Podcasts about hence god

Ps Paula begins a new series this week talking about how God wants a big family. She speaks about growing God's household, God's desire for multiplication in terms of people coming to Christ.If God wants a big family, the first thing we need to get a hold of is God's heart. The most well known verse is John 3:16, personally describing the Father's heart for the world - where it says God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him, shall not perish but have eternal life. Hence God's heart for the lost is first, that no one should perish. Paula retails a story about herself seemingly being lost yet she did not know this, many people worried....when she was much younger. There are so many people on the world who live happily yet are lost without realising. God is a Father who desires for all of His children to know Him. Yet, in order to grow God's household, we need to know His heart for humanity. The church is His family and His household. We are a spiritual family, each of us are ambassadors for Jesus and are to grow together and invite others to be part of the family.We all must take up the role of ambassador. God wants us to understand his heart and be the people who go and bring others to him. So in order to grow God's household, we need to get a hold of God's Heart, and take up our role as ambassadors. Also, we need to reach out. Paula challenges us all to reachout to one more person - the power of "one" is amazing. This is a powerful and challenging message at the start of this new series!

7. Messiah's Leadership Zechariah 10:1 - 5 10:1 Ask of Yahweh rain in the spring time, Yahweh who makes storm clouds, and he gives rain showers to everyone for the plants in the field. 10:2 For the teraphim have spoken vanity, and the diviners have seen a lie; and they have told false dreams. They comfort in vain. Therefore they go their way like sheep. They are oppressed, because there is no shepherd. 10:3 My anger is kindled against the shepherds, and I will punish the male goats; For Yahweh of Armies has visited his flock, the house of Judah, and will make them as his majestic horse in the battle. 10:4 From him will come forth the cornerstone, from him the nail, from him the battle bow, from him every ruler together. 10:5 They shall be as mighty men, treading down muddy streets in the battle; and they shall fight, because Yahweh is with them; and the riders on horses will be confounded. During the time of Zechariah, the Temple was being rebuilt. The Temple was central to Jewish worship. But who would help give advice and solve the multitude of problems they were facing? Who cared about them? Well, Zechariah speaks into their situation with wise words. He has already likened the nation of Israel as being like sheep, and that God is their shepherd (Zechariah 9:16) "Yahweh their God will save them in that day as the flock of his people; for they are like the jewels of a crown, lifted on high over his land. ". Throughout Chapter 10, it is repeated again and again, that God will care for and bless them. But in order to receive the blessing and care, the nation of Israelites must seek, turn and follow. Seek God If the people need advice and help in times of trouble and need, the first place they should look, is to the Lord their God. They must seek and ask of Him! (10:1)! God can provide all things! He can control the weather, but these people need to stop being so independent, self-sufficient and start to rely on God and His infinite wisdom and resources. Turn to God In 10:2, Zechariah reminds the people of Israel, that following idols and false gods is foolishness. These idols are self-seeking, liars and deceivers. Israel needed to turn back to the One True Almighty God! Instead of following the glory of the Almighty God, they were turning to idols for worship, advice and listening to superstitious nonsense. And of course idols and false gods are mute! They cannot speak or give advice because they are not Gods at all!! The sin of idolatry particularly broke the second commandment! The people were to turn away from false gods and return to worship the One True Almighty God. They were also to listen to the true prophets of God instead of the false prophets who deceived by speaking words they wanted to hear. Follow Me These sheep, the nation of Israel were to follow God. Instead of wandering around aimlessly, they were to follow and obey God Almighty. The Jewish leaders and teachers were supposed to be leading the nation in worship of Almighty God, but were not doing so. Hence God in 10:3 being enraged at those who were in positions of trust who were deceivers, liars and only looking out for their own interests. Ezekiel 34 expounds this out in much further detail! So who were the people of Israel to follow? They were to follow the coming Messiah. Not only was the Messiah a King, Prophet Servant and Disciple but He would also be a Shepherd: the Good Shepherd! From the lowliest tribe of Judah, will come this Good Shepherd "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, being small among the clans of Judah, out of you one will come forth to me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting." (Micah 5:2) The Messiah Cares This Good Shepherd will be utterly reliable, responsible, faithful and being the sure foundation that the people of Israel need, particularly in a time of crisis. In 10:4 God will send this Good Shepherd to also be a cornerstone, nail or tent peg, battle bow and a source of all ruling authority. Cornerstone: all ancient buildings needed a chief cornerstone to ensure a sure foundation so that the building could not fall down easily. It held two walls together. The imagery fits in well with the building of the Temple. If you want to continue worshipping God, then you must get the foundations right. The chief cornerstone of the building holds the building together. Not only that, it gives the building shape, strength and all other stones are adjusted by it. Nail: Another translation is that of tent-peg. Just as the chief cornerstone holds the building together, so does a tent-peg ensure that the tent stays fastened down during storms! This Good Shepherd would ensure that everything is held together if they stick to Him. Battle-bow: Probably referring back to 9:13, Zechariah now likens this Messiah Shepherd to a battle-bow! This Good Shepherd will fight to keep the wolves from harming His sheep. He will battle for them. This Good Shepherd will be brave, courageous and strong as he leads his people to victory! How is Jesus this Messiah? Jesus said in Matthew 7:7-8 "Ask, and it will be given you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives. He who seeks finds. To him who knocks it will be opened." In other words, ask of God your heavenly Father and your needs will be supplied! That was how Jesus lived and obeyed, by being in constant communication with God the Father. That is how he could live a life of utter obedience to God, because He always asked, sought and knocked. What is more, Jesus is the Good Shepherd, hence Him saying in John 10:11 "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." Again in John 10:14-17 "I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and I'm known by my own; even as the Father knows me, and I know the Father. I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep, which are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will hear my voice. They will become one flock with one shepherd. Therefore the Father loves me, because I lay down my life, that I may take it again." Jesus is the Good Shepherd only through the sacrifice he must make for His sheep. Here Jesus is looking ahead to the sacrifice He makes on the Cross. His love for all of humanity compels Him to make the ultimate sacrifice. Just as all shepherds will endanger themselves for the safety of their sheep, so too will Jesus endure the pain and suffering of the Cross, so that people can be led into safety of God's kingdom. It is in this role of the Good Shepherd, that Jesus exhibits true leadership, which is self-less and sacrificial. E zekiel 34:11 tells of God searching out for his sheep among all nations, and this is fulfilled through Jesus. Through His perfect, obedient and voluntary sacrifice on the Cross, not only will salvation be available to the Jews but also to those of other nations. And Jesus is willing to fight for His people! He gives spiritual armour for all those who follow Him to wear. Christians are in a spiritual battle reminds Paul in Ephesians 6, and as the Good Shepherd, Jesus will fight and battle for us through His indwelling Holy Spirit! For as the Bible says in 1 John 4:4 "You are of God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is he who is in you than he who is in the world." Jesus Christ is, as Peter reminds us in 1 Peter 2:8, the Cornerstone of faith - referring back to Isaiah 8:14. Jesus Christ is the dependable, sure foundation that all faith is to be ground upon. All Christians are living stones, but should be living on the dependability of Jesus Christ the chief cornerstone alone! It is only Him, who can give direction, assurance and be relied upon. It is Him that calls all people everywhere to seek for, turn to and follow obediently. Jesus Christ, Servant King, Servant Prophet, Servant Disciple, Servant Shepherd. Follow Him as the great leader He is and victory is assured! Whatever you are struggling with today, turn it over to God and ask for His help! He has promised to help! Remember that the battle belongs to the Lord! Amen! Just as Jesus said to Peter in John 21:19 "Follow Me!", so Jesus calls all those willing to follow Him, to follow Him for life. Follow and be led by Him and Him alone, regardless of what and where that might be. Right mouse click or tap here to save this Podcast as a MP3.

It is holiness that keeps up a sense of peace with God, and prevents those spiritual breaches which the remainders of our enmity would occasion. Hence God, as the author of our peace, is the author of our holiness. God, even God himself, the God of peace, doth sanctify us. How this is done immediately by the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of love and peace, and wherein the nature of this work consists.

John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. 7 "If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him." 8 Philip said to Him, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us." 9 Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, 'Show us the Father'? 10 "Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. 11 "Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves. 12 ¶ "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. 13 "And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 "If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.  Jesus is the way to God because He is the truth from God and the life from God. He is the truth because He embodies God's supreme revelation (1:18; 5:19; 8:29).John 1:18 No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him. He is the life because He contains and imparts divine life. Jesus is not merely One who has shown men the way; He is the way. It is His death, resurrection, and ascension that has made a way for men to spend eternity with God in heaven. He is not merely a way; He is the way. He is the one and only way that God has provided for men to obtain the forgiveness of their sins and the gift of eternal life. Lest anyone miss this point, Jesus says it again, in the plainest of words: “No one comes to the Father except through Me.” To know Jesus is to know the way to the Father, for He is the way. This was an exclusive claim to being the only way to heaven. John 10:9 "I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. Ac 4:12 "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." 1Ti 2:5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus,  It is only because of Jesus Christ's work on the cross that anyone can enter heaven. Since He has come it is only through faith in the promise  of  God  that  His  cross  work  satisfied  the  Father  that  anyone experiences regeneration John 1:12; 3:16; 1John 2:2 And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world. Trust My person  4 "And where I go you know, and the way you know." Jesus could say that the Eleven knew the way to the place where He was going because He had revealed that faith in Him led to eternal life (3:14-15). This had been a major theme of His teaching throughout His ministry. However, they did not understand Him as they should have (v. 5). These four verses answered Peter's initial question about where Jesus was going (13:36).  5 Thomas said to Him, "Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?" 14:5     Thomas   voiced   the   disciples'   continuing   confusion   about   Jesus' destination.  Apparently the “Father's house” did not clearly identify heaven to them. Without a clear understanding of the final destination they could not be sure of the route there. Thomas' question was a request for an unambiguous explanation of Jesus' and their destination and how He and they would get there. Jesus has just told His disciples that He is going to “His Father's house” so that they can be with Him there. He then tells them that “they know the way where He is going” (verse 4). Thomas chooses to differ with His Master. He says, in effect, “Master, we don't know your destination, so how can we possibly know the way to get there?” But Thomas was wrong. They did know where Jesus was going. They had simply forgotten it, or at least put it out of their minds. Over and over again Jesus had told them that He had come from the Father in heaven, and that He was going to return there: “For I have come down from heaven not to do my own will but the will of the one who sent me” (6:38).  6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. John 1:4, 17; 8:19, 32; 10:9; 11:25; Heb 9:8 This is the sixth of Jesus "I am" claims (cf. 6:48; 8:12; 10:9, 11; 11:25; 15:1). Jesus was summarizing and connecting many of the revelations about Himself that He had previously given the Eleven. It is an exclusive place – 1+1 always is two, phone company and dialing the right numbers in the right order, take the right medicine in the right doses at the right time. Jesus is the way to God because He is the truth from God and the life from God. He is the truth because He embodies God's supreme revelation (1:18; 5:19; 8:29). Joh 1:18 No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.  He is the life because He contains and imparts divine life (1:4; 5:26; 11:25; cf. 1 John Christ is “the Way” to the Father—“no man cometh unto the Father but by Me”; The "way" is slightly more dominant in view of Thomas' question and its position in relation to the "truth" and the "life." Jesus is not merely One who has shown men the way; He is the way. It is His death, resurrection, and ascension that has made a way for men to spend eternity with God in heaven. He is not merely a way; He is the way. He is the one and only way that God has provided for men to obtain the forgiveness of their sins and the gift of eternal life. Lest anyone miss this point, Jesus says it again, in the plainest of words: “No one comes to the Father except through Me.” To know Jesus is to know the way to the Father, for He is the way. Jesus was not saying that He was one way to God among many. He was not saying that He pointed the way to God either. He said that no one comes to God the Father but through faith in Himself. This was an exclusive claim to being the only way to heaven John 10:9 "I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. Ac 4:12 "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." 1Ti 2:5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus,  It is only because of Jesus Christ's work on the cross that anyone can enter heaven. Since He has come it is only through faith in the promise  of  God  that  His  cross  work  satisfied  the  Father  that  anyone experiences regeneration 1:12; 3:16; 1Jo 2:2 And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world. Since He has come, rejection of God's revelation through Him results in eternal damnation (3:36). "He not only shows people the way (i.e., by revealing it), but he is the way (i.e., he redeems us). In this connection 'The truth' . . . will have saving significance. It will point to Jesus' utter dependability, but also to the saving truth of the gospel. Jesus is also the truth. He does, of course, teach the truth. His words are truth. But beyond this, He is the truth.  He is the “wisdom” of Proverbs chapter 8. All truth has its source in Him, as the Apostle Paul writes: “My goal is that their hearts, having been knit together in love, may be encouraged, and that they may have all the riches of full assurance in their understanding of the knowledge of the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:2-3). 1Peter 1.3-4 He is all the truth that men need for salvation, life, and godliness. This is why Paul restricted his preaching to proclaiming Christ and Christ crucified. The “wisdom” which the false teachers taught was contrary to the truth which is in Jesus. It is this “truth” in Jesus which reveals God to men, which discloses the way to eternal life, which is the basis for sanctification, and which provides the content of the gospel. 1 John 5:20 (ESV) 20 And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life Finally, Jesus is the life. We know that He has raised the dead to life. In John's Gospel, Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, after he had been in the tomb four days! Jesus gives life, but this is because He is the source of life. He is the One who called heaven and earth (and the church) into existence (John 1:1-5; Colossians 1:15-20). To reject Him is to reject life and to choose death (see John 5:21-40; 6:33-63). Because He is the life, His life cannot be taken away from Him. He lays it down, just as He has authority to take it up again (John 10:17-18). 'The life' (see on 1:4) will likewise take its content from the gospel. Jesus is both life and the source of life to believers." “I am the way, the truth, and the life. Without the way there is no going; without the truth there is no knowing; without the life there is no living. I am the way which thou shouldest pursue; the truth which thou shouldest believe; the life which thou shouldest hope for” (Thomas à Kempis, “Imitation of Christ, iii” 56). [i] He had already said plainly that He would die and rise again at least three times (cf. Mark 8:31-32; 9:30-32; 10:32-34).   Nevertheless   the   disciples'   preconceptions   of   Messiah's ministry did not allow them to interpret His words literally. "We should not overlook the faith involved both in the utterance and in the acceptance of those words, spoken as they were on the eve of the crucifixion.'I am the Way,' said one who would shortly hang impotent on a cross. 'I am the Truth,' when the lies of evil people were about to enjoy a spectacular triumph. 'I am the Life,' when within a matter of hours his corpse would be placed in a tomb." Revelation of A new relationship Revelation of A new ministry Revelation of A new promise  7 "If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him." John 8:19 Rather, had learned to know, through my successive revelations of myself. Greek construction of from now on speaks of it as it had already been done, it was so certain that the Spirit would come and they would know Him and see Him spiritually that it is spoken of this way  To know Jesus is to know the Father (verse 7). The disciples have not known Jesus fully, but from the time of His glorification they will know Him and the Father. Indeed, Jesus can not only say that they have known the Father, but that they have seen the Father, in Him. To know by personal experience, Thomas and the rest had not really come to know Jesus, much as they loved him. [ii]  Because they had seen Jesus who is the Son of God, the Image of God, and is God (1:18). Hence God is like Jesus Christ. It is a bold and daring claim to deity. The only understandable idea of God is precisely what Jesus here says. God is like Christ.  8 Philip said to Him, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us." Show us Philip now speaks up, possibly hoping for a theophany (Ex. 33:18 Moses said, “Please show me your glory, certainly not grasping the idea of Jesus just expressed.  9 Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, 'Show us the Father'? Safest thou (σὺ). Emphatic. Thou who didst say, “We have found him of whom Moses in the law and the prophets did write” (1:46). Omit and before how sayest thou. Joh 12:45; Col 1:15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. Heb 1:3 who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, Col 2:9 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; 2Co 4:4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. Not modalism – Not the Father in creation, Son in salvation, Spirit in regeneration.  10 "Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. Joh 5:19; 7:16; 8:28; 10:38; 12:49; 14:20; 17:21, 23  11 "Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves. Joh 5:36; 10:38 Says it twice I am in the Father and the Father in Me The proof of the union of Jesus and His Father is threefold. They should believe Jesus (a) because of His character (I am in the Father [cf. v. 20] and … the Father is in Me); (b) because His words are the Father's (The words I say to you are not just My own (cf. 7:16; 12:49-50; 14:24); and (c) because the miracles reveal God's working through Him (the Father, living in Me … is doing His work… . believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves; cf. 5:36). One of the key elements in John's Gospel is the stress on the signs as gracious pointers to faith (cf. 5:36; 10:25, 38; 11:47; 12:37; 20:30-31).[iii] If you do not believe on the authority of my personal statement Believest thou not? Jesus had a right to expect greater faith from these men than from the blind man (9:35) or Martha (11:27). His words in 14:1 are clearly needed. This oneness with the Father Jesus had already stated (10:38) as shown by his “words” and his “works” Cf. 3:34; 5:19; 6:62. 12 ¶ "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. Mt 21:21; Mr 16:17; Lu 10:17 Not greater spiritual works in quality, but greater in quantity. Cf. Peter at Pentecost and Paul's mission tours. “ Peter in one sermon had 3,000 converts Greater works. Not more remarkable miracles, but referring to the wider work of the apostolic ministry under the dispensation of the Spirit. This work was of a higher nature than mere bodily cures. Godet truthfully says: “That which was done by St. Peter at Pentecost, by St. Paul all over the world that which is effected by an ordinary preacher, a single believer, by bringing the Spirit into the heart, could not be done by Jesus during His sojourn in this world.” Jesus' personal ministry in the flesh must be a local ministry. Only under the dispensation of the Spirit could it be universal. Ac 2:43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. Ac 5:12 And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch. 13 And of the rest dared  not join himself to them: but the people magnified them. 14 And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women. 15 Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them. 16  There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one. 2Co 12:12 Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds. Ro 15:18 For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ has not accomplished through me, in word and deed, to make the Gentiles obedient-- 19 in mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem and round about to Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. Jesus' personal ministry in the flesh must be a local ministry. Only under the dispensation of the Spirit could it be universal.[iv]  13 "And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. Mt 7:7; 21:22; Mr 11:24; Lu 11:9; Joh 15:7,16; 16:23-24; Jas 1:5; 1Jo 3:22; 5:14 In my name. The first occurrence of the phrase. See on Matt. 28:19. Prayer is made in the name of Jesus, “if this name, Jesus Christ, the prayer in Christ's name must be consistent with Christ's character, Was Jesus saying that we have unlimited power over God in determining what He will or will not do for us if we simply pray in Jesus' name? Clearly not, for this would be out of accord with the rest of the scriptural witness. God is sovereign overall and subject to none. We are to pray in accordance with the will of God as exhibited in the life and teaching of Jesus. When we pray in that manner, surely it will be answered. To pray in Jesus' name is to pray in accord with Jesus' will and mission. Such a prayer request is far different from an idea of prayer as some type of shopping list handed to God that He is then bound to perform. Yet the enormous spiritual power that courses through the spiritual veins of the believer should not be underestimated in light of our involvement with the growing kingdom of God. The Holy Spirit empowers believers to do and to be all that Christ would have us to do and to be.  14 "If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.  15 ¶ "If you love Me, keep My commandments. Joh 14:21, 23; 15:10, 14; 1Jo 5:3 V 15-17 Packed into that paragraph are six remarkable facts centering about the person of this other Counselor: First, we learn that he will be a gift from the Father to true believers. I put it that way because our Lord identifies loving obedience as the mark of a true believer. A true believer is one who has been drawn to Christ by love and is ready to obey what he says. The second thing Jesus says is that this Spirit will be "another," a separate but similar Person to himself. The third fact Jesus announces is that the Spirit will be a continually abiding presence: He will be "with you forever." That means that the Spirit only comes once into our lives. He does not come again and again. He comes to abide, to dwell with us. The fourth fact is that the Spirit will be a revealer of truth. The fifth thing, Jesus says, is that this remarkable new resource is unavailable to the world. "The world cannot receive him because it neither sees him or knows him." The sixth fact Jesus discloses is that this will be a resource that is available from within. "You know him," he says to these disciples, "for he dwells with you, and will be in you." There is only one test of love that is valid and that is the test of obedience. This connection seems designed to teach that the proper temple for the indwelling Spirit of Jesus is a heart filled with that love to Him which lives actively for Him, and so this was the fitting preparation for the promised gift.[v] Jesus is the way to God because He is the truth from God and the life from God. He is the truth because He embodies God's supreme revelation (1:18; 5:19; 8:29).John 1:18 No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him. He is the life because He contains and imparts divine life. Jesus is not merely One who has shown men the way; He is the way. It is His death, resurrection, and ascension that has made a way for men to spend eternity with God in heaven. He is not merely a way; He is the way. He is the one and only way that God has provided for men to obtain the forgiveness of their sins and the gift of eternal life. Lest anyone miss this point, Jesus says it again, in the plainest of words: “No one comes to the Father except through Me.” To know Jesus is to know the way to the Father, for He is the way. This was an exclusive claim to being the only way to heaven. John 10:9 "I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.  John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. Have you trusted Him as your Savior? He can Save you if You ask Him based on His death, burial, and resurrection for your sins. Believe in Him for forgiveness of your sins today.  hisloveministries.podbean.com #HLMSocial hisloveministries.net https://www.instagram.com/hisloveministries1/?hl=en https://www.facebook.com/His-Love-Ministries-246606668725869/?tn-str=k*F https://www.paypal.com/fundraiser/110230052184687338/charity/145555   “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”  -John 8:32  The world is trying to solve earthly problems that can only be solved with heavenly solutions.   [i] Vincent, M. R. (2002). Word studies in the New Testament (Jn 14:6). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc. [ii] Robertson, A. (1997). Word Pictures in the New Testament (Jn 14:7). Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems. [iii] Walvoord, J. F., Zuck, R. B., & Dallas Theological Seminary. (1983-). The Bible knowledge commentary : An exposition of the scriptures (Jn 14:10–11). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books. [iv] Vincent, M. R. (2002). Word studies in the New Testament (Jn 14:12). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc. [v] Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., Fausset, A. R., Brown, D., & Brown, D. (1997). A commentary, critical and explanatory, on the Old and New Testaments (Jn 14:15). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

Have you ever wondered why God described Job as a man who was "perfect and upright" when clearly he was not? Brother Singh explains that God exists in eternity, without distinction between past, present, or future. Hence God views His elect children as finished products, despite the flaws we struggle to overcome daily.  Job lived an ideal Christian life long before the term Christian was coined. His reputation was that of a blessed man, and those who witnessed his attitude commended him because he delivered the poor that cried, the fatherless, and those with no one to help. Dying men blessed him, and he caused the widow's heart to sing with joy. (See Job 29: 11-13) Yet, God needed to perfect his faith, to make Job an overcomer.

Our fellowship with the Father  Christianity is not just a religion, rather it is a lifestyle. We live our lives according to the written word. The word fellowship means common identity, having a common identity with the Father. In 1 John 1:1-4, Apostle John said in verse 3: that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. Our fellowship is with the Father and with HIS Son Jesus Why is it important to know our fellowship with the Father? Apostle Paul went on to say in verse 4 that, 4 And these things we write to you that your joy may be full. By knowing our fellowship with the Father we will have fullness of JOY. It is not incredible that we as believers can call the creator of the universe Father He is not only GOD, He is my Father, My DADDY Before the time of Christ, GOD was never called Father in the OT Jesus was the one to first called GOD Father. Since we are joint heirs with Christ, Jesus's Father is your Father This is why the Hebrew writer in Chapter 2:11 said: So now Jesus and the ones he makes holy have the same Father. That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call them his brothers and sisters. Hallelujah, it is important to see GOD as your Father and referring to Him as our Father There is something that is in God our Father which is in us as well. Jesus pointed this out in John 5:4 4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith This is the acknowledgment that we should have in God, our Father, that in him we have overcome the world and in him we have victory. The basis at which we can call God Our Father is because he has called us first his Children. Knowing that he is our Father, what soever can cannot overcome God, can cannot overcome us as well. We all do know. We do know that NOTHING can overcome our Father, therefore nothing overcome us Nothing can ever overcome you. Nothing can ever overcome me. Since, we are the children of God. Since we are his children. We are born overcomers, Hallelujah. We are born overcomers. We are born overcomers. Created to be above and never beneath. You are created to be above and never beneath. As Jesus is, so we are. As Jesus is, so we are.   How can we then know the Father? Who is his perfect example? John 14:6-9, Jesus makes it clear to us that, He is the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Him. He went on to say that if you know him, you will know the Father also. Hence, the ultimate revelation of the Father is in the Son. We can understand the Father best through Jesus Christ. For he said, who has seen ME, has seen the Father. In the understanding of the relationship between Jesus and the Father, we can understand our relationship with God. Jesus said in John 20:16-17: Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. At this point in history, Jesus's Father became our Father. No longer was Jesus now the only begotten of God, He now became the First amongst many brethrens. Hence God now became known to me as Father  --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/assumpta-widak/message

Messiah's Leadership 10:1 Ask of Yahweh rain in the spring time, Yahweh who makes storm clouds, and he gives rain showers to everyone for the plants in the field. 10:2 For the teraphim have spoken vanity, and the diviners have seen a lie; and they have told false dreams. They comfort in vain. Therefore they go their way like sheep. They are oppressed, because there is no shepherd. 10:3 My anger is kindled against the shepherds, and I will punish the male goats; For Yahweh of Armies has visited his flock, the house of Judah, and will make them as his majestic horse in the battle. 10:4 From him will come forth the cornerstone, from him the nail, from him the battle bow, from him every ruler together. 10:5 They shall be as mighty men, treading down muddy streets in the battle; and they shall fight, because Yahweh is with them; and the riders on horses will be confounded. (Zechariah 10:1-5) During the time of Zechariah, the Temple was being rebuilt.  The Temple was central to Jewish worship.  But who would help give advice and solve the multitude of problems they were facing? Who cared about them?  Well, Zechariah speaks into their situation with wise words.  He has already likened the nation of Israel as being like sheep, and that God is their shepherd (Zechariah 9:16) "Yahweh their God will save them in that day as the flock of his people; for they are like the jewels of a crown, lifted on high over his land. ".  Throughout Chapter 10, it is repeated again and again, that God will care for and bless them.  But in order to receive the blessing and care, the nation of Israelites must seek, turn and follow. Seek God If the people need advice and help in times of trouble and need, the first place they should look, is to the Lord their God.  They must seek and ask of Him! (10:1)! God can provide all things! He can control the weather, but these people need to stop being so independent, self-sufficient and start to rely on God and His infinite wisdom and resources. Turn to God In 10:2, Zechariah reminds the people of Israel, that following idols and false gods is foolishness.  These idols are self-seeking, liars and deceivers.  Israel needed to turn back to the One True Almighty God! Instead of following the glory of the Almighty God, they were turning to idols for worship, advice and listening to superstitious nonsense. And of course idols and false gods are mute! They cannot speak or give advice because they are not Gods at all!!  The sin of idolatry particularly broke the second commandment!  The people were to turn away from false gods and return to worship the One True Almighty God. They were also to listen to the true prophets of God instead of the false prophets who deceived by speaking words they wanted to hear. Follow Me These sheep, the nation of Israel were to follow God.  Instead of wandering around aimlessly, they were to follow and obey God Almighty.  The Jewish leaders and teachers were supposed to be leading the nation in worship of Almighty God, but were not doing so.  Hence God in 10:3 being enraged at those who were in positions of trust who were deceivers, liars and only looking out for their own interests.  Ezekiel 34 expounds this out in much further detail!  So who were the people of Israel to follow?  They were to follow the coming Messiah.  Not only was the Messiah a King, Prophet Servant and Disciple but He would also be a Shepherd: the Good Shepherd!  From the lowliest tribe of Judah, will come this Good Shepherd "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, being small among the clans of Judah, out of you one will come forth to me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting." (Micah 5:2) Messiah Cares This Good Shepherd will be utterly reliable, responsible, faithful and being the sure foundation that the people of Israel need, particularly in a time of crisis. In 10:4 God will send this Good Shepherd to also be a cornerstone, nail or tent peg, battle bow and a source of all ruling authority. Cornerstone:  all ancient buildings needed a chief cornerstone to ensure a sure foundation so that the building could not fall down easily.  It held two walls together.  The imagery fits in well with the building of the Temple.  If you want to continue worshipping God, then you must get the foundations right.  The chief cornerstone of the building holds the building together.  Not only that, it gives the building shape, strength and all other stones are adjusted by it. Nail: Another translation is that of tent-peg. Just as the chief cornerstone holds the building together, so does a tent-peg ensure that the tent stays fastened down during storms!  This Good Shepherd would ensure that everything is held together if they stick to Him. Battle-bow:  Probably referring back to 9:13, Zechariah now likens this Shepherd Messiah to a battle-bow!  This Good Shepherd will fight to keep the wolves from harming His sheep.  He will battle for them.  This Good Shepherd will be brave, courageous and strong as he leads his people to victory! How is Jesus this Messiah? Jesus said in Matthew 7:7-8 "Ask, and it will be given you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives. He who seeks finds. To him who knocks it will be opened."  In other words, ask of God your heavenly Father and your needs will be supplied!  That was how Jesus lived and obeyed, by being in constant communication with God the Father.  That is how he could live a life of utter obedience to God, because He always asked, sought and knocked. Jesus is the Good Shepherd, hence Him saying in John 10:11 "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." Again in John 10:14-17 "I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and I'm known by my own; even as the Father knows me, and I know the Father. I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep, which are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will hear my voice. They will become one flock with one shepherd. Therefore the Father loves me, because I lay down my life, that I may take it again." Jesus is the Good Shepherd only through the sacrifice he must make for His sheep. Here Jesus is looking ahead to the sacrifice He makes on the Cross. His love for all of humanity compels Him to make the ultimate sacrifice. Just as all shepherds will endanger themselves for the safety of their sheep, so too will Jesus endure the pain and suffering of the Cross, so that people can be led into safety of God's kingdom. It is in this role of the Good Shepherd, that Jesus exhibits true leadership, which is self-less and sacrificial. Ezekiel 34:11 tells of God searching out for his sheep among all nations, and this is fulfilled through Jesus. Through His perfect, obedient and voluntary sacrifice on the Cross, not only will salvation be available to the Jews but also to those of other nations. And Jesus is willing to fight for His people! He gives spiritual armour for all those who follow Him to wear.  Christians are in a spiritual battle reminds Paul in Ephesians 6, and as the Good Shepherd, Jesus will fight and battle for us through His indwelling Holy Spirit!  For as the Bible says in 1 John 4:4 "You are of God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is he who is in you than he who is in the world." Jesus Christ is, as Peter reminds us in 1 Peter 2:8, the Cornerstone of faith - referring back to Isaiah 8:14.  Jesus Christ is the dependable, sure foundation that all faith is to be ground upon.  All Christians are living stones, but should be living on the dependability of Jesus Christ the chief cornerstone alone!  It is only Him, who can give direction, assurance and be relied upon.  It is Him that calls all people everywhere to seek for, turn to and follow obediently. Jesus Christ, Servant King, Servant Prophet, Servant Disciple, Servant Shepherd.  Follow Him as the great leader He is and victory is assured!  Whatever you are struggling with today, turn it over to God and ask for His help!  He has promised to help! Remember that the battle belongs to the Lord!  Amen!  Just as Jesus said to Peter in John 21:19 "Follow Me!", so Jesus calls all those willing to follow Him, to follow Him for life.  Follow and be led by Him and Him alone, regardless of what and where that might be. Right mouse click to save/download this Podcast as a MP3 file

This is a sin, which when men are habitually given up unto, they are never, or very rarely, recovered from it. When any sensual lust hath obtained a habitual predominance in any, it doth contract so intimate a league with the flesh, as it is hardly eradicated. Such sins do usually keep men secure unto the future judgment,. Hence God, for the punishment of idolatry, gave some up unto uncleanness, through the lusts of their own hearts.

The Christian Way of Living Part 3. CWLiving.org Cliff Spier [^] Lombardi believed that if you want to win at anything in life, you had to perfect and master the basics. What does God want from us? What's God's will? [^] 1 Tim 2:4 who [JC] desires [wills] [1] all men to be saved [unbeliever] and [2] to come to the [epignosis] knowledge [through metabolized BD] of the truth [believer]. [^] God's will = 1) salvation; 2) 2 Peter 3:18 IOWs How to grow in the grace and knowledge of TLJC – Master the CWLiving fundamentals Recall Gods Love wants to bless you, encourage you, and prosper you. That is His love's motivation. And when His Righteousness is satisfied, His Justice executes what His Love wants to do for you – aka blessing When you do these things then God's +R accepts this and His Justice blesses you. When you don't or are apathetic or disobedient – then the +R of God rejects your behaviour and condemns you – disciplines you (including reaping what you sow). Sooooo, Faith in God – believe in God = 1) Divine Essence How? Learn, Think, Motive, Act [^] Learn – God's Divine Essence (JR SOOO LIVE) - God's Promises Think – How God thinks … L => R & J Motive - Do follow God's CMDs Act - to use Rebound … & Diligently use F/R Drill Learn – Think – Motive – Act (PMA of BD, Op Z) Along with Faith … Trust God – Trust in someone greater than you Benefits of: - Faith in God - Trust God - Diligently use F/R = RMA (precious) … contentment in Life – in your mind - in your Home life - at work - at play Home, work, play and in your soul – God provides a RMA [^] 2 Peter 1:1 Simon Peter, a bond-servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours [bel in JC], by the integrity [+R + J] of our God [deity] and Savior [humanity], Jesus Christ: 2 Peter 1:2 Grace and [mental] prosperity [RMA] be multiplied to you by means of the [epignosis] knowledge of God[/F] and of Jesus our Lord; 2 Peter 1:3 [how? ->] seeing that His divine power [Omnipotence] has graciously been given to us everything pertaining to this [natural] life [logistical grace support] and spiritual life [CWLiving], through the epignosis knowledge [metabolized BD applied experientially] of Him [TLJC] who called [common grace] us by His own glory and virtue. 2 Peter 1:4 For by these [doctrines - Rebound, Faith Rest, God's Divine Essence and how it works] God/F has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises [1Peter 5:7, Proverbs 3:5-6, Psm 91, etc], in order that by them [metabolized and applied BD] you might become partakers of the divine nature [God's Thinking, specifically the CWLiving], having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust [cosmic & human thinking; OSN lifestyle]. Precious and magnificent promises … Gods description 1 Peter 5:7 -> Psm 55:22 Prov 3:5-6 Lam 3:25 Matt 7:11 Psm 91 (picture) + Recompence of the wicked I gave you 3 refrigerator bumper stickers [^] #1 Confused which way to go? Claim a promise(s) of God Then make the best decision you can and if God does not want you to go in that direction, he will close the door. If you are receptive to closed doors, then you see that for what it is and you go in another direction. In all cases you make the decisions in life as to what you think is best. Remember, you will not be in fear or worry because you are using the F/R procedure and as long as you do and are remaining calm about it then any decision will either be guided by God and an open door or the result of the decision will be a closed door. Then you know to go in a different direction. [^] #2 Problems come in two flavors; 1 - the ones we created by bad decisions (which have internal (pressure, anxiety) and external (ramifications to others)) and 2 - problems others created and put on us (these can be circumstances of life or overt decisions made by others that cause you problems, including ‘natural disasters' such as Mt Saint Helen's, floods, war, pandemics, etc. ) [^] #3 Sooooo it matters not whether we or others created the problems, God has a solution to them. His solution is to use what you know from the bible to make decisions (based upon your best judgment – at the moment) and to use the Faith Rest procedure to remain calm, relaxed in spite of the pressure, and have courage to move forward because God will fulfill His promise. Bottom line – Learn – God's Divine Essence (JR SOOO LIVE) - God's Promises Think – How God thinks … L => R & J Motive - Follow God's CMDs (courage to …) Act - Rebound when necessary … & Diligently use F/R Drill => the process of Trust => learning to & Loving God ----------- End Summary ----------- The next thing I want to study is - Confidence in God and some F/R scriptures We are to have confidence in God - (Faith Rest, God's Divine Essence & the Plan of God) Crunch - Fear – two types: circumstances and reaping what you sow. [^] #2 Problems (not fear) come in two flavors; 1 - the ones we created by bad decisions (which have internal (pressure, anxiety) and external (ramifications to others)) and 2 - problems others created and put on us (these can be circumstances of life or overt decisions made by others that cause you problems, including ‘natural disasters' such as Mt Saint Helen's, floods, war, pandemics, etc. ) Then I said …. … It matters not…. So we Rebound … Diligently …. I think a thing to remember about the Faith Rest procedure is that it is our way to tap into and utilize God's power. What do I mean by that? Back to the Driving in Weather example. God handles our concern (worry, anxiety, fear) about driving in the weather (in that example) using His Omnipotence or His Omniscience (He knew you were going to ask Him so he ‘arranged' for better driving circumstances). Therefore we can tap into that power by claiming promises. Once you know more and more promises and then use them – promises do nothing unless they are Learned, Thought about, and you have the Motivation to use them and then Act (using the F/R procedure) – … then you are tapping into God's power. That power can be physical power (like improving the driving conditions (control of the weather) or it can be giving you confidence (via your RMA) and recalling driving techniques. Either way you have utilized God's power. And that plus the fact that you Trust God is what allows you to tap into God's power. Again, God is not a genie and you do not get 3 wishes. This is an honest, sincere use of the Faith Rest procedure and learning and using God's Divine Essence. We are to have humility in approaching God and asking for His help. [^] Remember Matthew 7:11: Matthew 7:11 [Promise] If you then [the context is talking about parents], being evil [compared to the character & integrity of God], know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him! God is motivated to help you (in accordance with 1 Tim 2:4) but in doing so His motivation is giving you confidence so that you develop a more mature capacity to handle things in life. i.e. Make you a stronger person. Confident is how I usually think about it. He helps us grow up and become more confident. Yes we ‘lean' on Him but His plan is for you to grow more confident and in doing so, you will handle your own problems, using the Trust and knowledge you have of God and His plan for you. We all need to grow up in certain areas of our life and God leads us down a path to grow up. Why does God do this? First, so that you are a relaxed, confident and happy person. And people will notice that. Second, so you can be used by Him in executing His Plan for your life and you will have an impact on the lives of people around you and in your nation. Additionally, it is an honor to be used by God, something to be proud of. Something else, as you use the skills in the CWLiving (for now Rebound and the F/R procedure), you should along with your trusting God, you should develop an awe and respect of God. The ability to use His power, and the fact that you and I, have the privilege to know God and to use His promises, doctrines and thinking. We should always thank God in prayer for being able to do that. That is something you have available to you that unbelievers do not. Anytime and every time God comes through for you when you claim a promise, is proof of His faithfulness and that what He says is True. Again back to His Divine Essence, Veracity – God is truthful; And Immutable – God never changes. His promises and His ability to come through for you are ironclad backed by an Omnipotent, Sovereign and Just God. Utilizing His resources moves you along your journey of having a personal relationship with Him. I hope this gives you confidence to believe, trust and have faith in God and what He says. Here is another verse that is helpful. [^[ Isaiah 41:10 [Promise] '[Stop] Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.' Isaiah 41:10 [Promise] “Do not fear for I am with you,” Who is with you? God. He never leaves you, even though you may leave Him, and then He says “do not anxiously look about you,” don't panic or look around for human solutions, don't ask your friends for their opinions, don't look at your circumstances with anxiety, look at your problems with a different perspective, remember to look to God and His solutions. His solutions. What solutions? Rebound, Faith Rest procedure, understanding His Divine Essence. Notice: When (not if) When you are anxious or fearful you claim a verse like this or 1 Peter 5:7 or any other pertinent verse and know God & His Omnipotence can handle anything. God's Omnipresence knows everything, and in using God's solution of the Faith Rest procedure then God's Righteousness is satisfied so His Justice executes what His Love wants for you in this circumstance. So what happens next? “for I am your God,” and then look what else, “I will strengthen you,” we are weak, fear weakens us, in fact we are at our weakest when we are afraid and anxious. But what does He say, “I am your God, I will strengthen you, surely I will help you,”. When all help is gone and you are at the end of your human strength, there God is, that's what you got left, God's strength. So why not call on Him first? Then God goes on to say, “surely I will uphold you,” we won't sink into the mire (of bad decisions or bad circumstances), he holds us up, “with my righteous right hand.” Your fear and anxiety melts away, that is how you handle situations in life. You call upon God's power to help you and you know He will. Trust. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx > The Red Sea Incident Turn to Ex 13:17 This is one of my favorite passages in the Hebrew scripture to illustrate Trust, Patience and Timing. It is Moses at the Red Sea. Short synopsis: Jews were slaves in Egypt for 400 yrs then God brought Moses in to free them from Egypt and start a new nation in their own land. Pharaoh lets them leave Egypt and after several days he changes his mind and sends his chariot army to retrieve the Jews. The Jews became caught with their backs to the Red Sea and Pharaoh's army quickly approaching. The Jews started to panic. They were yelling at Moses about what to do.... Bottom line up front: Moses had no idea how God would save the Jews when they were at the Red Sea with the Egyptian army steadily advancing on them with their army of chariots. They were minutes from death but Moses did not panic because he Trusted God and His promises. What promise? God told Moses that he would lead Israel out of Egypt and to a land that I will show you. Exodus 3:10 "Therefore, come now, and I will send you to Pharaoh, so that you may bring My people, the sons of Israel, out of Egypt." So Moses believed and followed God's command - he was Motivated to Act Cccccccccccccc ccccccccccc cccccccccccc The story begins in the Book of Exodus chapter 13 & 14. We pick it up at Ex 13:17 at the point when the Pharaoh of Egypt (i.e. the King or President of Egypt) decided to let the Jews, called the Sons of Israel, go and released them to leave Egypt. Up to this point in time the Jews, all of them, were slaves of the Egyptians. Exodus 13:17 ¶ Now it came about when Pharaoh had let the people go [out of slavery in Egypt], that God did not lead them by the way of the land of the Philistines, even though it was near [closer]; for God said, "Lest the people change their minds when they see war, and they return to Egypt." Exodus 13:18 Hence God led the people around by the way of the wilderness [desert] to the Red Sea; and the sons of Israel went up in martial array [marching columns] from the land of Egypt. Exodus 13:19 And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, for he [Joseph] had made the sons of Israel solemnly swear, saying, "God shall surely take care of you; and you shall carry my bones from here with you." [there is a story also about the bones of Joseph we can cover later] Exodus 13:20 Then they set out from Succoth and camped in Etham on the edge of the wilderness [desert]. Exodus 13:21 And the Lord [this is the visible presence of Jesus Christ] was going before them in a pillar of cloud by day to lead them on the way, and in a pillar of fire by night to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night. Exodus 13:22 He did not take away the pillar of cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people. So you have the Jews leaving Egypt (now they all were not in just one area), they mainly were in Goshen (see the map below) [^] but also in various other parts, so when they all got the word they headed out from Goshen and the surrounding areas to Succoth. Succoth was an area where there are mines of cooper and turquoise and Jews were enslaved their as workers. So those Jews headed out with Moses and they met up with other Jews and eventually the slaves that we around Succoth. Once all the Jews had gathered, Moses led them from Succoth and they eventually they camped at Etham. How did the Jews know where to go? Verse 21 says the TLJC who showed himself as a visible pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. So the Jews all saw this and they follow it to gather up with Moses as the main body of Jews coming out of Goshen in Egypt. Note that we are talking about 600,000 males over age 20, which means 3 million people (wife's, children, etc). So Jesus Christ was visible to all of them in the form of a big cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night which guided 3 million people on their trek. Exodus 14:1 Now the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, Exodus 14:2 "Tell the sons of Israel to turn back and camp before Pi- hahiroth, between Migdol and the [Red] sea; you shall camp in front of Baal-zephon, opposite it, by the sea. … the Straits of Tiran, islands, that is where Baal-zephon is. Exodus 14:3 "For Pharaoh will say of the sons of Israel, 'They are wandering aimlessly in the land; the wilderness has shut them in.' Exodus 14:4 "Thus I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and he will chase after them [Israel to the Red Sea]; and I will be honored through Pharaoh and all his army [via the destruction of those who opposed God], and the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord." And they [Moses and the Jews] did so. Exodus 14:5 ¶ When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, Pharaoh and his servants had a change of heart toward [letting] the people [Jews go], and they said, "What is this we have done, that we have let Israel go from serving us?" Exodus 14:6 So he [Pharaoh] made his chariot [‘tank' army] ready and took his people with him [soldiers]; Exodus 14:7 and he took six hundred select chariots, and all the other chariots of Egypt with officers over all of them. Exodus 14:8 And the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh, king of Egypt, and he chased after the sons of Israel as the sons of Israel were going out boldly. Exodus 14:9 Then the Egyptians chased after them with all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, his horsemen and his army, and they overtook them camping by the sea, beside Pi-hahiroth, in front of Baal-zephon. Exodus 14:10 ¶ And as Pharaoh drew near, the sons of Israel kept staring [they looked at the enemy [eyes on people and circumstances] and not the Lord], and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them, and they became very frightened; so the sons of Israel cried out to the Lord. FEAR… Exodus 14:11 Then they said [complained] to Moses, "Is it because there were no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? Why have you dealt with us in this way, bringing us out of Egypt? Exodus 14:12 "Is this not the word that we spoke to you in Egypt, saying, 'Leave us alone that we may serve [remain slaves to] the Egyptians'? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness [desert]?" It is amazing to me that Moses did not quit right there. What a bunch of &%^#^@ He didn't. You know why. He Learn (via God) what God wanted, was Motivated to do what God said (burning bush), Trusted God, and did what He was told. (not to mention the every minute reminder of the cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night. He TRUSTED God. In the face of adversity – whining people – HE TRUSTED GOD [^] Exodus 14:13 [Promise] But Moses said to the people, "Do not fear! [CMD] Stand still and [CMD] watch the deliverance of the Lord which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians [your problems in life] whom you have seen today, you will never see them again forever. … no command to Do not Fear. Love the Lord … Future-Act-Indic ... You have to want to follow God and use His solutions. … Choice. God's way or the My Way Highway Repeat vs - [why? Because God has given you the tools to deal with them] Exodus 14:14 [Promise] "The Lord will fight for you while you keep silent." [rest and be assured the Lord will come through for you] Notice Moses said “stand still and watch the deliverance of the Lord”, yet he did not know how God was going to deliver them. He knew God would do something and was content (relaxed mental attitude - RMA) to let the situation unfold. Why? God told Moses to lead the people out of Egypt and He (God) would lead them to the promised land. God was not going to let the Jews died at the Red Sea. Also remember what had happened days earlier the ten plagues of Egypt (in Exodus chapter 7-13). And the last plague was all first born in Egypt (Jews and Egyptians) and first-born animals were killed by Jesus Christ if they did not paint the blood of a lamb over the door posts of their houses. So probably a few Jews and most if not all Egyptian first-born children were killed in one night as Moses told Pharaoh they would be if Pharaoh did not release the Jews. Which Pharaoh did not at that point. Only after Pharaoh's first-born son died did Pharaoh agree to release the Jews. So all this just happened. Pharaoh released the Jews and they headed out of town fast (as fast as 3 million people could walk). Let me stop here. I think it is illustrative to see what the impact of this death of the first born was at a personal level. Take your family. Who is the first born? Who in your family? Was your father the first born? Your mother? Are you the oldest in your family? How about your aunts and uncles? Think about you family and who is the first born. If they did not do what God said they would have all died in one night. So you see, it has a great impact if we make it personal to our family. So having a personal understanding of what the impact was on the first born in a family dying means you can see why Pharaoh decided to let the Jews leave and suffer the consequences of having no more slaves in Egypt. The terrible personal impact of trying to fight Israel's God. Your God. Remember that every day! The power of Your God. The lesson here is we need to do what God says. We are to Learn and Think about what God says, use that to Motivate us to change our thinking and to follow His commands and to use His procedures to live our lives (Act). Not following God and what He says has disastrous results as we will see in the continuation of our story. Back to our story. So Moses just said to the whining and crying Jews – Exodus 14:13 [Promise] But Moses said to the people, "Do not fear! [CMD] Stand still and [CMD] watch the deliverance of the Lord which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians [your problems in life] whom you have seen today, you will never see them again forever. [why? −>] Exodus 14:14 [Promise] "The Lord will fight for you while you keep silent." [rest and be assured the Lord will come through for you] Exodus 14:15 ¶ Then the Lord said to Moses, "Why are you [the Jews] crying out to Me? Tell the sons of Israel to go forward. Exodus 14:16 "And as for you, lift up your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it [follow God's procedure], and the sons of Israel shall go through the midst of the sea on dry land [Omnipotence of God]. Exodus 14:17 [God speaking to Moses] "And as for Me, behold, I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they will go in after them [Omniscience]; and I will be honored through Pharaoh and all his army, through his chariots and his horsemen. Exodus 14:18 "Then the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord, when I am honored through Pharaoh, through his chariots and his horsemen." Exodus 14:19 And the angel of God [Jesus Christ], who had been going before the camp of Israel, moved and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud moved from before them and stood behind them. [Omnipotence] Exodus 14:20 So it came between the camp of Egypt and the camp of Israel; and there was the cloud along with the darkness, yet it gave light at night. Thus the one [Pharaoh's army] did not come near the other [Jews] all night. [Omnipotence] Exodus 14:21 ¶ Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea [following God's procedure]; and the Lord swept the sea back by a strong east wind all night, and turned the sea into dry land [Omnipotence], so the waters were divided. Exodus 14:22 And the sons of Israel went through the midst of the sea on the dry land [following God's procedure], and the waters were like a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. Exodus 14:23 Then [the pillar of fire moved away and] the Egyptians took up the pursuit, and all Pharaoh's horses, his chariots and his horsemen went in after them into the midst of the sea. Exodus 14:24 And it came about at the morning watch, that the Lord looked down on the army of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and cloud and brought the army of the Egyptians into confusion. Exodus 14:25 And He caused their chariot wheels to swerve, and He made them drive with difficulty [Omnipotence]; so the Egyptians said, "Let us flee from Israel, for the Lord is fighting for them against the Egyptians." Exodus 14:26 ¶ Then the Lord said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand over the sea so that the waters may come back over the Egyptians, over their chariots and their horsemen [Listen to God]." Exodus 14:27 So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea [following God's procedure], and the sea returned to its normal state at daybreak, while the Egyptians were fleeing right into it; then the Lord overthrew [drowned] the Egyptians in the midst of the sea. Exodus 14:28 And the waters returned and covered the chariots and the horsemen, even Pharaoh's entire army that had gone into the sea after them; not even one of them remained. Exodus 14:29 But the sons of Israel walked on dry land [God's Omnipotence] through the midst of the sea [God provides everything they needed, dry vs muddy land], and the waters were like a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. Exodus 14:30 Thus the Lord delivered Israel that day from the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. Exodus 14:31 And when Israel saw the great power which the Lord had used against the Egyptians, the people respected the Lord, and they believed in the Lord and in His servant Moses. [there is a difference between believing and trusting] So that is the story. What do we learn from this? God promised Israel a land of their own 650 yrs before [Genesis 12:1-3]. God raised up Moses to be a leader to take the Jews out of Egypt and into the land that He promised. Moses did what God told him to do. He went to Pharaoh to tell him that God said to let His people go. And to prove the power of God, God showed Pharaoh by the first plague His power, and when Pharaoh refused, he gave him 9 other times (total 10 plagues) to cause him to change his mind. Pharaoh did not until his son and all the first born people & cattle in Egypt died because they did not follow God's instruction to paint lamb's blood on their door posts. After Pharaoh relented and let the Jews go initially, then Moses led them out of Egypt to the edge of the Red Sea. The Jews packed up all their belongings and gathered their families and started to march in the direction that Moses, and the Cloud by Day and the Pillar of Fire by night lead them. Visual confirmation of God fulfilling His promises. Pharaoh changed his mind and sent his entire army after the Jews and when the Egyptians chased the Jews and pinned them against the Red Sea, Moses, before God said anything to him, stood up and told the whining Jews to ‘Stand still (shut up and calm down) and watch the deliverance of the Lord'. Moses Trusted God to make good on His promise to leading the Jews out of Egypt and to His promised land, even though Moses had no idea how God would do it. He just believed (Trusted) God would solve the problem. Then God told Moses what to do – stretch out your staff.... God used nature to part the waters, and used His Omnipotence to make sure the land (sea bed) was dry so they could easily walk on it. After God removed the pillar of fire blocking the Egyptians from pursuing the Jews, they started to pursue the Jews. They were gaining on the Jews, so God made it difficult (Omnipotence) for the Egyptians to pursue the Jews (He caused their chariot wheels to swerve). And when 3 million Jews completed the crossing, then God told Moses to “Stretch out your hand over the sea” and Moses did and the water came down on the Egyptians and killed them all. What are we to learn about this as far as our Christian Way of Living (CWLiving) is concerned? [^] ● We see that Moses listened – listened to God [aka Learn]. ● Moses followed God's instructions [aka Think – Motive – Act]. ● God provided a solution - parted the Red Sea, - made the sea bed ground dry, - stopped the Egyptians from following via the Cloud of Fire, - The Jews moved quickly across the sea [speed was essential]. God killed Pharaoh's army completely [so for all of human history God would be known – evangelism and a warning: don't mess with God and don't mess with Israel] And by contrast, we have the Jewish people that Moses was leading. They followed Moses mainly because it was freedom, some followed Moses because they believed in God and recalled His promise to them. Yet when the there was a little adversity, the Jews as a group failed. When they started to see the Egyptians coming, they panicked. They complained to Moses, “Why did you lead us out of Egypt to kill us?” And many complained to God. So you see this is the real problem. And unfortunately, throughout the bible and in all of human history: many people know of God, they were acquainted with God, in this case the Jews saw His power (10 plagues, Cloud by Day and Pillar of Fire by night, and the killing of the entire Egyptian Army) yet did not trust God. They knew Him believe in a god but did not trust Him in what He said via Moses and what they experienced. They refused to Learn and Think about God and what He told them. They also were not Motivated to believe and Trust God and Act according to what He told them.

This week's episode is one that stems from a deduction of who Jesus truly is. If we recall in our argument we shared that Jesus is God (Point 9) by way of proving it via the resurrection. As Being itself God is necessarily Truth itself. Hence God cannot lie. So if Jesus is God He cannot lie either and whatever He teaches is true. In this episode we discuss some of the things that Jesus shared in Scripture. If you have any questions about anything you hear in this episode, email us at roblundberg315@gmail.com or leave a comment from the front page of our website at https://roblundberg.org. Also be sure to subscribe to this podcast so that you can get the entirety of this series and episodes to come. The Let's Get Real Podcast is the audio arm of Rob Lundberg Ministries and can be found on ten different platforms where podcasts can be heard, including Apple Podcasts. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rob-lundberg/message

I God is doing work throughout the universe. Thunderous noises in the East do not relent, shaking all denominations and all sects. It's God's voice that brought all to the present. It's His voice that will have all conquered. They fall in this stream, and submit to Him. God has long ago reclaimed glory from the earth, and from the East He has reissued it. Who doesn't long to see the glory of God? Who doesn't await His return with eagerness? Who doesn't thirst for Him to reappear? Who doesn't miss His loveliness? Who would not come toward the light? Who wouldn't see the wealth of Canaan? Who doesn't long for the Redeemer's return? Who doesn't admire the One with omnipotence? II God's voice must spread through all the land. To His chosen people, He has more words to speak. Like a mighty thunder shaking mountains and rivers, He speaks to all the universe and all mankind. Hence God's words become man's treasure. His words are dearly loved by all. Lightning flashes straight from East to West. God's words make people loathe to give them up. God's words are unfathomable yet bring joy. All men rejoice and celebrate God coming, just like a newborn baby. God's voice attracts people before Him. God formally enters among men henceforth. All men come to worship Him because of this. Due to the glory and the words that God gives forth, all come before God and see lightning from the East. III God has come down on the "Mount of Olives" in the East. He's long been on this earth, no more Son of Jews. He's Lightning of the East, for God has resurrected. He left men and now reappears, full of His glory. God is He who was worshiped before the ages, the baby forsaken by the Israelites from that phase. He's the all-glorious Almighty God of the present age! All He wants to achieve is nothing but this: People all come before the throne of God, to see His face and deeds, to hear His voice. It's the end and the climax of His plan, and the purpose of the management of God. So all nations worship and acknowledge Him. All people trust and are subject unto Him! from "The Seven Thunders Peal—Prophesying That the Gospel of the Kingdom Shall Spread Throughout the Universe" in The Word Appears in the Flesh

Grace is getting things that are undeserved. It is directly given by God. Hence God's grace. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://news.iheart.com/podcast-advertisers

Ephraim has fallen into sin and violence and is about to be exiled. God blames this problem directly on a failure of the priests. It is their job to teach the people about God's laws and they have not done so. Hence God's people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.

Ephraim has fallen into sin and violence and is about to be exiled. God blames this problem directly on a failure of the priests. It is their job to teach the people about God's laws and they have not done so. Hence God's people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.

It is fitting for such a noble entry as that of our Lord Jesus, to be introduced in regal display. Hence God prepares for Jesus to be born by preparing His forerunner, John. In this message, we will look at the circumstances surrounding the birth of John the baptizer.