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Today's message is really about taking the long view. The human attention span is short, like really, really short. Between the world wars, Winston Churchill warned Europe that Hitler was a threat to the continent at least, but people ignored him. And then when the Nazis turned violent, the people turned to Churchill as their prime minister. Having led the country through another costly war to preserve freedom, Churchill was defeated for reelection in the last days of World War II. It's like the people had forgotten his priceless contribution to world peace. He knew the war would take a long time and that it would be costly, and the people wanted to avoid thinking about it, and even later wanted it over quickly. And that's rarely how life works. Churchill returned as Prime Minister in the 1950s, but his experiences show that people mostly want short-term solutions. Working for the long goal is rarely popular. Jeremiah 15:15 says, “Lord, you understand. Remember me and care for me, avenge me on my persecutors. You are longsuffering. Do not take me away. Think of how I suffer reproach for your sake.” Here God is reminding us that often, we're required to stay in it for the long haul. Nowhere is this more true than in the pursuits of peace and contentment. That kind of thing is not built quickly, and not surprisingly too many people don't stay with it, and they stumble along looking for solutions in the wrong places.If you're in a bad place today, you're going to have to start with basic steps. Talk to Jesus and tell Him you're struggling. Maybe you have a vague sense of depression and just can't locate the direct cause. Take the example of people who did understand the source of true happiness, and were committed to seeing it through no matter how long it took. Abraham knew the value of prayer, and he waited for decades to have a son. Hannah was also unable to have children, but she prayed and stayed faithful, and eventually, God gave her a child and she felt fulfilled. Joseph spent years in exile in prison because of his brothers' actions, but his faith didn't waver. He actually found his contentment in the middle of these trials, and eventually, God restored his family, and all he had lost.  If you're depressed or ground down from money worries, or facing some other huge challenge—go to God right now and tell Him you need peace for your soul. Tell him you fully trust Him and will wait with as much patience and faith as you can. It's then you start the clock ticking on your difficult circumstances, and while you wait, your heart will be at rest. Let's pray. Father, thank you for the good gifts that we already have. Help us be grateful for those things that sustain life. We fully trust you to bring about our delivery from life's circumstances at precisely the moment you have chosen. Sustain our spirits on this journey, Lord. In Jesus' name, amen.  Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.

Delivered by Evelyn from the Parish of the Holy Spirit in the Archdiocese of Singapore. Acts of the Apostles 7: 51 - 8: 1a; Rs psalm 31: 3cd-4.6ab.7b.8a.17.21ab; John 6: 30-35.ACCEPT ME, O LORD The title for our meditation today is:Accept Me, O Lord. There was a nun who gave a speech at the moment of herperpetual profession in the religious life. She began and ended her briefremarks with these following words: “Accept Me, O Lord”. The content of herspeech was about words of gratitude and request of prayers from all familiesand guests present. All were somewhat surprised because the speech lasted onlyabout two minutes. When people asked about the meaning ofthe phrase: “Accept Me, O Lord”, the nun replied that her whole life isdedicated to God and the Church. From the time of the perpetual profession, shehas promised to offer herself totally as a person consecrated. That means allthings related to work, service, disappointment, suffering, challenges andvarious other things are included in her personality, her whole being areligious nun. The nun's explanation gives us a lightto the reflection on our readings today. St. Stephen as the first martyr in theChurch, put his whole being a disciple of Jesus to be a special offering toGod. He was clever, talented, hardworking, and a defender of the faith. But hedid not make himself a powerful person with position, good works, achievements,and fame. He offered his entire life and that was all for his Master JesusChrist in whom he found rest and salvation of his soul. The Jews who were after praise andgood name insisted Jesus to know about his actual work and profession, then inresponding them he revealed his true identity with this expression: "I amthe bread of life". This bread is actually the food that the Jews and all peoplewho hope for salvation were looking for. Jesus wanted them not to bother aboutthe other things, but just recognized Him, trusted Him and stayed with Him.Here God wants to teach us that our views and treatments to one another in thisworld must be full and sincere, namely to love a person like God himself loves. All that is attached in every personsuch as good name, job, relationship, position, achievement, success and so onin the positive aspect; and failure, pain, loss, emptiness, loneliness, despairand so on in the negative aspects, will eventually terminate in this world whenwe die. What we carry on next to meet God is ourselves as the believers. Allthat are necessary to oulseves, and they help us to carry out the duties andworks according to each one's respective calling. So the good news for us today is thatwe must see what is beautiful and precious in oneself and each of ourneighbours as a whole human person as the gift of God to us. Let's pray. In the name of theFather ... O good Lord, help us to always be in the way of Your Son JesusChrist, our Lord and Savior. Hail Mary full of grace. In the name of the Father...

In tijden van crises, is het eenvoudig te denken dat God niet kan verlossen. Om je geloof te versterken, bekijk dan de volgende Bijbelgedeelten waar God Zijn kinderen verloste uit hun ellende. In 1 Samuel 17:37 wist David dat hij Goliath kon verslaan omdat God hem al van een leeuw en beer had gered. In Daniël 3 weigerden Sadrach, Mesach en Abednego het bevel van de Koning om neer te knielen voor het gouden beeld dat hij had opgericht. Ze bleven de Here God aanbidden. Als gevolg hiervan werden ze in een vurige oven geworpen die zeven keer heter was gestookt. Maar God bevrijdde hen zo volkomen uit deze beproeving dat ze zelfs niet naar rook roken! Hij vertoonde zich zelfs in het vuur! In Daniël 6 is nog een voorbeeld van Gods bereidheid en vermogen om te verlossen. Daniël werd in de leeuwenkuil geworpen omdat hij bad tot God. Daniël werd op zo'n bijzondere wijze verlost dat hij ongedeerd uit de beproeving kwam, terwijl zijn vijanden volkomen werden verslagen. Merk je hier een trend op? Wanneer Gods mensen stappen zetten in geloof om te doen wat God van hen vraagt te doen, zal God gaan reageren en hen de overwinning geven. God kan Zijn kinderen uit elke situatie verlossen. Besef vandaag dat Zijn verlossingskracht groter is dan jouw probleem.

Toen onze jongste zoon nog op school was en Dave en ik op reis moesten, kwamen mensen bij ons thuis om op hem te passen. Wij moesten voor hen, die tijdens onze afwezigheid voor hem moesten zorgen of dat hij voor het geval dat hij misschien medische zorg nodig zou hebben, een juridische document tekenen dat zij namens ons bevoegd waren om letterlijk alle besluiten te kunnen nemen. Dat is wat Jezus deed voor Zijn discipelen, maar ook voor allemaal die in Hem zouden geloven. Hij zei dat als wij bidden in Zijn naam, God antwoorden zal. Dit is de autoriteit die jij en ik toebedeeld gekregen hebben door Zijn Naam. Zijn Naam is Plaatsvervanger— Zijn Naam vertegenwoordigt Hem. Als we bidden in Zijn Naam is dat hetzelfde alsof Hij het is die bidt. Deze privilege lijkt haast te wonderlijk om te geloven! Maar we kunnen het geloven omdat de Bijbel dit bevestigd. Dus gebruik de autoriteit van de Naam van Jezus en wees krachtig om de vijand te overwinnen en de zegeningen van God in deze wereld te brengen.

Vandaag wil ik je aan iets herinneren wat heel belangrijk is voor jouw welzijn: Jij bent geen verrassing voor God. Hij wist wat Hij kreeg toe Hij jou uitkoos, net zoals Hij wist wat Hij kreeg toen Hij mij uitkoos. De Bijbel zegt dat God ons vol liefde heeft uitgekozen om van Hem te zijn! Je kwam niet zomaar toevallig op een dag tevoorschijn. En God heeft niet besloten om je slechts te tolereren. Je kunt God niet vermoeien want Hij koos jou... je kunt God ook niet imponeren! Hij zal niet met zijn ogen knipperen als jij een probleem hebt. In plaats daarvan zal Hij je er altijd aan herinneren van hoever je gekomen bent, hoe goed je het doet en hoe waardevol je in Zijn ogen bent en hoeveel Hij van je houdt. God wist al van onze zwakheden, elke fout die je zou maken, elke keer dat je zou falen en toch zegt Hij: “Ik wil jou”. In Efeziërs 1:5 verklaart Hij jou te hebben voorbestemd om Zijn kind te zijn. God is jouw papa! Met Hem aan jouw zijde zullen alle dingen tot op het eind mede werken ten goede.

Here God allowed Apostle John to pen down for our edification the fulfillment of His promise; triumphant praises to God on earth, and praises to the Lord for his righteous judgments, and seeing the church in heaven. This is the rapture of the church; the being caught up by the Lord Jesus for all that accepted the baptism of the Holy Ghost. And the Christ going forth to destroy the beast and his armies.

We moeten ons realiseren dat een onderdeel van satans plan voor de eindtijd is om ons als gelovigen te vermoeien. Daniël 7:25 geeft ons een levendige beschrijving over een visie die profeet Daniël ontving over de laatste dagen: “En hij (...) zal de heiligen van de Allerhoogste onderdrukken…” Maar God wil dat je bemoedigd bent. Romeinen 8:37 (HSV) geeft christenen dit goede nieuws: “Maar in dit alles zijn wij meer dan overwinnaars door Hem, die ons heeft liefgehad.”. “Meer dan overwinnaars” betekent dat, nog voordat de problemen beginnen, we al weten wie er gaat winnen. Daar hou ik van, jij ook? We kunnen in ons hart het doel stellen om zo'n intieme relatie met God te onderhouden, door gebed en Zijn Woord, dat we voortdurend worden versterkt door de kracht van Zijn beloften. Intimiteit met God produceert sterke christenen die de duivel kunnen overleven. Leef je leven volledig vertrouwend op Gods kracht en heb geen angst voor de beproevingen, deze maken dat strijders vermoeid raken en heiligen kunnen verlammen. Blijf sterk in Hem en in de kracht van Zijn Macht.

Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!” — Mark 9:7 From the cloud on the mount of transfiguration, God said, “This is my Son.” Here God identifies Jesus so that his disciples will have no doubt about his identity. This is God's Son, whom God sent to earth for a purpose. And that purpose was about to become clearer in the coming weeks. Jesus' mission would soon lead to his death and resurrection for us all. “Whom I love.” God's feeling for his Son is also clear. God didn't send his Son to earth on some deadly mission because he didn't care about him. God loved his Son with every part of his being. This was a selfless act by a loving Father who hurt deeply because of what was about to happen. “Listen to him!” This command was directed at Jesus' disciples who were with him that day, and it is directed at you and me today. Jesus told his disciples why he had come and what he was about to do, but they didn't always listen or understand. It was very important, though, that they understand! Only when they understood what Jesus was doing could they share it with everyone else they came into contact with—as he would command them to do later (Matthew 28:18-20). Similarly, only when we listen can we fulfill God's commands as well. So as we read God's Word, let's listen to what Jesus is saying! Father God, thank you for loving Jesus and for sending him to us. Help us to listen to him faithfully each day. Amen.

Het omgaan met emoties is een feit van het leven. Zolang we leven, zullen we een verscheidenheid aan emotionele gevoelens en reacties ervaren, we moeten het bestaan van deze niet ontkennen of ons vanwege deze schuldig voelen. Echter, we moeten wel leren om onze emoties te beheersen. Dit is eenvoudiger als we begrijpen dat we deze niet kunnen vertrouwen. In feite kunnen ze onze grootste vijand zijn. Satan gebruikt onze emoties tegen ons om ons te weerhouden in de Geest te wandelen. Het is zo belangrijk te weten dat de Heer onze God met Zijn macht in een ieder van ons woonachtig is. Zijn macht in ons stelt ons in staat om onze emoties te overwinnen en geleid te worden door Zijn onveranderlijke Woord en Geest in plaats van door onze onstabiele gevoelens en emoties. Geestelijke stabiliteit en emotionele volwassenheid komen niet vanzelf. Je moet er met heel je hart naar verlangen en vastberaden zijn om het te verkrijgen. Als je van emotionele stabiliteit een prioriteit maakt, is God meer dan bereid om je te helpen jouw emoties te beheersen. Ik moedig je aan om dat vandaag na te streven. Geniet van emotionele stabiliteit en een vreugdevol, overwinnend leven!

De meeste van ons zijn zich ervan bewust dat we door genade gered zijn, maar ik vraag mij af hoeveel mensen de kracht van Gods genade daadwerkelijk begrijpen. Alles wat we van God aan genade ontvangen komt door het geloof. Dus als je genade begrijpt, kun je in geloof wandelen en Gods zegeningen ontvangen. Gods genade is niet ingewikkeld of verwarrend. Het is eenvoudig, en dat is waarom veel mensen het mislopen. Er is niets krachtiger dan genade. Alles in de Bijbel - redding, de vervulling van de Heilige Geest, vriendschap met God en alle dagelijkse overwinningen, zijn hierop gebaseerd. Zonder genade, zijn we niets, hebben we niets en kunnen we niets doen. Het gaat vandaag niet alleen over genade, maar begrijp dat alles in ons leven niet afhangt van onze verdiensten, vaardigheden of werken, maar van Gods bereidheid om Zijn oneindige kracht te gebruiken om te voldoen aan onze behoeften. Dat is genade. Richt je vandaag op die waarheid en kijk hoe je geloof gaat groeien.

De Bijbel zegt dat we ontzagwekkend en wonderlijk gemaakt zijn. God besteedde tijd en oefende Zijn creativiteit uit op een ieder van ons, dus het zou logisch zijn dat Hij ons niet allemaal hetzelfde maakte, zou het niet? Helaas, soms proberen we anderen lief te hebben alsof ze allemaal dezelfde zijn. Je zult ontdekken dat niet iedereen hetzelfde van je nodig heeft. Eén van je kinderen bijvoorbeeld vraagt misschien meer tijd van jou dan dat de ander dat nodig heeft. Een vriend heeft misschien regelmatig wat meer bemoediging nodig dan een ander. Sommige mensen hebben gewoon verschillende vormen van liefde nodig. Het respecteren van persoonlijke voorkeuren en meningen is ook heel belangrijk. Zelfzuchtige mensen verwachten dat iedereen is zoals zij zijn, maar liefde respecteert het verschil in mensen. Als God had gewild dat iedereen gelijk had moeten zijn, dan zou Hij niet ieder van ons verschillende vingerafdrukken hebben gegeven. Ik ben van mening dat dit feit alleen al bewijst dat we niet gelijk zijn aan elkaar, maar verschillend. Allemaal hebben we verschillende gaven en talenten, verschillende voorkeuren en dingen die we wel of niet leuk vinden, verschillende doelen in het leven en verschillende motivaties. Een liefdevol persoon respecteert en bemoedigt de verschillen in anderen.

Het is verbazingwekkend hoeveel talentvolle mensen er zijn die aan de zijlijn van het leven zitten en niets doen. Zij doen nooit een stap vooruit om de talenten die God hen gegeven heeft te gebruiken omdat zij niet van zichzelf geloven dat zij talenten hebben. Ben jij één van hen? De waarheid is dat God iedereen van ons gaven, talenten en vaardigheden heeft gegeven. Hij heeft een groot plan voor ons en Hij heeft je uitgerust om grote dingen te doen voor Zijn Koninkrijk. Maar totdat je jezelf ziet zoals Hij je ziet en Hem vertrouwt om je in staat te stellen jouw gaven te gebruiken, zal je je door God gegeven mogelijkheden/potentieel niet waarmaken. Als je met een lage eigenwaarde, een slecht zelfbeeld en gebrek aan vertrouwen worstelt, dan wil ik dat je weet dat God je met verbazingwekkende talenten heeft gemaakt. Wanneer je God vertrouwt en gelooft dat je alles kunt doen wat Hij zegt dat je kunt doen, dan zal je Zijn bestemming voor jouw leven volbrengen. Onthoud dat “alle dingen mogelijk zijn bij God”. Als je jouw vertrouwen op Hem stelt, dan zul je vrij zijn om Zijn bestemming waar te maken.

De Israëlieten dwaalden 40 jaar rond in de wildernis, wat eigenlijk een 11-daagse reis zou zijn geweest. Waarom? Terwijl ik eens over deze situatie nadacht, zei de Heer tegen mij: “De Israëlieten konden niet verdergaan omdat ze een wildernismentaliteit hadden.” Zij hadden geen positieve visie voor hun leven, geen dromen. Ze moesten die mentaliteit loslaten en op God vertrouwen. We moeten de Israëlieten echt niet met verbazing bekijken, want de meesten van ons doen hetzelfde wat zij deden. We blijven om dezelfde bergen rondgaan in plaats van vooruitgang te boeken. Het kost ons jaren om overwinning te behalen over iets wat snel had kunnen worden afgehandeld. We hebben een nieuwe mentaliteit nodig. We moeten beginnen te geloven dat Gods Woord de waarheid is. Matteüs 19:26 vertelt ons dat bij God alles mogelijk is. Het enige wat Hij nodig heeft is ons geloof in Hem. Hij wil van ons dat wij geloven, dan zal Hij de rest doen. De Heer zegt vandaag hetzelfde tegen jou en mij, wat Hij ook aan de kinderen van Israël zei: Jullie zijn nu lang genoeg bij deze berg gebleven. Nu is het tijd voor ons om verder te trekken.

Als mens zijn we door God gemaakt om gelukkig te zijn en om ons goed te voelen over onszelf. Eigenlijk moeten we ons goed voelen over onszelf, want anders zullen we uiteindelijk een soort van ongezond, onbeheerst gedrag ontwikkelen om bij het gevoel te komen waar we zo naar hunkeren. Denk er over na. Een drugsverslaafde begon waarschijnlijk met gebruiken omdat zijn pijn zo intens was dat hij zich genoodzaakt voelde om daar vanaf te komen, al was het maar tijdelijk. Hetzelfde geldt voor drank of voedsel om een goed gevoel op te roepen. Als we van binnenuit geen goede gevoelens krijgen, dan proberen we ze door middel van externe middelen te creëren. God heeft ons op die manier gemaakt en Hij is de Enige die ons kan verzadigen. Als we in plaats van naar God, naar iets anders op zoek gaan om ons goed te voelen over onszelf, zijn we bezig om iets echts te vervangen voor een goedkoop vervangingsmiddel. Wat je emotionele behoeften vandaag ook zijn, weet dat alleen God hieraan kan voldoen. Hij is de enige blijvende levensbron. Ga vandaag naar Hem toe — want Hij is de Enige die kan verzadigen.

Om eerlijk te zijn, te veel van ons zijn negatieve denkers wanneer we ons in uitdagende situaties bevinden. Maar om deze moeilijke tijden te boven te komen, moet je jouw negatieve gedachten omzetten in positieve gedachten. God wil je meenemen op een “waarheidsreis”, om Zijn Woord te onderzoeken, wat verbazingwekkende resultaten oplevert. Het zal je helpen je negatieve gedachten te zuiveren en je de mogelijkheid geven om het positieve te zien in jouw situatie. Positief zijn is krachtig. En een groot deel om positief te zijn ontstaat om jezelf aan de successen uit het verleden te herinneren. Toen David zijn tegenstander de reus Goliath zag, herinnerde hij zich hoe hij de leeuw en de beer al had verslagen, en dit gaf hem in zijn huidige situatie moed. Als je op dit moment door een moeilijke tijd gaat, wil ik je eraan herinneren dat dit waarschijnlijk niet de eerste uitdaging is die je aangegaan bent. Je overleefde de laatste keer (en waarschijnlijk heb je daar een waardevolle les uit geleerd) en je zult deze ook overleven. Zoals David deed herinner je de successen uit het verleden. Ga dan naar de Bijbel en zie wat God zegt. Er komen betere tijden. God heeft het beloofd!

Psalm 36 is an oracle, which is a divine message from God to us. Here God goes through David and tells us about what's in the heart of the wicked, and then what Yahweh God is like, and then prays to Him to bless and protect those who know Him.

THE FACE OF GODS PRESENCE  When we look in the Old Testament and in the New Testament, we see that the word ‘face' also means ‘presence', and the same word also means ‘person', and that word in Greek is ‘prosopon' – beholding the eyes or beholding the look or gaze. And we'll start with the following scripture 2 Corinthians 4:6 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face (prosopon – the presence and person) of Jesus Christ Jesus said ‘When you have seen me you have seen the Father (John 14:9).  The word ‘prosopon' in Scripture ties together physical reality (face), relational reality (presence), and personal nature (Identity). ‘Prosopon's is God's gift of connection between himself and us, and it is our gift of connection between another. When Jesus lived on earth, he was the prosopon of God, fully revealing God's presence and personal nature. The Bible also says For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; (Colossians 2:9) The Holy Spirit who is the ‘Third Person' of the Godhead unveils for us the face and the presence and the personal nature of the Father and Jesus, as persons that we can come to know. That means that our lives can flow together with God's, with an inner peace and expressing a Godly quality of life in our outward behaviour, as the Apostle Peter says ‘we become partakers of the Divine nature' (2Peter 1:4). THE FACE OF THE FATHER shining upon us means not just His presence but His nearness and favour and relational engagement. Numbers 6:22“The LORD bless you and keep you, The LORD make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you, The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace. “‘ The Father's face reveals him as a person of loving care and provision and protection as he brings all of our circumstances together in the right and perfect time for his good will to be of greatest blessing for our lives. There was an occasion when Moses asked God for assurance that he would be with him when he took Israel into the promised Land. God said to him “My presence (paniym) will go with you, and I will give you rest.” (Exodus 33:14)   At this time also Moses asked God  if he could see his glory – his ``face of radiant glory - and God told him that no one could see the face of God and live (Exodus 33:20) and he said to Moses ‘Here is a place by Me, stand on that rock, and, while My glory passes by I will put you in the cleft of the rock, and will cover you with My hand while I pass by. Then I will take away My hand, and you shall see My back; but My face shall not be seen.” Moses stood on the rock and then God hid him in the cleft of the rock and Moses was allowed to see his ‘back, which means he saw that God had been with him and was doing ongoing wonders in his life.  That was a prophetic picture of our lives in the New Testament where we stand on the Rock of Jesus and we are hidden in him as Moses was in the cleft of the Rock, and like Moses we also see his ‘back' which means we also see that the Father has been with us doing ongoing wonders in our lives.  But in two places in the Bible it also oddly says that God spoke to Moses ‘face to face' (Exodus 33, Numbers 12). What does this mean? Here God was saying that he spoke to him ‘person to person' so that he could experience an intimate relationship of love and trust with him. An example of this is as person to person phone call but not a Facetime call. The Face of the Father can also express his wrath. The word wrath here means intense indignation. It is the firm face of the Person of the Father that looks with just judgement and grief upon the damage that sin causes, bringing harm and destruction to his children. The wrath of God is expressed in both the Old and the New Testament. God's wrath is a protective strong disciplinary action upon harmful evil doers on behalf of those who are harmed, so that wrath is an act of love – and it  is ultimately redemptive for evil doers, which means that through that discipline they are made aware of their opportunity for repentance unto life and faith. The Bible says that we who believe in the saving power of Jesus on the cross, will be saved from wrath through Jesus (Romans 5:9), We will be disciplined in a firm but loving way by our Father God while knowing his mercy upon us and his closeness to us through the times of trial as he reveals to us what needs to be transformed in our lives.    THE FACE OF JESUS is joyful and encouraging and compassionate, unveiling his dedication in sharing who he is with us as being human as well as divine. Jesus has experienced every trial and test of faith and every temptation of sin that we have, and he knows our human weakness and limitations. He stands by us and he walks with us and he speaks his Words of life to us in times of trial and testing and in times of guidance and blessing, to increase our faith and trust in him and in our loving Father. ‘He will save, he will rejoice over you with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over you with singing.' (Zephaniah 3:17). The Bible says that Jesus is not only a brother to us but also a loving friend who enjoys our friendship.  THE FACE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT  The Holy Spirit's love and goodness are seen throughout the Bible in His comforting presence, intercession, guidance, and empowerment. He is not just a force but a personal being who grieves, loves, prays, and works for our transformation. He is the person who is in and through the Father and Jesus and he flows from them to us. The Holy Spirit is the person who unveils the face of Jesus and the Father to us and he brings us into person-to-person unity of the spirit and one accord with each other.  He also unveils our own face to ourselves as our true self that was created by God before the foundation of the world, as he transforms our nature into the likeness of Jesus.   2 Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.  The Apostle James said that if someone hears the life-giving Word but does not allow it to shape their life, they are like a person who glances into a mirror and catches a glimpse of their face — the face of the true self that God designed for them before they were even born. But if they get distracted by outward things they wiil forget who they really are. However, if they remain steadfast to the truth of the real self that they were shown, and live it out, they will experience blessing in all they do. (James 1:22) The face or presence or person of the Holy Spirit is always unveiling God's love, life, beauty, strength, and order and justice and mercy.  But the Holy Spirit also unveils the disorder in the world and everything and everyone in it. He makes clear the difference between darkness and light and of falsehood and truth.  The Holy Spirit has been dividing light from darkness from the very beginning.  Genesis 1:2 … The Spirit of God was moving over the face of the waters (the dark disordered chaos). Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness. The Holy Spirit is always inviting us to enter into the presence of God. That does not mean secluding ourselves in isolation like some other meditation practices, where people detach themselves from everything to find the mystery of who they are through nothing else but an exercise of their own imagination.  And with material things going on around us spiritual contemplation can seem for many people like holding their breath under water, but it is not hard at all if we know that we are coming person to person into God's real presence. This becomes a simple practice of engaging with the real persons of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, all of whom are totally focused on us at all times. It is not hard for them to enter into our presence because we are vitally important to them. We are who they live for and they invite us to do the same.  So what can we do? We can start by welcoming their real presence with us. The Bible says we enter into the presence (face and person) of God behind the veil of our own self-consciousness – our flesh (Hebrews 10:19-22) and we go into the place and space of God consciousness. The Holy Spirit weaves that gift of connection together for us by revealing the faces of Jesus and the Father, and then as we are touched by their presence and personal reality, he reveals to us our own unveiled face of thanksgiving to God. That becomes our true face. We share that face with the person (face) of the Holy Spirit. It is at that moment that our face and the face of the Holy Spirit become the same face.   A THREE MINUTE REFLECTION Our lives can become fruitful in the transforming work of the Holy Spirit by starting with a simple three-minute reflection where we spend one minute contemplating the face or really, the person behind the face of the Father and then doing the same with Jesus and then with the Holy Spirit and we keep saying thank you till we mean it. If our life before God can be one big thank you, we will know that we are in the faith. Our thanks in all things is our repentance and our acceptance of his will. It is our hope for his mercy and grace and our faith and trust in his goodness. I have included a selection of about 120 Scriptures that speak of the love and goodness of the Father and Jesus and the Holy Spirit - and they take up eight pages. Read them and choose ones that speak to you, some more than others at any particular time. The Holy Spirit will guide your choices, and you will come to know your God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (Paul O'Sullivan – pauloss@icloud.com)   1. Father's Love for Us • Exodus 34:6 – “The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth.” • Deuteronomy 7:9 – “Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; He is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commandments.” • Psalm 136:26 – “Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever.” • Isaiah 54:10 – “Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed, says the LORD, who has compassion on you.” • Jeremiah 31:3 – “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.” • John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” • Romans 5:8 – “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” • Romans 8:38-39 – “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.” • Ephesians 2:4-5 – “But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.” • 1 John 3:1 – “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” • 1 John 4:7-10 – “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him.” 2. Father's Goodness Toward His People • Psalm 23:6 – “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 27:13 – “I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.” • Psalm 31:19 – “How great is Your goodness, which You have stored up for those who fear You, which You bestow in the sight of all, on those who take refuge in You.” • Psalm 34:8 – “Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him.” • Psalm 52:1 – “The goodness of God endures continually.” • Psalm 86:5 – “You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to You.” • Psalm 100:5 – “For the LORD is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations.” • Psalm 107:1 – “Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever.” • Nahum 1:7 – “The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him.” • Matthew 7:11 – “If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him!” • Romans 2:4 – “Or do you show contempt for the riches of His kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?” • James 1:17 – “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” 3. Father's Compassion and Faithfulness • Lamentations 3:22-23 – “Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.” • Micah 7:18-19 – “Who is a God like You, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of His inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us; You will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.” • Luke 6:35-36 – “But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” • Deuteronomy 33:27 – “The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.” • Isaiah 41:10 – “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” • Zephaniah 3:17 – “The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in His love He will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” • John 15:9 – “As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you. Now remain in My love.” • 1 Peter 5:7 – “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” 1. The Love of Jesus • Matthew 9:36 – “When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” • Matthew 11:28-30 – “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” • Matthew 14:14 – “When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, He had compassion on them and healed their sick.” • Matthew 15:32 – “Jesus called His disciples to Him and said, ‘I have compassion for these people; they have already been with Me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way.'” • Mark 10:21 – “Jesus looked at him and loved him. ‘One thing you lack,' He said. ‘Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.'” • Luke 19:10 – “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” • John 3:16-17 – “For 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. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.” • John 10:11 – “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.” • John 13:1 – “Having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.” • John 15:9 – “As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you. Now remain in My love.” • John 15:13 – “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends.” • Romans 8:35-39 – “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? … No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” • Galatians 2:20 – “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” • Ephesians 3:18-19 – “That you 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.” • Revelation 1:5 – “To Him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by His blood.” 2. The Goodness of Jesus • Matthew 4:23 – “Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.” • Matthew 12:15 – “Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. A large crowd followed Him, and He healed all who were ill.” • Matthew 19:14 – “Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.'” • Mark 1:41 – “Jesus was indignant. He reached out His hand and touched the man. ‘I am willing,' He said. ‘Be clean!'” • Mark 6:34 – “When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, He had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So He began teaching them many things.” • Luke 4:18-19 – “The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.” • Luke 22:32 – “But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” • Acts 10:38 – “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and He went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with Him.” • 2 Corinthians 8:9 – “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.” • Hebrews 4:15 – “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet He did not sin.” • Isaiah 53:5 – “But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His wounds we are healed.” • Mark 15:37-39 – “With a loud cry, Jesus breathed His last. The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, saw how He died, he said, ‘Surely this man was the Son of God!'” • John 10:17-18 – “The reason My Father loves Me is that I lay down My life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of My own accord.” • Romans 5:6-8 – “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” • Colossians 1:13-14 – “For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” • Hebrews 12:2 – “For the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” The Holy Spirit, as the third person of the Trinity, is described in Scripture as loving, good, compassionate, and deeply involved in the lives of believers.  The Love of the Holy Spirit - The Holy Spirit's love and goodness are seen throughout the Bible in His comforting presence, intercession, guidance, and empowerment. He is not just a force but a personal being who grieves, loves, prays, and works for our transformation. Below is a collection of passages that highlight His love, goodness, and personal attributes, including His ability to grieve and intercede for us.  • Romans 5:5 – “And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” • Romans 15:30 – “I urge you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me.” • Galatians 5:22-23 – “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” • 2 Timothy 1:7 – “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.” The Holy Spirit actively expresses love—both through His work in our lives and by filling us with divine love. 2. The Goodness of the Holy Spirit • Psalm 143:10 – “Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; may Your good Spirit lead me on level ground.” • Nehemiah 9:20 – “You gave Your good Spirit to instruct them. You did not withhold Your manna from their mouths, and You gave them water for their thirst.” • Acts 10:38 – “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and He went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with Him.” • John 16:13 – “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on His own; He will speak only what He hears, and He will tell you what is yet to come.” The Holy Spirit's goodness is evident in His guidance, instruction, and empowerment of believers. 3. The Holy Spirit as a Person Who Feels Emotion The Holy Spirit is not an impersonal force but a living divine person who experiences emotions such as grief, joy, and intercession. The Holy Spirit Grieves • Ephesians 4:30 – “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” • Isaiah 63:10 – “Yet they rebelled and grieved His Holy Spirit. So He turned and became their enemy and He Himself fought against them.” Just as a person can feel sorrow, the Holy Spirit grieves when believers sin, reject His guidance, or live in ways contrary to God's will. 4. The Holy Spirit as the One Who Intercedes for Us • Romans 8:26-27 – “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God's people in accordance with the will of God.” • Zechariah 12:10 – “And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a Spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on Me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for Him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for Him as one grieves for a firstborn son.” These verses reveal that the Holy Spirit actively prays for us—even when we don't have words—expressing our needs to God with deep, heartfelt groaning. 5. The Holy Spirit as Our Helper, Comforter, and Helper • John 14:16-17 – “And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you know Him, for He lives with you and will be in you.” • John 14:26 – “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” • John 15:26 – “When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—He will testify about Me.” • John 16:7 – “But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.” The Holy Spirit is our personal Helper, Counselor, and Helper, always working on our behalf. 6. The Holy Spirit Gives Life and Power • Genesis 1:2 – “Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.” • Job 33:4 – “The Spirit of God has made me; the breath of the Almighty gives me life.” • Ezekiel 37:14 – “I will put My Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the LORD have spoken, and I have done it, declares the LORD.” • Luke 4:18 – “The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free.” • Acts 1:8 – “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” • 2 Corinthians 3:17 – “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” • Galatians 5:25 – “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” The Holy Spirit is the giver of life, power, and freedom, actively working in creation, salvation, and the daily walk of our lives as believers.  

Here God allowed Apostle John to pen down for our edification the fulfillment of His promise; triumphant praises to God on earth, and praises to the Lord for his righteous judgments, and seeing the church in heaven. This is the rapture of the church; the being caught up by the Lord Jesus for all that accepted the baptism of the Holy Ghost. And the Christ going forth to destroy the beast and his armies.

On Monday, January 21, 2025, our nation, and the world, witnessed the peaceful transfer of power as President Trump took the oath of office. This week we've witnessed a flurry of political and governmental “shake-ups” that once again reveal the great rift of brokenness in our country. Throughout His Holy Word, GOD makes many “If/Then” declarations, none more renowned than 2nd Chronicles 7:14. Here GOD declares the path His people must walk if they want Him to intervene to bring healing in the land. We desperately need GOD Himself to heal our land! Interestingly, some theologians and a few well-known Bible teachers say that this verse is a promise only for the Jewish nation. While I understand how they arrived at their conclusions on this, I still disagree with them. My disagreement arises because I see the same “path” and all of the principles from 2nd Chronicles 7:14 clearly taught in the New Testament. This means that even if they are right, we can still trust GOD's New Testament pathway to healing our land. JESUS has given us His Authority to overcome the destructive powers of Satan that are at work even in government and politics. That authority is still found in humility! I invite you to watch or listen to this message as we look to the New Testament's version of the 2nd Chronicles 7:14 promise from GOD to His people today. Pastor Joe Still

Title: “Providence and People” Part 1 Text: Acts 18:1-6 FCF: We often struggle balancing God's providence with our action. Prop: Because God's providence does not preclude human responsibility, we must engage in earthly and spiritual work. Scripture Intro: [Slide 1] Turn in your bible to Acts chapter 18. In a moment we'll begin reading in verse 1 from the Legacy Standard Bible. You can follow along in the pew bible or in whatever version you prefer. Last time in the book of Acts we saw Paul complete his ministry in the city of Athens. During the Macedonian portion of the mission, the theme that seemed to be on display was the logical and biblical nature of the gospel message. That against the tightest scrutiny, the gospel holds up in every way. The greatest test for this was standing before the Areopagite and defending the Christian worldview. Which Paul did successfully. As Paul travels now to a new city, Luke pivots back to the central theme of Acts. What theme is that you might ask? Well, it is one we've heard many times before and will hear many more times before we are done. God is at work to providentially grow His church to the uttermost parts of the earth. How does He do this? Through the church itself. Please stand with me to give honor to and focus on the reading of the Word of God. Invocation: Heavenly Father, we know that You are the source for our life and all that we have. We know that without You we are nothing. We confess that You are in absolute control over all things that You guide all things to happen according to Your will to accomplish Your purposes. We also confess that we are favored participants in Your will and do often receive the gift it is to join You in Your work. So Father I pray that as You communicate these truths to us today that we would listen and we would enter into Your service, appreciating the gift it is to join You in Your work. Give us eyes of faith today we pray in Jesus' name… Amen. Transition: [Slide 2] A great philosophical question that has made its rounds several times has been, what came first the chicken or the egg. Such a question is rife with not just philosophical debates but also religious debates. At the center of it all is the question of origin. From the scriptures we can prove quite readily that the chicken absolutely came first. God created His creation with age and maturity. But at the core the question is a seeming paradox. For if you say the chicken, you must ask but from where did the chicken hatch? If you say the egg, you must ask but from what was the egg laid? In the scriptures today we see another paradox that like the question about the chicken and egg can be answered by understanding what the scriptures teach. The paradox is… God has determined all that will be and man is commanded to obey Him. How do these fit? For if God has determined all that will be, man's obedience is already determined, isn't it? And if God has commanded men to obey, doesn't this mean that God has not determined whether they will or will not? And round and round we go. But as we will see today, God's providence does not preclude human responsibility. Let's look. I.) God's providence does not preclude human responsibility, so we must continue to work for earthly provision. (1-4) a. [Slide 3] 1 - After these things he departed Athens and went to Corinth. i. After successfully defending the worldview of Christianity against the wisest men humanity had to offer, they could not condemn him for teaching about new demons. But their “wisdom” could not allow them to accept the foolishness that is Jesus Christ crucified and risen again. ii. Nevertheless, the Lord led a few to Himself through the ministry of Paul in Athens. iii. After this, Paul continues to Corinth, the capital of the province of Achaia. iv. Let's take a few minutes to learn about the city of Corinth. 1. [Slide 4] The city of Corinth was positioned on an Isthmus which was less than 5 miles across at its narrowest point. a. The Aegean and Mediterranean seas posed significant risk to cargo ships being lost. Salling around the lowest portion of the Balkan Peninsula, called the Peloponnese Peninsula, only heightened that risk as cargo ships attempted to transport goods around Greece. b. The Isthmus provided a unique opportunity to short cut days off of that journey. c. A paved road called The Diolkos, was made to connect both ports over land. Grooves were set in the road so cargo and even some small ships could be loaded on a large wooden platform and wheeled by men or animals. They drug the goods 6 kilometers to the other port and then unloaded it so they could continue the journey. d. This process would take several hours to complete. e. What does that mean? f. That means that the sailors and personnel on these ships had time to kill. g. And that is where Corinth came in. h. Corith was an extremely wealthy city. Not only did this sea route offer many customers to their several marketplaces, but even a land route running North and South brought customers as well. 2. [Slide 5] This made Corinth a hotbed of trade, worship, and literally any vice that you could think of. a. The population is estimated to be around 200,000 people plus around double that in slaves. b. By the time Paul arrived Corinth had a reputation for being the premier city for banking. c. When Julius Caesar reestablished the city, he designed it to present the majesty of Roman culture, religion, and values. Thus, Roman pagan worship and emperor worship was on full display at the time Paul arrived. d. Corinth also hosted the biennial Isthmian Games. Resembling our Olympic games, this was a series of athletic and even musical competitions to honor the Greek God Poseidon. i. Since the games were played on the Isthmus, the sea would literally surround the games. ii. Victors would be rewarded with a wreath crown made of wild celery and later Pine which was a sacred tree to Poseidon. e. [Slide 6] Although there is evidence that indicates that much of Corinth's reputation for sexual license is primarily related to Athenian propaganda to compete against the juggernaut city – we certainly know that pagan worship and sexual immorality go hand in hand. f. Indeed, when Paul writes to the Corinthian church in a few years – he will address their continued need to kill off these sins in their midst. v. So, Paul arrives in Corinth. What does he set out to do there? The answer – may be somewhat surprising. b. [Slide 7] 2 - And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, and his wife Priscilla, who recently came from Italy because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome. He came to them, i. Early on in the book of Acts, we noticed that at the Pentecost after Christ's ascension, Jews from all over the Roman world were represented in Jerusalem for the festival. ii. One of those areas represented with a large Jewish Diaspora population would have been Pontus. iii. Pontus is on the Southern Coast of the Black Sea in Modern Turkey. iv. Aquila or as some pronounce it Akilla, was from this region. v. His wife, Priscilla or as is mentioned elsewhere in scripture, Prisca, is with him now in Corinth due to a rather interesting development. vi. Around the time that Paul, Silas, Timothy and Luke were in Philippi, the Emperor Claudius issued a decree to expel all Jews from the city of Rome. vii. Why? 1. According to the Roman historian Suetonius, there was significant unrest and disturbances among the Jewish community due to disputes being raised between Jews and Jewish Christians. It is in Suetonius' works we find that the Christians were led by someone he calls Chrestus, which his most likely his misunderstanding of the word Christos or Christ. 2. And so just because Paul hasn't gone to Rome with the gospel – we ought not think that Christianity had not yet made it to Rome. 3. In fact, as we will see, the book of Romans is written to Christians in Rome, long before Paul arrived in Rome. viii. Apparently, Aquila and Priscilla were in Rome during this time (on the side of the Christians of course) but were still expelled since they were Jews. ix. So, Paul comes to them and joins with them… why? x. Certainly, because they were believers already living in the city of Corinth. But why else? c. [Slide 8] 3 - and because he was of the same trade, he was staying with them and they were working, for by trade they were tent-makers. i. Paul's primary mission for coming to Corinth most certainly is the evangelistic opportunity that such a large city would offer. ii. It was a strategic city to be in to share the gospel, of that we can be certain. iii. But on a more practical side, we see here and realize that Paul… is probably out of money. 1. Remember back to when he and Silas left Antioch of Syria. What was their intention with this mission? 2. It was to revisit the places they had preached the gospel previously and check in on those churches. 3. They had long since accomplished this mission. Having done so, Paul continued to search for new places which he could start an evangelistic work. Remember that the Spirit of God actually prevented them from going west toward Ephesus and then again prevented them from going east toward Bithynia. 4. Then the Lord led them via a dream to Macedonia. They have been in Macedonia while in Philippi, Berea, and Thessalonica. 5. Now he is in Achaia having spent time in Athens and now to Corinth. 6. In other words, the part of the trip they did not plan on has probably been as long if not longer than the part they did plan on. 7. While it is true that in Macedonia Paul was probably provided for by several people, in Athens his reception was limited and in Corinth he arrives with need to support himself. 8. Another potential reason that Paul needs to work, is because oftentimes, sheisters and hucksters would peddle their teachings for a price. Paul did not wish to be financially dependent on the contributions of those to whom he preached. This would ensure that his message and his livelihood were separate. iv. And so here we see Paul, not taking a break from evangelistic endeavors, but putting a priority on earning an income to fund the next leg of the missionary journey. v. Paul is a tent-maker by trade. 1. There is some discussion here as the word for tentmaking could be linked to leather work. 2. Since Paul was a Jew and this skill was no doubt one that he learned as a child, it is unlikely that he would have worked with animal skins to tan them and make leather, since that would be handling the carcass of an animal rendering him ritually unclean. 3. However, what might be intended by leather worker is some kind of artisan leather worker making specialty leather works. In which case he would work with leather already tanned and craft it into something unique. 4. But the arguments for leather worker are not significantly stronger than tent-maker. 5. So it could also refer to him making the outer rain proof layer of tents known as cilicium, a fabric which was produced primarily in Cilicia, which is where Paul grew up. vi. In any case, Paul had to work with his hands to support himself and build back ministry funds before he could launch into a full-time mission in Corinth. vii. But we know Paul don't we. viii. Do we think that he is going to take a vacation from preaching the gospel while he earns funds? ix. No… d. [Slide 9] 4 - And he was reasoning in the synagogue every Sabbath and trying to persuade both Jews and Greeks. i. On his day off, the Sabbath, he would go to the synagogue and reason together with the local Jews concerning the revelation of the Messiah. ii. Reasoning here has the idea of discussing a topic and debating or proving it. iii. Paul is not taking a break from ministry. He is simply taking a break from full-time ministry in order to replenish his earthly resources. iv. But he is still trying to persuade both Jews and Greeks that Jesus is the Christ, the Savior, and the Lord. e. [Slide 10] Summary of the Point: In this first point we recognize some familiar themes Luke is emphasizing in the book of Acts. On display is the sovereign hand of God to bring about by providence all of His divine will. God obviously wills that His church and His gospel would go forward to the whole world. Paul is part of that work. But that doesn't mean he is all of it. Here we meet two individuals from the city of Rome who are believers already. Paul hasn't arrived there yet, and still the church has already been established in the capital of the empire. We also notice God's providential hand to bring them all together in the city of Corinth where the gospel will go forward again. Nevertheless, even though God's sovereign hand is putting in big pieces of the puzzle, and even though Paul is one of those pieces, God did not provide to Paul a limitless supply of earthly provision to enable him to continue to do his spiritual work. So what did Paul do? Did he spend time in prayer? Did he assume that he didn't have enough faith and that is why God wasn't providing? Did he start to question whether he was doing something wrong or not? While it is true that if we are doing what God wants us to that He will provide what is needed for us to finish our work – that doesn't' mean He will always provide in the way or in the timing we think He will. Here God provided to Paul by providing him Christian friends to join in work so he could raise funds. The application for us then, is that even if we are engaged in spiritual work for the Lord, even work that God is leading us to accomplish, it still may require us to use our talents, skills, energy, and time to provide for earthly resources for that spiritual work. We still have a responsibility, even though God is in control of all things. Transition: [Slide 11] So in this first point we see God's work in the flourishing of the church throughout the Roman Empire, even outside of Paul's missionary work. In this, Paul continues to provide for himself with earthly resources for the spiritual work there in Corinth. Both God's providence and man's responsibility are at work here. We'll see that continue throughout the entire Corinthian episode. II.) God's providence does not preclude human responsibility, so we must continue our spiritual labors. (5-6) a. [Slide 12] 5 - But when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul began devoting himself completely to the word, solemnly bearing witness to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ. i. As we commented in an earlier sermon, the timeline here gets a little uncertain. 1. Silas and Timothy were supposed to join Paul in Athens and based on his letters to Thessalonica, letters he wrote during his stay in Corinth, Silas and Timothy did eventually join him in Athens when he was there. But Luke omits any of that. 2. Here we see Silas and Timothy coming from Macedonia. While this could mean Thessalonica, it could just as easily be any or all of the cities they had visited before. 3. No doubt Paul had met them in Athens and then sent them back to check on some of the churches throughout Macedonia while he went to Corinth to replenish the missions trip coffers. ii. Now Silas and Timothy rejoin Paul, having checked on the status of the Macedonian churches. iii. And with them there, Paul devotes himself once again to the full-time ministry of the word. iv. Why would their arrival enable him to do this? v. In a later letter he would write to Philippi from prison in Rome, Paul mentions and thanks the Philippian church for sending financial aid to him while he was in Corinth. vi. This reveals to us that the Philippian church helped to bankroll the ministry there in Corinth so he would not have to continue to be bi-vocational. vii. And what his the full-time ministry look like? viii. To the Jew first – as was Paul's motto. ix. He wanted to bear witness to them with all seriousness that Jesus is their Messiah. The next step in true Judaism. x. But as we have seen so many times before… the Jews did not have ears to hear. b. [Slide 13] 6 - But when they resisted and blasphemed, he shook out his garments and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” i. Again, we find the Jews being slow to hear the gospel. ii. They resist and even blaspheme their own Lord because they cannot accept the terms He offers. iii. That they were lost and needed one to rescue them first from the tyranny of sin and death and not first from the national oppression they faced – that was a mountain they could not climb. iv. To accept that Yahweh would don human flesh and die to save His people was something they couldn't quite wrap their heads around – in spite of all the prophesy which makes the teaching so plain. v. Paul says in Corinthians that he endeavored to make known to them nothing but Christ crucified. This was the stumbling block of the gospel for them. The one aspect of the truth that they needed to hear and receive. vi. But they couldn't do it. vii. So, Paul shakes out his garments. A sign of judgment and woe. It is a sign of leaving them to the fate they had earned. viii. He tells them in no uncertain words that he is blameless for their eventual judgment. And that he will now focus on the Gentiles. ix. We should be careful here not to think that Paul is forever abandoning the Jews. x. We should only apply this to his ministry here in Corinth. For as we go forward in the book of Acts we will continue to see Paul go to the Jew first. xi. We will also see that just because he goes to the Gentiles, doesn't mean he is done with all the Jews in Corinth either. xii. More on that next week. c. [Slide 14] Summary of the Point: In this second point we see the providence of God in a new way. God has provided to Paul the necessary funds for him to continue his full-time missionary efforts. By the sacrificial giving of the Philippian church, the Lord has relieved the financial burden on Paul so that he can devote himself to the preaching of the gospel. Which is exactly what he does next. For us then, we must recognize the providential hand of the Lord and respond in faith and obedience. Paul's primary mission was not to stay in Corinth and make money. He was probably making good money there. His primary calling was to preach the gospel throughout the Roman world. We too must keep our calling and mission at the forefront of our minds. We too can be easily distracted and must seek to recognize when God has equipped us to move forward in our spiritual labor. Conclusion: Even though this is only part 1 of this message, what have we learned so far CBC? How then shall we live? Doctrinal takeaway: [Slide 15] As we've seen several times in the book of Acts, the title of this book could easily be the Acts of God through His faithful church. This is the summary of the book and it is the summary of this text. Since this sermon is part 1, you can probably guess what next week's message will be about as well. God's providence is something we cannot deny. We must believe that the sovereign hand of God orchestrates and controls every detail in the world to accomplish His purposes. We must believe this because the book of Acts teaches it. We must believe it because the whole of the bible teaches it. We must believe it because without such a teaching, much of the things the scriptures command us to do, think, believe, or trust in, make absolutely no sense if God is not in sovereign control of everything. If every detail of His creation is not under His direct authority and control, then all of Christianity crumbles. But, just because God is in absolute and complete control over every single molecule, does not mean that God has nothing for us to do within that. God's providence does not preclude human responsibility. God's providence and plan did not stop Paul from working for a living in Corinth. It did not stop Claudius from kicking the Jews out of Rome. It did not stop the church at Philippi from delivering sacrificial gifts to Paul in Corinth. It did not stop Paul from preaching the gospel to the Jews and the Gentiles in Corinth. It did not stop the need for humans to do things. In fact, for God's people, it only fueled their faith to be used to accomplish His will. God's providence and man's responsibility work hand in hand and not against each other. Therefore, we must be found faithful to engage in earthly and spiritual work, with our whole hearts, and all our efforts, not because it depends on us, but because it depends completely on God who has called us to do so. And we will see Him work His will through us, around us, and in us as we do. But let me apply this a little more closely to our daily lives. How does all this affect us here and now? 1.) [Slide 16] Mind Transformation: “What truth must we believe from this text?” or “What might we not naturally believe that we must believe because of what this text has said?” We must believe that the Sovereign Lord will always providentially accomplish His will. a. Now why must we believe this? b. Of course because the scriptures teach us this. c. Of course because all of Acts so far is a testament to this very truth. d. But think of what is at stake if this is not true. If God most of the time accomplishes His sovereign will and occasionally He doesn't get what He has decreed… what would that mean? e. Think of all the promises God has made to us in the scriptures. Now which one would you be ok with God not being able to come through on? f. Think of all the future events He has predicted for us in His word. Which of these are you willing to not come to pass? g. Think of all that He has taught us as absolute truth. Which of these will you discard because God couldn't make sure it was true. h. You see my friends, there is much more at stake than merely the free will of men when we start tampering with this doctrine. i. Man's free will has become the battle cry but the outcome is ripping down the certainty of all that God has promised us in His Word. Man's free will, a teaching that cannot be clearly found in scripture, is the altar on which we sacrifice the certainty of God's promises. j. Oh my friends. Man is free in his will, but only to act according to his nature. Man is free in his will, but only to act according to the decrees of God. k. God always… ALWAYS providentially accomplishes His will. l. He may not always do that with a miracle. He may not always do that in ways we would expect or hope for. But God ALWAYS providentially accomplishes His will. m. And it is to our great comfort and joy to confess such a truth. For in doing so, we confess the surety that all that God desires will come to pass. n. But, of course, we cannot pendulum swing too far can we? 2.) [Slide 17] De-Exhortation: “What actions should we stop doing” or “What behaviors do we naturally practice that this passage tells us to stop doing?” We must stop using God's providence as an excuse for passivity, laziness, or disobedience. a. God is a delegator. b. He delegated humans to keep and tend the garden and exercise dominion over it. c. He delegated angelic beings to watch and care for the human race and point them to worship Yahweh. d. He will delegate rule to the bride of Christ in the New Kingdom. e. God can and does act unilaterally to accomplish His will. f. But MOST OF THE TIME God uses secondary causes to accomplish His will. g. In this the obedience of His people, the wickedness of men, the disobedience of His people, and the uncommon decency of the wicked are all used to accomplish His will. h. God works in and through our natures and our wills to accomplish His purpose. With enough grace He could prevent us from sinning or guarantee our obedience… why then doesn't He do that? i. Is there only so much grace to go around? Or is it possible that even our failure works to accomplish His divine purpose? j. We are neither robots only fulfilling what we have been programmed to do nor are we passive agents floating along and no matter what we do God will still get what He wants. k. We believe in the sovereignty and the providence of God… but that doesn't mean we are fatalistic. l. Fatalism says, “What will be, will be.” There is nothing I can do to change the outcome. No matter what I do, it does not change what will be. m. We deny this. n. But our belief is that though God has determined or decreed what will be – we contribute to that end with our actions. He has already baked our actions in to those decrees. We get to participate in what He has said. o. So sitting around saying –. i. If God wants me to get that job, I won't need to fill out an application. ii. If God wants us to have kids, we don't even need to try. iii. If God wants me to get married, He'll bring her to me. iv. If God wants me to be in the ministry, He'll make me serious about His Word at some point. v. If God wants me to stop doing this sin, He'll stop me. vi. If God wants me to preach the gospel in Corinth, He'll supply the funds. p. You see my point. q. Idleness, laziness, and passivity are not the appropriate response to confessing that God is sovereign and uses providence to accomplish His purposes. r. Instead, it should be obedience. 3.) [Slide 18] Exhortation: “What actions should we take?” or “What is this passage specifically commanding us to do that we don't naturally do or aren't currently doing?” We must obey our Lord and follow His guidance. a. No future surety should enter our decision making when we consider what we should or should not do. b. To act in one way or another in order to attempt to secure an outcome that God alone determines, is to exit our lane of influence. c. Human responsibility does not enter the realm of results or outcomes. It stays, always, in what we choose to do within the confines of our nature. d. All men are told to obey the Lord. The Redeemed are able, by nature, to choose to obey the Lord. e. But we must be very careful as we discuss God's providence next to man's responsibility that we do not allow our responsibility to breech into trying to secure God's decreed purposes. f. The study of ethics like whether we should kill to save our family begins with a premise that you can and will determine their fate by your actions. It begins… flawed. Why? Because God ultimately determines their fate. You are only responsible for your own individual decisions. g. Therefore, the question should not be would I kill to save my family… the question should be… Does God permit me to kill to defend my family. For that is truly the beginning of the issue. Whether or not your family will be saved is not up to you. You are only responsible for the spheres of influence you actually have. Which is primarily your own responsibility to obey the Lord. h. I say all of this, hopefully, to simplify what we so often muddy. i. If God is in absolute control of everything and uses human action to accomplish what He has already determined, then we must be very careful, for our own sake, to do what He has commanded us to do. Because our actions will contribute to what God has already determined. j. If that is the case, it is only harmful for us when we disobey. Our disobedience will not stop His will from coming to pass – whatever that may be. Therefore, for our own sake, we must do as God has commanded. k. Paul knew that God had called him to preach the gospel throughout the Roman Empire. But Paul neither went to idleness, nor did he cast his hands up and say “no matter what I do God will have His way” l. Instead, Paul obeyed the Lord and took opportunities that were presented that did not violate God's commands. m. We are responsible not for outcomes but for obedience. n. Obey the Lord. Why? Because He is God and He said to and it will go well for you. 4.) [Slide 19] Comfort: “What comfort can we find here?” or “What peace does the Lord promise us in light of this passage of scripture?” God will not allow His purposes to fail or succeed because of you. a. We have a responsibility to obey the Lord. We must do as He has told us to do. b. Paul preached because the Lord Jesus threw him down on the road to Damascus and told Him to do so. c. He preached because he loved the Lord he once persecuted. d. He labored in tent making because he wanted to be free of financial burden so he could preach the word of God freely to all who would hear. e. But this passage especially shows the work of God and His church to be much bigger than Paul. f. As big of a piece of the puzzle as Paul is… he is insignificant to the providential and sovereign work of the Lord to accomplish His own will. g. Let this be a great comfort to us Christians. h. God doesn't need us and will accomplish His purposes without us. i. But what a blessing it is to be used of Him. j. Let us therefore purpose in our hearts to be willing vessels for His honorable use. Let me close with a prayer by the English Reformer Thomas Becon Maker of heaven and earth, you have created a path for us to walk in, and you have commanded that we wander neither to the right nor to the left —according to your will, without adding our own good intentions or fleshly imaginations. So as you have commanded, good Lord, give me the grace to do. Help me not to follow my own will, nor the fancies of other people. And never let me be duped or beguiled by the mask of traditions, decrees, ancient laws, or any other person or thing that conflicts with your holy ordinances and commands. Help me to faithfully believe and steadfastly confess that true godliness is only learned in your holy Bible. Then help me to order my life accordingly, to the praise of your holy name. We pray this in Jesus' name…Amen. Benediction: And now O Lord, rain down righteousness; let the clouds shower it down. Let the earth open wide, let salvation spring up, let righteousness grow with it; So that your people may be mature and complete, never lacking anything. Until we meet again. Go in peace.

Velen van ons besteden veel te veel tijd om uit te vinden hoe we zegeningen voor onszelf kunnen krijgen. Soms proberen mensen hun hele leven te bereiken wat zij belangrijk vinden, nooit vertrouwen ze op God of laten ze zich door Hem leiden. Uiteindelijk zullen ze een depressief of onvoldaan gevoel hebben. In Psalmen 37:3 staat: Vertrouw op de Heer en doe het goede... God heeft ons niet geschapen om zelfzuchtig of voortdurend gericht te zijn om onszelf te helpen. Hij wil dat we goede zaden zaaien door uit te reiken naar anderen en hen te helpen. Het goede doen geeft enorme voldoening omdat het geweldig voelt om een verschil te kunnen maken. Het opent ook de deur voor God om je op een grotere wijze te zegenen. Vertrouw God dat Hij de juiste zegeningen in je leven brengt. Terwijl je aan het wachten bent op Zijn perfecte timing, begin je alvast met het helpen van anderen. Je zult je opgelucht voelen als je niet steeds maar aan jezelf denkt. Terwijl je aan de slag gaat met het goede te doen, zal God je trouw zegenen en voorzien in je behoeften.

In de Bijbel staat dat er kracht is in eenheid. Dit is vooral het geval in een huwelijk. Mijn man, Dave, en ik hebben persoonlijkheden die zo tegengesteld zijn als maar zijn kan. Toch heeft God ons meer en meer bij elkaar gebracht zodat we meer op elkaar zijn gaan lijken en dezelfde dingen op een dag willen. Nog steeds hebben we twee verschillende persoonlijkheden, maar nu zien we dat God onze verschillen opzettelijk samen heeft gevoegd. Als je kracht in je huwelijk en je gebedsleven wilt hebben, dan moet je goed met elkaar kunnen opschieten. De grote vraag is: Hoe kan een stel dat het niet met elkaar eens is leren in eenheid te leven? Eenheid ontstaat als de betrokken personen stoppen om egoïstisch te zijn. De sleutel is dat je geeft om wat de ander nodig heeft, welwillend bent om jezelf ondergeschikt te maken, en dat je doet wat je kunt, om te voorzien in wat de ander nodig heeft. Als dit gebeurt, kun je met elkaar in eenheid leven voor de Heer. En waar twee of drie mensen in Zijn naam samen zijn, is God in hun midden. Dus besluit vandaag met je partner om eenheid na te streven en één te zijn voor de Heer.

Negatieve uitspraken beginnen door negatieve gedachten. Bijvoorbeeld, laten we zeggen dat een werknemer het gerucht hoort dat het bedrijf waar hij werkt een aantal werknemers gaat ontslaan. Dus denkt hij: “Zal je net zien, nu het allemaal goed gaat, gebeurt er natuurlijk altijd weer iets slechts.” Vervolgens zegt hij: “Waarschijnlijk zal ik mijn baan verliezen.” Vroeger had ik negatieve gedachten, wat ertoe leidde dat mijn woorden ook negatief werden. Dit had dan weer een slechte weerslag op mijn leven. Uiteindelijk besloot ik om mijn manier te veranderen en te stoppen met negatief te praten. Alleen ophouden met negatief praten was niet voldoende – ik moest beginnen met positief denken! Onze gedachten – positief en negatief – leiden ertoe dat we woorden uitspreken die bepalend zijn voor onze toekomst. Wanneer we de verkeerde dingen zeggen, kan het een vuur in ons leven worden (zie Jakobus 3:6). Maar we kunnen het vuur vanaf het begin stoppen door het goede uit te spreken. Maar we kunnen alleen het goede uitspreken als we het goede denken. Ik spoor je aan om vervuld te zijn van de Heilige Geest en het Woord van God. Laat Hem je gedachten beïnvloeden en je leiden naar een levensstijl van positieve woorden.

Jezus heeft ons niet beloofd dat we nooit te maken zullen krijgen met stressvolle situaties. In Johannes 16:33, zei Hij “Jullie zullen het zwaar te verduren krijgen in de wereld...” Maar Hij gaat verder door te zeggen dat we goede moed moeten houden omdat Hij de wereld heeft overwonnen. Deze tekst leert ons dat we ons niet zo druk hoeven te maken zoals de wereld dat doet. Omdat Jezus de wereld van zijn macht heeft ontnomen om ons schade toe te brengen, kunnen we alle uitdagingen in het leven op een rustige en zelfverzekerde wijze benaderen. In Lucas 10:19 staat, “Bedenk wel: Ik heb jullie de macht gegeven… om de kracht van de vijand te breken, zodat niets jullie kan schaden.” Hier vertelt Jezus ons dat Hij ons heeft uitgerust om de wereld te overwinnen, net zoals Hij dat heeft gedaan. Ofschoon we te maken zullen krijgen met uitdagende en stressvolle situaties, die niet altijd makkelijk zijn, verzekert Jezus ons ervan dat niets ons kan verslaan als we er op de juiste manier mee omgaan – op Zijn manier. Gebruik het gezag die je in Christus hebt om je hindernissen te overwinnen.

Dave houdt ervan om 's ochtends een fruitontbijt te eten. Dus op zekere morgen moedigde de Heer mij aan om een fruitontbijt voor mijn man te maken. Het probleem was dat ik helemaal geen zin had om een fruitontbijt voor hem te maken. Ik dacht, Waarom moet ik altijd van alles voor hem doen? Geduldig herinnerde de Heer mij eraan dat door mijn man op die manier te dienen ik eigenlijk Hem aan het dienen was. Ik vraag mij af hoeveel huwelijken gered zouden kunnen worden als mannen en vrouwen gewoon graag hun liefde zouden willen tonen door elkaar te dienen. Tegenwoordig lijkt het alsof iedereen “vrij” wil zijn, en Jezus heeft ons ook inderdaad vrijgemaakt. Maar deze vrijheid was niet door Hem bedoeld voor ons om het zelfzuchtig te gebruiken. Hij wil dat we onze partner in liefde dienen. Ik houd echt heel veel van mijn man, en soms uit ik die liefde door iets voor hem te doen. Woorden zijn geweldig, maar wanneer je in liefde wandelt, dan word je toewijding ook getoond door liefdedaden. Ik spoor je aan om je liefde in daden om te zetten. Vraag God om je te laten zien hoe je je partner vandaag kunt dienen en zegenen.

Zeg of denk nooit negatieve dingen over jezelf, zoals: ik doe nooit iets goed. Ik zal nooit veranderen. Ik ben lelijk. Ik zie er vreselijk uit. Ik ben dom. Wie kan er ooit van mij houden? Matteüs 12:37 zegt, ‘Op grond van je woorden zul je worden vrijgesproken, en op grond van je woorden zul je worden veroordeeld.‘ In Spreuken 23:7 (NBG) staat, Zoals hij in zijn hart denkt, zo is hij... Met andere woorden, de manier waarop we over onszelf praten en denken onthult hoe we over onszelf voelen, en dat beïnvloedt ons leven. Je moet goede dingen over jezelf uitspreken, op grond van wat het Woord over je zegt zodat je zelfvertrouwen hebt in wie je bent in Christus. Bijvoorbeeld: “Ik ben gerechtvaardigd door God in Christus. Ik ben aangenomen door Christus. God schiep en vormde mij met Zijn eigen handen, en God maakt geen vergissingen.” Ik houd ervan om de dag te beginnen met het proclameren van positieve Bijbelse beloften. Je kunt dit doen als je naar het werk rijdt of het huis schoonmaakt. Ik moedig je aan om in de spiegel te kijken en hardop te zeggen: God houdt van mij en accepteert mij, en ik doe dat ook.” Wanneer je de goddelijke, positieve waarheid over jezelf begint uit te spreken, dan kun je met succes jezelf zijn, zoals God je heeft geschapen om te zijn.

De Bijbel staat vol met hoopvolle beloften voor jou en mij. We hebben toegang tot Gods aanwezigheid. Hij wil ons genezen van onze ziekten. Hij voorziet in al onze behoeften. Er is zoveel meer.. te veel om te tellen! Daarom is het zo triest als christenen Gods beloften mislopen door gebrek aan geloof. Hier is de vraag: Verwacht jij die beloften? Goede dingen gaan gebeuren wanneer je je regelmatig verheugt in de hoop om Gods gunst te ervaren. In Lucas 2:52 staat dat Jezus verder opgroeide... Hij kwam steeds meer in de gunst bij God en de mensen. Jij en ik hebben toegang tot de gunst van God door het geloof. We kunnen in die gunst groeien en, net als Jezus, Zijn beloften ervaren. Zelfs als je die dingen nu niet zo ervaart in je leven, kun je je verheugen en op God hopen, in de wetenschap dat het zal gebeuren. Alle beloften in de Bijbel zijn voor ons. Dus verheug je nu in de hoop om Gods heerlijkheid te ervaren en Hij zal ongelofelijke dingen doen in je leven.

Waarom betrappen we onszelf er op dat we soms denken: “Er zal nooit iets veranderen... Ik zal altijd zo blijven... Mijn situatie zal nooit veranderen.. Hij zal nooit veranderen... Zij zal nooit veranderen.. Ik zal nooit zo goed zijn als die en die? De enige die nooit verandert is God. Al het andere kan veranderen. Maar als je geen hoop hebt dat er iets kan veranderen in je situatie, dan zal waarschijnlijk ook de verandering uitblijven. Weet je, emotioneel verdragen we zoveel moeilijke dingen waarvoor we eigenlijk niet zouden moeten lijden als we onze hoop op God zouden stellen, in plaats van naar de omstandigheden te kijken die we niet kunnen controleren. Hier is het goede nieuws: Je kunt van het leven genieten als je daarvoor kiest! Maar je moet echt geloven dat het Gods wil voor je is, om voortdurende vreugde te ervaren. Je moet het besluit nemen om in die vreugde te komen, die essentieel is voor je fysieke, mentale, emotionele en geestelijke gezondheid. God verandert niet, maar Hij kan jou veranderen als je Hem dat toestaat.

God verlangt om Zijn volk te genezen van pijn uit het verleden, als gevolg van afwijzing. Hij wil dat je weet dat Hij je nooit zal afwijzen. Hij zegt in Matteüs 11:28, Kom naar Mij, jullie die vermoeid zijn en onder lasten gebukt gaan, dan zal Ik jullie rust geven. Dit refereert naar diegenen die zichzelf afbeulen om proberen volmaakt te zijn en dan zichzelf slaan met schuldgevoelens als ze falen. In Johannes 3:18 was Jezus in gesprek met mensen die probeerden onder de wetten van de Farizeeërs te leven. Het kost veel om Farizeeërs te behagen, en ook vandaag zijn ze nog om ons heen. Ik weet zeker dat jij er een kent; iemand die zoiets zegt als: “ik accepteer je als je alles perfect doet en mij pleziert. Als je dat niet doet, wijs ik je af en zal ik niet van jou houden”. Jezus is geen Farizeeër. Hij zegt in Johannes 3:18 dat Wie in Hem gelooft, wordt nooit afgewezen. Geloof in Hem, heb Hem lief, klamp je aan Hem vast en vertrouw Hem. Dan kun je echt de vreugde van het overvloedige leven die Hij je geeft, binnengaan.

Is elke boosheid zondig? Nee, maar sommige daarvan wel. Zelfs God heeft een gerechtvaardigde boosheid tegen zonde, onrechtvaardigheid, rebellie en kleinzieligheid. Boosheid kan soms een goed doel dienen, dus het hoeft niet altijd zonde te zijn. Uiteraard krijgen we te maken met negatieve gevoelens, anders had God ons niet de vrucht van zelfbeheersing hoeven te geven. Alleen in de verleiding komen om iets te doen, is geen zonde. Maar wanneer je de verleiding niet kunt weerstaan en eraan toegeeft om het toch te doen, dan wordt het een zonde. Datzelfde geldt voor boosheid - in principe is het niet verkeerd, maar het kan leiden tot zondige acties. Als we zien dat we verkeerd behandeld worden, staat God het soms toe dat we boosheid voelen. Maar zelfs als we ware onrecht ervaren in ons leven, mogen we onze boosheid niet op een ongepaste manier ventileren. We moeten ervoor waken dat we niet toestaan dat boosheid ons meesleept in zonde. In Efeziërs 4:26 staat, als u boos wordt, zondig dan niet. Je boosheid hoeft niet altijd zondig te zijn, maar zorg ervoor dat je het aan God geeft om te voorkomen dat het een zondige reactie veroorzaakt.

Stabiliteit is iets wat iedereen nodig heeft. Zowel Jeremia 17:8 als Psalmen 1:3 instrueren ons om als stevig geplante bomen te staan. In 1 Petrus 5:8 staat dat we evenwichtig en nuchter (zelfbeheerst) moeten zijn om Satan ervan te weerhouden ons te verslinden. Om hem te kunnen weerstaan, moeten we geworteld, gevestigd, sterk, onwrikbaar en vastberaden in Christus zijn. Jezus is de beste grond om in geworteld te zijn. Je kunt Hem vertrouwen stabiel te zijn. Jezus is altijd dezelfde, altijd trouw, loyaal, Zijn woord is waarachtig. Hij is onveranderlijk. Hij verandert niet met de omstandigheden, dus als je in Hem geworteld bent, doe jij dat ook niet. God wil ons de kracht geven om de rust te bewaren tijdens tegenspoed. Hij wil dat we stabiel zijn, zoals bomen die stevig geplant zijn, maar wij kiezen waar we geplant worden. Wil je wortelen in de wereld? Je emoties? Je omstandigheden? Je verleden? Of kies je er vandaag voor om jezelf in Christus te planten? Ik spoor je aan om op Hem te vertrouwen. Zijn stabiliteit kan vandaag van jou zijn.

Kinderen, we moeten niet liefhebben met de mond, met woorden, maar waarachtig, met daden. —1 Johannes 3:17-18 (NBV) Als christenen, plaatst God barmhartigheid in elk van ons, maar het is aan ons om te besluiten of we ons hart sluiten of openen om het te ontvangen. Ik heb gemerkt dat het serieus nadenken over de hedendaagse noden in de wereld, één van de dingen is die mijn hart openhoudt voor barmhartigheid. Onze gedachten moeten gaan naar hen die minder bedeeld zijn dan wijzelf en ons hart te openen voor degenen die lijden. Lees 1 Johannes 3:17-18. Ik houd echt van deze Bijbelverzen omdat ze specifiek er op wijzen dat als ik een nood zie, ik het niet gewoon mag afwentelen op iemand anders als zijnde hun verantwoordelijkheid. En ook mag ik niet denken dat de nood zo groot is dat ik er niets aan kan doen, want dat is niet waar. Ik heb in onze bediening gemerkt dat zelfs als jij en ik niet alles kunnen doen in een bepaalde situatie, wij wel wat kunnen doen; en dat is mensen hoop geven. Ik bid dat je bereid bent om je hart van barmhartigheid nog wijder open te stellen voor de wanhopige noden van mensen over de hele wereld.

Daar God ons niet heeft geschapen om in gevangenschap van wat dan ook te leven, kunnen we de vrijheid ervaren; de vrijheid om te genieten van alles wat God ons heeft gegeven in Christus. Hij heeft ons het leven gegeven en het moet ons doel zijn om hiervan te genieten. In ons leven kunnen we niet alleen verlangen naar vrijheid. We moeten in actie komen. Het is noodzakelijk voor ons om Gods Woord te gehoorzamen en de leiding van de Heilige Geest te volgen. Dit houdt in dat we niet alleen horen of lezen wat het Woord zegt, maar dat we gaan doen wat het zegt. Geniet jij van vrijheid in je leven? Ik bid dat God je aanmoedigt om die vrijheid te zoeken die jou in Jezus toebehoort. Want Hij stierf aan het kruis om ons vrij te zetten van de macht van zonde. Jij en ik mogen vrij zijn van elke moeite in het leven. De Vrijheid is van jou, zet nu die stap en neem het aan. Volg de Heilige Geest en wees vrij om te genieten van alles wat God voor jou in petto heeft in Jezus Christus.

We gaan allemaal in ons leven door moeilijke tijden heen, en net als bij een schip in een storm, hebben we hulp nodig om stabiel te blijven. Het anker van een schip zorgt voor stevigheid en stabiliteit en de Bijbel zegt dat het anker voor onze ziel ‘hoop' is. Wanneer jij en ik onze hoop stevig op God en Zijn Woord baseren, dan voelen we de wind en golven misschien wel, maar zullen we in staat zijn stand te houden. Tijdens een storm geeft hoop ons het vermogen om de dingen te zien zoals ze zijn en toch de zekerheid hebben dat iets beters zal komen. Dat maakt hoop tot een zeer krachtige en belangrijke kwaliteit voor jou en mij om te bezitten, juist in moeilijke tijden. In feite geloof ik dat hoop het fundament is waarop ons geloof moet worden gebouwd. Niemand, zelfs God niet, kan beloven dat we nooit te maken zullen krijgen met teleurstellingen of moeiten. Maar het is belangrijk dat we nooit de hoop opgeven. Door het handhaven van een positieve houding en ons vast te klampen aan de hoop die we in Christus hebben, plaatsen we onszelf in een positie waar we Gods wonderbaarlijk werkende kracht kunnen zien.

I don't know if you've ever thought of this, but on the surface of things, Christmas is a crazy idea! I mean, what exactly was God thinking by sending His Son to become a man – and to be born in some drafty, smelly shed out the back of Bethlehem?   CHRISTMAS IS A CRAZY IDEA On the surface of things, Christmas is a crazy idea. I mean stand back and think about it … God's God, He created the whole universe. Okay, He's Father and Son and Holy Spirit, three persons in one, something that's not that easy to wrap your mind around. But let's just leave that to one side for the moment. God is God. God creates everything. We read about it in the first few chapters of the Book of Genesis. It's pretty straightforward description of what He did and it was amazing. And the crowning glory of all His creation is humanity – you and me, male and female. And the very last thing that He does before He rests to enjoy His handiwork of creation is that He hands the whole thing over to us. God said: Let the earth bring forth living creatures of every kind, cattle and creeping things and wild animals of the earth of every kind and it was so and God made the wild animals of the earth of every kind and the cattle of every kind, everything that creeps along the ground of every kind and God saw that it was good." Then God said, 'Let us make humanity in our image according to our likeness and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, over the cattle, over all the wild animals of the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth.' So God created humanity in His image, in the image of God He created them, male and female He created them. God blessed them and God said to them, 'Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue the earth and have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, over every living thing that moves on the earth.' God said, 'See, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is upon the face of all the earth and every tree with seed in its fruit, you shall have them for food and to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the air and to every thing that creeps on the earth, everything that has breath of life I have given every green plant for food' and so it was. God saw everything that He'd made and indeed it was very good and there was evening and there was morning of the sixth day. (Genesis 1: 26-31) So far, so good. Adam and Eve go and enjoy all of this amazing creation but God does one thing, just one thing that is so crazy, inexplicable. The Lord commanded the man, 'you may freely eat of every tree of the garden but the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat for in the day that you eat of it you shall die. (Genesis 2:16) Well, you know the rest. They couldn't help themselves, Adam and Eve, they just had to try to be like God. They ate from that one tree, the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and the rest as they say is history. Sin entered the world, sickness entered the world and just as God had promised them death entered the world. Life became hard. That's something you and I can attest to – life is hard and all because God had to forbid them that one tree and they just had to try it anyway. Could it be all of your misery and mine hangs on just that one crummy apple? For Pete's sake, that's nuts! And then as humanity spirals ever downward, as we become ever more debauched and depraved, after that moment God mounts a rescue mission – He sends Jesus to save us. What's that about? Why didn't He just give them access to every last tree? Why did He have to hold that one tree back from them and why did they have to blow it for the rest of us and after all that, why did God mount that rescue mission and send Jesus? It defies human logic until you realise that love and logic have nothing more in common than their first two letters. Love isn't logical. Have a listen to this: But the free gift is not like the trespass for if the many died through one man's trespass, Adams, much more surely have the grace of God and the free gift and the grace of one man, Jesus Christ, abounded for the many. And the free gift is not like the effect of that one man's sin for the judgement following the one trespass brought condemnation but the free gift following many trespasses brings justification. If because of the one man's sin death has exercised dominion through that one much more surely will those who receive the abundance of the grace and the free gift of righteousness exercise dominion in life through the one man, Jesus Christ. Therefore just as one man's trespasses lead to condemnation for all so one man's act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all. For just as by one man's disobedience the many were made sinners so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous. But the law came in with the result that the trespass multiplied but when sin increased grace abounded all the more. So just as sin exercised dominion in death so grace might also exercise dominion through justification leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ, our Lord. (Romans 5: 12 - 21) There you have it. There you have the reason that God did what He did. If you love someone you give them free will, right? He gave Adam a free will by excluding that one tree and Adam chose against God and so sin, with all its consequences, entered the world for you and me. Now, before you think to yourself, "I am going to punch Adam in the nose when I see him in heaven." Ask yourself, if nobody in all of history before you had sin and ultimately you were living in that garden, would you have resisted the temptation? So sin entered the world through one man and forgiveness came though one man as well, Jesus. God sent Him into this world as that little babe we remember each year around this time so that we could be forgiven. And notice how that 'grace' word comes in. Forgiven by the free, unmerited favour of God so that we could know what? God's love. What greater expression of love is there than to forgive someone who doesn't deserve it? I guess only one, to do it and to take his or her punishment on their behalf, to give your life to suffer in order to purchase their forgiveness and their freedom. To step out of heaven into this hurly-burly of a sinful world and be punished even though you'd never done anything wrong. And this is not as some Plan B because Plan A didn't work. This was always Gods Plan A. God always knew Adam would blow it. He always knew that you and I would blow it. None of that was ever a surprise to Him and yet out of His great love, He gave us a free will to accept or reject Him. And out of His great love, He came to purchase us back from death by offering up His Son as His sense of justice demanded – to take all the fall for you and for me, to pay the price, to die the death. Now, I know you have a lot going on in these days leading up to Christmas – those last-minute presents to buy, the things to clear off your desk perhaps before you have a few days off, the turkey to buy, the decoration to get up, all that stuff. Now I know that you may not have a lot of time to think about this Christmas stuff but at the heart of Christmas lies a Father's love. At the heart of Christmas – in the most unhygienic, feed trough called a manger, in that even more unhygienic stable filled with animals, right where that child was born and lay and cried and gurgled – is a love so sublime that there are not enough words to describe it. There are no words ever invented that can really explain a love so great. So as you hurtle towards yet another chaotic Christmas, let me say to you quietly, kindly, gently, ‘Take a moment to wrap your heart around that love. Just let that love touch you deep inside and change you and change your life and change your world." After all, what do you have to lose?   YOU WON'T DIE ALONE I know, it's kind of a weird perspective from which to come at the story of Christmas, but hopefully as we chat together, it will start to make sense. Death … dying is pretty much the one taboo subject left in our society. We can talk about pretty much anything else but not dying. And the last thing that you and I really want to think about is dying. But humour me because I want you to put yourself on your deathbed. Hopefully, quite a few years away from now, and imagine how you'll feel. Would you be afraid of dying alone? I'm guessing you would particularly in a hospital room, sterile, white, disinfected, clinical, with tubes coming out of you, those squeaky sounds the nurses shoes make on the floor. The idea of being completely alone at the end is a terrible thought. Now and then, you hear about an elderly person who died all alone in their home and their body wasn't discovered for seven or eight years. That's frightful. Imagine how the end must of come for them. Of course, you don't have to wait to die in order to be alone. So many people are desperately alone, sometimes through circumstances but mostly as a result of their sin. That may sound a bit weird but sin – turning our backs on God and going our own way usher's in death very quickly. That's what God promised Adam and Eve would happen if they ate from that one tree, the tree of the knowledge of good and evil that he forbade them to eat from. The Lord commanded the man, 'you may eat freely of every tree in the garden but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat for in the day that you eat of it you shall die. (Genesis 2:16) The result of that apparent minor transgression? Well, God said to them: I will put enmity between you and the woman and between your offspring and hers, he will strike your head and you will strike his heel. To the woman he said, 'I will greatly increase your pangs in childbearing, in pain shall you bring forth children yet your desire shall be for your husband and he shall rule over you. And to the man he said, 'Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and you have eaten of the tree about which I commanded you 'you shall not eat of it' cursed is the ground because of you. In toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life. Thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you and you shall eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread until you return to the ground for out of it you were taken, you are dust and to dust you shall return." (Genesis 3: 15-19) The immediate result of that sin was broken relationships, a broken relationship between God and Adam and a broken relationship between Adam and Eve. And broken relationships mean loneliness and strife. So … what was God's solution to that distance that we put between Him and us through our sin? How did He address that? Well, it's simple really. It was a complete no brainer for Him. All He had to do was to follow the longing of His heart and we know what that is because He tells us what it is over and over again in the Old Testament. Let's have a look at just one example, Leviticus 26: 11-13, God said: I will place my dwelling in your midst and I shall not abhor you and I will walk among you and I will be your God and you shall be my people. I am the Lord your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt to be slaves no more, I have broken the bars of your yoke and made you to walk upright. The longing of God's heart is to be close to His people. He's our Father, He loves us, of course, that's the longing of His heart. And yet, through the whole of the Old Testament we see how God's people struggle to honour Him. In fact, the name Israel literally means 'to struggle with God'. They failed, all the time, over and over again. And over and over again, He forgave them. It was this constant merry-go-round and it wasn't working so here was His plan, a plan that, as I said yesterday, wasn't some fall back, it was always His Plan A. Are you ready for it? Here God's plan, John chapter 1:10-14. Speaking about Jesus, it says: He was in the world and the world came into being through him yet the world didn't know him. He came to what was his own and his own people didn't accept him but to all who received him, who believed in his name he gave them power to become children of God who were born not out of blood or out of the will of the flesh or of the will of a man but of God and the word became flesh and lived amongst us and we have seen his glory, the glory as of the Father's only Son, full of grace and of truth. (John 1:10-14) The plan was for God to take a giant step towards us even though we'd drifted so far away from Him that we really didn't know Him anymore. This God who had an intimate personal relationship back then in the beginning with Adam and Eve, the Word (that's Jesus), the Word became flesh and lived amongst us. That's what we celebrate at Christmas But can I give you the literal meaning of that verse because when you have that, it makes a lot more sense. It literally says that Jesus became flesh and tabernacled amongst us, set up His home amongst us, it's the language of the Exodus where God's presence travelled on the forty-year journey through the wilderness with His people in that tent, in that tabernacle. Jesus coming to this planet is Jesus stepping out and coming close to you to travel on your journey with you on your exodus. That's what makes this Christmas thing so amazing – to set you free, to make sure that you are never alone. Not through the problems of this life, not through the fractured relationships and the enmity that exists in this world through our sin, not through that time where we come to the end of this life and not for the rest of eternity. Christmas is Jesus coming close, Christmas is God following the desire of His heart to be close to you and me by sending His Son to be on our journey with us. Are you getting this? Is this touching your heart as I tell you this age-old story with a new twist? That new twist is that Jesus came for you. Jesus came to be on your journey. Jesus came to bring you comfort to bind up your broken heart, to bring release from captivity of your sin, to be on this journey every step of the way. And what a terrible price He paid for that so that we could see His glory and know Him and experience a one on one intimacy with Him. Now let me bring you back to your death-bed … what if, instead of being terribly alone on your deathbed you experience the very presence of Jesus right there with you on your journey with His love and His forgiveness and His grace and His peace and His mercy? What if instead of being terribly alone, you come to know as each second ticks by on that clock, you are drawing closer and closer to that time that you will see that Jesus face to face? I don't care what bad things have happened to you in your life. I don't care how lost and alone you may feel. It doesn't matter because Jesus is in this place with you and He will never leave you and never forsake you because on that starry starry night in Bethlehem, He came for you. He came to say, "I love you", He came to suffer and die for you. He came to rise again and give you a completely new life with your slate wiped clean. He came to set you free. He came to bring you peace. He came to be with you for every minute of every day for the rest of eternity. That's Christmas. That's what God was doing by sending us His Son. That's what we're celebrating or at least, what we're pretending to celebrate over this coming week. Do you get it? Jesus came for you and if you have nothing else to celebrate this Christmas then celebrate that. It's all you need to make your Christmas the best one ever. And remember, I'm praying for you that this message, this incredibly Good News of Jesus, will light up your heart with a joy unspeakable.   A QUIET REFLECTION I just want to pick up on something really insightful my pastor said last Sunday, about being with someone who is dying. He made the point that one of the most powerful things that we can do is simply to touch that person. Whether it's holding their hand, or giving them a hug. I remember when my dad was in intensive care just before he died, that's exactly what the nurse told me to do. Why? Because that sort of intimacy brings a powerful comfort and reassurance to the person who is dying. You know yourself, just knowing that someone is here, standing with you, caring for you when you're going through a difficult time, is in and of itself truly powerful. It may not make the problem go away, but it brings a comfort that nothing else can bring. And in many respects, that is what the physical Presence of Jesus, which began on this earth on that first Christmas, is all about. Of course, you and I can't touch Him physically right now, but one of His great promises, just before He ascended into heaven was that He would pour out His Holy Spirit on every man, woman and child who believes in Him. I just want you to quietly reflect on that powerful, powerful truth. Because according to Jesus, that's even better than having Him around physically. Speaking about His departure and the Holy Spirit, He said this: John 16:7: Nevertheless I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. The Holy Spirit, better than Jesus, according to Jesus. More intimate than Jesus, because when the Holy Spirit fills us, He never leaves us. He is always there to empower, to comfort, to guide and to give us wisdom and power. With Jesus, if the disciples were in another place, then He wasn't there physically with them. But with the Holy Spirit there is no place that you or I can go to flee from His Presence. As the Psalmist writes: Where can I go from your spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, you are there. If I take the wings of the morning and settle at the farthest limits of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me fast. If I say, ‘Surely the darkness will cover me, and the light around me become night,' even the darkness isn't dark to you; the night is as bright as the day, for darkness is as light to you. (Psalm 139:7-12) What we tend to do is we chop God's great story up into little bits. We separate the birth of Jesus from His death, from His resurrection, from His pouring out of the Holy Spirit, from the powerful things that were ushered in through the early church. But you can't do that. All of those things happened because Jesus stepped out of the Spiritual dimension into the physical dimension, onto this planet to be close to us. That closeness, that intimacy, is like touching a dying person. You and I, until Jesus touches our lives, we are dying people. And then, He brings new life. And then He fills us with His Holy Spirit and then, you and I are never, ever, ever alone again for the rest of eternity. That's what Jesus' coming has given you. That's why Christmas is such an amazing time to remember this radical plan of God's to show us His love by being close to us, by touching us, even though we were dying in our sin until He came. My prayer for you … is that as you drink in this wondrous message of Christmas. As you reflect on it in your heart, the Holy Spirit will do an amazing work of joy in you, to cause your spirit to soar into heavenly places – and receive this amazing Christmas present that we call Jesus.

Na alle pijnlijke dingen die in het verleden zijn gebeurd, wil God graag dat je geniet van iedere dag in je leven. Dit kan niet zolang jij niet het besluit hebt genomen om het leven in overvloed aan te nemen. Het leven dat Jezus door zijn dood en opstanding voor jou gekocht en betaald heeft. Tot die tijd zal de duivel altijd proberen om dit van je te roven. Jezus zei, De dief komt alleen maar om te stelen, te slachten en te vernietigen; Ik ben gekomen om hun het leven te geven in al zijn volheid (Johannes 10:10). Jezus kwam naar deze aarde en is voor ons gestorven om een overvloedig leven te hebben! Door het leven dat Hij je geeft, ben je een nieuwe schepping. Je hoeft niet toe te staan dat oude dingen die jou zijn overkomen gevolgen hoeven te hebben op je nieuwe leven in Christus. Als een nieuwe schepping in Jezus Christus kun je je denken vernieuwen volgens het Woord van God en kunnen jouw emoties genezen en hersteld worden. De goede plannen van God kunnen zich ontvouwen in je nieuwe natuur.

From the responsorial psalm: "Blessed they who dwell in your house! continually they praise you. Blessed the men whose strength you are! They go from strength to strength. Here God lives among his people." A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 21:28) Jesus told his disciples a parable. “Consider the fig tree and all the other trees. When their buds burst open, you see for yourselves and know that summer is now near; in the same way, when you see these things happening, know that the Kingdom of God is near. Amen, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” Jesus describes what the coming of the kingdom of God looks like in a tender comparison of the fig tree and all other trees. It buds and yet is to bud. Already here and yet to be, its coming looks like all the opening up to warmth and new life that summer brings. The generation in which Jesus spoke these words has passed away, but the kingdom was present then, is here now, and is yet to open wider. "Jesus Christ," Saint Paul says, "is the same yesterday, and today, and forever." God, just as the buds of the fig tree burst open, let the coming of your kingdom work in me to bud and bring new life. The psalmist prays "Here God lives among his people." Already here and yet to come, your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. Let me remember throughout the day to radiate your love and praise you. Give me the opportunity to show others whose strength it is—from strength to strength—that finds a home in a soul that cries out for the living God. Lord, keep me in your kingdom as I seek to remain in you for eternal life. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/lectio-divina-daily/support

Speaker: Pastor Tim Yorgey Sermon Date: 10/13/2024 Sermon Series: Genesis Sermon Notes Listen in as we return to the book of Genesis. We look at Genesis 15:1-12. Here God reminds Abram of the promise of a son as well as God establishes a covenant with Abram. Join us as we study this passage.

You know what is really hard for humans to do? Let God be God. We have a list of things that we think God isn't allowed to do, or at least a list of things that we would rather Him check with us first before He does them. He doesn't give us the reason for why He does things, and given all that we read in the Bible, you would think He should be trusted at this point.  We saw last week that God has a plan for the unplanned. Here God was able to use the sin of Abraham to set things up for turnarounds thousands of years in the future. We've seen God work in all kinds of ways to ensure that the blessing is transmitted from one generation to another. He has planned from the very beginning of this book that the seed of the woman would crush the head of the snake. We've seen that there is a line of the woman and a line of the snake down through every list of names. We had Cain and Abel. The line was clear until Cain killed Abel! Doesn't sound like the seed crushing the head of the snake, does it? But then God brings Seth into the world who ultimately produces Noah. Noah has three sons one of whom (Ham) has a cursed family line that will end up serving the line of Shem. Eventually, we see the line of Shem produce Abraham. It is promised that he will have the seed! We see Ishmael born, but it will be Isaac, the technically second son, who will have the blessing of the seed.  Up to this point, you could be confused as to how these lines are decided. Thus far, it looks like each person has chosen their own adventure. Abel was a right worshiper, and Cain was not. It wasn't until Cain became a murderer that it was crystal clear who was who. Ham didn't stand out until he mocked his father's nakedness. Ishmael stood out from the beginning, but that was because Hagar wasn't the woman of promise. It might look like that God has thus far been reacting to what humanity has been doing. Yes, the blessing has been safe thus far, but is that because God is simply the best at taking life's lemons and making lemonade? Or is God's control more comprehensive than we might imagine?  The present story will make clear how it is that God runs the show. This is a passage that Paul makes reference to when talking about God's control of matters. As we will see today, and in weeks following that God sovereignly directs His plans beforehand, yet everyone is both dependent on God and responsible to God.

Follow @tinamblackpmts on Instagram and email ⁠⁠⁠tina@tinablack.net⁠⁠⁠.  Join our Facebook Group: ⁠⁠⁠HERE   Darcy McLane is the Director of Accounting and Financial Systems for SEMCO Energy, Inc. holding a master's degree in administration.  She is also the Executive Director of Hope Endeavors and Hope Village in Malawi Africa. The vision for HOPE Endeavors started in 2004, on a mission trip to the Philippines.  Darcy had been completely content living her version of the American dream.  She was busy raising three wonderful children and had a career that she enjoyed.  On this trip, she came face to face with extreme poverty.  Here God broke her heart, and she knew I had to do more.  So, Darcy founded Hope Endeavors in 2005 along with her husband, Rod and dear friends, Mike and Denise Vrooman. Today, Darcy is the Executive Director of Hope Endeavors and oversees the operations of HOPE Village in Malawi Africa as her hobby on steroids.  Hope Endeavors is a 501c3 charitable organization whose mission is to bring HOPE to those suffering in extreme poverty.  We are committed to helping children not only survive but thrive by providing holistic care and sustaining projects that provide hope for the future.  We seek to educate, engage and empower others to make a difference.

Today's message is really about taking the long view.    The human attention span is short, like really, really short. Between the world wars, Winston Churchill warned Europe that Hitler was a threat to the continent at least, but people ignored him. And then when the Nazis turned violent, the people turned to Churchill as their prime minister.    Having led the country through another costly war to preserve freedom, Churchill was defeated for reelection in the last days of World War II. It's like the people had forgotten his priceless contribution to world peace. He knew the war would take a long time and that it would be costly, and the people wanted to avoid thinking about it, and even later wanted it over quickly. And that's rarely how life works. Churchill returned as Prime Minister in the 1950s, but his experiences show that people mostly want short-term solutions.    Working for the long goal is rarely popular.    Jeremiah 15:15 says, “Lord, you understand. Remember me and care for me, avenge me on my persecutors. You are longsuffering. Do not take me away. Think of how I suffer reproach for your sake.”    Here God is reminding us that often, we're required to stay in it for the long haul. Nowhere is this more true than in the pursuits of peace and contentment. That kind of thing is not built quickly, and not surprisingly too many people don't stay with it, and they stumble along looking for solutions in the wrong places.   If you're in a bad place today, you're going to have to start with basic steps. Talk to Jesus and tell Him you're struggling. Maybe you have a vague sense of depression and just can't locate the direct cause. Take the example of people who did understand the source of true happiness, and were committed to seeing it through no matter how long it took.    Abraham knew the value of prayer, and he waited for decades to have a son. Hannah was also unable to have children, but she prayed and stayed faithful, and eventually, God gave her a child and she felt fulfilled. Joseph spent years in exile in prison because of his brother's actions, but his faith didn't waver. He actually found his contentment in the middle of these trials, and eventually, God restored his family, and all he had lost.    If you're depressed or ground down from money worries, or facing some other huge challenge—go to God right now and tell Him you need peace for your soul. Tell him you fully trust Him and will wait with as much patience and faith as you can. It's then you start the clock ticking on your difficult circumstances, and while you wait, your heart will be at rest.    Let's pray.    Father, thank you for the good gifts that we already have. Help us be grateful for those things that sustain life. We fully trust you to bring about our delivery from life's circumstances precisely the moment you have chosen. Sustain our spirits on this journey, Lord. In Jesus' name, amen.  Did you know many of the messages featured on the Kerusso Daily Devotional are available on a T-shirt? We create original T-shirts, apparel, and gifts with inspirational messages that share the Good News of Jesus. Learn more at Kerusso.com.

pPlanet X / Asteroid and Effects David Eells – 4/28/24 (audio)   (Note: I was told not to warn of this until told to.) I was shown by the Lord on 3-27-24 that: *An asteroid will show up beside the Sun on 4-15-24. A top government official said their astronomers said this came to pass. *The asteroid will be 10 days ahead of Planet X - Nibiru. *Planet X will show up beside the Sun 4-25-24 (because it is front and side lighted by the Sun). It will show best at 4pm EDT and it will look like a redish star on the left side of the Sun. Shortly after that time we saw it. (Update 4-25-24: Michael and I had one pair of these paper and plastic eclipse glasses passing them back and forth. We saw the same thing at the 8 o'clock position on the Sun and close to the Sun but we think we were only seeing the half of it that was facing the Sun because it was lighted. At one point I saw 3 very small dots positioned on the face and edge of the Sun in a semicircle facing this thing at 8 o'clock.  I thought it could be orbitals or moons of P-X, which we have had dreams of. They soon disappeared as they moved and were no longer in front of the Sun. A top government official was watching too as He spoke with us.  He said their astronomers said, “it is there”. If that is it, I would suspect to see an uptick in volcanic and earthquake activity soon. I asked if our friend would try to get us professional pictures and He said he would try. After leaving the Sun it will be hard to see until its closer and far bigger.) The DS will attempt to cloud up the sky but the angels will sweep the clouds away (Update: They did, The Sun was clear and distinct with clear sky. Usually it's so diffused with the garbage they spray in our atmosphere you can't make it out. Shortly after we saw what we did the clouds moved back in.) So we could have just got our 40 day warning (Note: like Jonah, who said, “in 40 days Nineveh will be destroyed.” The people repented and God had mercy. Years ago in a vivid dream I saw myself standing over the Gulf of Mexico looking down on Nineveh which was the U.S.. There was a huge bomb hanging above the U.S. by a string with a bow in it. It did not fall and I knew it was the delay. Nineveh only got one delay. But it is always possible that Father gives you individually mercy. This will be a Psalm 91 Passover for the Saints. *The asteroid will hit earth 40 days from first sighting on 5-25-24. (This is the same day that Virginia Boldea saw 3 pieces hit the earth below.) *Planet X will fly by earth 40 days after the first sighting on 6-4-24, hence a 40 day warning. From history & science of P-X what could happen? *It could cause extreme earthquakes and tsunamis to cross America and the world, which we have been warned of. *It could cause an earth tide and slip the crust on the mantle which could bring earthquakes around the world as it turns before this extreme gravitational planet. *It could draw the South Pole towards it pointing the northern hemisphere into darkness for a few days. *It could slow earth's rotation causing the 13+ miles extra feet of water held at the equator by centrifugal force to rush north and south. *Earth's orbit would then bring it through Planet X's tail, which is full of asteroids, meteorites and boulders and this would cause fireballs to rain on earth for about an hour. (I claim no titles, I just want people to be spared to see the coming revival.) *A top Alliance US Government Official confirmed that these specific dates are within the boundaries of the government astronomers calculations. *The first confirmation, by the same government official, was that the asteroid did appear by the Sun on 4.15.24 as I told him it would. *He agreed that if the 10 days between the Asteroid and Planet X were correct, that Planet X would show up next to the Sun on 4.25.24. It will look like a star next to a very big Sun. *We have received dreams that an asteroid would enter the atmosphere and break into 3 pieces. One would land in the North Atlantic Ocean and the other would land somewhere between there and Puerto Rico. The third asteroid piece would land West of Puerto Rico in the Mona Passage or Straight. *This will hit the North American Plate southern boundary, causing a huge slip fault, which could shake the United States fault lines loose. P-X is only 10 days behind this and will be adding to the earthquake and tsunami troubles. *Our dreams, which were five, have said that an East Coast Faultline that goes from New York through Washington DC, to Alabama to the Gulf will be the first to quake, then to the New Madrid fault to split the country and dump the Great Lakes. Then it will go out to the West Coast and simultaneously over to Tennessee. *Dreams and revelations can be delayed by repentance as it was with Nineveh but I believe those who repent will be spared. Reasonable Comments: *Do not move by fear of this revelation. Fear is faith in reverse. Seek the Lord for His directions for you and trust Him. *Angels would remove some people from dangerous areas. We would see water in places never before seen in our lifetime. Seek high ground as the Lord leads. The Military has advised their retirees to settle at least 400 feet above sea level. *People should be gone from the East Coast, Gulf Coast, New Madrid Zone, Mississippi River Valley, and the West Coast before 5-25-24! Don't wait until there is a bottle neck or you won't get out. I have seen many sit through hurricanes stuck in their vehicles on the interstate because they waited too late to leave the Gulf Coast. Tsunami's are far more deadly. * Those of you on the West Coast of Africa and Europe beware of tsunami's. God will use these two catastrophes to judge the wicked! (Make sure you are not one of them.) Confess your sins according to (1Jn 1:9)  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  Ask the Lord to save you and fill you with His Holy Spirit. The Man-child reformer ministry is coming to lead us through the wilderness created by these things. Efrain dream https://www.ubm1.org/?page=caribbean#Efrain https://www.ubm1.org/?page=great-earthquakes-and-tsunamis     Caribbean, East & Gulf Coast Tsunamis? David Eells - 10/30/2013 (David's notes in red) First of all, we are prophesying nothing, but we are trying to put together the warning picture that God is sending, here a little and there a little, while attempting to weed out the paranoia that always comes to discredit the truth. The Lord says, "We prophesy in part", so pray for your own revelation for your own area. God gives dreams, visions and prophecies to warn people to repent and cry out for mercy, that He may lessen the destruction and bring revival… Concerning some of the revelations shown here of 3 meteor/asteroid/comet. An asteroid or meteor will look like a comet when entering the atmosphere. An Asteroid is what we are dealing with and this threesome is the beginning of great trouble for earth. Will one piece of a meteor/asteroid/comet hit the water west of Puerto Rico, striking a fault in the Mona Straight and causing a 12-magnitude earthquake? (Some say we have never seen a 12. This is true but we have never had a planet X pushing these things at us before either. They have never seen a planet fly by with many times the gravity of earth pushing asteroids and meteors at us with a tail full of meteors, asteroids and rocks that earth passes through. They have never seen an earth tide that rips the crust of the earth lose in waves.)   And the resulting tsunami will devastate the islands there and the U.S. East and Gulf Coasts? Efrain Rodriguez and others had a revelations of this. An earthquake in the Mona Straight could set off that East Coast quake that could bring a domino effect on the rest of the faults across the nation since we are all sitting on the North American plate. I believe through prayer the Quake, height of the tsunami and depth it will reach into the US coasts has been lessened since these revelations were first given, which is why God gives these revelations ahead of time. The three asteroids in the area would mean the very big rock that has been seen coming is broken up by God into 3 as it comes through the atmosphere. People should ask God now if they are to move from the Gulf and East Coasts and the West Coast. Three asteroids/meteors/comets begin the troubles. In Virginia Boldea's vision, three comets were at peace but then they struck the earth and it was the beginning of troubles and some signs say the tribulation. This could also be a cause for the darkness and the many fireballs increasing to fall. Then many fireballs fall in {Rev.8:5} And the angel taketh the censer; and he filled it with the fire of the altar, and cast it upon the earth: and there followed thunders, and voices, and lightnings, and an earthquake. (Evidently a very serious earthquake.) {6} And the seven angels that had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound. {7} And the first sounded (Tribulation first trump), and there followed hail and fire, mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of the earth was burnt up, and the third part of the trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up. The smoke would darken the sky as in Leon's revelation. {Luk.12:49} I came to cast fire upon the earth; and what do I desire, if it is already kindled?... Mark Bevan: I came across this map that you will find very interesting. From NOAA: "A magnitude 7.3 Magnitude earthquake on October 11, 1918, in the Mona Passage or Straight, west of Puerto Rico, was caused by displacement along four segments of a normal fault, oriented N-S in the Mona Canyon. The earthquake generated a tsunami with runup heights reaching 6 meters, causing extensive damage along the western and northern coasts of Puerto Rico. The earthquake and tsunami caused $29 million damage, 116 people were killed and 100 more were reported missing". While the map is pictured in time increments, it would certainly seem to back up my theories. Besides what is the coincidence that a tsunami already occurred in the exact location within the last 100 years (Has it been reloading tension for this 100 years?), proving the fault line and enabling a study to be done on the potential impacts? David: This article speaks of the deepest submarine trench in the Atlantic, about 5.2 miles deep, along the north side of Puerto Rico and into the Mona Straight, which is a tremendous landslide and tsunami possibility. The fact that the North American Plate is pushing under the Caribbean Plate at Puerto Rico, making it seismically active, and the previous quake and tsunami in the Mona Straight seems to imply they don't need a space rock to have an earthquake there. This type of situation with one plate pushing under another is where the worst quakes happen. We have thought that this could set off the East Coast quake that has a domino effect to the West Coast, but since our North American plate goes down to and under the Caribbean plate in the Mona Passage or Straight, these two quakes could be one and the same.   Fragment Passes Over Puerto Rico? Eve Brast - 12/14/2013 David's notes in red I had a short dream on Saturday morning, December 14th. This dream was strange because it was like I suddenly appeared in the dream, like I was dropped into or popped into the situation without any notice. I dreamed that I was suddenly standing next to an airport runway on the island of Puerto Rico. (Where Efrain Rodriguez' dream took place.) As I looked northward and back toward the west, I could see the Gulf coastlines, Florida and the Eastern coast of the U.S. but they looked distorted in the distance, like viewing them through a telescopic fish lens and I could see white rays of light reflecting from the edges of the lens around everything that I was seeing. The runway of the airport ran from east to west. I didn't have much time to gain my bearings, as I became aware of a large fireball plunging toward the earth from the east. (As in Efrain's dream.) It made a roaring sound as it passed over my head. I thought in the dream.) (We have prayed that this rock will not be as big as the Lord first told us.) I never got to witness the impact because after I saw this, I was suddenly up in the heavenly realm where I was witnessing an angel in the same direction that the fireball came from scooping up hot glowing coals from an altar with both hands. (From the same direction indicates the source of the asteroid judgment. The glowing coals could mean asteroid/meteors will come as fireballs. {Rev.8:4} And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, went up before God out of the angel's hand. (Fiery judgment just before the tribulation.) {5} And the angel taketh the censer; and he filled it with the fire of the altar, and cast it upon the earth: and there followed thunders, and voices, and lightnings, and an earthquake. (Could this be the magnitude 12 quake that shakes the whole earth?) Then the tribulation trumpets begin.) {6} And the seven angels that had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound. {7} And the first sounded (trib begins), and there followed hail and fire, mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of the earth was burnt up, and the third part of the trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up. (Showers of asteroids, meteors/fireballs.) I heard the Spirit say, "Three-thirds". (This makes a whole that is made up of three parts. This is the one rock that breaks into three when it enters the atmosphere. This could also indicate some dreams we have received about the beginning of the end-time tribulation: Three Asteroids / Meteors Begin Troubles; 3 Comets, the Beginning of Pain. which we cover below) He then placed the coals from the altar into a bowl next to the altar where they melted into blood. (Much death will come of this) As he raised his hands up from the bowl, one last tiny fragment of coal fell from the angel's palm and hit the blood in the center of the bowl and it sent large ripples traveling through the blood to the edges of the bowl. (Tsunamis across the Atlantic.) (This fragment could be the fireball that I had witnessed in the previous scene of the dream [falling into the sea].) (This could agree with Lakeisha's dream in which God was judging the Harlot and Beast with fireballs.) The meaning of this dream seems to show a literal meaning as well as Spiritual representations, based on the scriptures Father gave me. These judgments will bring a great revival.   Meteor Shower Beginning ... Luis Parada - 07/16/13 Jeannette Henderson: Brother David, my son Luis, since he was a little boy, loved the Lord. When he was at the nursery school, when he was two or three, he told me that Jesus used to come to his nap time and take him to Heaven, but that the teacher didn't know it. When he was in grammar school and we used to pray and I read stories of the Bible to him, he used to tell me that Jesus was coming to his room and would sit by his bed. My mom had a vision of him preaching. He testifies of the Lord and has a lot of wisdom in his words when he talks about the Lord to others, but has not fulfilled the vision yet. Luis Parada: In my dream, I was in a vehicle with a couple of people. I'm not sure who they were but they were about my age. We were driving somewhere but it was evening because the Sun was setting. I remember saying the sky looked beautiful. Then I noticed in the distance a sparkle that looked like a shooting star and before I could say anything, they said, "Look! A shooting star". But then it was brighter and split into three and I said, "That's not a shooting star! That's an asteroid or meteor! " Then in the distance I could see the ball of fire from the impact. After the first impact (The asteroid ahead of P-X), we looked in the sky and there were hundreds of shining lights coming through like a shower of them. (Earth going through the Firey tail of Planet X/Nibiru with its asteroids and meteors afterwards.)  They panicked and got scared, asking, "What do we do?" The first thought that came to mind was, I was right! God promised never to come back with water but that the next time would be with fire. I said in a calm voice, "There's nothing you can do. You can't hide from this. If it hits, then it hits and that's it". Then I realized I wasn't scared or nervous but thought, It's time; it's begun! Then I woke up. (This is the beginning of major Judgments at the beginning of the Tribulation.) The weird part is, I very seldom have dreams and if I do I only recall bits and pieces but the ones that I'm able to remember vividly seem important. We have had many dreams of dangerous fireballs falling from the sky and killing people that sounded more like an asteroid or meteor breaking up and coming through the atmosphere of Earth, as we were passing through the tail of Planet X / Nibiru. There seems to be a timing shown in this dream with an asteroid and ball of fire impact which comes before P-X. And then the many fireballs which are just after the passing of P-X when we pass through the tail. And a timing in the saying, "It's time; it's begun! " The earths great judgments begin here at the beginning of the Tribulation. Notice that "It's time; it's begun! "sounds a lot like 3 Comets, the Beginning of Pain in Virginia's vision which I believe speaks of asteroids/meteors, which coming through the atmosphere look like 3 comets with tails, but are shown in many other cases to be three asteroids/meteors hitting the earth.   The Beginning of Pain (Three Comets) May 25, 1997 vision of Virginia Boldea (daughter of Dumitru Duduman and mother of Michael Boldea, Dumitru's interpreter.) It was not a dream. It was late. I am sure it was past midnight on the 25th of May (This is the same day I was told that the asteroid would hit the earth as 3 pieces – (I said, “The asteroid will hit earth 40 days from first sighting on 5-25-24.” And it hits as 3 pieces just as in Virginia's vision where on 5-25-24 she saw them hit the earth. I have had Virginia's vision on our site for many years but never knew the date was significant until yesterday. What a confirmation! Notice in reporting her revelation she speaks of May 25th twice...) I had just returned from a hard day's work. First I had gone to a few villages to give help. Afterwards, I began praying for a few hours. I lay in my bed listening to a prophecy I had received. Suddenly, I began to see, even though my eyes were shut. I saw an immense flower garden. The flowers were as tall as a man with a healthy stems, but the buds were blue and bent forward. Every flower only had one bud. A cloud suddenly appeared near the garden and it appeared to be very close to the ground. (Meaning the earth is bearing the first fruits of the Lord. A bud is the place the flower is born from. And this happens as the first major judgments come.) A man dressed in white stood on the cloud (near the garden of the first-fruits). He was slightly taller than a normal man and in his hand he had a trumpet in which he began to blow. (This represents the first trump of the tribulation with its judgements.) The sounds that came out of this trumpet would turn letters which would then turn into words in the sky and then ignite, burning up the heavens. I did not understand the writing because it was an unknown tongue. I did, however, recognize that it was in Hebrew. (A Word of the Lord!) There were a handful of comets in the sky which looked to be peaceful. Suddenly three of them, all different sizes, began to head toward the earth. (All of the other revelations that we have of three hits to the earth at the same time are of an asteroid breaking into three as it enters the atmosphere. When they enter the atmosphere they start burning and looking like a comet with a tail.) When they hit the earth there was total devastation. (Just like the three asteroid parts.) As I looked up, the sky turned black and I saw thunder. The thunder was also black. A dark cloud lifted up (It may darken the Sun) and it began to rain. When I looked closer I saw that it was not rain but drops of blood. (Many will die from this and the earthquakes and tsunami's this will bring.) As I looked to my left, I saw another man standing on another cloud. He was very tall, dressed in white, with his hands raised high. Each time he moved his hands, fireballs would come out of his fingers. (This is the angel whose fingers pulled out the coals of fire from the alter and cast them on the earth as fireballs. This comes 10 days after the asteroid when earth goes through the tail of Planet X.) I looked, awestruck, at the man's height and the way his face shown and radiated. Then a powerful voice said: "Remember what I have shown you. This will be the beginning of the pain that I will allow upon the earth". (As we have seen with the three strikes on earth, They begin the Tribulation.) He repeated this phrase again, after which he spoke to me: "You prepare yourself, be strong, and draw close to me with fasting and prayer for I will come to show you things more terrifying than these". Then everything disappeared. Notice also in Luis' revelation that after the three asteroids/meteors hit, many fireballs come probably as earth passes through the tail of Planet X..    Three Asteroids and Tsunamis Destroy Coasts Ann Peterson In April 2001, I was moved to ask God what was coming at us. The question was as generic as that...but not the answer. I was then shown North America on a globe. I saw three balls of fire streaking across the globe. One hits in the Gulf of Mexico (This is the tsunami that devastates the coast with water.)...another hits near the east coast of Florida(The Mona Straight by Puerto Rico)...and the third is farther out in the Atlantic.(With tsunami's hitting the US East Coast and Europe and Africa. Saint Patrick prophesied that Ireland would be flooded by one wave from the Atlantic seven years before the end. So the Tribulation 7 years follows this asteroid.) I then see America get smaller. Florida is washed over, as well as much of the East Coast and the coastal areas of the Gulf. (The same areas hit by the tsunami's from the 3 asteroid pieces.) I asked if people would be warned of this event in any way. I was told that this was the warning. I asked again about the others who did not hear or see initial warnings. I heard that there would be a very small window of opportunity for people to get out of harm's way...but most would still not listen. Then the only "close-up" view I got was of I-95...it was a death trap...and those were the words I heard, too. (Why is I-95 a death trap? Because it goes up the East Coast through D.C. and when the Tsunamis from the incoming asteroid pieces come, the coastal people will get on I-95 to escape but it is a bottle neck and they will die there on May 25th. Also when the East Coast Faultline quakes at this time it could trap some people next to the coast.) Then I was shown a short period of relative stillness; then I saw the middle of America rise up, then separate into two land masses with a great body of water between the two halves. (The New Madrid Quakes split the country and dump the Great Lakes down the Mississippi River Valey and carve out the land 50 miles wide in some places. It will not be bridged there.) When I inquired about what I was to do...I live in Florida...I was shown a specific area in North Carolina that I had to be at. I was also told I would be there before this happened. I am currently planning my move for asap. If finances had allowed, I would be there now...but things being as they are, I will be there in the next two months. I cannot even begin to list all the ways God has confirmed this for me.   Three Celestial Bodies Augusto Perez - 08/23/2009 I saw three celestial bodies suddenly appear in the sky at night and begin to move in a very strange way. I perceived that the three celestial objects were a threat to the inhabitants of planet Earth, although at first they looked like harmless bright stars. I noticed that one of them was bigger, brighter and much more menacing than the other two. However, I was not shown what these celestial objects were or where they had come from. Interpretation: In the future, there will be three celestial bodies, and at first they will seem harmless, but soon will become a threat to the inhabitants of Earth. The people will become very afraid, for their lives will seem to be in danger. Terror will grip people's hearts at the sight of these objects.   Vision of the Three Stars Augusto Perez - 03/30/2004 I was watching the sky. It was pitch black and there were these three stars there. (The Greek word for star in Revelation is Aster from which we get our word, asteroid. He saw 3 pieces of a broken asteroid.) All of a sudden, they started moving and writing on the sky, as if it were a blackboard. At first, I did not understand what was being written because the language was unknown to me (maybe it was Hebrew). But slowly I started to understand what was being written; then I started seeing what was being written and then suddenly I was in the middle of it. I saw what was coming upon the world. I saw horrible, devastating cataclysms (Huge earthquakes, shifting continents, Tsunamis, Water leaving many places uninhabitable, many volcanoes, etc.), a terrible world war, much bloodshed and destruction, (When the tribulation starts in Rev 6:1-4 the Man-child reformer ministry manifests, and then there will be a terrible world war. Rev 6: 2  And I saw, and behold, a white horse, and he that sat thereon had a bow; and there was given unto him a crown: and he came forth conquering, and to conquer. (Jesus in the Man-child reformers of Rev 12 reforming the Woman Church.) 3  And when he opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, Come.  4  And another horse came forth, a red horse: and to him that sat thereon it was given to take peace from the earth, and that they should slay one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.). (Here is when the second 3 1/2 years of the tribulation starts in Augusto's revelation.>) the manifestation of the man of sin (In 2 The. 2 he is called the son of perdition, whom Jesus said was Judas, who betrayed the Body of Christ after 3 ½ years.) and the fierce persecution he will begin of all Christians on this nation and the whole world, leading to the mark of the Beast and all kinds of horrors. I saw and experienced the great suffering humanity will go through, especially those who belong to the Lamb. When I came out of this vision of the night, I was sobbing in travail and wet with perspiration. To this day, I am affected by what I experienced that night. I can still hear the screams of the people as they fled in fear for their lives. Once again pray that God has mercy and these judgments on a wicked world will be lessened. (Days before May 25, be gone from the East Coast, Gulf Coast, New Madrid, Mississippi River Valley, West Coast.   Babylon DS Falls, Planet X, Revival Now I would like to share of God's work through Planet X in bringing the fall of Deep State (DS) Babyon, a criminal demonic entity, which has taken over the U.S. and the world. Since we have seen that we are so close to the Tribulation wilderness history will repeat. As it was when Israel was delivered from the Egyptian Beast army, that wanted to keep them in bondage, by the Passover and the Red Sea so it will be this time with the DS Babylonian beast. By the time the people of God enter their wilderness Tribulation the Beast will be gone. The Egyptian historians wrote that at their destruction they saw the Red Dragon destroyer overhead and it must be repeated for God said in Ecc 1:9-10  That which hath been is that which shall be; and that which hath been done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.  10  Is there a thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been long ago, in the ages which were before us.. Also P-X will be a destruction to the economy of the world and it will bring revival. God has promised to destroy Babylon in the DS and in the Church when He shakes heaven and earth by P-X. Isa 13:1 The burden of Babylon, which Isaiah the son of Amoz did see... 9 Behold, the day of Jehovah cometh, cruel, with wrath and fierce anger; to make the land a desolation, and to destroy the sinners thereof out of it. 10 For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light; the sun shall be darkened in its going forth, and the moon shall not cause its light to shine. (Why? Because P-X has set off earthquakes and volcanic activity around the world as He goes on to say.) 11 And I will punish the world for [their] evil, and the wicked for their iniquity: and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible. 12 I will make a man more rare than fine gold, even a man than the pure gold of Ophir. 13 Therefore I will make the heavens to tremble, and the earth shall be shaken out of its place (By Planet X, which is God's judgment on the wicked including the factions in the Church and in the DS), in the wrath of Jehovah of hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger.  This is a study of Isaiah chapters 23-27. Isa 23:17-18  And it shall come to pass after the end of seventy years (Which is after the captivity of God's people to the Beast is over that Jeremiah spoke of.), that Jehovah will visit Tyre (Same type as Babylon with the same prophetic judgments to prove a parallel. Both speak of DS America.), and she shall return to her hire, and shall play the harlot with all the kingdoms of the world upon the face of the earth. (Fulfilled) 18  And her merchandise and her hire shall be holiness to Jehovah: it shall not be treasured nor laid up; for her merchandise shall be for them that dwell before Jehovah, to eat sufficiently, and for durable clothing. (Fulfilled – Cyrus President Trump is destroying Babylon DS and found their “hidden treasures of darkness” in a cave and is restoring the economies of the Church and world with it. P-X will interrupt this to destroy the wicked which He through Trump started.) Isa 44:28  That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure, even saying of Jerusalem (John was told in Revelation that Jerusalem is now the Bride.), She shall be built; and of the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid. In the New Testament, Paul pointed out over and over that the temple is the people of God, who said He does not abide in temples made with men's hands. “The letter killeth but the Spirit giveth life.”) Isa 45:1-4  Thus saith Jehovah to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him, and I will loose the loins of kings; to open the doors before him, and the gates shall not be shut: (Even the gates of Babylon were open.) 2  I will go before thee, and make the rough places smooth; I will break in pieces the doors of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron; (Babylon stretched across the Euphrates River with bars and gates on either bank to keep enemies out but they were open and Cyrus' military poured in and killed the King.) 3  and I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, (Cyrus Trump has plundered Babylon whose DS had plundered the Nations.) that thou mayest know that it is I, Jehovah, who call thee by thy name, even the God of Israel.  4  For Jacob my servant's sake, and Israel my chosen, I have called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me. Isa 24:1-23  Behold, Jehovah maketh the earth empty, and maketh it waste, and turneth it upside down (A geographic crustal pole Shift –as we will see in verse 18), and scattereth abroad the inhabitants thereof. (Water will go everywhere and scatter the humans to high places, as we will see. God is no respecter of sinners >) 2  And it shall be, as with the people, so with the priest; as with the servant, so with his master; as with the maid, so with her mistress; as with the buyer, so with the seller; as with the creditor, so with the debtor; as with the taker of interest, so with the giver of interest to him.  3  The earth shall be utterly emptied, and utterly laid waste (What naturally could do such a thing to the whole earth? A crustal shift and the earthquakes and volcanic action that would come from it.); for Jehovah hath spoken this word.  4  The earth mourneth and fadeth away, the world languisheth and fadeth away, the lofty people of the earth do languish.  5  The earth also is polluted under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, violated the statutes, broken the everlasting covenant. (The reason this judgment is coming is men are ignoring the “everlasting covenant” and to bring men to fear God and repent.)  Rev 14:6  And I saw another angel flying in mid heaven, having eternal good tidings (or Gospel) to proclaim unto them that dwell on the earth, and unto every nation and tribe and tongue and people. This Gospel and Covenant is very rare but can be found in the Bride and Man-child. Jer 50:5  They shall inquire concerning Zion with their faces thitherward, saying, Come ye, and join yourselves to Jehovah in an everlasting covenant that shall not be forgotten. The only eternal or everlasting covenant is the New Covenant for the old covenant couldn't perfect the saints and it passed away in Christ as Paul said. 6  Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are found guilty: therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned (This is fireballs from heaven by P-X on those who are guilty of bringing the curse on the earth, like what fell on Sodom and Gomorrah.), and few men left.  7  The new wine mourneth, the vine languisheth, all the merry-hearted do sigh.  8  The mirth of tabrets ceaseth, the noise of them that rejoice endeth, the joy of the harp ceaseth.  9  They shall not drink wine with a song; strong drink shall be bitter to them that drink it.  10  The waste city is broken down; every house is shut up, that no man may come in. (Men will not trust men in a time of desperate need and roving gangs of robbers plundering what they can.) 11  There is a crying in the streets because of the wine; all joy is darkened, the mirth of the land is gone.  12  In the city is left desolation, and the gate is smitten with destruction.  13  For thus shall it be in the midst of the earth among the peoples, as the shaking of an olive-tree, as the gleanings when the vintage is done. (A remnant shall be reaped for the Kingdom.) 14  These shall lift up their voice, they shall shout; for the majesty of Jehovah they cry aloud from the sea.  15  Wherefore glorify ye Jehovah in the east, even the name of Jehovah, the God of Israel, in the isles of the sea.  16  From the uttermost part of the earth have we heard songs: Glory to the righteous. But I said, I pine away, I pine away, woe is me! the treacherous have dealt treacherously; yea, the treacherous have dealt very treacherously. (I asked for a word for Kevin years ago and got this word for his treacherous slanderous cult but I am sure it is broader than that. The Satanic Dragon murderers and Judas' of their own brethren must be included.) 17  Fear, and the pit, and the snare, are upon thee, O inhabitant of the earth. (Notice: P-X will bring a worldwide judgment.) 18  And it shall come to pass, that he who fleeth from the noise (Screeching noise of a crustal shift of the earth on its mantle.) of the fear shall fall into the pit; (Sinkholes everywhere made by the crustal shift.) and he that cometh up out of the midst of the pit shall be taken in the snare (FEMA prison): A crustal shift is the crust slipping on the mantle from an earth tide by P-X.  Rev 12:3-4  And there was seen another sign in heaven: and behold, a great red dragon, …  4  And his tail draweth the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth (If you view the stars and you see them fall to the horizon it means there has been a polar shift or a crustal shift. The core has a gyroscope effect which resists falling and can upright but the crust can fall by 1/3rd and stay there, according to this verse. SEE Verse 20  This could happen at the time of the Man-child Ministry Birth.): and the dragon standeth before the woman that is about to be delivered, that when she is delivered he may devour her child. Continuing Isa 24:18 for the windows on high are opened, and the foundations of the earth tremble. (Earthquakes and Crust slippage) 19  The earth is utterly broken, the earth is rent asunder, the earth is shaken violently.  20  The earth shall stagger like a drunken man (Like a gyroscope slowing down, which causes 13+ miles of extra water held at the equator by centrifugal force of the earth spinning at a thousand miles an hour. When this happens the excess water rushes north and south scattering humanity.), and shall sway to and fro like a hammock; and the transgression thereof shall be heavy upon it, and it shall fall, and not rise again (Earth would not upright after the passing of P-X if it was a crustal shift. We have been told in dreams that we would have Hawaiian weather here. Also many large cities have been found beneath the waters which probably happened 3600 years ago when P-X came by.).  21  And it shall come to pass in that day, that Jehovah will punish the host of the high ones on high, and the kings of the earth upon the earth. (P-X will kill many.) 22  And they shall be gathered together, as prisoners are gathered in the pit (hell), and shall be shut up in the prison; and after many days shall they be visited. (After 1000 years they will be brought to the Great White Throne judgment.> Back to present time.) 23  Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed (Volcanic activity will be earth wide. Super volcano have darkened the earth for a year making a constant winter; worse than DS chemtrails.) ; for Jehovah of hosts will reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem; and before his elders shall be glory. (This is confirmed here in Rev 5:10  and madest them to be unto our God a kingdom and priests; and they reign upon the earth. Isa 25:1-12  O Jehovah, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful things, even counsels of old, in faithfulness and truth.  2  For thou hast made of a city a heap, of a fortified city a ruin, a palace of strangers to be no city; it shall never be built. (Babylon DS) 3  Therefore shall a strong people glorify thee; a city of terrible nations shall fear thee. (Babylon is a city of terrible nations, which are now being delivered.) 4  For thou hast been a stronghold to the poor, a stronghold to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall.  5  As the heat in a dry place wilt thou bring down the noise of strangers; as the heat by the shade of a cloud, the song of the terrible ones shall be brought low.  6  And in this mountain will Jehovah of hosts make unto all peoples a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined.  7  And he will destroy in this mountain the face of the covering that covereth all peoples, and the veil that is spread over all nations. (God will feed His people and deliver them from their deceptions by this Mountain.) This mountain is the Kingdom of God and it is most fully manifested as Mount Zion, the Bride, whose head is the Man-child. Here God is King and is obeyed. Here is the place of safety. Notice that He said He would use them to take away the deception veiling the people. Zec 2:1-5 And I lifted up mine eyes, and saw, and, behold, a man with a measuring line in his hand.  2  Then said I, Whither goest thou? And he said unto me, To measure Jerusalem, to see what is the breadth thereof, and what is the length thereof.  3  And, behold, the angel that talked with me went forth, and another angel went out to meet him,  4  and said unto him, Run, speak to this young man, saying, Jerusalem shall be inhabited as villages without walls, by reason of the multitude of men and cattle therein. (Zion, the Bride, is a worldwide city that cannot be measured and has no physical walls for they are not needed for there is no curse on the Bride. God is her fiery wall of protection.) 5  For I, saith Jehovah, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and I will be the glory in the midst of her. Back to Isa 25:8  He hath swallowed up death for ever; and the Lord Jehovah will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the reproach of his people will he take away from off all the earth: for Jehovah hath spoken it.  9  And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is Jehovah; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.  10  For in this mountain will the hand of Jehovah rest; and Moab shall be trodden down in his place, even as straw is trodden down in the water of the dung-hill. (The Brides factious enemies are being destroyed.) 11  And he shall spread forth his hands in the midst thereof, as he that swimmeth spreadeth forth his hands to swim; but Jehovah will lay low his pride together with the craft of his hands.  12  And the high fortress of thy walls hath he brought down, laid low, and brought to the ground, even to the dust. Isa 26:1-21  In that day shall this song be sung in the land of Judah: We have a strong city (Zion); salvation will he appoint for walls and bulwarks.  2  Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth faith may enter in. (Only the righteous will enter the Bride.) 3  Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee; because he trusteth in thee.  4  Trust ye in Jehovah forever; for in Jehovah, even Jehovah, is an everlasting rock.  5  For he hath brought down them that dwell on high, the lofty city (Babylon DS): he layeth it low, he layeth it low even to the ground; he bringeth it even to the dust.  6  The foot shall tread it down; even the feet of the poor, and the steps of the needy.  7  The way of the just is uprightness: thou that art upright dost direct the path of the just.  8  Yea, in the way of thy judgments, O Jehovah, have we waited for thee; to thy name, even to thy memorial name, is the desire of our soul. (Judgments bring many to the Lord.) 9  With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee earnestly: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness.  10  Let favor be showed to the wicked, yet will he not learn righteousness; in the land of uprightness will he deal wrongfully, and will not behold the majesty of Jehovah. (With favor the wicked don't learn. With judgments like P-X the wicked learn the fear of the Lord, which is the beginning of wisdom. Then they can handle Favor or grace.) 11  Jehovah, thy hand is lifted up (When Moses' hands were lifted up the people of God had victory over their enemies.) , yet they see not: but they shall see thy zeal for the people, and be put to shame; yea, fire shall devour thine adversaries.  12  Jehovah, thou wilt ordain peace for us; for thou hast also wrought all our works for us.  13  O Jehovah our God, other lords besides thee have had dominion over us; but by thee only will we make mention of thy name. (Idols of false leadership and religion are falling.) 14  They are dead, they shall not live; they are deceased, they shall not rise: therefore hast thou visited and destroyed them, and made all remembrance of them to perish. (This has to happen so the people would follow the reformers into the wilderness tribulation.) 15  Thou hast increased the nation, O Jehovah, thou hast increased the nation; thou art glorified; thou hast enlarged all the borders of the land. (Great revival will come from these judgements.) 16  Jehovah, in trouble have they visited thee; they poured out a prayer when thy chastening was upon them.  17  Like as a woman with child, that draweth near the time of her delivery, is in pain and crieth out in her pangs; so we have been before thee, O Jehovah.  18  We have been with child, we have been in pain, we have as it were brought forth wind; we have not wrought any deliverance in the earth; neither have the inhabitants of the world fallen. (The Church has been a dismal failure to bring in the harvest for their tools are of the flesh.) 19  Thy dead shall live; my dead bodies shall arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in the dust; for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast forth the dead. (The out-resurrection at the time of the Man-child like it was with Jesus will help to bring in the harvest, which the apostate Church has failed to do. Also resurrection life in God's people will bring in the harvest.) 20  Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. (We must abide in the Psalm 91 Passover of the destroyer dragon, as did the Israelites coming out of Egypt and Babylon.) 21  For, behold, Jehovah cometh forth out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain. (The judgment of the Lord and disclosure or declass of the DS sins will reveal all their blood guiltiness. Their slain will be uncovered. Isa 27:1-13  In that day Jehovah with his hard and great and strong sword will punish leviathan the swift serpent, and leviathan the crooked serpent; and he will slay the monster that is in the sea. (The sea is the peoples tribes and nations that the DS serpent/dragon of Satan has been hidden in but their destruction is upon them.) 2  In that day: A vineyard of wine, sing ye unto it. (God has a vineyard washed in the blood of Jesus that He is watching over to preserve.) 3  I Jehovah am its keeper; I will water it every moment: lest any hurt it, I will keep it night and day. (He has a Psalm 91 Passover for the righteous.) 4  Wrath is not in me (Against the righteous): would that the briers and thorns were against me in battle! (Like the beasts who would attempt to take the righteous down.) I would march upon them, I would burn them together.  5  Or else let him take hold of my strength, that he may make peace with me; yea, let him make peace with me. (Pray for the repentance of the elect among the beast peoples.) 6  In days to come shall Jacob take root; Israel shall blossom and bud; and they shall fill the face of the world with fruit. (Great revival will come to God's people from this…Praise the Lord!) 7  Hath he smitten them as he smote those that smote them? (Yes, God smote His erring people by the wicked whom he will now judge.) or are they slain according to the slaughter of them that were slain by them? (Yes, God will smite those who smote His people.) 8  In measure, when thou sendest them away, thou dost contend with them; he hath removed them with his rough blast in the day of the east wind. (God has chastened His people and they will bear fruit. He will destroy the wicked who will reap what they sowed.) 9  Therefore by this shall the iniquity of Jacob (representing the Church) be forgiven, and this is all the fruit of taking away his sin: that he maketh all the stones of the altar as chalkstones that are beaten in sunder, (The wicked were the altar that sacrificed the flesh of God's people. The wicked will now be destroyed as a day of the Lord.) so that the Asherim and the sun-images shall rise no more… (Their idols will be gone.)   12  And it shall come to pass in that day, that Jehovah will beat off his fruit from the flood of the River unto the brook of Egypt; and ye shall be gathered one by one, O ye children of Israel.  13  And it shall come to pass in that day, that a great trumpet shall be blown (The first trump of the tribulation.); and they shall come that were ready to perish in the land of Assyria, and they that were outcasts in the land of Egypt (When they came out of Egypt they entered the wilderness tribulation trump.); and they shall worship Jehovah in the holy mountain at Jerusalem. (The holy mountain on which the Bride sits is the Kingdom of God. The Church which will come out of Beast captivity will live IN the mountain of the Kingdom of God.)       Planet X Causes the New York Quake  Jay Nara - 8/30/2011  David's notes in red Yesterday I was reading the daily newspapers and my little 2 1/2-year-old boy came to me and pointed in a drawing at what looks like a red sun which looks like the brown dwarf or Planet X. Then he looked at a second photo as his finger landed exactly on the words "NEW YORK." Then he said, "Coming." He took a few steps back and then came back and did it again, pointing to the same photos in the same order without saying anything. (Looks like Planet X would cause the coming earthquake in New York. That fault line goes down to the Gulf. And according to our dreams and visions it is the first quake that begins a domino effect of quakes that cross the nation.)   When I realized what he just did, I was amazed because his vocabulary is very small and I've never heard him say that word before. The connection between these two related to the earthquake in New York, which came immediately to mind, as well as the rest of it coming upon the U.S. and even the whole world, of which I was listening to in last night's UBBS. My wife Terez even saw something in the picture that was like Mount Zion and the Tower of Christ standing in between the red sun and people (us). Since my boy did it "twice", I think it makes it more credible and that's why I came up with an idea to call it two witnesses (similar to a two dream confirmation).   We already had many prophecies and little stories about believing his birth was a type of a coming man-child; some of them we sent to UBM. I remember one of them was his heartbeat before he was born was constantly evolving around 144. I was so amazed with it, I even took a photo. I have more confidence in stories like this, especially when they come out of the mouth of babes, than reading 10 prophecy books of today's Christians.       Huge Earthquakes Cross the U.S. Sandy Shaw - May 2011  David's notes in red | Deb notes in green  In a dream, I saw the NYC skyline from a distance and it was shaking. All the skyscrapers and buildings were going back and forth.  Then it was as if NYC zoomed in closer and I saw all the buildings collapsing. Many people were dying all around me. I saw the ground really shaking, vibrating and cracks were starting to form. I looked up and saw many piles of rubble from the fallen buildings and then the ground started buckling and moving the piles of rubble. At that time, I started seeing fire come up from out of the ground. I was observing this from very far up in the air and was able to see very far into the distance.  As I saw fire erupting from the ground, the Lord took me closer and I was then positioned right over the fires, looking down into the fire. I could feel the heat on my face and at first I thought it was gas lines erupting that were causing the fire. As I got closer, I saw what looked like red hot mud or clay with flames and it was oozing out of the buckling cracks of rubble. (This could be volcanic action of lava. Chuck Thacker said that an earthquake fault was discovered directly under NYC in the 1920s by a subway construction crew. They reported a crevasse so deep that they could not hear anything they dropped in hit the bottom. Some way they poured concrete over it and continued. This fault is under 14th Street, which runs from 1st Avenue to 11th Avenue in Manhattan. (This is speculated to be the hardened dome of a lava bubble, a really big lava bubble. The subway line was moved over enough to where they found footing to continue. We used to ride the train there all the time.)  I saw these cracks (likened to a glass breaking) headed from the East coast toward the center of the nation to the New Madrid fault. There were small, large and gigantic cracks heading toward the eastern side of the New Madrid fault line. (These cracks are called "spider legs".)  I was taken near to the center of the nation where I could see both coasts of the country and I was hovering over a large crack in the ground. I was facing south, with the Great Lakes behind me and the crack went all the way down to the Gulf of Mexico. The ground began shaking and the new cracks began forming going back toward the East coast, moving in all directions like a fan very quickly. The shaking was constant from this point on but at different times it slowed down, becoming soft like tremors, and at other times it was shaking hard, violently.  As the cracks were moving, they reached about half of the distance of the large crack (New Madrid) and then my attention was drawn to the right of me and I looked west of the New Madrid crack and saw cracks going in all directions toward the West coast. They were cracks of many different sizes and they stopped at different places as they hit other cracks and then headed in different directions and some went all the way to the San Andreas fault in California. As these cracks hit the San Andreas, the ground was rising and falling to meet each other like hands coupling together as they join and then separate. California was shaking hard and at the same time so was the New Madrid area. The cracks began separating the areas where Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky meet and went all the way over to North Carolina. These cracks and many more are what isolate the boat-shaped piece of land in the Tennessee Valley and then I saw the crack around the boat fill with water. (Confirmed by other dreams.) This is where I turned around to look at the Great Lakes, or where they were supposed to be, and all the water began rushing down, filling up all the areas in the center of the nation that have been affected by all the quakes. It emptied these areas that split the U.S.. Water flooded in from the Gulf of Mexico, as well. When all the flooding was done, many portions of the US were under water. (Sandy said some of this water may be temporary, I believe so, but some will stay.)  (Back to Sandy's new dream:) Then the Lord told me, “It's started.” Some said, “What started?” I said, “The earthquakes!”   Jeff and Brandy looked right away on their phones and said, “There is an earthquake on the East coast.” (That was a 5.8 if I remember correctly and it went down the same fault as the first big one will that is coming to start the chain reaction. It identified for us where that fault is.)  David said, “Lets pray.” So we all started praying for the ones that knew the Lord and the ones that didn't. We prayed that the Lord would bring them out and that the Lord's protection would be on them. (The warning quake and prayers will save many.)  Then the Lord said, “In a few days, you will feel some.” (Meaning more smaller quakes before the Big quakes.) We started praying for ourselves and pleading the blood for our protection. When the Lord said that to me, I knew that we would start to feel earthquakes here but not the big one yet. (We did feel a 3.)  So I said that. We were praying in tongues in the same one accord that was at the beginning of the meeting. Then I woke up.  I got two texts by faith at random, Romans 15:17 I have therefore my glorifying in Christ Jesus in things pertaining to God. 18 For I will not dare to speak of any things save those which Christ wrought through me, for the obedience of the Gentiles, by word and deed, 19 in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of the Holy Spirit; so that from Jerusalem, and round about even unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ;  Romans 1:17-19 For therein is revealed a righteousness of God from faith unto faith: as it is written, But the righteous shall live by faith. 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hinder the truth in unrighteousness (The factious in Church and government are known for hindering the truth.); 19 because that which is known of God is manifest in them; for God manifested it unto them.   A warning through the Apostle Paul that the Lord through P-X shook the heavens and the earth and will do it one more time. Heb 12:26-27 ASV  whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more will I make to tremble not the earth only, but also the heaven. (Planet X is known to shake the heavens and the whole earth.) 27  And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that have been made, that those things which are not shaken may remain.p

The revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who testifies to everything he saw—that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. — Revelation 1:1-2 When a curtain is pulled back to reveal a new work of art, the assembled crowd responds with appreciation and applause. Something that was a mystery is made known. A similar thing happens in the book of Revelation. God pulls back a curtain that has been concealing the finished work of Jesus Christ. Here God reveals to believers in Christ the source of their comfort, courage, and hope. The Lord initially revealed all of this to the apostle John, one of Jesus' closest followers, through the work of an angel. And John testifies that this aligns with what he witnessed firsthand as one of Jesus' disciples. In chapter one of Revelation, John writes about the Lord of the church of all ages, including the seven churches addressed in Revelation 2-3. And that Lord is Jesus Christ.This testimony guides us to continue as the church of Jesus today. The church needs to know its Lord and King, who at the same time is Lord and King over this world and all creation. Rejecting all that contradicts God's Word and God's will, the church must stand for all that is righteous, true, and good. The seven churches in Revelation 2-3 needed that message, and so does the church of Christ in 2024. King Jesus, you are the Lord of your church and of the whole world. Equip us to follow you. Amen.

Psalm 50 Worksheet We come now to the first Psalm attributed to Asaph. Asaph wrote 12 psalms, this one, then 73 through 83. Who was Asaph in the Bible? Asaph was one of David's ____________________ song leaders, and his sons carried on as song leaders at the Temple for generations to come. 1 Chr. 16:7 2 Chr. 29:30 For in the days of David and Asaph of old there were chiefs of the singers, and songs of praise and thanksgiving to God. -Nehemiah 12:46 The Great God calls the __________________________ to order! V. 1-6 What is God calling the earth to in verse 1? To be a ________________________ to the charges God is about to make. Men often have to think and live like practical atheists to sin the way they do. But God will come, men will ________________________, and God will have the last word! Although Ps. 50 may be a rhetorical challenge, it reminds us of 2 great judgments to come: The Great White Throne Judgment of unbelievers. Revelation 20 The Bema seat Judgment for ____________________. Romans 14:8-13 God's indictment on _______________________ sacrifice V. 7-15 Notice that God is not just the Judge, but the ________________________! The essence of verses 8-9 is that God doesn't need us the way we need Him, so when you bring your offering to Him, don't think you are doing Him a ____________________, bringing Him something He doesn't possess! Deuteronomy 8:11-20 Verses 14-15 tell us what to do when we have not been bringing God right sacrifices from a __________ heart. God's indictment on _______________________ practices V. 16-23 Sometimes we talk a lot about the sins of others and minimize and ____________________ our own and others close to us. Israel did it too. Here God calls that wickedness. God is basically charging them with _____________________, as Jesus did when He came to earth. Asaph's song is very clear that God is not up in Heaven ‘________________________' at our sin. The last couple of verses don't take away from God's teaching about justification by faith, such as Genesis 15:6 – “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” The last couple verses call for the “_________________________ of the faith,” or as James said, being “doers of the word.” By the way, note that James 1:18 comes before James 1:22 and James great statement that “faith without works is dead” in James chapter 2. “The faith that saves is faith alone, but the faith that saves is never alone.” True faith will do good works = true new birth will result in fruit being born.

Imagine if God appeared to you today and gave you a new name. In the Old Testament, Jacob was given the name Israel which meant “struggled with God” (Gen. 32:28). In the New Testament, Jesus renamed His disciple Simon as Peter, meaning “rock” (John 1:42). Along with these new names, they were given a new identity. In Genesis 17, God gave Abram and Sarai new names, Abraham and Sarah (vv. 5, 15). Abraham would become a “father of many nations” (v. 5). He would be known as a man who belonged to God Almighty (v. 1). Here God reaffirmed the promises He had made to Abraham. In addition to the promise of many descendants, He also declared that the land of Canaan would belong to them (v. 8). Most significantly, He promised, “I will be their God” (v. 8). Then God called for a response from Abraham. He commanded that Abraham, every male in his household, and every descendant be circumcised (vv. 9–10). At first, this may seem that God's promises are conditional. But this is not the case. God would be faithful to fulfill His promises to Abraham. Circumcision was a sign of the covenant, not the covenant itself. If Abraham and his descendants wanted to identify themselves with the covenant and benefit from it, they would need to be circumcised. Abraham obeyed God's command. That same day, he had himself and the men of the household circumcised (v. 23), demonstrating his trust in God and God's plan. The command to be circumcised is no longer necessary in Christ, but we are still called to respond in faith to His promises. One of God's promises in this passage is that “kings of peoples” would come from the offspring of Abraham and Sarah (v. 16). It has been fulfilled in the Lord Jesus who will rule over all the nations (Rev. 1:5). Go Deeper Why were Abraham and Sarah's new names so significant? What does today's reading teach us about how we should respond to God's promises?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Revelation 11, God has John measure the temple and place boundaries around the temple. I believe this is not talking about walking around a physical temple with a tape measure but about God placing protective measures around the people of God, who are His temple. Here God is assuring all of His children that Satan and his demons cannot touch us because we are sealed by the Holy Spirit of God. In today's devotional, Dr. Michael Youssef examines the sealing of the Holy Spirit. If you would like more insight into today's devotional topic, listen to Dr. Michael Youssef's sermon Revelation for Today, Part 9: LISTEN NOW| WATCH NOWDr. Michael Youssef has preached the Bible for over 50 years—and now he's giving you the ultimate guide to deepen your study of God's Word in his NEW book How to Read the Bible (As If Your Life Depends on It). Receive a captivating crash course in Scripture that will radically change the way you approach God and His Word. Request your copy today for your gift of any amount!*Offer valid in US, UK, and Canada through November 11, 2023.

In an age of technology booms and information-sharing, it's amazing how lonely we've become. Everything and everyone is connected, but does all that connection ever leave you feeling disconnected in real life? Do you feel alone?   If you do, you are listening at the right time this week as we are reminded that God's timing is always perfect.   Ecclesiastes 3:11 says, “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.”   Did you catch that? Here God is talking about and to the individual. He is talking to you. And guess what? He has made you beautiful, a truly unique creation. God has also placed you at the right place in history, right where you are.   God made you in his image. His Son, Jesus, went to the cross for you. If you still feel alone after all that, go back and read our verse for today. Read it again and again.   Our God loves you so very much. His Word says so directly—all over the place. Let that be the backdrop for your day today.    Let's pray.   Lord, thank you for loving each of us infinitely. Thank you for saving us. In Jesus' name, amen.  

In the Old Testament, prophets carried messages from God to His people. They spoke words of warning and comfort. The prophet Isaiah emerged during the reign of King Uzziah, a time of peace and prosperity in Judah. Isaiah's ministry spanned several kings—Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah (1:1)—as the cultural and political landscapes deteriorated. During Ahaz's reign, Assyria occupied the northern tribes and deported most Israelites. God sent Isaiah to reassure Ahaz and call him to faith, but Ahaz didn't listen. He took matters into his own hands and aligned himself with the Assyrian king who enforced heavy taxation and promoted idolatry. In 701 BC, Hezekiah became king. Assyria attacked, devastating Judah and almost Jerusalem. Again, Isaiah preached hope and repentance to deaf ears. In Isaiah 39, Marduk-Baladan of Babylon sent a gift to Hezekiah. Since Babylon was not a threat, Hezekiah flaunted his treasure—gold, silver, weapons. Immediately, Isaiah responded with a message from God: Babylon would conquer Judah (39:6). Hezekiah wasn't concerned as this horror wouldn't happen in his lifetime. Isaiah 40 focuses on that future reality. The remnant of God's people in Babylon would reflect on their sin with remorse. Here God instructs the prophet to utter a call (qara) of comfort (v. 2) and preparation for the coming redemption (v. 3). In Isaiah's time, this redemption was Judah's freedom from exile, but this verse was also used to describe John the Baptist in all four Gospel accounts. In verse 6, God calls the prophet to utter a cautionary call (qara) about the fragility of human life. Isaiah 40 paints a powerful picture of God who is unparalleled in magnitude and might. We serve a God who calls (qara) the stars by name (v. 26) and who strengthens those who call on Him (vv. 29–31). >> Verses 10–26 paint a powerful portrait of the God we serve. Take some time to read this passage aloud and let the words sink into your heart. Focusing on God lifts us above our troubles and sets our eyes on Him.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You don't need a change of scenery. You just have to open your eyes, and LOVE. We're not looking anymore. We're only Loving. You feel That? Only Love is here. I Love You I Am You nik  To claim your free gift, leave a review on Apple Podcasts, screenshot it and send it to me at nikki@curlynikki.com!  Join us on Patreon to support the show, and tune into and participate in live video Q&As with me!  Support the show राम राम राम राम राम राम राम राम राम राम राम Highly recommended children's book, 'How to Enjoy God All the Time', by Chris Fields that clearly explains the teachings of Brother Lawrence! "Here God, I am doing this because I love You." -Chris Fields (quoting Brother Lawrence), How to Enjoy God All the Time "Jesus, please come into my heart. Help me with everything in my life. I am sorry for all my sins. I want to have a new life with you. Wash my heart with Your love and joy and live inside me. I give you all of me. Please give me all of You, And be my Best Friend forever. Amen." - Chris Fields, How to Enjoy God All the Time "If you have never felt God's love inside you, ask Him to help you. Be quiet for a minute. It may be as gentle as a butterfly kiss. It may be as quiet as a ladybug. But as you listen, you will recognize His whisper deep inside you. You may feel peace. This is the beginning of enjoying God. He doesn't always speak in words. Sometimes He speaks in a picture, a feeling, or a song, But He always speaks with love." - Chris Fields, How to Enjoy God All the Time "If you have never heard God speak to you, you can be quiet right now and listen to Him. He gave you special ears inside your heart that are made for hearing Him. He has so much to tell you. Most people only listen with their outside ears. Once you are good at listening with your inside ears, you'll hear how much God has to say. He will be the sunshine of your heart." - Chris Fields, How to Enjoy God All the Time  "This is the point in your life when things take off for you. You should feel confident in making bold moves. The expectation is that everything you put your hand to now will improve and flow your way Mainly because you're shifting your energy, which is allowing you to bring more elevated frequencies to the things you're focused on. Know that the tide has been turning for a reason. Move with that knowing. Shift with that balance. Your energy is providing you with leverage you've never had before." -@Source Messages "Call to Me, and I will give you an answer, and let you see great things and secret things of which you had no knowledge." Jeremiah 33:3 "Clear your mind of dogmatic theological debris; let in the fresh, healing waters of direct perception. Attune yourself to the active inner guidance. The Divine Voice has the answer to every dilemma of life." - Lahiri Mahasaya "You can only be non-possessive, non-jealous, when a different kind of love has arisen in you which is no more dependent, which needs nobody, which simply goes on overflowing. If somebody partakes, good, you are grateful. If nobody partakes, very good, you are alone, absolutely happy." - Osho  "Oh, Jesus, my love... my vocation, I finally found my vocation, it is LOVE." - St. Thérèse of Lisieux "How to Recognize God's Voice" by @kapchatfield (meditation inspiration)  "The voice of the Lord is full of power; the voice of the Lord has a noble sound." Psalm 29:4  

As we continue in our series on finding contentment, today's message is really about taking the long view.    The human attention span is short. Like really, really short. Between the World Wars, Winston Churchill warned Europe that Hitler was a threat to the continent at least. But people ignored him. And then when the Nazis turned violent, the people turned to Churchill as their prime minister.    Having led the country through another costly war to preserve freedom, Churchill was defeated for re-election in the last days of World War II. It's like the people had forgotten his priceless contribution to world peace. He knew the war would take a long time and that it would be costly, and the people wanted to avoid thinking about it, and even later wanted it over quickly. And that's rarely how life works.   Churchill returned as prime minister in the 1950s, but his experiences show that people mostly want short-term solutions. Working for the long goal is rarely popular.    Jeremiah 15:15 says, “Lord, you understand. Remember me, care for me. Avenge me on my persecutors. You are long-suffering. Do not take me away. Think of how I suffer reproach for your sake.”   Here God is reminding us that often, we're required to stay in it for the long haul. Nowhere is this more true than in the pursuits of peace and contentment. That kind of thing is not built quickly. And not surprisingly, too many people don't stay with it and they stumble along, looking for solutions in the wrong places.   If you're in a bad place today, you have to start with basic steps. Talk to Jesus and tell him you're struggling. Maybe you have a vague sense of depression and just can't locate the direct cause. Take the example of people who did understand the source of true happiness, and were committed to seeing it through, no matter how long it took.    Abraham knew the value of prayer and he waited for decades to have a son. Hannah was also unable to have children, but she prayed and stayed faithful. Eventually, God gave her a child and she felt fulfilled. Joseph spent years in exile and prison because of his brother's actions, but his faith didn't waver. He actually found his contentment in the middle of these trials, and eventually God restored his family, and all he had lost.   If you're depressed or ground down from money worries, or facing some other huge challenge, go to God right now and tell him you need peace for your soul. Tell him you fully trust him, and will wait with as much patience and faith as you can. It's then you start the clock ticking on your difficult circumstances. And while you wait, your heart will be at rest.    Let's pray.    Father, thank you for the good gifts that we already have. Help us be grateful for those things that sustain life. We fully trust you to bring about our delivery from life's circumstances precisely the moment you have chosen. Sustain our spirits on this journey, Lord. In Jesus' name, amen.