcast series. The vast difference that lies between Biblical forgiveness and the “feeling” of forgiveness. They are not the same thing. Sure, we know this. You already know this. And yet, we still struggle with the reality of it in our own lives, in those super hard places where we were so wronged, so damaged, used and abused, or our spouse or our kids or our bff or our parents or grandparents, our pastor…you know, people who mean so much to us, they were done wrong and man it can be a big hurdle for us to forgive what has been done to others by others. Cuz hey look, the horrors of the Holocaust were done to actual people by actual people…and a broad, sweeping, overarching decision to “forgive” the German War Machine is something, I suppose, but whatever that something would be it certainly is not forgiveness. We don't need to forgive things. We are called by God's Word to forgive people. And it can be so, so difficult.    Now, what about when you have forgiven, like you really truly have, but then out of the seeming blue, this anger arises and oh what am I to do with these emotions, they are strong and powerful emotions, and I already forgave! Why is this reemerging? Well, there can be a ton of reasons why it's cropping up again, and what I have found is that often we really did forgive. And then, God allows a layer of something that needs healing in us, for our own good and for His glory, to show up, to appear, and then, by choosing to forgive yet again, there is like some maturity and healing and growth that takes place. God uses it for our good, and for Kingdom purposes because it invariably leads us to have more compassion, more empathy, opens new doors to minister to people (which is really a beautiful way to point them to Jesus, the One who holds their eternal life in His hands). So sometimes, for sure, we have to forgive. And then, forgive the same person for the long-past offense or crime against us (you can phrase it any number of ways - the wrong thing done to us or to our loved one). It can feel like we took several steps backward when that feeling came up again and we had forgive again. But what if it is actually a path to several big leaps forward? Not baby steps forward, but giant leaps forward? Spoiler alert: that's actually what is going on in our spiritual life, our spiritual development, when we forgive the same person for the same issue yet again.    Forgiveness is a heart issue. But we don't have to feel all warm and fuzzy in our “heart” in order to really extend forgiveness. We can feel just as upset after we genuinely forgive someone as we did the moment before we choose to forgive. Forgiving from our heart doesn't mean we will “feel” some certain way; it means we choose some certain way. And that way is the way of Jesus, the One who died for us to receive forgiveness. If you struggle with the way you feel, don't confuse that with having an unforgiving heart. Not necessarily the same thing.    Forgiveness is a decision. And it isn't a decision we should put off until we have a change of heart or feel like forgiving.    Extend it today, because in light of the Bible verses I am about to share with you, it is a really bad decision to put off, even for one single solitary day.    Ephesians 4:32 says in the ESV - Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. God forgave you. So you also must forgive.   Mark 11:25, the very words of Jesus, from the ESV - And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. Forgive who? Of what? Anyone. Of anything. And then what?  Your Father who is in heaven will forgive you of your, in the plural, trespasses.   Matthew 6:15, more words in red, words Jesus Himself spoke, still referencing the ESV - But if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.   Well now, there is some bit to those words! Like, ouch. I feel that. And it is painful. Jesus says I must forgive, because if I don't, I won't be forgiven. Those are His words. And I am pretty sure He was serious when He spoke them, and is equally serious about forgiveness today.  We have to do it, this act, this decision, of forgiving. We have to. We must. Because our Lord, our Master, our King, says so.   Matthew 26:28 - For this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for the many for the forgiveness of sins. Jesus speaking (from the ESV).   Think about that. How can we not make the decision to forgive when this is what it cost our beloved Savior? If we love Him, it should not be easy for us to refuse to forgive. Hopefully, as we grow up to more and more maturity in the Lord, we will be more and more unable to extend forgiveness, and quickly!   Luke 23:34, spoken by Jesus while He was on the cross - And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”    Oh, this just wrecks me. How dare I not forgive? Oh Lord, make me quick to forgive! When I don't think I can do it, may Your Spirit move and enable me to! To only forgive, to always forgive. I need to live my life like that.    Matthew 6:12, from the Lord's prayer - And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.  Jesus was teaching His followers how to pray (not a by rote, verbatim, able to spew it out each day from memory while scrolling Instagram or running through my to-do list, not even engaging as I pray… how to pray, not what exact words to say, cuz I'm not sure that by rote not even clued in stuff can really be called praying…) And so, as He was teaching them how to pray, this was part of that “how”.  Forgive. Just like you've been forgiven. Remembering to be grateful to God for the gift of forgiveness makes the act of forgiving so much easier. I have no right to hold a grudge, to refuse to forgive. I've been forgiven of so, so much. And I need to make the choice to forgive a part of my prayer life. Did you catch that? Lord, how should we pray? Teach us to pray!  Pray like this: forgive us, as we have also forgiven.   When forgiving is part of our praying, believe me you, things change as to how much sway our little old feelings have over us. It reframes things, and it refocuses things.   I have two more verses to share, both from the New Testament, and I chose them intentionally, because I think it is really a big deal to know what the early church was instructed to do about a certain topic and then for us, the modern church, to do what the book says.    Matthew 18:21-22 (ESV) - Then Peter came up and said to Him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.” Some versions say seventy times seven. And I have read that the implication was one person sinning against one other person this many times in a single day…the new round of forgiveness would start again the next day. (And for the Jewish people, each day begins as the sun sets, so each evening would be time to let out that deep sign and begin forgiving again…as in, you literally would not allow the sun to go down on your anger since the new day was beginning as the sun was setting.)   Colossians 3?13 - Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must also forgive.   It's not my intention to push you around with the Bible, to shame you (because shame is a tool and tactic of the enemy, and God does not want His people to use satan's means to try and accomplish His will, so there is no guilt or shame in this message today.)   I just want you to hear the Word of God on this very hot topic, and to know that you don't have to feel like forgiving in order to actually forgive. It's just a decision, it is a simple but important act of obedience to what our Lord has told us we must do. And we must forgive, or we will not be forgiven.   Oh yeah, this is for sure a hot topic. But what promise for us, what hope for us, when we live forgiving others. We cannot even begin to imagine how the Lord will use the life of one of His followers who is so all-in when it comes to forgiving that they don't know how not to forgive. What might He do with such a life? You could be that one.   Don't wait another day, another hour, if you know you need to do some forgiving. Do it now, make the decision, and watch God be honored and blessed and bless you in return, because He is such a generous and loving God.    Thanks for joining me today for Part Two of the Hot Topics series.

Be Strong and Courageous 2 Timothy 4:2-4 (NLT) "Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke and encourage your people with good teaching. For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths" 2 Timothy 3:2-5 (NLT) "For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. they will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!" Numbers 13:27-28(NLT) "This was their report to Moses: "We entered the land you sent us to explore, and it is indeed a bountiful country - a land flowing with milk and honey. Here is the kind of fruit it produces. But the people living there are powerful, and their towns are large and fortified. We even saw giants there, the descendants of Anak!" Numbers 13:30-32 (NLT) "But Caleb tried to quiet the people as they stood before Moses. "Let's go at once to take the land," he said. "We can certainly conquer it!" But the other men who had explored the land with him disagreed. "We can't go up against them! They are stronger than we are!" So they spread this bad report about the land among the Israelites:" Joshua 1:1-5 (ESV) "After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' assistant, "Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the people of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, just as I promised to Moses. From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun shall be your territory. No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you." Joshua 1:6 (ESV) "Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them." 1. BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS BECAUSE OF THE PROMISES OF GOD 2. BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS BECAUSE OF THE POWER OF GOD'S WORD Joshua 1:7-8 (ESV) "Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success." Romans 8:11 "The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you." 3. BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS BECAUSE GOD IS WITH YOU Joshua 1:9 (ESV) "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

Introduction: Before God could allow the children of Israel to enter the promised land, He had to begin the process of changing their mind.Gods Definitive Word to Joshua on Successful Thinking!1. Learn to be strong and courageousJoshua 1:6 (ESV) Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them.2. Learn to trust Gods truth Joshua 1:7 (ESV) Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. . . 3. Learn to keep moving straight aheadJoshua 1:7 (ESV) Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go.4. Learn to make Gods Word your point of reference. Joshua 1:8 (ESV) This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

Introduction: Before God could allow the children of Israel to enter the promised land, He had to begin the process of changing their mind.Gods Definitive Word to Joshua on Successful Thinking!1. Learn to be strong and courageousJoshua 1:6 (ESV) Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them.2. Learn to trust Gods truth Joshua 1:7 (ESV) Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. . . 3. Learn to keep moving straight aheadJoshua 1:7 (ESV) Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go.4. Learn to make Gods Word your point of reference. Joshua 1:8 (ESV) This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

The Influencers of your Steps Galatians 5:25 (NIV) “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” The influencers of your steps The culture of the god of this worldEphesians 2:2-3 (ESV)“you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.”2 Corinthians 4:4 (NIV)“The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ”1 Peter 5:8 (ESV)“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”Romans 12:2 (ESV)“do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”Ephesians 5:25-26 (ESV)"…Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word”2 Timothy 3 (ESV)“But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth. Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind and disqualified regarding the faith. But they will not get very far, for their folly will be plain to all, as was that of those two men.You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions and sufferings… Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”2 Corinthians 5:20 (ESV)“we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us.”Psalm 37:23-24 (NLT)“The Lord directs the steps of the godly.                   He delights in every detail of their lives.Though they stumble, they will never fall,                  for the Lord holds them by the hand.” Ephesians 3:20-21 (NKJV)“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”

Descriptions of a Healthy Church Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV)“go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”Matthew 18:20 (NIV)“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”Acts 2:38-41 (NIV)“Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.”Descriptions of a healthy church1.      Devotion to the preaching and teaching of the Word of God.Acts 2:14 (ESV)“Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them”Acts 2:42 (ESV)“They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching”2.      Devotion to one another.Romans 12:10 (ESV)“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”Galatians 5:13 (NIV)"serve one another humbly in love.”James 4:11 (NIV)“do not slander one another.”1 Peter 5:5 (NIV)“clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, ‘God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.'”3.      Devotion to God's flow of leadership. 1 Peter 5:2-4 (NIV)“Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.”

Battle4Freedom (2022) Micro Evolution - Be the Needed Changehttps://rumble.com/v1ojiu5-battle4freedom-2022-micro-evolution-be-the-needed-change.html1 Timothy 4:12 ESV Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.1 Peter 5:3 ESV Not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.Hebrews 13:7 ESV Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.1 Corinthians 11:1 ESV Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

Summary: Deciding to move forward can be many things; fearful or exciting and faith-filled or paralyzing, but recognizing the path laid out by God is critical to success. Isaiah 43:18-19 (NLT) 18 "But forget all that—it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. [19] For I am about to do a brand-new thing. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness for my people to come home. I will create rivers for them in the desert! How can I move forward with confidence? Joshua 1:6-9 (ESV) 6 Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” I must learn to trust God's Word. Joshua 1:6 (ESV) Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. Four Blessings from God's Word 2 Timothy 3:16–17 (NLT) 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work. 1- What's right 2- What's not right 3- How to get right 4- How to stay right I must have courage to obey God's Word. Joshua 1:7 Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. I must make a commitment to know God's Word. Joshua 1:8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. I must learn reliance on God's Presence. Joshua 1:9 (ESV) Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go. Nothing can stop me now!

Summary: Deciding to move forward can be many things; fearful or exciting and faith-filled or paralyzing, but recognizing the path laid out by God is critical to success.Isaiah 43:18-19 (NLT) 18 "But forget all that—it is nothing compared to what I am going to do.[19] For I am about to do a brand-new thing. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness for my people to come home. I will create rivers for them in the desert!How can I move forward with confidence?Joshua 1:6-9 (ESV) 6 Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit theland that I swore to their fathers to give them.7 Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn fromit to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go.8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”I must learn to trust God's Word.Joshua 1:6 (ESV) Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them.Four Blessings from God's Word2 Timothy 3:16–17 (NLT) 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.1- What's right2- What's not right3- How to get right4- How to stay rightI must have courage to obey God's Word.Joshua 1:7 Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go.I must make a commitment to know God's Word.Joshua 1:8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.I must learn reliance on God's Presence.Joshua 1:9 (ESV) Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.Nothing can stop me now!

Three Reasons Why We Worship  1.      Thankfulness  Psalms 100:4 (ESV)“Enter His gates with thanksgiving,    and His courts with praise!    Give thanks to Him; bless His name!” Psalms 118:19,20 (ESV)“Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the Lord.” … “This is the gate of the Lord; the righteous shall enter through it.” 1.      Perspective  Psalms 46:10 (ESV)“Be still, and know that I am God.    I will be exalted among the nations,    I will be exalted in the earth!” 2.     Warfare Psalms 68:1 (ESV) “God shall arise, His enemies shall be scattered;    and those who hate Him shall flee before Him!”

Disciple Up #270 War Stories Part 3: Failure Isn't Fatal – Joshua 7-8 By Louie Marsh, 8-3-2022   Intro.   So about 3,000 men went up there from the people. And they fled before the men of Ai, and the men of Ai killed about thirty-six of their men and chased them before the gate as far as Shebarim and struck them at the descent. And the hearts of the people melted and became as water. Joshua 7:4-5 (ESV)   Four Common Causes of Failure   I have HIDDEN SIN in my life.   1  But the people of Israel broke faith in regard to the devoted things, for Achan the son of Carmi, son of Zabdi, son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of the devoted things. And the anger of the LORD burned against the people of Israel. Joshua 7:1 (ESV)   I quit TRUSTING GOD because things are going well.   2  Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is near Beth-aven, east of Bethel, and said to them, “Go up and spy out the land.” And the men went up and spied out Ai. 3  And they returned to Joshua and said to him, “Do not have all the people go up, but let about two or three thousand men go up and attack Ai. Do not make the whole people toil up there, for they are few.” Joshua 7:2-3 (ESV)   I cannot give you the formula for success, but I can give you the formula for failure: which is: Try to please everybody. - Herbert B. Swope   I divide my FOCUS AND ENERGY   4  So about three thousand men went up there from the people. And they fled before the men of Ai, Joshua 7:4 (ESV)   Then I BLAME GOD for my failures & problems.   7  And Joshua said, “Alas, O Lord GOD, why have you brought this people over the Jordan at all, to give us into the hands of the Amorites, to destroy us? Would that we had been content to dwell beyond the Jordan! 8  O Lord, what can I say, when Israel has turned their backs before their enemies! 9  For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land will hear of it and will surround us and cut off our name from the earth. And what will you do for your great name?” Joshua 7:7-9 (ESV)   God's Reaction to My Failure:   He JERKS THE SLACK out of me!   The LORD said to Joshua, "Stand up! What are you doing down on your face. Joshua 7:10 (NIV)   10  But the Lord said to Joshua, "Get up off your face! Joshua 7:10 (TLB)   He commands me to ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY for my actions.   11  Israel has sinned; they have transgressed my covenant that I commanded them; they have taken some of the devoted things; they have stolen and lied and put them among their own belongings. Joshua 7:11 (ESV)   He commands me to FORSAKE MY SIN   13  Get up! Consecrate the people and say, ‘Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow; for thus says the LORD, God of Israel, “There are devoted things in your midst, O Israel. You cannot stand before your enemies until you take away the devoted things from among you.” Joshua 7:13 (ESV)   My Necessary Response to God:   I must TURN BACK to God.   6  Then Joshua tore his clothes and fell to the earth on his face before the ark of the LORD until the evening, he and the elders of Israel. And they put dust on their heads. Joshua 7:6 (ESV)   I must TURN AWAY from my sins and distractions   "Get up! Command the people to purify themselves in preparation for tomorrow…Joshua 7:13a (NLT)   I must be willing to do some PAINFUL CLEANSING of my heart.   "First thing in the morning you will be called up by tribes. The tribe God names will come up clan by clan; the clan God names will come up family by family; and the family God names will come up man by man. The person found with the cursed things will be burned, he and everything he has, because he broke God's covenant and did this despicable thing in Israel." Joshua 7:14-15 (MSG)   “19Then Joshua said to Achan, “My son, give glory to the Lord God of Israel and give praise to him. And tell me now what you have done; do not hide it from me.” 20And Achan answered Joshua, “Truly I have sinned against the Lord God of Israel, and this is what I did: 21when I saw among the spoil a beautiful cloak from Shinar, and 200 shekels of silver, and a bar of gold weighing 50 shekels, then I coveted them and took them. And see, they are hidden in the earth inside my tent, with the silver underneath.”” (Joshua 7:19–21, ESV)   The best way out is always through. - Robert Frost   4 Ways to Move past My Failures:   ACCEPT Christ's encouragement   1  And the LORD said to Joshua, “Do not fear and do not be dismayed. Take all the fighting men with you, and arise, go up to Ai. See, I have given into your hand the king of Ai, and his people, his city, and his land. Joshua 8:1 (ESV)   Follow HIS LEADING   2  And you shall do to Ai and its king as you did to Jericho and its king. Only its spoil and its livestock you shall take as plunder for yourselves. Lay an ambush against the city, behind it.” Joshua 8:2 (ESV)   Be willing to TRY IT AGAIN   So Joshua and the whole army moved out to attack Ai,,, Joshua 8:3a (NIV)   Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly. - Robert F. Kennedy   Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm.  - Sir Winston Churchill   Success is not final; failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts. - Sir Winston Churchill   "This is the lesson: never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never—in nothing, great or small, large or petty—never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense. Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy." - Sir Winston Churchill   LEARN from my mistakes and do things DIFFERENTLY!   3  So Joshua and all the fighting men arose to go up to Ai. And Joshua chose 30,000 mighty men of valor and sent them out by night. 4  And he commanded them, “Behold, you shall lie in ambush against the city, behind it. Do not go very far from the city, but all of you remain ready. Joshua 8:3-4 (ESV)        

Psalms 46:10 ESV “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” Jeremiah 1:5 CSB I chose you before I formed you in the womb; I set you apart before you were born. I appointed you a prophet to the nations. Jeremiah 29:11 CSB For I know the plans I have for you”—this is the LORD's declaration—“plans for your well-being, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. Ephesians 1:4-5 CSB For he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in love before him. 5 He predestined us to be adopted as sons through Jesus Christ for himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, Ephesians 2:10 CSB For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do. James 4:10 CSB “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.”

1 Peter 5:8 - 1 Peter 5:8 (ESV) Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Dear brothers and sisters, we walk rejoicing with our eyes fixed on Jesus. We are leading our families in the ways of Christ. We come together as a church family enjoying the godly company of one another. We are fighting the good fight enjoying the presence of God. Things are moving along well. At this time, we must be very alert and not drop our guard because our adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. The devil is a very real powerful entity, an evil spiritual person. According to Scripture, the devil has great power on earth, “being the prince of this world” and “the ruler of the kingdom of the air”. The Devil is revealed as a cunning and evil personal being who has the ability and the desire to attack and harm Christians. He attacks suddenly, viciously, and often when we are engaged in routine activities. The devil is in active rebellion against God who has leadership of many demons like himself.

Merriam-Webster : very despondent : DEPRESSED     Hope is the last thing we lose.     "It's been said that a person can live forty days without food, four days without water, four minutes without air, but only four seconds without hope."   Hope gives. Choose hope.     “Heads that are down can't scan the horizon for new openings. helplessness leads to hopelessness."   “Soon I will be done, with the troubles of this world…” -  Mahalia Jackson, Negro Spiritual    Psalm 39:7 English Standard Version (ESV) "And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in you.    Psalm 33:18 (ESV) Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love,    Psalm 31:24 (ESV) Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord!      Psalm 71:5 ESV For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O Lord, from my youth.    Want to sponsor me to come to you?  Let's plan on it.       Thank you for listening, downloading and supporting the Speak Life Church and this podcast.      https://giv.li/p2nj61 Zelle  - pastor@SpeakLifeChurch.net https://www.patreon.com/speaklifechurchpodcast You can support the ministry by check or money order by sending it to Speak Life Church, PO BOX 2, upper Marlboro, MD 20772     Rev. Kenn Blanchard  Kenn.blanchard@gmail.com pastor@speaklifechurch.net  240-200-0713      

Episode 98 We don't just learn for the knowledge. You learn so that you can use it. All you in sports…when a coach critiques you or corrects your actions. He doesn't just want you to have the knowledge. He wants you to apply that knowledge and do better next time! When a boss or manager tells you how to do your task better or more efficiently. They don't want you to say – oh ok. That's nice. And then keep doing it the way you were doing it!! You have the knowledge to use!! Same with parents, teachers, friends, …. Everyone! Every relationship you have – when someone gives you advice or asks you to do something or is teaching you something. It's never for the sake of knowledge. They want you to apply that knowledge! And Yep...God doesn't want us to just have knowledge. He wants us to take Action and be Doers of His Word! James 1:22 (ESV) “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only..." (ESV) "Do what God's teaching says; don't just listen and do nothing. When you only sit and listen, you are fooling yourselves. (Easy-to-Read) If you found this podcast beneficial, please take a minute to leave a review and then share it with someone whom you think can benefit from it. Follow me on Instagram at: Micah - https://www.instagram.com/micahmurphree You can contact me by email: micahmurphree@gmail.com If you would rather watch the podcast, you can watch them on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5FShL4iZqwVQDBLxPy0MVg/ If you want to see more about me and my crazy family, check out our family vlog here(Murph Squad Family): https://www.youtube.com/c/MurphSquadFamilyVlog And if you would like to financially support this ministry and podcast; you can do so at Patreon. Here is the link: https://www.patreon.com/micahmurphree

Description: The devil attacked your heart to make it impenetrable. He wanted you to cut off your love and emotions so you couldn't be who God created you to be. But, your love isn't gone, it's just covered over. Remove the scales from your heart and feel the love of Jesus again. Hold your family in your arms and appreciate them. Find out how hurt leads to a stoney heart and make sure you never let it harden again. Show Notes: A stoney heart doesn't happen overnight. There are a series of events and decisions that lead you there. In this episode, you'll track your steps and be free from the perspective that closed your heart. Enter a new season of your life. Feel God in every decision you make and watch your call take off. This episode ensures that you're free from the harm of the past and that you live today. The Best Teaching to Follow Up With At Liberty to Love (Audio Message) Heal the Broken Hearted (Audio Message) Related Episodes Allow the Holy Spirit to Heal Your Insecurity to Unlock a Greater Portion of Prophetic Anointing (Ep. 215) Scriptures That Restore Love Ephesians 4:18-19 (ESV) They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. Ephesians 4:26–27 (ESV) Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil. Join Our Community! https://www.apostolic-network.com Sponsor the NextGen Prophets Podcast Take this message further. Be responsible for raising the Next Generation of Prophets. Get Your Free E-book and Course Here https://www.nextgenprophets.org/ Watch Our Free Prophetic Teachings on Youtube https://www.youtube.com/ToachMinistries Get Your Prophetic Word Confirmed Speak to a wing man at: 760 466 7257 Get Connected With Apostles Craig and Colette Toach Submit Your Question to the Apostles: ToachMinistries.com Follow the NextGen Prophets Facebook: NextGen Prophets Follow the NextGen Prophets Instagram: NextGen Prophets Instagram

Description: The devil attacked your heart to make it impenetrable. He wanted you to cut off your love and emotions so you couldn't be who God created you to be. But, your love isn't gone, it's just covered over. Remove the scales from your heart and feel the love of Jesus again. Hold your family in your arms and appreciate them. Find out how hurt leads to a stoney heart and make sure you never let it harden again. Show Notes: A stoney heart doesn't happen overnight. There are a series of events and decisions that lead you there. In this episode, you'll track your steps and be free from the perspective that closed your heart. Enter a new season of your life. Feel God in every decision you make and watch your call take off. This episode ensures that you're free from the harm of the past and that you live today. The Best Teaching to Follow Up With At Liberty to Love (Audio Message) Heal the Broken Hearted (Audio Message) Related Episodes Allow the Holy Spirit to Heal Your Insecurity to Unlock a Greater Portion of Prophetic Anointing (Ep. 215) Scriptures That Restore Love Ephesians 4:18-19 (ESV) They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. Ephesians 4:26–27 (ESV) Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil. Join Our Community! https://www.apostolic-network.com Sponsor the NextGen Prophets Podcast Take this message further. Be responsible for raising the Next Generation of Prophets. Get Your Free E-book and Course Here https://www.nextgenprophets.org/ Watch Our Free Prophetic Teachings on Youtube https://www.youtube.com/ToachMinistries Get Your Prophetic Word Confirmed Speak to a wing man at: 760 466 7257 Get Connected With Apostles Craig and Colette Toach Submit Your Question to the Apostles: ToachMinistries.com Follow the NextGen Prophets Facebook: NextGen Prophets Follow the NextGen Prophets Instagram: NextGen Prophets Instagram

Grief, compassion, comfort, and addiction counseling – today from CJ McMurry, from The Refuge, and Dr. Mark E. Shaw, Founder of The Addiction Connection. CJ is a Commissioned Addictions Biblical Counselor with TAC, and serves The Refuge Program Director. Psalm 31:9-10 ESV Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am in distress; my eye is wasted from grief; my soul and my body also. For my life is spent with sorrow, and my years with sighing; my strength fails because of my iniquity, and my bones waste away. Eccles 7:2 "It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting, for this is the end of all mankind, and the living will lay it to heart. Prov 14:13 "Even in laughter the heart may ache, and the end of joy may be grief." 8:15 When to speak Romans 8:28-30 vs. Romans 12:15? Ps 119:50 "This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life." Some verses from Psalm 31 read by Dr. Shaw 17:23 Are you turning to drugs or alcohol to find an answer or relief to the pain of this life? Rom 5:6-11 read and taught by CJ. Dr. Mark E Shaw is the Founder of The Addiction Connection and leads an international team of Commissioned Addictions Biblical Counselors (CABC) who are leading the way in offering the "Hope of the Gospel for the Heart of Addiction." CJ McMurry is a CABC (Commissioned Addictions Biblical Counselor) with The Addiction Connection, serves on TAC's Board, and facilitates TAC's network as the Midwest Regional Director as well. He lives and works in Iowa as the Program Director of The Refuge in Winterset, a men's residential program for those in alcohol and drug addictions. Find more biblical residential programs for addiction which is what the world calls Substance Use Disorders, Go to https://www.theaddictionconnection.org/residential-programs/ for programs and www.theaddictionconnection.org/people/ for addictions biblical counselors. Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. May not copy or download more than 500 consecutive verses of the ESV Bible or more than one half of any book of the ESV Bible.

Many of us can easily think of an authority figure in our life who we have struggled to follow. In this message, Chase Gardner explains how important it is that we honor authority and choose to submit for God's sake. Listen to this message to learn more!Message NotesAs Christians, we need to adopt an attitude of submission to ultimately show honor to God. 1 Peter 2:11-12 (ESV) Be careful how you speak and act because the world is watching, and you need to live a life that glorifies God. 1 Peter 2:13-18 (ESV) Peter tells us to honor authority. Submission is a choice. Romans 13:1-2, 7 (ESV) God will not ever raise you up until you learn to bow down.1 Peter 5:5b-6 (ESV)God will never call you to lead until He can trust you to follow.Until you know the restraint of the spirit, you'll never know the release of the spirit. ---Save your seat at one of our upcoming Easter services at https://gethope.net/easter/If you're new to Hope or looking to get connected, click here: https://gethope.net/next/If you've just made a decision for Christ, please respond here: https://bit.ly/3aWvIZNTo support this ministry financially to help us continue to love people where they are and encourage them to grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ, click here: https://gethope.net/give/Stay Connected with Hope:Website: https://gethope.net/give/Hope Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gethopecommunitychurchHope Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/get_hope/Hope Twitter: https://twitter.com/get_hopeHope YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/HopeCommunityChurch 

Join us as we reflect on ways to gain confidence to overcome fear.  We tend to spend more time talking and planning than we do actually doing. Yet somehow one word tends to not only change but stop our game plan before we ever starts, FEAR! You and I are unique in our own special way. Never allow anyone to influence you to think or feel otherwise. Remember to repeat these Bible verses to yourself, better yet post them on your bathroom mirror for inspiration:Philippians 4: 10 – 13 (ESV) I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity.  Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.  I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.Deuteronomy 31:6 (ESV)Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”Psalm 23:4 (ESV)Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff,they comfort me.Isaiah 54:17 (KJV) No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord.Speak life over yourself. Stay encouraged. Let nothing or no one steal your joy!If you are or know of someone in need of prayer, please share today's message. Stay encourage and know that God is able. For more information and other valuable resources, make sure to subscribe, follow and visit our sites.Website: www.thevoiceofmany.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theevoiceofmany/?hl=enTwitter: https://twitter.com/TheVoiceofMany3Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/The-Voice-of-ManyLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/the-voice-of-many-podcast-1417a81b7Support the show (https://pod.fan/the-voice-of-many-podcast)

Aby Rinella shares her testimony and the story of how God has worked in her life for HIS glory! In this very special four-part "meet the cast" series you get to know Yvette Hampton and Aby Rinella, host and co-host of the Schoolhouse Rocked Podcast. If you plan to meet Yvette and Aby in Hebron, KY on September 23rd, please fill out this form: Meet up with Yvette and Aby! Support Schoolhouse Rocked Has Schoolhouse Rocked been a blessing to you? We need your help! Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to support Schoolhouse Rocked. Support from the homeschool community allows us provide resources and encouragement to homeschooling families around the world. Whether or not you can donate, we ask that EVERY listener support the show by sharing it with your friends and family, by leaving a review on iTunes, and by praying for our team. Watch this full conversation on our YouTube channel. Aby Rinella is homeschool mom to three, writer, speaker, and director of her local homeschool support group. She is a board member of her state homeschool organization and the co-host of the Schoolhouse Rocked podcast. Aby writes and speaks to encourage and inspire women to live the life they were designed to live, to train up their children in God's Word, and to stand on truth in a culture that has lost its foundation. Aby and her husband, Jesse, write for outdoor publications, as well as run a non-profit, Called Beyond, that takes families impacted by disability on outdoor adventures. Read more from Aby at CalledToTheTop.com. Listen to Aby explain WHY she homeschools. Scripture References: Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV) Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Psalm 46:10 (ESV) “Be still, and know that I am God.     I will be exalted among the nations,     I will be exalted in the earth!”  The Lord of hosts is with us;     the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. If you are considering homeschooling or just need some great homeschooling encouragement, please check out HomegrownGeneration.com for over 9 hours of FREE homeschool videos from the Homegrown Generation Family Expo.   New, lower price! FULL ACCESS to the Homegrown Generation Family Expo is just $10!   Please take a minute to visit our sponsors and thank them for helping to bring you The Schoolhouse Rocked Podcast. We ONLY work with companies we know and love! We happily recommend these companies and their products. Are you looking for a new Math Curriculum? CTCMath specializes in providing online video tutorials that take a multi-sensory approach to learning. Creative graphics and animation, synchronized with the friendly voice of internationally acclaimed teacher, Pat Murray, make learning math easy and effective. Visit CTCmath.com today to start your free trial today.   The Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW) equips teachers and teaching parents with methods and materials which will aid them in training their students to become confident and competent communicators and thinkers. Using the Structure and Style™ writing method, IEW will give you the ability to fill young minds with language-building skills, laying the groundwork for a lifetime of excellent writing.   Classical Conversations leads the home-centered education movement by teaching parents and students the classical tools of learning so that they can discover God's created order and beauty. Share the love of learning through a Christian worldview and fellowship with other families. Our families thrive using three keys to a great education: Classical, Christian, and Community. Podcast Topics: Yvette Hampton, Testimony, Aby Rinella, Salvation, Marriage, Motherhood, Teaching, Teacher, Homeschool, Education, Parenting, Family, Parenting, Teens,  Biblical, Christian Parenting, Cast and Crew, Schoolhouse Rocked: The Homeschool Revolution, Homeschool Movie, Homeschool Documentary

Aby Rinella shares her testimony and the story of how God has worked in her life for HIS glory! In this very special four-part "meet the cast" series you get to know Yvette Hampton and Aby Rinella, host and co-host of the Schoolhouse Rocked Podcast. Come back tomorrow for the rest of this conversation. If you plan to meet Yvette and Aby in Hebron, KY on September 23rd, please fill out this form: Meet up with Yvette and Aby! Support Schoolhouse Rocked Has Schoolhouse Rocked been a blessing to you? We need your help! Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to support Schoolhouse Rocked. Support from the homeschool community allows us provide resources and encouragement to homeschooling families around the world. Whether or not you can donate, we ask that EVERY listener support the show by sharing it with your friends and family, by leaving a review on iTunes, and by praying for our team. Watch this full conversation on our YouTube channel. Aby Rinella is homeschool mom to 3, writer, speaker and director of her local homeschool support group. She writes and speaks to encourage and inspire women to live the life they were designed to live, to train up their children in God's Word and to stand on truth in a culture that has lost its foundation. Aby and her husband, Jesse, love the outdoors and speak and write on the benefits of pointing children to their Creator by spending time in His creation. Aby was a featured speaker for the 2020 Homegrown Generation Family Expo.  Read more from Aby at CalledToTheTop.com. Listen to Aby explain why she homeschools. Scripture References: Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV) Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Psalm 46:10 (ESV) “Be still, and know that I am God.     I will be exalted among the nations,     I will be exalted in the earth!”  The Lord of hosts is with us;     the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. If you are considering homeschooling or just need some great homeschooling encouragement, please check out HomegrownGeneration.com for over 9 hours of FREE homeschool videos from the Homegrown Generation Family Expo.   New, lower price! FULL ACCESS to the Homegrown Generation Family Expo is just $10!   Please take a minute to visit our sponsors and thank them for helping to bring you The Schoolhouse Rocked Podcast. We ONLY work with companies we know and love! We happily recommend these companies and their products. Are you looking for a new Math Curriculum? CTCMath specializes in providing online video tutorials that take a multi-sensory approach to learning. Creative graphics and animation, synchronized with the friendly voice of internationally acclaimed teacher, Pat Murray, make learning math easy and effective. Visit CTCmath.com today to start your free trial today.   The Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW) equips teachers and teaching parents with methods and materials which will aid them in training their students to become confident and competent communicators and thinkers. Using the Structure and Style™ writing method, IEW will give you the ability to fill young minds with language-building skills, laying the groundwork for a lifetime of excellent writing.   Classical Conversations leads the home-centered education movement by teaching parents and students the classical tools of learning so that they can discover God's created order and beauty. Share the love of learning through a Christian worldview and fellowship with other families. Our families thrive using three keys to a great education: Classical, Christian, and Community. Podcast Topics: Yvette Hampton, Testimony, Aby Rinella, Salvation, Marriage, Motherhood, Teaching, Teacher, Homeschool, Education, Parenting, Family, Parenting, Teens,  Biblical, Christian Parenting, Cast and Crew, Schoolhouse Rocked: The Homeschool Revolution, Homeschool Movie, Homeschool Documentary

Yvette Hampton shares her testimony and the story of how God has worked in her life for HIS glory! In this very special four-part "meet the cast" series you get to know Yvette Hampton and Aby Rinella, host and co-host of the Schoolhouse Rocked Podcast. Come back tomorrow and Thursday for the rest of this conversation. If you plan to meet Yvette and Aby in Hebron, KY on September 23rd, please fill out this form: Meet up with Yvette and Aby! Support Schoolhouse Rocked Has Schoolhouse Rocked been a blessing to you? We need your help! Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to support Schoolhouse Rocked. Support from the homeschool community allows us provide resources and encouragement to homeschooling families around the world. Whether or not you can donate, we ask that EVERY listener support the show by sharing it with your friends and family, by leaving a review on iTunes, and by praying for our team. Watch this full conversation on our YouTube channel. Yvette Hampton is a homeschool mom through and through, but it wasn't supposed to be this way. Like so many other homeschoolers, Yvette and her husband, Garritt, said they would NEVER homeschool their kids, but God had other plans. Yvette is the producer and host of the upcoming documentary, Schoolhouse Rocked: The Homeschool Revolution, being directed by her husband, Garritt Hampton. As a mom who is concerned for the future of this generation and the future of our country, Yvette has a deep passion to see a culture shift by encouraging people through the truth of God's Word. Her greatest joy in life is being a wife and mom! In the fall of 2016, she and her family sold their home and almost all of their possessions, loaded up in an RV, and began traveling the country to film Schoolhouse Rocked. They have a passion for the homeschool community and are humbled and honored that the Lord has called them to tell the stories of the millions of families who have been impacted by the homeschool revolution.  Yvette and Garritt have been married since 1995. They have two daughters, Brooklyn and Lacey, who they have homeschooled since the very beginning.  Listen to Garritt Hampton's story of directing Schoolhouse Rocked. Scripture References: Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV) Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Psalm 46:10 (ESV) “Be still, and know that I am God.     I will be exalted among the nations,     I will be exalted in the earth!”  The Lord of hosts is with us;     the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. If you are considering homeschooling or just need some great homeschooling encouragement, please check out HomegrownGeneration.com for over 9 hours of FREE homeschool videos from the Homegrown Generation Family Expo.   New, lower price! FULL ACCESS to the Homegrown Generation Family Expo is just $10!   Please take a minute to visit our sponsors and thank them for helping to bring you The Schoolhouse Rocked Podcast. We ONLY work with companies we know and love! We happily recommend these companies and their products. Are you looking for a new Math Curriculum? CTCMath specializes in providing online video tutorials that take a multi-sensory approach to learning. Creative graphics and animation, synchronized with the friendly voice of internationally acclaimed teacher, Pat Murray, make learning math easy and effective. Visit CTCmath.com today to start your free trial today.   The Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW) equips teachers and teaching parents with methods and materials which will aid them in training their students to become confident and competent communicators and thinkers. Using the Structure and Style™ writing method, IEW will give you the ability to fill young minds with language-building skills, laying the groundwork for a lifetime of excellent writing.   Classical Conversations leads the home-centered education movement by teaching parents and students the classical tools of learning so that they can discover God's created order and beauty. Share the love of learning through a Christian worldview and fellowship with other families. Our families thrive using three keys to a great education: Classical, Christian, and Community. Podcast Topics: Yvette Hampton, Testimony, Aby Rinella, Salvation, Marriage, Motherhood, Teaching, Teacher, Homeschool, Education, Parenting, Family, Parenting, Teens,  Biblical, Christian Parenting, Cast and Crew, Schoolhouse Rocked: The Homeschool Revolution, Homeschool Movie, Homeschool Documentary

Yvette Hampton shares her testimony and the story of how God has worked in her life for HIS glory! In this very special four-part "meet the cast" series you get to know Yvette Hampton and Aby Rinella, host and co-host of the Schoolhouse Rocked Podcast. Come back Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday for the rest of this conversation. If you plan to meet Yvette and Aby in Hebron, KY on September 23rd, please fill out this form: Meet up with Yvette and Aby! Support Schoolhouse Rocked Has Schoolhouse Rocked been a blessing to you? We need your help! Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to support Schoolhouse Rocked. Support from the homeschool community allows us provide resources and encouragement to homeschooling families around the world. Whether or not you can donate, we ask that EVERY listener support the show by sharing it with your friends and family, by leaving a review on iTunes, and by praying for our team. Watch this full conversation on our YouTube channel. Yvette Hampton is a homeschool mom through and through, but it wasn't supposed to be this way. Like so many other homeschoolers, Yvette and her husband, Garritt, said they would NEVER homeschool their kids, but God had other plans. Yvette is the producer and host of the upcoming documentary, Schoolhouse Rocked: The Homeschool Revolution, being directed by her husband, Garritt Hampton. As a mom who is concerned for the future of this generation and the future of our country, Yvette has a deep passion to see a culture shift by encouraging people through the truth of God's Word. Her greatest joy in life is being a wife and mom! In the fall of 2016, she and her family sold their home and almost all of their possessions, loaded up in an RV, and began traveling the country to film Schoolhouse Rocked. They have a passion for the homeschool community and are humbled and honored that the Lord has called them to tell the stories of the millions of families who have been impacted by the homeschool revolution.  Yvette and Garritt have been married since 1995. They have two daughters, Brooklyn and Lacey, who they have homeschooled since the very beginning.  Listen to Garritt Hampton's story of directing Schoolhouse Rocked. Scripture References: Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV) Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Psalm 46:10 (ESV) “Be still, and know that I am God.     I will be exalted among the nations,     I will be exalted in the earth!”  The Lord of hosts is with us;     the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. If you are considering homeschooling or just need some great homeschooling encouragement, please check out HomegrownGeneration.com for over 9 hours of FREE homeschool videos from the Homegrown Generation Family Expo.   New, lower price! FULL ACCESS to the Homegrown Generation Family Expo is just $10!   Please take a minute to visit our sponsors and thank them for helping to bring you The Schoolhouse Rocked Podcast. We ONLY work with companies we know and love! We happily recommend these companies and their products. Are you looking for a new Math Curriculum? CTCMath specializes in providing online video tutorials that take a multi-sensory approach to learning. Creative graphics and animation, synchronized with the friendly voice of internationally acclaimed teacher, Pat Murray, make learning math easy and effective. Visit CTCmath.com today to start your free trial today.   The Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW) equips teachers and teaching parents with methods and materials which will aid them in training their students to become confident and competent communicators and thinkers. Using the Structure and Style™ writing method, IEW will give you the ability to fill young minds with language-building skills, laying the groundwork for a lifetime of excellent writing.   Classical Conversations leads the home-centered education movement by teaching parents and students the classical tools of learning so that they can discover God's created order and beauty. Share the love of learning through a Christian worldview and fellowship with other families. Our families thrive using three keys to a great education: Classical, Christian, and Community. Podcast Topics: Yvette Hampton, Testimony, Aby Rinella, Salvation, Marriage, Motherhood, Teaching, Teacher, Homeschool, Education, Parenting, Family, Parenting, Teens,  Biblical, Christian Parenting, Cast and Crew, Schoolhouse Rocked: The Homeschool Revolution, Homeschool Movie, Homeschool Documentary

Prayer to be Still and Wait on the Lord You may have been waiting on the Lord for help or for guidance. Let's pray today to keep the faith and trust that God is working on our behalf. Pray for: wait on the lord, trusting God while you wait, be still, prayer to wait “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” Psalm 46:10 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/psa.46.10.ESV but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/isa.40.31.ESV Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices! Psalm 37:7 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/psa.37.7.ESV for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. James 1:3 https://my.bible.com/bible/59/JAS.1.3 ✉️ Let's connect: Prayer requests - https://tisajones.com/prayer-requests Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/tisajisforjoy/ Leave a voice message - https://anchor.fm/choosejoywithtisa/message #choosejoywithtisa #dailyprayer © Copyright https://tisajones.com Simple prayers for a complex world

Episode Summary: In this episode, I talk with Kim Clark about finding hope during difficult times. We discuss the nature of trials, the reason for trials, why God allows us to experience trials, and how to best handle them. Quotables from the episode: Christianity doesn't ensure a cake-walk life—Jesus told us to expect to go through many trials and sorrows. But we don't go through them alone. In the cellar of affliction, God keeps His choicest wine. In our trials, that's when we grow closest to Christ. There are no shortcuts in God's refinement process. We can come alongside others in their difficult time even when we can't understand or relate to their particular trial. Be present. When others are going through the flames of affliction, we can throw living water on their fire. Instead of asking “why me?” we can ask “why not me?” and thank God that He trusts us with these trials, and that He never wastes our pain. God never promises an easy life, but He does promise to work all things together for good when we love Him and are following His will. In the midst of our trials, the most powerful prayer we can pray is to pray scripture back to God. Scripture References: John 16:33 NLT “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” Isaiah 43:1-3 ESV "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior." Joshua 1:9 ESV "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." Deuteronomy 31:6 ESV "Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you." Romans 8:28 ESV And my all time favorite: “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Recommended Resources: Deep Waters: Lift Your Gaze by Kim Clark Deep Waters: Lift Your Gaze 30-Day Devotional by Kim Clark A free 18 min. Deep Waters: Lift Your Gaze book study facilitator training video on Kim's website A free 48 min. webinar on how to write, publish, and market your book Free Download: How To Fight Fearful/Anxious Thoughts and Win Breaking Anxiety's Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises by Dr. Michelle Bengtson Breaking Anxiety's Grip Free Study Guide Free 7-Day YouVersion Bible Reading Plan for Breaking Anxiety's Grip Hope Prevails: Insights from a Doctor's Personal Journey Through Depression by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Reader's Choice Award Hope Prevails Bible Study by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Reader's Choice Award Social Media Links for Host and Guest: To connect with Kim Clark: Website / Deep Waters Books / Lift Your Gaze / Facebook / Instagram For more hope, stay connected with Dr. Bengtson at: Order Book Breaking Anxiety's Grip / Order Book Hope Prevails  /  Website  /  Blog  /  Facebook / Twitter (@DrMBengtson)  /  LinkedIn  /  Instagram / Pinterest / YouTube Guest: Kim enjoys witnessing the miraculous heart-healing done only by our Savior, Lord Jesus Christ, and rejoices as she inspires others to become better versions of themselves. She is a public speaker, bible lecturer, and recovering college marketing instructor. God has used Kim to administrate a child sponsorship organization, where she coordinated the care of close to 1,000 AIDS orphans in Africa. She is an avid runner and has completed two marathons—despite the angry protests from her knees. She and her family enjoy living in sunny Florida, serving in the local church, and playing pool frisbee with their overly active yellow lab, Mango. Hosted By: Dr. Michelle Bengtson Audio Technical Support: Bryce Bengtson

Why should we care about the poor? Key Questions - 1. How many of you would like to have a relatively happy life? 2. How many of you would like your life to be an act of worship? 3. How many of you would like to keep a reasonably solid financial portfolio? 4. How many of you would be thankful if God listened to your cries for help? “If you want to be happy, be kind to the poor; it is a sin to despise anyone.” -Proverbs 14:21 (GNT) “If you oppress (or mistreat) poor people, you insult the God who made them; but kindness shown to the poor is an act of worship.” -Proverbs 14:31 (GNT) “Giving to the poor will keep you from poverty, but if you close your eyes to their needs, everyone will curse you.” -Proverbs 28:27 (CEV) "Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked." -Psalm 82:4 (ESV) “Be generous, and you will be prosperous. Help others, and you will be helped.” -Proverbs 11:25 (GNT) **God is basically saying, if you take care of my children, I'll take care of your children. “If you refuse to listen to the cry of the poor, your own cry for help will not be heard.” -Proverbs 21:13 (GNT) Listening to others emphasizes their value. When you listen to someone, you are saying, “You matter to me.” 22,000 children a day die of dirty water or hunger related issues. The entire health budget of Ethiopia, a country of 105 million people, is equivalent to just 1% of Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos fortune. 750,000,000 people around the world live on less than 1.90 a day. “The crowd asked, “What should we do?” John replied, “If you have two shirts, give one to the poor. If you have food, share it with those who are hungry.” -Luke 3:10-11 (NLT) “Caring for the poor is lending to the Lord, and you will be well repaid.” -Proverbs 19:17 (CET) So…Why should we care about the poor? 1. Because God cares about poor. 2. Because God is an advocate for the poor. 3. Because every person on the planet is valuable to God. - Big Idea - Where someone lives should not determine whether they live or die. 4. Because we were poor, and God graciously gave to us. “Suppose someone has enough to live and sees a brother or sister in need but does not help. Then God's love is not living in that person. My children, we should love people not only with words and talk, but by our actions and true caring.” -I John 3:17-18 (NCV) What is God asking you to do? God's prompting + Obedience = The Miraculous

Prayer for Online Dating God created us to need one another, to search for love, affection, passion and companionship. No matter how we find love, in person or online, all love comes from Him. Pray for: prayer for online dating, pray for online dating, prayer for Christian singles, pray for the perfect mate.

Proverbs 29:23 (NLT) Pride ends in humiliation, while humility brings honor. Jonah 4:1-4 (NLT) This change of plans greatly upset Jonah, and he became very angry. 2 So he complained to the Lord about it: “Didn't I say before I left home that you would do this, Lord? That is why I ran away to Tarshish! I knew that you are a merciful and compassionate God, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. You are eager to turn back from destroying people. 3 Just kill me now, Lord! I'd rather be dead than alive if what I predicted will not happen.” 4 The Lord replied, “Is it right for you to be angry about this?”     Uncontrolled Anger can lead to over-reactions       Proverbs 14:29 (NLT) 29 People with understanding control their anger; a hot temper shows great foolishness. Proverbs 29:22 (NLT) An angry person starts fights; a hot-tempered person commits all kinds of sin. Job 18:4 (NLT) You may tear out your hair in anger, but will that destroy the earth? Will it make the rocks tremble?  Ephesians 4:17-19 (NLT) With the Lord's authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused. 18 Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him. 19 They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity.  Jonah 4:5-6 (NLT) Then Jonah went out to the east side of the city and made a shelter to sit under as he waited to see what would happen to the city. 6 And the Lord God arranged for a leafy plant to grow there, and soon it spread its broad leaves over Jonah's head, shading him from the sun. This eased his discomfort, and Jonah was very grateful for the plant.       Our first reactions to difficult situations are often not our last reactions.       Psalm 37:8-9 (NLT) Stop being angry! Turn from your rage! Do not lose your temper— it only leads to harm. 9 For the wicked will be destroyed, but those who trust in the Lord will possess the land.  Ephesians 4:20-22 (ESV) But that is not the way you learned Christ!— 21 assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, 22 to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires,      Jonah 4:7-9 (NLT)  But God also arranged for a worm! The next morning at dawn the worm ate through the stem of the plant so that it withered away. 8 And as the sun grew hot, God arranged for a scorching east wind to blow on Jonah. The sun beat down on his head until he grew faint and wished to die. “Death is certainly better than living like this!” he exclaimed. 9 Then God said to Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry because the plant died?   “Yes,” Jonah retorted, “even angry enough to die!”     Anger often makes difficulties feel much bigger.   Ephesians 4:23-24 (ESV) and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. Jonah 4:10-11 (NLT) Then the Lord said, “You feel sorry about the plant, though you did nothing to put it there. It came quickly and died quickly. 11 But Nineveh has more than 120,000 people living in spiritual darkness, not to mention all the animals. Shouldn't I feel sorry for such a great city?”     4, Anger takes our eyes off of Jesus.       Ephesians 4:26-27 (ESV) Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and give no opportunity to the devil.  

Knowing that God has a plan for our lives is not as easy as walking it out. I want to encourage you today to trust God and enjoy your journey. Your right now situation is working for your good even if you can’t see it today.

On this episode, our focus scripture is DEUTERONOMY 31:6 (ESV) "Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” As read by Victor Onuabuobi (@victoronuabuobi) #BeStrongAndCourageous #DailyWordBytes --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/dailywordbytes/message

Various Scriptures Thy Kingdom Come As humans we are very interested in kingdoms. Just consider the concept of a fairy tale. Among other things, the requirements to meet that genre includes some battle with good and evil and royalty. A kingdom that has something wrong that needs to be made right by a hero. Narnia Arendale Neverland Wonderland The Pride lands What compels people to keep writing these kinds of tales? What makes them so interesting to children and adults alike? We even call these timeless classics. Why? Because they transcend generations. And even continents. They have universal, wide appeal. Why? Where does this originate? I believe it is because this reflects the indelible imprint of the image of God in man. We establish kingdoms because God is a king with a kingdom who delegates authority to humanity. And we understand that corruption spoils this kingdom and we want to be in a kingdom with a good king, and joyful subjects and vanquished evil, where everyone lives happily ever after. Take your favorite fairy tale off the shelf this afternoon and go read it and you can predict how the story is supposed to end. The kingdom is one of the key themes in Scripture. The concept of kingdom is all over the Scriptures. From a statistical point of view, all but three books in the Old Testament speak of the kingdom. In the New Testament the kingdom is spoken of in all but six books. All in all, 57 of the 66 books of the bible have the theme of the kingdom.1 So kingdom language is found at the beginning and end. The story begins with God as King and man’s right to rule under Him. It then culminates with God on the throne and man reigning under Him over a new earth.2 The Bible’s storyline shows how the kingdom created goes to the kingdom fallen, which then leads to the kingdom restored. This storyline is centered and anchored in Jesus the Messiah.3 I want to set before you this morning the thrilling reality of Jesus the coming King. He is going to be revealed as king and this is to be our great hope. Last week we saw that the coming kingdom is not connected to the rise and fall of America. It is not brought about through moral or immoral leaders. It transcends any earthly legates. Jesus is bringing about a kingdom that you get the privilege of belonging to. And it is a kingdom that can never be threatened or hastened by wars and rumors of wars. It isn’t guaranteed by the constitution, or a peace treaty, and you lie against Christ, you can imprison and kill his people, but the kingdom will come. As we saw last week, this confounded Pilate. Jesus told him straight up, that his kingdom did not originate from this world. My ambition over the next minutes together is to fill your mind with truth about the kingdom of God. And that as that truth engages your mind, you will be filled with joy… expectation… comfort… hope… anticipation. We are to pray for this kingdom to come. We are to anxiously await the revelation of this kingdom. We are to live as though we belong to this kingdom. We are to invite others to enter with us into this glorious kingdom. This is going to confront some ways that we think wrongly about the coming kingdom. It exposes a lack of faith: Misplaced hope in seeing the kingdom here and now on your own terms—political peace, relational peace, etc. Discontent from trying to find contentment in this current life with a groaning creation—if I could just get to …. If I could just … then I’d be content. Lies abounding… censorship of Christian ideas… immoral men and women ascending to high positions of leadership in powerful organizations and government… tend to get fearful and fret Whether you pine for the good stuff or just want less of the bad, it is within all of our hearts. But how you handle that desire or that fear is very important. Jesus taught his disciples to pray: Matthew 6:9–10 (ESV) Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. What are you praying for, exactly? Are you asking God to save more people? To expand the church? To expand his rulership over all of creation? We get a clue about his will being done on earth as it is in heaven… a clue that the kingdom being spoken of here is looking toward a day where God’s will is not merely decreed and coming about in that manner in the world. But it is being manifested. A time when you could look around and say, “I see that this and this and this and this is according to God’s will.4 If you are anything like me, often times it is a bit fuzzy. I can point to aspects of this kingdom, but it isn’t always the clearest concept with clearly defined lines. We know that one day Jesus will be revealed as the king: Philippians 2:9–11 (ESV) Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. We are to be like Joseph of Arimathea in Luke 23:51 who was waiting for the kingdom… I want to introduce this with a couple of definitions and then we are going to look at several passages beginning in Genesis and ending in Revelation. First, it seems rather obvious, but what is a kingdom? The concept of “kingdom” includes at least three essential elements: Ruler—a kingdom involves a ruler with rightful and adequate authority and power. Realm—a kingdom involves a realm of subjects to be ruled. Rulership—a kingdom involves the exercise of ruling. All three elements are needed for a kingdom, including active ruling.5 This bears itself out. A kingdom requires a ruler (one with authority), a realm (a place to rule over), and a reign.6 J. Alvin McClain There can be no kingdom in the truest sense without the ruler, the realm, and the reigning function.7 Consider then a kingdom isn’t really a kingdom unless you have each of these three components.. So, for example, in Nigeria there are currently many kings—no one has an exact count, but it is estimated to be in the thousands. Every tribe has a king. I met someone who said they were related to the king of Nigeria and I thought, “wow, that’s kinda hard to believe…” then I realized that in Nigeria the kings are tribal leaders. The government in Nigeria has changed and these kings at this point have no real power. One person commented on the irony of referring to kings as such when they aren’t actually ruling: [These kings] … have no authority, no armies, fight no wars, bear no responsibility for the development or prosperity of their domain. Yet we indulge in this pitiful fantasy of them being the all powerful as Kings who did all these and more in the days of yore.8 The point? A king who isn’t ruling over a kingdom is isn’t really a king. A king needs a kingdom to rule over and a kingdom needs a king reigning over it. A ruler, a realm and a reign. Seems straightforward enough. But then we go to apply the concept of kingdom to the Scripture, and we find that the concept of kingdom is used in different ways. This answers the dilemma posed by the question—if there is a coming kingdom, then what is God doing right now? If God will be exalted on the throne one day, where is he and what is he doing now? Specifically is Jesus raining and ruling right now, and if he is in what sense is he? The Bible speaks of the concept of the Universal Kingdom: God’s eternal rule over all creation.9 Goldsworthy writes The Bible does not leave the kingdom in the abstract. If God rules, he rules somewhere, even if somewhere is everywhere.10 This is being a creature in his world. This is my Father’s world. You and I live in it. Recognize or not. Submit to it or not. It is an inescapable reality. And in fact, one day every person will meet this sovereign. As a friend or as a foe. J. Alvin McClain It is not for men to choose whether or not they will be under the rule of the Universal Kingdom. Whether they like it or not, they are already under it (Ps. 75:4–7).11 Every activity under the sun is within the realm of this sovereign. You don’t choose to join it. There are no signups. There are no quitsies. No backsies. No exemptions. Every human is created in the image God for his glory and placed within the realm of his creation over which he rules. Isaiah 66:1 (ESV) Thus says the LORD: “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool; what is the house that you would build for me, and what is the place of my rest? Psalm 24:1–2 (ESV) The earth is the LORD’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein, for he has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers. Psalm 115:3 (ESV) Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases. This is the Universal Kingdom: God’s eternal rule over all creation. And for the Christian this is a source of great comfort and joy. We know this king. This king is pleased with us. He is on our side. He has told us how we can be reconciled to him. To fellowship with him. To be with him eternally. Even the temporary flourishing of evil and the presence of sin is under his purview. Colossians 1:15–17 (ESV) He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. From Satan and his demons to every evil potentate, governor, president, judge, commissioner, king, legislator, prison guard, police chief—whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities… they were created through him and for him and he holds all of them together. His invisible reign is in control of every creature and every event. No evil deed will go unnoticed or unpunished. Every wrong is accounted for—either paid for by the person who committed the sin, or else by the Savior Jesus Christ in their behalf. The inescapable universal kingdom of God. That keeps from freaking out. It stabilizes me. It anchors me. But the universal kingdom of God isn’t the only way the kingdom is portrayed in Scripture. It isn’t all that God has established. God is so generous and wise and amazing. God wanted to display his glory by delegating his authority to mankind to rule the earth. His glory was to be displayed by people, created in his image, exercising dominion over the domain he has allotted to them. Theologians refer to this as the: Mediatorial Kingdom: God’s rule on the earth through man who acts as God’s representative. God’s rule on the earth through man who acts as God’s representative. God was pleased to not only rule from heaven directly upon the earth, but to rule from heaven through people ruling on the earth. What we see throughout biblical history then is that God delegated an earthly kingdom to Adam who failed. He kept promising that an earthly kingdom would come that would do what Adam failed to do. Jesus the Messiah is that second Adam, he is David’s son. In his first coming he laid the groundwork for the coming of his kingdom, that kingdom that we are still awaiting. I want to show you this development. It will leave you with such an appreciation for what God has done and what he is doing and what he will do. We’re gonna do biblical theology this morning. We are going to traverse from Genesis to Revelation and select just a few of the many places to see the development of the kingdom. Our outline today is: The Hope of King Jesus Revealed in History The Development of the Kingdom of God in Scripture… The preparation for King Jesus The promise of King Jesus The preview of King Jesus The presentation of King Jesus Let’s begin of course, at the beginning. Once upon a time. Open your Bible to Genesis 1. I want you to see the design here. The kingdom framework beginning on page one of your Bible. Genesis 1:26–28 (ESV) Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. God eternally pre-existent. No beginning. No starting point. No need to create man. He wasn’t lonely. He didn’t need us. He was fully self-satisfied in his existence. And yet according to his own good pleasure, our Trinitarian God (let us) wanted to make man in his own image. Wanted to magnify his glory by putting it on display in creating. And the very first responsibility… the first form and structure to this creation comes in the second part of v. 26— And let them have dominion… Dominion. Almost sounds like a kingdom. This word is used in fact of royalty ruling in the Psalms. It means to rule, to govern. It is the work of a king. It is the role of a king. He didn’t say let’s make man to just be our royal subjects or to have playdates or to be little robots or to live passive lives on the earth. Let’s make man to rule. To have dominion. To govern. To take charge… … over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, This is instruction is to go and conquer the earth. Fill the globe with people. Bring it into submission. Subdue is a raw word. It means to bring something into subjection. Even by force. In person-to-person usage in the OT subdue sometimes involves violence and bringing someone into subjection against his or her will.12 The idea is to dominate and subjugate. Enslave. This isn’t some license to abuse the earth, but it is the instruction to go and conquer. What a wonderful plan! God shares dominion. He gets glory by sharing glory. He rules. He creates man in his image to rule. The King of kings and the Lord of lords delegating authority to human beings, created in his image. We each have our realms: Psalm 115:16 (ESV) The heavens are the LORD’s heavens, but the earth he has given to the children of man.13 As a side note, whatever station of life you are given dominion, you are conquering for his glory. Whether you work in the home or outside the home. Fixing your car. Mowing your lawn. Balancing your checkbook. Sweeping the floor. Wiping a snotty nose. You are bringing the earth into subjection. And he looks as says, this is good… very good (v. 31). And then Eve believes the lie that God is withholding something good from her and she has a better way to find fulfillment and happiness. And in pride she is deceived and eats of the tree. Adam takes the fruit and eats of it as well. The result? You failed to rule in the way God designed. Adam blew it. He was a failed ruler. And so, this realm, this world that man was supposed to rule over as God’s regent, is cursed. It’s why we have desires to exercise dominion and why we want to see a good kingdom—it was the original design. But in our corruption we simply aren’t able to maintain this kingdom. The good kingdom gets so bad by Genesis 6 that God starts all over. He destroys every human and every land animal on the planet except one family and the animals he could fit on a boat. Noah comes out and what is he called to do? Repeat of Genesis 1:26-28. Genesis 9:1 (ESV) And God blessed Noah and his sons and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth. What’s humanity do? Mankind, instead of multiplying and filling the earth tries to multiply and stay in one place. Man wants glory for himself. And so, what does God do? He scatters them at the tower of Babel. He is forcing them to fulfill his plan to spread out over the earth. His kingdom plan keeps getting stymied by sin. Adam isn’t the perfect king. Noah and his family didn’t provide the kingdom of perfect righteousness. But God hasn’t given up… and so alongside this failure is also… The Hope of King Jesus Revealed in History The preparation for King Jesus The promise of King Jesus Remember there is a promised seed in Genesis 3.14 Genesis 3:15 (ESV) I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” There will be one born of a woman who will succeed. These two kingdoms are going to be at war with one another. One kingdom ruled by Satan in his realm. The other kingdom is going to be led by God’s son. You can trace Satan’s enmity through all of human history. The famine that almost wiped-out Israel and his sons, but God preserved his people through sending Joseph to Egypt. Pharaoh trying to kill the Hebrews boys in genocide, yet God delivered them through the Exodus and into the Promised Land. Saul attempting to kill David before he was even had children. Haman trying to kill all the Jews in Persia, yet God preserved his people through Esther. Herod attempting to kill Jesus by slaughtering the baby boys in Bethlehem. When that failed, Satan tried to get Jesus to sin and abandon his mission. He incited hatred in the hearts of the people of Israel at that time to reject Jesus. The story is of a Messiah, God’s anointed facing opposition through all of his history. But God promises in Genesis 3:15 that this seed will prevail. He will crush the serpent. Genesis 12:1–3 (ESV) Now the LORD said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” Here’s the promise. Built upon Genesis 3:15 and now expanded with greater clarity. You are going to get a nation. A people group that is blessed of the Lord. And you will have offspring. And all the nations of the earth will be blessed through this seed. I’m gonna promise to send one who does what I gave Adam to do in Genesis 1. He is going to be a source of blessing to the entire earth. He is going to be a descendent of Abraham. And so, we see that Israel and Israel’s land is a microcosm of what is going to happen worldwide in the church and for all of the people groups of the earth. This was Israel’s hope and consolation. This was Israel’s comfort. God’s covenant with Abraham started to make the picture a little clearer. Then we get even more specific. He will be the second Adam. He will be Abraham’s son. A descendent of Isaac, the son of promise. The son of Israel (Jacob, the little brother, not Esau the older one). And then as Israel is blessing his sons we read of the next narrowing prophesy about this coming one: Genesis 49:8–10 (ESV) “Judah, your brothers shall praise you; your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies; your father’s sons shall bow down before you. Judah is a lion’s cub; from the prey, my son, you have gone up. He stooped down; he crouched as a lion and as a lioness; who dares rouse him? The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until tribute comes to him; and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples. Fast forward to David. David is of the tribe of Judah. Judah was also given a promise. 2 Samuel 2:4 (ESV) And the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah… David is the anointed. 2 Samuel 7 (ESV) 1 Now when the king lived in his house and the LORD had given him rest from all his surrounding enemies, 2 the king said to Nathan the prophet, “See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells in a tent.” 3 And Nathan said to the king, “Go, do all that is in your heart, for the LORD is with you.” 4 But that same night the word of the LORD came to Nathan, 5 “Go and tell my servant David, ‘Thus says the LORD: Would you build me a house to dwell in? 6 I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up the people of Israel from Egypt to this day, but I have been moving about in a tent for my dwelling. 7 In all places where I have moved with all the people of Israel, did I speak a word with any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, saying, “Why have you not built me a house of cedar?” ’ 8 Now, therefore, thus you shall say to my servant David, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, that you should be prince over my people Israel. 9 And I have been with you wherever you went and have cut off all your enemies from before you. And I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. 10 And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, so that they may dwell in their own place and be disturbed no more. And violent men shall afflict them no more, as formerly, 11 from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel. And I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover, the LORD declares to you that the LORD will make you a house. 12 When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men, 15 but my steadfast love will not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you. 16 And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.’ ” 17 In accordance with all these words, and in accordance with all this vision, Nathan spoke to David. 18 Then King David went in and sat before the LORD and said, “Who am I, O Lord GOD, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far? 19 And yet this was a small thing in your eyes, O Lord GOD. You have spoken also of your servant’s house for a great while to come, and this is instruction for mankind, O Lord GOD! 20 And what more can David say to you? For you know your servant, O Lord GOD! 21 Because of your promise, and according to your own heart, you have brought about all this greatness, to make your servant know it. 22 Therefore you are great, O LORD God. For there is none like you, and there is no God besides you, according to all that we have heard with our ears. 23 And who is like your people Israel, the one nation on earth whom God went to redeem to be his people, making himself a name and doing for them great and awesome things by driving out before your people, whom you redeemed for yourself from Egypt, a nation and its gods? 24 And you established for yourself your people Israel to be your people forever. And you, O LORD, became their God. 25 And now, O LORD God, confirm forever the word that you have spoken concerning your servant and concerning his house, and do as you have spoken. 26 And your name will be magnified forever, saying, ‘The LORD of hosts is God over Israel,’ and the house of your servant David will be established before you. 27 For you, O LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, have made this revelation to your servant, saying, ‘I will build you a house.’ Therefore your servant has found courage to pray this prayer to you. 28 And now, O Lord GOD, you are God, and your words are true, and you have promised this good thing to your servant. 29 Now therefore may it please you to bless the house of your servant, so that it may continue forever before you. For you, O Lord GOD, have spoken, and with your blessing shall the house of your servant be blessed forever.” Davidic Covenant15 Prophets The Hope of King Jesus Revealed in History The preparation for King Jesus The promise of King Jesus The preview of King Jesus I want to show you how connected the reign of Jesus was to his arrival and his mission. He came as Savior, but also as the promised king. Matthew 1:1 (ESV) The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. The seed in whom all the nations would be blessed and the Son who would inherit an eternal kingdom. It wasn’t just how Matthew framed things up in his gospel. Look at how the angel Gabriel framed up the son whom Mary would bear. Luke 1:31–33 (ESV) And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end. Simeon. Anna. Zacharias. John the Baptist. All saying the same thing. He came bringing a preview of the kingdom. People think that Jesus did miracles because he was compassionate. Of course, he had compassion on people afflicted in this cursed world. And the miracles attested to his ministry. Just consider: Matthew 4:23–24 (ESV) And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people. So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, those oppressed by demons, those having seizures, and paralytics, and he healed them. Mark 1:32–34 (ESV) That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons. And the whole city was gathered together at the door. And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him. Isaiah 35:5–7 (ESV) Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; 6 then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy. For waters break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert; the burning sand shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water… Matthew 12:22–23 (ESV) Then a demon-oppressed man who was blind and mute was brought to him, and he healed him, so that the man spoke and saw. And all the people were amazed, and said, “Can this be the Son of David?” This wasn’t the beginning of the kingdom. It was a taste. A sample. Like Costco. Chips and salsa for the family. I had a taste. Every blind person had their eyes deteriorate and their ability to focus clearly wane as they aged. Every deaf person who regained hearing lost it as the sensory hair cells in their ears were damaged. Every paralytic he gave movement to would one day be lifeless in the grave. It was a taste, but it was only a taste. The Christ is the Messiah. The Anointed One. This kingdom motif opens up so many passages. So many places Jesus gives a little taste. A little foretaste. A sample. A preview of what’s to come. Just consider the mount of transfiguration. Matthew 17:1–9 (ESV) 1 And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. 3 And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. 4 And Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” Peter is no dufus. Why’s he so excited and ready to set up booths for Moses and Elijah and Jesus? Because he believes it’s the revelation of his kingdom. You say, how do you get that out of Matthew 17? Peter’s own commentary on this passage. 2 Peter 1:16–19 (ESV) 16 For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” 18 we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. We saw his majesty. We saw his power and glory. This is what is on Peter’s mind when he asks in Acts 1—will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel? Where is Jesus right now? Psalm 110:1–2 (ESV) The LORD says to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.” The LORD sends forth from Zion your mighty scepter. Rule in the midst of your enemies! Acts 2:33 (ESV) Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. That is still coming. We are waiting for the day that he is on the throne. Present Age: Jesus is in heaven and the nations do not yet submit to Jesus as King. Typology in the OT—David when he was anointed was in fact given the right to rule over Israel. But there was a period of time between his anointing as king and his ascendency to the throne. In a like manner, Jesus is now exalted to the right hand of the Father and given all authority. But he is not yet reigning on David’s throne. It is worth noting that the establishment of David’s kingship occurs in progressive stages. He is anointed as the rightful king by Samuel in 1 Samuel 16. Much later, in 2 Samuel 2:4, he is anointed king over Judah. Only after a long war between his house and the house of Saul (2 Sam. 3:1) is he anointed king over all Israel (2 Sam. 5:3–4).16 All authority at the Father’s right hand, awaiting his kingdom. The Hope of King Jesus Revealed in History The preparation for King Jesus The promise of King Jesus The preview of King Jesus The presentation of King Jesus What still remains to come? He himself said: Matthew 25:31—When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. He came as David’s true Son. He was and is the Messiah. He came bringing the kingdom and it was rejected and so all that is Israel got was a preview. Just as David was anointed and waited receiving the promised kingdom. So we wait for the glory to be revealed when Jesus returns. Millennial Kingdom: Jesus rules the nations on earth and punishes those nations who do not act as they should. Revelation 20:1–3 (ESV) 1 Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain. 2 And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, 3 and threw him into the pit, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he might not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were ended. After that he must be released for a little while. Clearly the age we live in is not this kingdom. For starters all the physical promises of peace and prosperity as the curse is reversed have to be taken spiritually… not physical changes in the world around us, but simply spiritual ones. It divides or dichotomizes the spiritual and physical vs. viewing the kingdom involving both. But most obviously, Satan isn’t bound right now. Jesus isn’t ruling in all his kingdom glory with the devil bound: 1 Peter 5:8 (ESV) Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 1 John 5:19 (ESV) We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. 2 Corinthians 4:4 (ESV) In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. Jesus is reigning during this time. He is on the throne according to v. 11. Revelation 20:4 (ESV) Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. We are not living in this living under this kingdom reign of Jesus right now. Isaiah 65:17–25 (ESV) 17 “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind. 18 But be glad and rejoice forever in that which I create; for behold, I create Jerusalem to be a joy, and her people to be a gladness. 19 I will rejoice in Jerusalem and be glad in my people; no more shall be heard in it the sound of weeping and the cry of distress. 20 No more shall there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not fill out his days, for the young man shall die a hundred years old, and the sinner a hundred years old shall be accursed. 21 They shall build houses and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit. 22 They shall not build and another inhabit; they shall not plant and another eat; for like the days of a tree shall the days of my people be, and my chosen shall long enjoy the work of their hands. 23 They shall not labor in vain or bear children for calamity, for they shall be the offspring of the blessed of the LORD, and their descendants with them. 24 Before they call I will answer; while they are yet speaking I will hear. 25 The wolf and the lamb shall graze together; the lion shall eat straw like the ox, and dust shall be the serpent’s food. They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain,” says the LORD. Animal kingdom getting along (last time I checked at the zoo the goats and the tigers have a fence between them) No more crying or weeping (you haven’t been in my house this week) No more infant mortality (friends who lost a little one just this past month) Older people not dying early People living long and enjoying what they worked for (friends who have lost businesses) People will build houses and live in them (no evictions) Plant vineyards and eat the fruit of their work (gardens uyielding) Violence will be removed from the land Nations and kings will come to Israel Look, that description does not match the world we live in. And neither does it describe eternity. Babies being born and elderly dying. This is what we await. A world that has basically no healthcare industry because sickness and disease is suppressed A world where I things work the way they’re supposed to. The creation is being restored. All the stuff that continually frustrates you living in a fallen world is it going to be thriving without the curse. A world where peace and harmony prevail. In families. In neighborhoods. The news will be filled with feel-good stories. A world where God’s people are vindicated. God himself is vindicated. This is the beginning of the happily ever after ending that everyone wants. Before eternity, God is going to give Jesus, the second Adam the rulership to do what Adam failed. This view recognizes that the world itself is not bad. It has just been corrupted. And God is going to redeem not just individual souls, but creation. Well, how does this kingdom relate to eternity? Well, they are related. In fact, this kingdom is the opening scene in what the Bible calls the age to come. This kingdom is the first phase of this new era. Jesus will hand this intermediate kingdom over to the Father: 1 Corinthians 15:24–26 (ESV) Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. Jesus reigns. He rules until the end of his thousand-year kingdom and then he destroys all of his enemies once and for all. And then he hands the kingdom over to his Father and so begins the eternal state. Eternal State: The nations do exactly as they should with no need of punishment. What a marvelous plan. We are to long for this kingdom. To pray that it would come. To wait for it expectantly. To tell the gospel to those who don’t know this king. God created Adam as a son and king tasked to rule over God’s very good creation on His behalf. But with the fall, Adam and mankind failed the kingdom mandate. Man’s right and responsibility in regard to this world was not forfeited, but in his sinful condition all he could do was fail. God, though, launched a promise plan by which a coming seed of the woman would be victorious in defeating Satan and restoring the creation. Several strategic representatives of God would come including Noah, Abraham, and David, but the fulfillment of the seed promise culminated with the arrival of Jesus the Messiah (Gal 3:16). He is the One tasked by the Father to fix this fallen world by ruling over it successfully, fulfilling the kingdom mandate of Genesis 1:26–28, and bringing the creation into conformity with the perfect will of the Father. Jesus is the One who will succeed from and over the realm where the first Adam failed. Yet Jesus’ kingdom campaign will cover two main phases. With His first coming Jesus laid the basis for the restoration of all things by dying on the cross in fulfillment of the ministry of the Suffering Servant. The second coming will bring complete restoration under the King. When Jesus successfully reigns over the earth He will then hand His kingdom over to the Father so God may be all in all (1 Cor 15:28). This is God’s kingdom program. The kingdom of God is the great and grand theme of Scripture. The believer in Jesus can know the kingdom is not a spiritual escape to a cloud in the sky, but a transformed planet earth where the nations serve our great God and King Jesus. Having a proper view of the kingdom gives the believer a clearer understanding of God’s purposes for this planet and a real hope for a wonderful future. When one contemplates the kingdom how can we not help but be excited for its coming? How can it not affect how we live our lives? How can we not be motivated to share Jesus with those who do not know Him? May the prayer of God’s people be exactly what Jesus taught: Pray then this way . . . “Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matt 6:9–10). Amen! Come Lord Jesus

Galatians 2:20 (ESV) 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.   So many Christians it seems are content to just get by in their Christian life. They ask Jesus into their life, they go to church, they learn a few hymns and read the Bible occasionally, but they never really amount to anything in the Kingdom of God. They are content to be average.   MR AVERAGE?   The average Australian man is 36 yo, 178 cm tall and weighs 85kg. He has 2 kids and earns $65,000 a year. His life expectancy is 81.5, women get 4 years more, are 14cm shorter and weigh only 68kg. Statistics can tell you a lot of things, but it cannot tell you who will become great, who will impact the lives of others or who will lay down their life for someone they love.   The average Christian over 35-40 years will attend 1600 church services, hear 1600 sermons, sing more than 20,000 worship songs and lead zero people to faith in Christ.   But average is where many Christians aim, and they hit it! They are content to be ordinary, to live what they think is an adequate Christian life.   They believe that if they go to church, read their Bible occasionally, and say their prayers once in a while, they will be all right with God. Occasionally, they may be inspired to go above and beyond their normal routine and volunteer to serve others as an usher, a member of a church committee, or even go on a short-term mission trip.   So many Christians, especially after the disruption of COVID, are simply going through the motions of being “good Christians.” They do not enjoy the power, the fullness, peace, and joy that should come with the abundant life Jesus promised.   John 10:10 (ESV) The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.   Eventually, this ordinary, average Christian life they are living becomes a burden and does not comfort them when the storms of adversity assail. There’s a disconnect between what we say we believe and what we actually experience. Why are so many Christians content to be ordinary?   1.      WE GET FOCUSSED ON THE WRONG THING   So many Christians are simply focussed on the wrong thing. They are chasing the right career, the right business, the right partner, the right kids, the right church. They concentrate on getting, getting money, houses, hobbies or any number of things except Christ.   Let me ask you, what are you focussed on? Here’s a hint… What do you think about most? Do you spend more time or invest more energy into business, money, home making, even leisure that you invest into reading the Bible, coming to church and prayer. Your time and heads pace is a good indicator of your focus.   Matthew 6:32-33 (ESV) For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.   2.      WE GET DISTRACTED   Another reason our Christian lives are ordinary is that we get distracted. We start well, the seed of an extraordinary life is sown, but as Jesus explains in the parable of the sower, we get distracted by worldly things which choke life and fruitfulness.   Matthew 13:22 (ESV) As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.   When I came to Christ I wanted to do something great, something world changing for Him. I was so young, so full of enthusiasm and drive, but then came starting a career, business, homes, family. None of these are bad, but I noticed they pressured me to take my eyes of Christ. God has shown me that if I seek Him I can serve Him better, and live a more extraordinary life to boot.   Colossians 3:2 (ESV) Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.   3.      WE GET FOOLED   1 Peter 5:8 (ESV) Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.   The devil knows he has lost your soul to heaven, so the next best thing is to stunt your effectiveness as a servant of God. He uses deceit, lies, distractions, pain, and especially fear to blunt your service for Jesus. He is actively trying to bring you down.   We have to be vigilant. Sober minded means calm and collected in spirit. Watchful means staying awake, being aware.   Look at your life right now. Are you being fooled by the enemy, hoodwinked by Satan? Are you being sold the lie that your business or house or car or family or anything else is more important that your life in Christ?   Only one life, twill soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last… CT Studd.   4.      WE GET WEARY   So often we serve the Lord, we focus on Him, we desire to live an extraordinary life for Him, but we just get weary. This is huge for me, and for many of us. Paul said,   Galatians 6:9 (ESV) And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.   It’s not about how you start the Christian race, it’s about how you finish. If you grow weary and fail, you slip back into ordinariness.   Folks, we need to be continually inspired towards love and good works. We need to hold fast to the Word of the Lord and wait on Him. He promises..   Isaiah 40:31 (ESV) but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.   So how do we guard against becoming weary and discouraged? The answer is one simple word… Fellowship.   Fellowship with yourself, take a break, have a few days away and recharge the batteries.   Fellowship with God, quiet times, reading the Bible, worshipping Him   Fellowship with friends, have a few laughs, go out to dinner, watch a fun movies, play some crazy game like bananagrams.   Fellowship with believers. Church needs to be something that builds us up and replenishes us when we get weary. You can be a Christian and not go to church, just like you can be married and not live together, but it’s not the norm.  Most Christians who are not linked with a church family achieve little if anything for God.   Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV) And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.   Ignite is a great place to open opportunities for fellowshipping with believers, serving the Lord and replenishing your reserves so you can soar with the Eagles, even if you have to deal with turkeys in your life.   JESUS NEVER CALLED US TO BE AVERAGE   Life and life to the full is not ordinary, mundane existence! I cannot believe that God called you to become an boring also-ran when Paul says   Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV) Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith   God has been showing me that if I aim at nothing, I’ll hit it every time. But if I aim at the moon, I might miss but hit a star.     The world constantly tells you to live a life of your own value and worth, but they define value and worth in cars, houses, stocks, jobs and appliances. None of these have any value in eternity. You can be less than average in society, but full of value and worth in eternity, because your value is not in what you do but in who you are. You are a saved, redeemed sinner, set free from sin and death by His grace, and set on fire to impact the world by His Spirit! You are of value regardless of what you do.   BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE!   We could stay right there, valued by useless. But why should we be content with being average, garden variety Christians? Why should we be happy with an ordinary life? I might sound like an infomercial, but wait, I believe there is more!   Ephesians 3:20 (ESV) Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,   That’s not a mundane, average verse! God can and will give us not just the ordinary, not even abundance, but far more, exceedingly abundantly beyond all we could ask or think.  The secret is in seeking Him first, not seeking the others things. We must seek God’s face, not just His hand.   The great news is that, when we honestly seek the Lord with all our heart, He promises that He will live in us by His Spirit. Christianity is not about living our best for God; it is about dying to self and about Christ living His best in us. Our great weakness in serving Christ is self confidence. The choice is simple: either we deny self or we deny Christ.   Psalms 37:4 (ESV) Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.   HOW TO LIVE AN EXTRAORDINARY LIFE   As believers, we should desire a life that’s beyond average. But too often we settle for a life that’s “just okay” instead of extraordinary.  I guarantee you that right now there are people here who are settling for being ordinary. Settling for what is safe, what is comfortable or what is familiar, not what is right or what is extraordinary.   We shouldn’t settle for a good marriage when we could have a great marriage. We shouldn’t settle for an average Christian walk when would could affect the world around us for Jesus, please our Father in Heaven and build gold silver and costly stones instead of wood hay and straw.   You see, we can settle for mediocrity with mundane jobs and minimal ministries – or we can take action to escape apathy and live life in ways that are beyond our wildest imaginations.   You don’t have to be talented or smart or good looking or gifted to be extraordinary. I can think of many people with those characteristics amounting to zero in God’s Kingdom. It is not about your ability, it’s about your availability!   So how do we become more active, passionate, and joyful followers of Jesus Christ? How do we ramp up our Christian life to serious put a dent in eternity?   Are you even available for God to use?   Here’s three virtues that will help you move your life beyond average to Holy Spirit led awesomeness, and an extraordinary life…   1.      CHOOSE TO BE OBEDIENT   Every day we face a choice… Obedience to Christ, or our own desires. So how do you know what you need to obey God about? Reading His Word draws you to Him, and allows the Holy Spirit to speak to you. He speaks through His Word.   Remember what Jesus said? “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15). Obedience to God and His Word will move you from apathy to action!   We’re commanded to be witnesses, faithful worshipers, and prayer warriors; to give generously to the work of Christ; and to love God’s Word. We’re commanded to live holy lives for Christ (not just happy, but holy). Are you living in obedience to God’s instructions?   God has placed you where you are to be a witness for Him. When you’re obedient to God in everything you do, He’ll use you in powerful, meaningful ways for His Kingdom.   Deuteronomy 30:19 (ESV) I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live,   Obeying Christ is life and life to the full, both for you, and for your wife or husband, and your kids, and their kids, and those around you. Blessings and cursing,   Life and death… Now choose extraordinary life!   2.      CHOOSE TO BE DILIGENT   Choose to be diligent in serving God wholeheartedly.   Romans 12:11 (ESV) Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.   Frankly, some Christians are slothful, slack and apathetic, which is being pathetic and having an app for that! Christians should not be apathetic, because the world is watching you, at school, at the shops, at work or in the home. Apathy is the enemy of extraordinary.   We may have found a cure for most evils; but we have found no remedy for the worst of them all, the apathy of human beings. – Helen Keller   Christians should be relied upon as being diligent, resourceful people, not those who squeak by doing the bare minimum.  We should in all areas be excellent.   Matthew 5:16 (ESV) In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.   People are watching not what you say, but your deeds, what you do.  If you long to live and extraordinary life, be diligent   2 Peter 1:10 (ESV) Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.   3.      CHOOSE TO BE RESILIENT   Which means, keep going. There are times in life that it all just seems to be too much, we are overwhelmed, we are weary and down and despondent. I’ve been right there this week, so have many of you. But whatever happens to you, I’m speaking prophetically to someone here today, I implore you in the Lord, keep going. If you’re walking through he shadow of death, don’t stop, don’t camp there, don’t set up your life there, keep on going!   I want to have resilient faith that remains constant and unmoved against all odds, because people are dying, people are broken, and we’ve been called to help.   Proverbs 21:21 (ESV) Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honour.   Pursue is the Hebrew RADAP, which means pursue, chase after or run after. It means to chase down. And the one who pursues righteousness and kindness, who pursues God and His Kingdom, they chase it down and pay any cost, and they never give up!   YOU CAN CHOOSE THE LIFE YOU LIVE   You have the power this very day to choose the life you want to live. You can choose an ordinary, mundane, just squeaking by existence, or you can choose an extraordinary life, and life to the full.   As you choose to keep pursuing true obedience, tenacious diligence, and tough resilience, you’ll go from living an ordinary life to living an extraordinary life that will impact the people around you – and the world!   Every great life lived for Jesus Christ and impacting the world for God starts with a choice. I choose not to be average,I choose not to be ordinary. I choose abundant life, I choose Jesus and I choose to be obedient to Him and live an extraordinary life.   Many people believe that the key to living the Christian life starts with pious acts, but they are wrong. It really begins with a deep, intimate relationship with Him.   God did not create you to live a marginal Christian life characterised by chores and rituals. He desires to have a daily relationship with you where you experience His presence and trust Him for wisdom, courage, and strength in all situations.   With every step you take, decision you make, conversation you have, and thought you entertain, the Lord wants to glorify Himself through you. He desires to shine in your life—with His love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control illuminating your unique talents, traits, and personality as you walk in obedience to Him.   People think that Jesus Christ came to earth to make bad men good. He didn’t. He came to make dead men live! That’s why Paul writes,   2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV) Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.   All it takes is a choice. I can’t live a victorious life, you can’t live a victorious life, only Jesus can, by His Spirit within us. He lives life to the full, but only when we choose to give Him our life. Choose now whom you will serve! The church, the world, religion or Jesus Christ. Choose an extraordinary life that both you and your descendent might live!   In other words, to live an extraordinary Christian life is to allow Jesus to live in and through you. Your old self dies, and your new self is handed to Him. That is why Paul wrote, “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me” (Gal. 2:20).   This morning I’m asking you  to choose. If you choose to be ordinary and average, you front up and tell the Lord right now. But if you choose to become all He desires for you, if you choose extraordinary life and ministry, tell Him now. If that’s you, you’re in the right place!

Traditions are important to how we experience holidays, but they are not what’s most important. So if you can’t be with family this season, rely on your Father in heaven. Meditate on these verses with this prayer: Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/rom.15.13.NKJV And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. Colossians 3:14 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/col.3.14.ESV “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” Psalm 46:10 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/psa.46.10.ESV “May the Lord watch between you and me when we are absent one from another. Genesis 31:49 https://bible.com/bible/114/gen.31.49.NKJV Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/jas.1.12.ESV #family #thanksgiving #choosejoywithtisa #dailyeffectiveprayer © Copyright https://tisajones.com Simple prayers for a complex world CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE YOUTUBE CHANNEL: https://www.youtube.com/tsjones?sub_confirmation=1 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/choosejoywithtisa/message

Quiet Time Coaching Episode 252 I am in my third year of participating in the Renovare (https://renovare.org/) book club. The first book in this season's set of four is "How to pray" by Pete Greig. Quiet time coaching episodes will focus on his book for the next few weeks. You don't need to read it to benefit from these recordings, but you might like to get hold of a copy for yourself. I have finished the book and can thoroughly recommend it. A full review of the book will come at a later date in "What we are reading". Last week we explored unanswered prayer - how to handle disappointment in prayer Today we will reflect on the eighth chapter of the book, "Contemplation: How to pray without words". Theme scripture: “‘On earth as in heaven.’" (Matthew 6:10 NIV11) First, let's consider what we're talking about when we discuss contemplative prayer. "If petition is prayer at its simplest, and intercession is prayer at its most powerful, contemplation is prayer at its deepest and most personally transformational." Greig, Pete. How to Pray: A Simple Guide for Normal People (p. 121). John Murray Press. Kindle Edition. We make requests in prayer, we talk to God about our needs, all that is good. But, does it change us? Does it assist in making us more Christlike? Certainly it seems to be part of the package, but isn't there more? "Richard Foster describes it as ‘a loving attentiveness to God’ in which ‘talk recedes into the background, and feeling comes to the foreground’." (p. 122) In essence, contemplative prayer Is about enjoying the presence of Christ, rather than doing anything with it. "Contemplation is stargazing rather than astronomy, listening to jazz rather than hearing a talk." (p. 122) Do the Scriptures support this concept? Yes they do: ‘May the … meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight’ (Ps. 19:14) ‘For God alone my soul waits in silence’ (Ps. 62:1, ESV) ‘Be still, and know that I am God’ (Ps. 46:10) Finally, consider the example of Jesus. He prayed all night several times. Do we honestly think he spent the entire night talking? Is it not reasonable to assume that he meditated on the Word, waited on his father in silence, and enjoyed stillness in the presence of the father? If I spend all my time with my wife talking, things don't go well! With these thoughts in mind, let's turn to some suggestions from the book to help us understand and practice contemplative prayer. 1. Meditation - the 'me and God' stage "Contemplation begins with meditation – fixing your thoughts on a picture, an object, or most frequently on a phrase from the Bible." (p. 125) The stage is where we are bringing a present consciously into the presence of God. Or rather, perhaps, acknowledging his presence. It's a surrender to the reality of God and a connection with him. You might find a Bible phrase, a tree you can see through the window in your garden, or a candle to be something that helps to focus your attention. At the time of writing I am pulling the curtain in my office first thing in the morning, sitting in a comfortable chair and looking out of the window at a hedge with red berries. It's dark when I start but still light enough so that I can see those splashes of red. 2. Contemplation - the 'God and me' stage At this point we are no longer the centre of attention. Instead, it is our heavenly father. "Prayer is no longer something I’m ‘doing’, but something I’m being in the presence of God." (p. 126) We experience acceptance, the pleasure of God in being with us, and a palpable sense of security. 3. Communion – the 'only God' stage Have you ever been so wrapped up in a book or a film that you've forgotten where you are. You've ceased to notice the temperature of the room, the seat you are occupying, your worries about what you're going to do next. All that absorbs you is what you are currently engaged in. "Perfect prayer is not to know that you are praying." (p. 127) This is not where we live all day every day, but it is a window into what the next life might be something like. The constant absorption and enjoyment of communion with God. Time for a reflection. Are you convinced yet that this matters? For some of us it might seem as natural as a dog taking to water. The others I suspect it seems like a foreign language. It's time for a longer quote from the book: " Let me say this as clearly as I possibly can: your soul is crying out for a deeper encounter with Christ and, if your faith is to thrive for years to come, if it is to survive the coming seasons of darkness and pain, if you are to know and be known by Jesus in a richer, more fulfilling way, if you are to continue to engage with him when words no longer have meaning, if you are to become the loving person he wants you to be and to see the world the way he sees it, you must make space in your busy life for regular meditation, contemplation and communion with God. (pp. 127-128) Many of us bemoan the fact we don't feel that we or people around us in our churches are growing as much as they could. Is at least part of the answer that we are not spending enough time consciously in the presence of God? Could contemplative prayer be one of the keys to this lock? 4. Contemplation as a way of being Our pain can obscure God's power. Yet, no matter our confusion or disappointment, it makes no difference to the potentiality of the power of God in any particular circumstance. "..when we meditate regularly on God’s goodness, and saturate our consciousness in his love, we become like him." (p. 128) This scripture speaks to such a vision: ‘We all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory.’ 2 Corinthians 3:18 As brothers and sisters in Christ we help each other cooperate with the work of the Spirit in each other's lives. That's what Christian fellowship provides amongst other things. However, we will never become more like Christ simply by human action. We need, desperately need time in the presence of God for that. 5. Contemplation as a way of seeing Spending time with God changes the way that we see ourselves and our heavenly father, but also the way we see the rest of the world. The more we see Christ in prayer, the more we see him everywhere we go and in everyone we meet. The whole of life becomes an invitation to worship. (p. 129) If you want to see the world changed by the love of Christ, perhaps we might put more effort not into direct evangelism, or even social action, but, first, contemplative prayer. If God can change the way we see the world, it may be that true that we are changed enough for the world to see God through us. Conclusion Pete ends the book with this Prayer poem by Isaac of Stella: He himself is my contemplation. He is my delight. Him for His own sake I seek above me. From Him Himself I feed within me. He is the field in which I labour. He is my cause. He is my effect. He is my beginning. He is my end. He is for me eternity. (p. 131) Questions for discussion: What stands out to you about contemplative prayer? How might your prayer life grow if you could learn how to practice contemplative prayer? Suggestion: Focus on contemplative prayer for the next seven days. Resources mentioned in the book: PRAYER COURSE SESSION: #6: Contemplation. PRAYER TOOLS: 1. Silent Prayer. 2. How to Retreat for a Day. 3. How to Undertake a Pilgrimage (prayercourse.org (http://prayercourse.org/) ). FURTHER READING: The Sacred Year, by Michael Yankoski. Next week we will go on to look at listening in prayer. Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community. Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: malcolm@malcolmcox.org. If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org (http://www.malcolmcox.org/) . Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review. “Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11) God bless, Malcolm PS: You might also be interested in my book: "An elephant's swimming pool" (https://dqzrr9k4bjpzk.cloudfront.net/images/9167082/379662794.jpg) , a devotional look at the Gospel of John mccx, Malcolm Cox, Watford, Croxley Green, teaching, preaching, spiritual disciplines, public speaking, corporate worship, Sunday Sample, Corporate Worship Matters, Tuesday Teaching Tips, Quiet Time Coaching, coaching, coaching near me, coach, online coaching, savior, quiet time, devotion, God, Jesus, Pray, prayer, malcolm’s, cox,

SCRIPTURE: Genesis 3:8–10 (ESV) And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. But the LORD God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?” And he said, “I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself.”PRAYERWe have a built in mechanism for our survival: FEARWe see something dangerousWe experience FEARIt protects us when we experience heights, fire, large animals, etc.That mechanism is often exploited...1. We see a CHALLENGE2. The challenge experiences DISTORTIONThe challenge is distorted, appearing larger, more threatening than in realityIllus: the low light that casts tall shadowsIllus: Granville Mass. monument on small wooden bridge.The tactic of every armyJudges 7:20–22 (ESV) Then the three companies blew the trumpets and broke the jars. They held in their left hands the torches, and in their right hands the trumpets to blow. And they cried out, “A sword for the LORD and for Gideon!” Every man stood in his place around the camp, and all the army ran. They cried out and fled. When they blew the 300 trumpets, the LORD set every man’s sword against his comrade and against all the army. And the army fled as far as Beth-shittah toward Zererah, as far as the border of Abel-meholah, by Tabbath.The challenge is distorted, appearing larger, more threatening than in realityDistortions are deceptions - This is the enemies playground3. The distortion activates the mechanism of FEARAn emotional responseInitially based on distortionFEAR is experienced by everyone, even the most heroicFEAR is It is not a lack of faith4. The DECISION must be made,.. what to do?This can happen over a few minutes of a few days, few yearsAFRAID - sees the distortion and decides to honor it as realWill keep you from God’s best every timeCOURAGE - sees the distortion and disregards it as a lieSo often the challenge and distortion is of a spiritual natureThese can be one-off experiences, but the can be exploited into strongholds3 PREVALENT FEARS FOR TODAYThe Fear Of Bad OutcomesCausing us to ignore God because His way might not workSpecifically - if I stick to what God says, this may not workExodus 16:19–20 (ESV) And Moses said to them, “Let no one leave any of it over till the morning.” But they did not listen to Moses. Some left part of it till the morning, and it bred worms and stank. And Moses was angry with them.Examples:Lying on a resumeSabotaging a colleague to level the playing groundHonor God’s Word and His Word will honor you.God’s math equation will always work out.Joshua 6:20 (ESV) So the people shouted, and the trumpets were blown. As soon as the people heard the sound of the trumpet, the people shouted a great shout, and the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they captured the city.The Fear of Injury & Deathpressuring us to avoid risks associated with winning God’s BEST.Numbers 13:1–2 (ESV) The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Send men to spy out the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the people of Israel. From each tribe of their fathers you shall send a man, every one a chief among them.”Numbers 13:30–31 (ESV) But Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, “Let us go up at once and occupy it, for we are well able to overcome it.” Then the men who had gone up with him said, “We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we are.”Numbers 14:1–3 (ESV) Then all the congregation raised a loud cry, and the people wept that night. And all the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron. The whole congregation said to them, “Would that we had died in the land of Egypt! Or would that we had died in this wilderness! Why is the LORD bringing us into this land, to fall by the sword? Our wives and our little ones will become a prey. Would it not be better for us to go back to Egypt?”We are so pain adverse. We are so afraid of dying?Jesus’ pain/death were the prerequisites to lifeA previous attribute we honor: COURAGE IN BATTLENoble wars, fought to protect the underdogYoung men sent men into battle to fight for someone elseWhen faced with death, these men marched forwardProtections in the US have afforded current generations have never faced a real enemy.We’ve had to create them; we’ve define them with long lists; we’ve created therapeuticsIn previous generations they would have overcome them.The media distorts themWe are so consumed with safety and safe spaces - THEY ARE OUR GODHelicopter Parents Turn Into Snow Plow parentsIllus: family what had not left their homeWorse than dying is the failure to live an abundant life.DON’T BE RECKLESS, BUT LIVE & THRIVEThe Fear of Man’s Opinionpressuring us to dishonor God to win the honor of men.Matthew 26:69–75 (ESV) Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came up to him and said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.” But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you mean.” And when he went out to the entrance, another servant girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” And again he denied it with an oath: “I do not know the man.” After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Certainly you too are one of them, for your accent betrays you.” Then he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know the man.” And immediately the rooster crowed. And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.This was one of Peter’s worst life experiences.Why did Peter Deny Knowing Jesus?Fear of physical painFear of incarcerationFear of rejectionPlagues the churchWe water down who we are and what we are about so as not to offend (we say it is in order to win them over first) that it renders our lives without powerWhat will my coworkers think if they see my bible, see me pray, invited them to church?We will even go to the point to go against God’s wordFear of the optics: How will this be viewed by others?Following Jesus experienced the flip flop of the mobFear of being disliked?Fear of being punished?Fear of being marked - affect popularity,How does heaven view this is the first question we need to ask ourselvesOur BEST LIFE begins as we focus on God’s opinionActs 4:18–20 (ESV) So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.”ClosingThis is a season for courageJoshua to spies: Numbers 13:20 (ESV) Be of good courage and bring some of the fruit of the land.”Moses to Joshua: Deuteronomy 31:6 (ESV) Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”John 16:32–33 (ESV) Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

What we do today determines our harvest tomorrow. As we approach the end of our Revolutionary Faith series, Pastor Lee Cummings delivers a timely word on our role here on earth while we anxiously await the return of Jesus. Focus Scripture // James 5:7-11 (ESV) “Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. 8 You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. 9 Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door. 10 As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.” Sermon Highlights We don't want the kingdom without the king. Our hope is not anchored to this world, but to the one that Jesus will bring. Our responsibility is to align our heart with our hope. Labor like it matters. Sow into the future. Pray for the latter rain. Trust in the purpose of the Lord. You can't quarantine your heart. God is calling us to live our lives with a prophetic imagination. Believe in the power of sowing. The Lord will have the final word. God is not going to send the rains onto fallowed ground. When Jesus steps into the room, all fall down. Nothing will get more attention than the compassion and mercy of God. The only thing withholding Jesus is his patience. 2 Peter 3:9 (ESV) “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” His patience is rooted because He sees 8 million souls across the planet who need His presence.

Scriptures:Ephesians 4:32 ESV - Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.Mark 11:25 ESV - And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”1 John 1:9 ESV - If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.Matthew 6:15 ESV - But if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.Matthew 18:21-22 ESV - Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.Real-Esteem: Finding your true identity in Christ - Printed/eBook Available in http://www.eyniith.com/booksDo you want to know Jesus for yourself? - http://www.real-esteem.com/salvation-message

Scriptures:Ephesians 4:32 ESV - Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.Mark 11:25 ESV - And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”1 John 1:9 ESV - If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.Matthew 6:15 ESV - But if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.Matthew 18:21-22 ESV - Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.Real-Esteem: Finding your true identity in Christ - Printed/eBook Available in http://www.eyniith.com/booksDo you want to know Jesus for yourself? - http://www.real-esteem.com/salvation-message

Again he entered the synagogue, and a man was there with a withered hand. 2 And theywatched Jesus, to see whether he would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they mightaccuse him. 3 And he said to the man with the withered hand, “Come here.” 4 And he saidto them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to kill?” Butthey were silent. 5 And he looked around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness ofheart, and said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand wasrestored. 6 The Pharisees went out and immediately held counsel with the Herodiansagainst him, how to destroy him.~Mark 3:1-6 (ESV)Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and give noopportunity to the devil.~Ephesians 4:26-27The vexation of a fool is known at once,but the prudent ignores an insult.~Proverbs 12:16Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding,but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.~Proverbs 14:29A soft answer turns away wrath,but a harsh word stirs up anger.~Proverbs 15:1A hot-tempered man stirs up strife,but he who is slow to anger quiets contention.~Proverbs 15:18Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty,and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.~Proverbs 16:32Good sense makes one slow to anger,and it is his glory to overlook an offense.~Proverbs 19:11Do not say, “I will do to him as he has done to me;I will pay the man back for what he has done.”~Proverbs 24:29If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat,and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,22 for you will heap burning coals on his head,and the Lord will reward you.~Proverbs 25:21-22Scoffers set a city aflame,but the wise turn away wrath.~Proverbs 29:8A fool gives full vent to his spirit,but a wise man quietly holds it back.~Proverbs 29:11A man of wrath stirs up strife,and one given to anger causes much transgression.~James 3:16-4:12The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.2 He makes me lie down in green pastures.He leads me beside still waters.3 He restores my soul.He leads me in paths of righteousnessfor his name's sake.4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,I will fear no evil,for you are with me;your rod and your staff,they comfort me.5 You prepare a table before mein the presence of my enemies;you anoint my head with oil;my cup overflows.6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow meall the days of my life,and I shall dwell in the house of the Lordforever.~Psalm 23The Lord is merciful and gracious,slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.9 He will not always chide,nor will he keep his anger forever.10 He does not deal with us according to our sins,nor repay us according to our iniquities.~Psalm 103:8-1011 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in himshould not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world tocondemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.~John 3:16-17

Ambree joins in with us today, she unpacks some scripture that God's been teaching her. She has such encouraging Words for us. We want to invite you to watch through this video and receive encouragement, be reminded of who you are, and who God is. Let's look at some scripture and dig into the Word of God and allow our minds to be freed from fear. Take a few minutes out of your day, turn off the news, and get into the Word. Let's bring scripture back. Bible verses from today: Psalm 46:10 ESV “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” Psalm 147:5 ESV 5 Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure. Psalm 139:7 ESV 7 Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? Malachi 3:6 ESV 6 “For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed. Application: -Read the Bible. (Allow God to speak) -Help people around you. (Love your neighbors) -Pray continuously. (Listen to what God is speaking to you) Please comment below and share your thoughts with us. Please like this video and subscribe to our channel. You can follow us on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/in.the.becoming/ Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/inthebecoming/ Subscribe to us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/inthebecoming Subscribe to us on iTunes. https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/in-the-becoming/id1449521760?mt=2 Subscribe to us on Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/matt-foster/in-the-becoming We're also on Spotify podcast. Thank you so much for spending this time with us, we'll be praying for you. Peace be with you, God bless you...

Invisible Luchadores: Evil SpiritsLuchadores are the many wrestling personalities that make up Mexico’s wrestling pop culture known as Lucha Libre. The luchador wears an iconic mask and matching outfit to reinforce is characters personality and storyline. He generally has a trademarked grappling move that he uses on his opponent to subdue them, pin them to the ground and disqualify them from the competition.Luchadores are fictitious characters that exist for our entertainment, but life has a way of revealing very real luchadores that rise up to oppose the purposes and plans God has for all of our lives. They show up the moment we are conceived and are especially active when are young and vulnerable. They look to find success and establish a foothold in our lives, jumping into the ring whenever their grappling skills are needed. The luchador will nudge, shove, contain, carry off, submit and even destroy. He will function at any level we allow.Luchadores have names, familiar to us all, like insecurity, discouragement, unbelief, fear, bitterness, deception, sickness, spirit, Satan. And the luchador is a master of disguise, the best of which is his ability to function without even being noticed. We see the negative circumstances he creates, but we fail to detect his presence. As a result, we think to ourselves, this is just the way life is sometimes, it’s how things often go, it’s something that we have to put up with, or at best, something we have to work around. We end up living lives that are less than what Jesus died for, simply because we fail to bring about the luchador’s eviction.This series is designed to expose the invisible luchadores that we need to identify, call out, rebuke and banish forever so that we can thrive in life enjoying the good things that God has for each and every one of us! Matthew 8:16 That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick.Hollywood and pop-cultures depiction of spirits/demons has led many to disregard and even disbelieve their reality/function in the real world. But scripture paints a far more normative picture:Jesus had regular interactions with the Devil, demons and spirits.Satan in the desert – Matthew 4Syrophoenician woman with an unclean spirit - Mark 7:25–26 Mary Magdalene, who had seven demons - Luke 8:1–2; John 11:2 Man in synagogue - Mark 1:23–26Man called Legion – Mark 5:2-5Crowds - Matthew 8:16 Jesus gave His disciples the mission/authority to cast out spirits.Matthew 10:1 (ESV) And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction.The Early Church regularly dealt with spirits.Peter - Acts 5:16Phillip – Acts 8:6-7Paul – Acts 16:16-17Casting out spirits is part of a believer’s mission.Mark 16:17–18 (ESV) And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.”Notables About Spirits: spirits are not to blame for everything or even the majority of things but they exist and are very real. They are not to be feared. they impact us all on some levelEphesians 6:12 (ESV) For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.1 Peter 5:8 (ESV) Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.they attach to people through key gateways of sin (by, and against)rebellion (Saul’s) - 1 Samuel 16:14–15 (ESV) Now the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and a harmful spirit from the Lord tormented him. And Saul’s servants said to him, “Behold now, a harmful spirit from God is tormenting you.prostitution (Mary) - John 11:2 (ESV) It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill.occult (Slave girl & Paul) - Acts 16:16–18 (ESV) As we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by fortune-telling. She followed Paul and us, crying out, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.” And this she kept doing for many days. Paul, having become greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And it came out that very hour.unsaved (Syrophoenician) - Mark 7:25–26 (ESV) But immediately a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit heard of him and came and fell down at his feet. Now the woman was a Gentile, a Syrophoenician by birth. And she begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter.Judas betrayal - Luke 22:3–4 (ESV) Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve. He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them.In my experience spirits nudge, budge, shove and onboard in moments of fear, deception, loss, trauma, unforgiveness, bitterness, sinthey drive those they attack into acts of self-sabotageYoung boy - Mark 9:22 (ESV) And it has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.”Demoniac - Mark 5:5 (ESV) Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains he was always crying out and cutting himself with stones.Saul trying to kill David - 1 Samuel 18:10–11 (ESV) The next day a harmful spirit from God rushed upon Saul, and he raved within his house while David was playing the lyre, as he did day by day. Saul had his spear in his hand. And Saul hurled the spear, for he thought, “I will pin David to the wall.” But David evaded him twice.respond to medication (as opposed to eviction) - 1 Samuel 16:23 (ESV) And whenever the harmful spirit from God was upon Saul, David took the lyre and played it with his hand. So Saul was refreshed and was well, and the harmful spirit departed from him.a common fingerprint of spirits is the presence of bizarre medical conditionstongue but mute - Mark 9:17 (ESV) And someone from the crowd answered him, “Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has a spirit that makes him mute.ears but deaf - Mark 9:25 (ESV) And when Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.”spirit of infirmity - Luke 13:11 (ESV) And behold, there was a woman who had had a disabling spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not fully straighten herself.a common fingerprint of spirits is heightened emotional outbursts - Mark 5:5 (ESV) Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains he was always crying out and cutting himself with stones.not intimidated by spiritual atmospheres (church) - Mark 1:23 (ESV) And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out,when cast out, they will try to come back - Matthew 12:43–45 (ESV) “When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, but finds none. Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds the house empty, swept, and put in order. Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there, and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So also will it be with this evil generation.”while spirits will escalate from harassment to attachment to possession, there are no examples of believers being possessedWalking In Freedom From Nudge, Budge, Shove….Follow Jesus And Fear Not - Acts 19:13–16 (ESV) Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists undertook to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul proclaims.” Seven sons of a Jewish high priest named Sceva were doing this. But the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?” And the man in whom was the evil spirit leaped on them, mastered all of them and overpowered them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.Recognize A Spirits Influencetesting - Romans 12:2 (ESV) Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.test - 1 John 4:1 (ESV) Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.recognition - 2 Corinthians 2:11 (ESV) so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.discerning of spirits - 1 Corinthians 12:10 (KJV 1900) To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:ask for wisdom - James 1:5 (ESV) If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. Identify And Call The Spirit By Namewhat is your name? Luke 8:30 (ESV) Jesus then asked him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Legion,” for many demons had entered him.name reveals attachment point Command The Spirit To Leave With Your God-Given Authoritycast out with the word - Matthew 8:16 (ESV) That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick.cast out with authority - Mark 6:7 (ESV) And he called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. Walk In The Spirit, Strong & Without “Velcro”be filled with the spirit - Ephesians 5:18 (ESV) And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,the Spirit is the strongest man - Matthew 12:43–45 (ESV) “When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, but finds none. Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds the house empty, swept, and put in order. Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there, and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So also will it be with this evil generation.”Renounce all sin (no velcro) - Titus 2:11–12 (ESV) For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,

1. I Can Accomplish Anything I passed the bar on the first attempt. Up until that point, it was one of the most challenging things I had done. It was daunting. My entire career hinged on me passing this one test. But I did it. After 3 years of law school and an entire summer spent studying, I passed the bar. That let me know I can do anything. Philippians 4:13 (KJV) I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me 2. Not to Lean On My Own Understanding Life doesn’t always go according to the plan I’ve laid out, but God has a better plan. It took me a long time to find a job that I actually wanted to do. I found out very quickly that being an attorney wasn’t it. Honestly, I’m still learning exactly what I’m supposed to be doing, but I know I can’t rely on my own understanding to figure it out. God's wisdom and revelation helped me when I didn't know where to go or what to do. It's always best to lean on Him. Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV) Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight 3. I Have Permission to Feel Without Being Led by My Emotions This is something I learned about myself over the years. If something isn’t going my way or I don’t feel like doing it. I quit. I allowed my emotions to rule and lead me. I would quit something in a heartbeat. So, one of the things I want to leave in the last decade is being led by my emotions. It’s ok to feel, but I must remain sober-minded. I have to make decisions based on what God says and not solely on how I feel. 1 Peter 5:8 (ESV) Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 4. I Can Love Jesus and Still Go to Therapy 2012-2016 was wild. So many things happened. I ended a 5-year relationship. I lost my confidence and hope. I became confused, distrusting, distant, thought I was unlovable. It was a dark time. I remember my mind be cloudy and thinking it would always be this way. So, I talked to my pastor at the time and he recommended therapy. It was eye-opening. I always thought therapy was for crazy people. I was resistant at first because I was taught all I needed was prayer and Jesus, but I wasn’t given any practical tools to allow Jesus’ transformative power to really work in my life. Therapy gave me those tools. I still use those tools to this day to help me use God's word to work through life's issues. 2 Corinthians 10:5 (ESV) We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God... 5. I’m Loved and God Wants What's Best for Me  I went through a period where I felt so unloved. I felt incapable of giving or receiving love. God showed me in a dream how much He really loved me. I realized at that point that He loved me since the foundations of the earth and nothing will ever separate His love from me. Romans 8:38-39 says, "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,  neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." 6. Prayer Changes Me The more I pray, the more my heart changes. Where I was once hard, I am now soft. Prayer increases my faith, prepares me for situations, helps me to defeat temptation, and allows me to see God’s power in the life of others. It doesn’t always change the situation, but it certainly changes the way I view a situation.  Philippians 4:6–7 (ESV) do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 7. My Words Have Power This past decade I started speaking affirmations over myself. I would say them silently, out loud,

I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! Wait for the Lord: be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” (Psalm 27:13-14 ESV) Be strong and let your heart take courage. View your battle with eyes of faith, and wait with confidence in the Lord. PRAY Heavenly Father, You are working and moving in my life on a daily basis. Thank You, God. When progress in my situation seems at a standstill, please help me to look forward in faith to see Your goodness in the outcome. I love you, Lord. In Jesus Christ’s Name, I pray. Amen. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/reflectionofgrace/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/reflectionofgrace/support

Morning Show w/ Ms.B - "Me Too " and Forgiveness ( Replay)#1 Played Episode Hello everyone! Welcome to Morning Show w/ Ms.BI have a sincere desire to offer encouragement to all individuals regardless of their spiritual or religious affiliations. My hope is to increase your interest in making positive lifestyle choices while promoting good character traits and encouraging spiritual growth and overall human developmentToday's episode "Fast Forward Friday" encourages planning for relaxation as well as preparing for the upcoming work week.Contact:www.positivelymsb.comhttps://www.facebook.com/positivelyms.bhttps://www.facebook.com/MsBInspires/https://www.facebook.com/MsB.Speaks/https://twitter.com/PositivelyMsBhttps://www.instagram.com/positivelyms.b/?hl=enEphesians 4:32 ESV Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.1 John 1:9 ESV If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.Matthew 6:15 ESVBut if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.Morning Show w/ Ms.B provides inspiration and motivation as premium fuel for your high-performance life through interesting guests, news, reviews, and resource literature to energize you spiritually while enhancing your positive lifestyle choices.Purpose:The Morning Show's host, Ms. B has a sincere desire to offer encouragement to all individuals regardless of their spiritual or religious affiliations.Ms.B 's hope is to increase interest in making positive lifestyle choices while promoting good character traits and encouraging spiritual growth and overall human development.★★★COPYRIGHT DISCLAIMER★★★We do NOT own the rights to these published songs NOT produced by Storm Talk 365 Radio/ Storm Radio 24/7.. All rights belong to its original owner/owners. For entertainment purposes only.No copyright infringement intended. For promotional purposes onlyI addressed " Me Too" and the need to forgive in order to be forgiven.Ephesians 4:32 ESV Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.1 John 1:9 ESV If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.Matthew 6:15 ESVBut if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.Morning Show w/ Ms.B provides inspiration and motivation as premium fuel for your high-performance life through interesting guests, news, reviews, and resource literature to energize you spiritually while enhancing your positive lifestyle choices.Purpose:The Morning Show's host, Ms. B has a sincere desire to offer encouragement to all individuals regardless of their spiritual or religious affiliations.Ms.B 's hope is to increase interest in making positive lifestyle choices while promoting good character traits and encouraging spiritual growth and overall human development.★★★COPYRIGHT DISCLAIMER★★★We do NOT own the rights to these published songs NOT produced by Storm Talk 365 Radio/ Storm Radio 24/7.. All rights belong to its original owner/owners. For entertainment purposes only.No copyright infringement intended. For promotional purposes onlyTags: positivelyms.b ms.b stormtalk365radio inspiration spirituality religion scripturebiblestudy souls life death biblestudy nondenominational talkshow motivation lifecoach publicspeaker morninginspiration devotionals prayer

Morning Show w/ Ms.B - "Me Too " and Forgiveness ( Replay) #1 Played Episode Hello everyone! Welcome to Morning Show w/ Ms.B I have a sincere desire to offer encouragement to all individuals regardless of their spiritual or religious affiliations. My hope is to increase your interest in making positive lifestyle choices while promoting good character traits and encouraging spiritual growth and overall human development Today's episode "Fast Forward Friday" encourages planning for relaxation as well as preparing for the upcoming work week. Contact: www.positivelymsb.com https://www.facebook.com/positivelyms.b https://www.facebook.com/MsBInspires/ https://www.facebook.com/MsB.Speaks/ https://twitter.com/PositivelyMsB https://www.instagram.com/positivelyms.b/?hl=en Ephesians 4:32 ESV Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. 1 John 1:9 ESV If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Matthew 6:15 ESV But if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Morning Show w/ Ms.B provides inspiration and motivation as premium fuel for your high-performance life through interesting guests, news, reviews, and resource literature to energize you spiritually while enhancing your positive lifestyle choices. Purpose: The Morning Show's host, Ms. B has a sincere desire to offer encouragement to all individuals regardless of their spiritual or religious affiliations.Ms.B 's hope is to increase interest in making positive lifestyle choices while promoting good character traits and encouraging spiritual growth and overall human development. ★★★COPYRIGHT DISCLAIMER★★★ We do NOT own the rights to these published songs NOT produced by Storm Talk 365 Radio/ Storm Radio 24/7.. All rights belong to its original owner/owners. For entertainment purposes only. No copyright infringement intended. For promotional purposes only I addressed " Me Too" and the need to forgive in order to be forgiven. Ephesians 4:32 ESV Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. 1 John 1:9 ESV If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Matthew 6:15 ESV But if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Morning Show w/ Ms.B provides inspiration and motivation as premium fuel for your high-performance life through interesting guests, news, reviews, and resource literature to energize you spiritually while enhancing your positive lifestyle choices. Purpose: The Morning Show's host, Ms. B has a sincere desire to offer encouragement to all individuals regardless of their spiritual or religious affiliations.Ms.B 's hope is to increase interest in making positive lifestyle choices while promoting good character traits and encouraging spiritual growth and overall human development. ★★★COPYRIGHT DISCLAIMER★★★ We do NOT own the rights to these published songs NOT produced by Storm Talk 365 Radio/ Storm Radio 24/7.. All rights belong to its original owner/owners. For entertainment purposes only. No copyright infringement intended. For promotional purposes only Tags: positivelyms.b ms.b stormtalk365radio inspiration spirituality religion scripture biblestudy souls life death biblestudy nondenominational talkshow motivation lifecoach publicspeaker morninginspiration devotionals prayer

Prayer is a responsibility and a privilege. But is it really a priority? How do you make or keep it a priority? I am so thankful to be a child of God. Belonging to God's family means that I have the privilege of coming boldly into God's presence. I can open my heart and share it with Him without shame or fear. Because there are so many different kinds of families, some great and some dysfunctional, I want to give you a snapshot of my dad to explain why I love to pray. My dad is holding my sister. My mom is holding my brother. And my older sister is standing beside my mother. I'm the little girl playing in front of my dad.[/caption]   There are so many things that I could say about my dad. He was quiet. Kind. Good looking- I look like my daddy. LOL! He was hard working. I'm like my dad in that respect too. He loved to garden. I'm not sure if he loved gardening because he enjoyed watching it grow or the influence of living through The Great Depression drove him to gardening. He was generous with the seed and the fertilizer so he always had bumper crops! I think the law of sowing and reaping produced those abundant crops. He always shared his harvest with friends and strangers too. He couldn't hear very well. As the years crept up on him, his hearing began to fail. He hated his hearing aids, so he didn't wear them very often. When I came to visit he would either be in the garden or on the front porch waiting for me to get there. I knew he was excited to see us. (Now, I understand how he felt. I love it when my kids or grandkids come home.) But after a warm hug, he would disappear to the back of the house and return with his hearing aids in his ears. He wanted to be able to hear me. I can't begin to tell you how much that meant to me. It made me feel so valuable. He hated those hearing aids. As much as he hated those hearing aids, he wanted to hear what I had to say more than he hated the buzz and the whistle that he had to put up with when he wore them. HE WANTED TO HEAR ME! I was that important to him. Nothing communicates value more than really listening to someone. I realize that each of us come from different backgrounds. Some of us had awesome dads and some people had no dad in their lives at all. If you are one of those people without a dad, I am so sorry. That's why this picture is so important. I share it to remind you that your heavenly Father wants to hear you! That's important. I want that to really soak in...He listens to you.  He wants to hear about the things that concern you. His ear is tuned to your voice. He made you to have fellowship with Him. Our religious minds have complicated our conversations with God. But the simple truth is--prayer is simple. It is conversation. talking. listening. loving and being loved. Prayer is expressing your love and receiving His love. Prayer is so simple, yet it is profound! It's connecting with Heaven. It's connecting with the Creator of the Universe in a personal way. It's almost unbelievable, but if I don't believe, I strip that connection of its rightful value and power. So talk, cause He listens. But don't forget to listen, because He talks too!   Life is busy! Because life is busy, we must make prayer a priority. Saying prayer is a priority and making it a priority is two very different things. We schedule priorities. Scheduling a priority is the only way to keep it a priority. Do you have prayer on your schedule? If you don't, then it's not a priority.  I know the reality of how life works. If I don't make prayer a priority then I don't pray regularly. So prayer is part of my regular routine. Prayer is a believer's life line. Prayer is more than asking for stuff. It is...   positioning myself in God's presence, loving on Him, listening to Him, and receiving His love is an important part of my walk with Jesus. When I do that... everything else has a way of falling in place. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:33 ESV Be a blessing to someone today. Please share my post with your friends. Thank you.

Morning Show w/ Ms.B - "Me Too " and Forgiveness ( Replay) #1 Played Episode New Shows starting April 1, 2019, with new program platform. I addressed " Me Too" and the need to forgive in order to be forgiven. Ephesians 4:32 ESV Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. 1 John 1:9 ESV If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Matthew 6:15 ESV But if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Morning Show w/ Ms.B provides inspiration and motivation as premium fuel for your high-performance life through interesting guests, news, reviews, and resource literature to energize you spiritually while enhancing your positive lifestyle choices. Purpose: The Morning Show's host, Ms. B has a sincere desire to offer encouragement to all individuals regardless of their spiritual or religious affiliations.Ms.B 's hope is to increase interest in making positive lifestyle choices while promoting good character traits and encouraging spiritual growth and overall human development. ★★★COPYRIGHT DISCLAIMER★★★ We do NOT own the rights to these published songs NOT produced by Storm Talk 365 Radio/ Storm Radio 24/7.. All rights belong to its original owner/owners. For entertainment purposes only. No copyright infringement intended. For promotional purposes only Tags: positivelyms.b ms.b stormtalk365radio inspiration spirituality religion scripture biblestudy souls life death biblestudy nondenominational talkshow motivation lifecoach publicspeaker morninginspiration devotionals prayer

Morning Show w/ Ms.B - "Me Too " and Forgiveness ( Replay)#1 Played EpisodeNew Shows starting April 1, 2019, with new program platform.I addressed " Me Too" and the need to forgive in order to be forgiven.Ephesians 4:32 ESV Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.1 John 1:9 ESV If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.Matthew 6:15 ESVBut if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.Morning Show w/ Ms.B provides inspiration and motivation as premium fuel for your high-performance life through interesting guests, news, reviews, and resource literature to energize you spiritually while enhancing your positive lifestyle choices.Purpose:The Morning Show's host, Ms. B has a sincere desire to offer encouragement to all individuals regardless of their spiritual or religious affiliations.Ms.B 's hope is to increase interest in making positive lifestyle choices while promoting good character traits and encouraging spiritual growth and overall human development.★★★COPYRIGHT DISCLAIMER★★★We do NOT own the rights to these published songs NOT produced by Storm Talk 365 Radio/ Storm Radio 24/7.. All rights belong to its original owner/owners. For entertainment purposes only.No copyright infringement intended. For promotional purposes onlyTags: positivelyms.b ms.b stormtalk365radio inspiration spirituality religion scripturebiblestudy souls life death biblestudy nondenominational talkshow motivation lifecoach publicspeaker morninginspiration devotionals prayer

In this episode I bring to you the 6th installment of the seven part Psalm 37 series. This episode is based on Psalm 37:7 (ESV): Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices! In this episode I also talk about Abraham and Sarah not waiting patiently on the Lord using the scripture from Genesis 21: 8-11. Also featured in this episode is The Christian Heroes of Faith Segment, which is a monthly segment where we feature Christian Men and Women of the Faith whom have made an impact for the Kingdom of God through Christ Jesus. In this month's segment we feature the life and story of the Late Corrie Ten Boom (The Hiding Place)Don't forget to also catch our quote of the Episode as well. Be Blessed! Jesus Christ is Lord.

In this episode I bring to you the 6th installment of the seven part Psalm 37 series. This episode is based on Psalm 37:7 (ESV): Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices! In this episode I also talk about Abraham and Sarah not waiting patiently on the Lord using the scripture from Genesis 21: 8-11. Also featured in this episode is The Christian Heroes of Faith Segment, which is a monthly segment where we feature Christian Men and Women of the Faith whom have made an impact for the Kingdom of God through Christ Jesus. In this month's segment we feature the life and story of the Late Corrie Ten Boom (The Hiding Place)Don't forget to also catch our quote of the Episode as well. Be Blessed! Jesus Christ is Lord.

Morning Show w/ Ms.B - "Me Too " and Forgiveness Replay Feb. 2018 I addressed " Me Too" and the need to forgive in order to be forgiven. Ephesians 4:32 ESV Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. 1 John 1:9 ESV If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Matthew 6:15 ESV But if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. ★★★COPYRIGHT DISCLAIMER★★★ We do NOT own the rights to these published songs NOT produced by Storm Talk 365 Radio/ Storm Radio 24/7.. All rights belong to its original owner/owners. For entertainment purposes only. No copyright infringement intended. For promotional purposes only. Morning Show w/ Ms.B provides inspiration and motivation as premium fuel for your high-performance life through interesting guests, news, reviews, and resource literature to energize you spiritually while enhancing your positive lifestyle choices. Purpose: The Morning Show's host, Ms. B has a sincere desire to offer encouragement to all individuals regardless of their spiritual or religious affiliations.Ms.B 's hope is to increase interest in making positive lifestyle choices while promoting good character traits and encouraging spiritual growth and overall human development. Tags: positivelyms.b ms.b stormtalk365radio inspiration spirituality religion scripture biblestudy souls life death

Morning Show w/ Ms.B - "Me Too " and Forgiveness Replay Feb. 2018I addressed " Me Too" and the need to forgive in order to be forgiven.Ephesians 4:32 ESV Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.1 John 1:9 ESV If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.Matthew 6:15 ESVBut if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.★★★COPYRIGHT DISCLAIMER★★★We do NOT own the rights to these published songs NOT produced by Storm Talk 365 Radio/ Storm Radio 24/7.. All rights belong to its original owner/owners. For entertainment purposes only.No copyright infringement intended. For promotional purposes only.Morning Show w/ Ms.B provides inspiration and motivation as premium fuel for your high-performance life through interesting guests, news, reviews, and resource literature to energize you spiritually while enhancing your positive lifestyle choices.Purpose:The Morning Show's host, Ms. B has a sincere desire to offer encouragement to all individuals regardless of their spiritual or religious affiliations.Ms.B 's hope is to increase interest in making positive lifestyle choices while promoting good character traits and encouraging spiritual growth and overall human development.Tags: positivelyms.b ms.b stormtalk365radio inspiration spirituality religion scripturebiblestudy souls life death

“For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.”‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7:8‬ ‭ESV‬‬Be honest: you’ve prayed and asked God to work in a specific situation, and nothing worked out the way you asked. Does this make Jesus a liar? In other words - what does it means when we ask and don’t receive what we asked for? When we seek and don’t find what we’re looking for? When we knock and the doors stay shut?Let’s talk about it!

“For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.”‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7:8‬ ‭ESV‬‬Be honest: you’ve prayed and asked God to work in a specific situation, and nothing worked out the way you asked. Does this make Jesus a liar? In other words - what does it means when we ask and don’t receive what we asked for? When we seek and don’t find what we’re looking for? When we knock and the doors stay shut?Let’s talk about it!

Morning Show w/ Ms.B - "Me Too " and Forgiveness ( Replay)I addressed " Me Too" and the need to forgive in order to be forgiven.Ephesians 4:32 ESV Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.1 John 1:9 ESV If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.Matthew 6:15 ESVBut if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.★★★COPYRIGHT DISCLAIMER★★★We do NOT own these published podcasts ,songs nor the images featured in any of the videos NOT produced by Storm Talk 365 Radio/ Storm Radio 24/7.. All rights belong to its original owner/owners. No copyright infringement intended. For promotional purposes only.www.stormtalk365radio.comhttps://www.spreaker.com/user/ms.bonitahttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UC36hcruA_LclIHbfRlreAoA?view_as=subscriberhttps://www.facebook.com/stormtalkradio247/https://www.facebook.com/groups/stormtalk365radio/?ref=bookmarkshttps://www.facebook.com/The-Prophetic-Storm-321753668232402/https://www.facebook.com/The-Storm-Chronicles-494007287651339/https://www.facebook.com/canyoubeliveitwithmsb/https://www.facebook.com/StormTalkMinistries/https://www.facebook.com/stormtalk365msb/https://www.facebook.com/groups/stormtalk365radio/

Morning Show w/ Ms.B - "Me Too " and Forgiveness ( Replay) I addressed " Me Too" and the need to forgive in order to be forgiven. Ephesians 4:32 ESV Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. 1 John 1:9 ESV If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Matthew 6:15 ESV But if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. ★★★COPYRIGHT DISCLAIMER★★★ We do NOT own these published podcasts ,songs nor the images featured in any of the videos NOT produced by Storm Talk 365 Radio/ Storm Radio 24/7.. All rights belong to its original owner/owners. No copyright infringement intended. For promotional purposes only. www.stormtalk365radio.com https://www.spreaker.com/user/ms.bonita https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC36hcruA_LclIHbfRlreAoA?view_as=subscriber https://www.facebook.com/stormtalkradio247/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/stormtalk365radio/?ref=bookmarks https://www.facebook.com/The-Prophetic-Storm-321753668232402/ https://www.facebook.com/The-Storm-Chronicles-494007287651339/ https://www.facebook.com/canyoubeliveitwithmsb/ https://www.facebook.com/StormTalkMinistries/ https://www.facebook.com/stormtalk365msb/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/stormtalk365radio/

Morning Show w/ Ms.B - Fruit of The Spirit "Kindness"Discussion on how we treat others with kindness and not expecting anything in return.Ephesians 4:32 ESV Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.Luke 6:35 ESV But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.Proverbs 11:17 ESV A man who is kind benefits himself, but a cruel man hurts himself.Colossians 3:12 ESV Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,The Morning Show w/ Ms.B ( Bonita Claiborne) shares timely topics to enhance daily living and encourage spiritual growth. Non denominational, faith-based discussions with scriptural and general knowledge resource materials.No copyright infringement intended. For promotional purposes only.www.stormtalk365radio.comhttps://www.spreaker.com/user/ms.bonitahttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UC36hcruA_LclIHbfRlreAoA?view_as=subscriberhttps://www.facebook.com/stormtalkradio247/https://www.facebook.com/groups/stormtalk365radio/?ref=bookmarkshttps://www.facebook.com/The-Prophetic-Storm-321753668232402/https://www.facebook.com/The-Storm-Chronicles-494007287651339/https://www.facebook.com/canyoubeliveitwithmsb/https://www.facebook.com/StormTalkMinistries/https://www.facebook.com/stormtalk365msb/https://www.facebook.com/groups/stormtalk365radio/

Morning Show w/ Ms.B - Fruit of The Spirit "Kindness" Discussion on how we treat others with kindness and not expecting anything in return. Ephesians 4:32 ESV Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Luke 6:35 ESV But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Proverbs 11:17 ESV A man who is kind benefits himself, but a cruel man hurts himself. Colossians 3:12 ESV Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, The Morning Show w/ Ms.B ( Bonita Claiborne) shares timely topics to enhance daily living and encourage spiritual growth. Non denominational, faith-based discussions with scriptural and general knowledge resource materials. No copyright infringement intended. For promotional purposes only. www.stormtalk365radio.com https://www.spreaker.com/user/ms.bonita https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC36hcruA_LclIHbfRlreAoA?view_as=subscriber https://www.facebook.com/stormtalkradio247/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/stormtalk365radio/?ref=bookmarks https://www.facebook.com/The-Prophetic-Storm-321753668232402/ https://www.facebook.com/The-Storm-Chronicles-494007287651339/ https://www.facebook.com/canyoubeliveitwithmsb/ https://www.facebook.com/StormTalkMinistries/ https://www.facebook.com/stormtalk365msb/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/stormtalk365radio/

Positively Ms.B - Patience I encourage you to trust the process. Don't Rush the outcome you desire. Romans 12:12 ESV Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Romans 8:25 ESV But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. Galatians 6:9 ESV And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. Psalm 37:7-9 ESV Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices! Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil. For the evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land. Philippians 4:6 ESV Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Jeremiah 29:11 ESV For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. www.stormtalk365radio.com https://www.spreaker.com/user/ms.bonita https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC36hcruA_LclIHbfRlreAoA?view_as=subscriber https://www.facebook.com/stormtalkradio247/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/stormtalk365radio/?ref=bookmarks https://www.facebook.com/The-Prophetic-Storm-321753668232402/ https://www.facebook.com/The-Storm-Chronicles-494007287651339/ https://www.facebook.com/canyoubeliveitwithmsb/ https://www.facebook.com/StormTalkMinistries/ https://www.facebook.com/stormtalk365msb/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/stormtalk365radio/

15 Minutes w/ Ms.B - Double Minded Topic: Double Minded Scripture:James 1:6-8 -- James 1:6-8 ESV But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. James 4:8 ESV Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. James 1:8 ESV He is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. James 1:22-25 ESV But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. 1 Peter 5:8 ESV Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. James 1:22 ESV But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. James 4:3 ESV You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. James 4:7 ESV Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. www.stormtalk365radio.com www.positivelymsb.com Brother johns music Published on Sep 14, 2014 SUBSCRIBED 1.8K SUBSCRIBE SUBSCRIBED UNSUBSCRIBE This mix is from the quiet times volume series 1,2,3,4, and quiet time players cd . This should should sound great in any setting you choose to play it in. here's a list of the tracks 1. What A Friend We Have In Jesus 2. No Not One 3. Walk With Me 4. Jesus Christ Is The Way 5. If It Had Not Been (For The Lord On My Side) 6. Great Is Thy Faithfulness 7. Glory To His Name 8. Word From The Lord 9. Is Your All On The Altar? 10. I Love The Lord 11. I Need Thee Every Hour 12. Jesus Paid It All 13. I Need Thee Every Hour 14. Goin Up Yonder 15. The Solid Rock 16. Bless The Lord 17. Farther Along 18.Speak To My Heart Category Music License Standard YouTube License Music "Speak To My Heart" by Quiet Time Players Listen ad-free with YouTube Red

A message from our series, Bless This Home, from Gary Gaddini on 6/18/17. In this series, we will rediscover God's design for a home that is centered on Christ. Gary will be preaching about how to father from Christ-Centered home perspective. Our Scripture for this Sunday is 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 (ESV): Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.

4th of July, 2016 Live as a Christian Where You Are.  If you have more Freedom in America as a Christian then more is required of you. Individual responsibility = Freedom.  The moment you hand your individual responsibility to a government you lose that freedom and become a slave to that government.  Moral Laws are all you can enforce as a government.   Murder, Lying, con-artist  Stealing:  embezzling  Governments carry the sword for a reason.  When a government creates laws to prevent a sin before it happens, that is when you lose your freedom and no government can manage what they create.  Thought Laws:  “hate crimes”  “hate speech”   God's Plan for the Local Church [Eph 4:11 ESV] And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, [Eph 4:12 ESV] to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, To What End?  To Grow Up.  [Eph 4:13 ESV] until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, [Eph 4:14 ESV] so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. [Eph 4:15 ESV] Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, [Eph 4:16 ESV] from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. Don't do what the world is doing.  [Eph 4:17 ESV] Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. [Eph 4:18 ESV] They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. [Eph 4:19 ESV] They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. Heads Up Christian! [Eph 4:20 ESV] But that is not the way you learned Christ!-- [Eph 4:21 ESV] assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, [Eph 4:22 ESV] to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, [Eph 4:23 ESV] and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, [Eph 4:24 ESV] and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. Your New Action Plan [Eph 4:25 ESV] Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. Anger is not Sin.  [Eph 4:26 ESV] Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, [Eph 4:27 ESV] and give no opportunity to the devil. Individual Responsibility . . . there it is.  [Eph 4:28 ESV] Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. Watch your mouth. [Eph 4:29 ESV] Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. rotten, putrefied  For the Christian, the Holy Spirit is IN YOU.  [Eph 4:30 ESV] And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Don't carry dung in your heart and mind. The opposite of forgiving.  [Eph 4:31 ESV] Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. [Eph 4:32 ESV] Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Your Christian work this week.  Read Ephesians 5 once a day, every day.  Freedom's Cost More presentations from Jeff Rossignol

Sermon Notes Concerning the Command to Love God Loving God [Deu 6:4 ESV] "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. [Deu 6:5 ESV] You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. Jesus points out the highest Command in Matt, Mark and Luke.  [Mat 22:37 ESV] And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. [Mat 22:38 ESV] This is the great and first commandment. [Mat 22:39 ESV] And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. [Mat 22:40 ESV] On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets." Joshua exhorts the people.  [Jos 23:11 ESV] Be very careful, therefore, to love the LORD your God. The Ten Commandments  First 4 is your relationship towards God Six towards fellow mankind.  1. The 5 books of the OT 2. The Jewish Oral Law Jesus Concerning the Law of God.  (Why, Law; Justice is Good) [Mat 5:17 ESV] "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. [Mat 5:18 ESV] For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. [Mat 5:19 ESV] Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. [Mat 5:20 ESV] For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. The OT Law.  Civil: Contextual to the Jewish Nation.  Ceremonial: Fulfilled in Christ.   Moral: The response of the Saved towards God and Mankind This Question is illustrated and answered in Acts and Galatians.  Should Christians follow all the OT Civil Laws or Ceremonial Laws? [Act 15:10 ESV] Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? [Act 15:11 ESV] But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will." [Act 15:15 ESV] And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written, [Act 15:16 ESV] "'After this I will return, and I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen; I will rebuild its ruins, and I will restore it, [Act 15:17 ESV] that the remnant of mankind may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who are called by my name, says the Lord, who makes these things [Act 15:18 ESV] known from of old.' [Act 15:19 ESV] Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God, [Act 15:20 ESV] but should write to them to abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood. Ceremonial Law:  Hebrews 7-9.  (There is no ceremony left that can reconcile man to God) [Heb 9:24 ESV] For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. The Book of Galatians Paul confronts Peter about Gentiles Believers, not being burdened with the Jewish Laws.   Back to Jesus. Jesus now mentions  “It was Said” It is Written,  the OT.  It is Said, Oral tradition.  Sometimes they agree, sometimes they don't.  Jesus goes straight for highest expression of the Moral Commandments.  Murder: [Mat 5:21 ESV] "You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.' [Mat 5:22 ESV] But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, 'You fool!' will be liable to the hell of fire. Adultery and Fornication: [Mat 5:27 ESV] "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' [Mat 5:28 ESV] But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. [Mat 5:31 ESV] "It was also said, 'Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.' [Mat 5:32 ESV] But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery. Not Telling the Truth [Mat 5:33 ESV] "Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.' [Mat 5:34 ESV] But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, [Mat 5:37 ESV] Let what you say be simply 'Yes' or 'No'; anything more than this comes from evil. Justice VS Revenge, to the highest form – LOVE.  Love and Justice are not in conflict.  [Mat 5:38 ESV] "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' 1. The Law:  Justice; That is Good. 2. “It was said”. Twisted for the sake of Revenge, it is bad. 3. Love the evil person, a. no room for revenge and God will see that Justice is met.  [Mat 5:39 ESV] But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. [Mat 5:40 ESV] And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. [Mat 5:41 ESV] And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. [Mat 5:42 ESV] Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you. [Mat 5:43 ESV] "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 1. The Law / OT: doesn't say anywhere to hate your enemy.  2. “It is Said”; twisted from it's original intent.   [Mat 5:44 ESV] But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, [Mat 5:45 ESV] so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. [Mat 5:46 ESV] For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? [Mat 5:47 ESV] And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? [Mat 5:48 ESV] You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Now what does that look like concerning Self-defense or fulfilling the Command to provide for your family? Your Command; Love God: to provide for your family; wife, children, parents.  Highest Form of Love Obey God More presentations from Jeff Rossignol