Podcasts about him colossians

For it was the Father's good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him – Colossians 1:19

The English noun gospel comes from the Anglo-Saxon term godspell, meaning "glad tidings." It is translated from the Greek evangelion, which means "good message." Originally, the word was related to news of military triumph. –https://www.gotquestions.org/gospel-good-news.htmlWhile mainstream Christianity has a relatively narrow definition or view of the Good News, e.g., limited to the New Testament and only relating to the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, a broader, more scriptural perspective exists that is less taught, if taught at all.Didn't the prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and others preach good news? What was their good news about?If the Good News is only about the death, burial, and resurrection of Messiah Yeshua, why did He teach and preach about it? What did He say is the Good News?Is the Good News about the Messiah, or is it of the Messiah?As is his usual practice, Rabbi Steve Berkson brings a more profound understanding to this topic by allowing scripture to define itself just as he has done in his other teachings.• Opener• Review• Colossians 1:1-4 – 1 Corinthians 13 in reverse?• 1 Corinthians 13:4 – I let some situations play out• Are you qualified to judge another?• The Father's plan is for a forever community• 1 Corinthians 13:6 – Does not rejoice over the unrighteousness?• Outside intervention is the answer?• Your measuring stick is wrong• Have love for all the set-apart ones?• Colossians 1:5 – Because of the expectation • Personal development?• Because of the truth of the Good News• Colossians 1:6-7 – Since you heard and knew the favor of Elohim in truth• Colossians 1:8 – Your love in the Spirit?• Colossians 1:9 – In all wisdom and spiritual understanding • Colossians 1:10 – Walk worthily?• Colossians 1:11 – Being empowered for all endurance and patience with joy• Colossians 1:12 – Who has made us fit?• Colossians 1:14-16 – All of this is for Him• Colossians 1:17 – In Him all hold together• Colossians 1:18 – Setting the structure • Colossians 1:19 – Messiah Yeshua closed the gap• Colossians 1:21 – Enemies of Elohim in the mind• Colossians 1:23 – That awful word• Colossians 1:27 – To whom Elohim desired to make known…• It's about loving each other – closing remarks Listen to the Afterburn tomorrowSubscribe to take advantage of new content every week.To learn more about MTOI, visit our website, https://mtoi.org.https://www.facebook.com/mtoiworldwide https://www.instagram.com/mtoi_worldwidehttps://www.tiktok.com/@mtoi_worldwide You can contact MTOI by emailing us at admin@mtoi.org or calling 423-250-3020. Join us for Shabbat Services and Torah Study LIVE, streamed on our website, mtoi.org, YouTube, and Rumble every Saturday at 1:15 p.m. and every Friday for Torah Study Live Stream at 7:30 p.m. Eastern time.

You think you've had a bad day? Oh, I'll tell you about a bad day. It was the summer of 1997; you're a cosmonaut on Russia's space station Mir. So far, you've battled a fire on board. Then a supply ship runs into you in a docking procedure. You lose 40% of your power. You think you've already had your fill of bad days for one mission. But then, the central computer on the space station suddenly shuts down. You are tumbling through space in what reporters called "chaotic flight." Hard to believe! It happened! The day the computer failed, those cosmonauts were thrown into a particularly dangerous situation. That space station was solar-powered and all of a sudden, as one reporter put it, it lost its orientation to the sun, which means you don't have the power to meet the demands of your flight, and worst case, your life is in jeopardy. Why? All because Mir turned its back on the sun. I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "Personal Power Failures." The crisis that faced that space station? Not enough power to meet the demands. That's a feeling a lot of us have had in our lives. Trying to meet the demands of our family, our relationships, our work responsibilities, and frankly, our resources just aren't enough. Do you ever feel like you're running without the personal peace you need, the love, the power? Maybe the description of that space station's situation describes your own life - "Chaotic flight." It could be that the confusion and the power failure is for a similar reason, too, that space station is designed to draw its life from the sun. Listen to these words from the Bible about how God designed us. Speaking of Jesus, it says we were "created by Him and for Him" (Colossians 1:16). That Him is the Son of God - S-O-N. Our lives? Well, they're essentially tumbling aimlessly when we lose our proper orientation to the Son. And according to God's Book, we all have. Here we go from our Word for today from the Word of God in Isaiah 53:6. "We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way." Three words explain why we feel so spiritually disoriented, "his own way." The One who gave us our life was supposed to run our life and we simply took our life and we've run it "our own way." If you wanted to draw that in picture form, you'd probably put you on the left side of the page, God on the right, and you'd be walking away from Him, with your back to Him; with your back to the source of the love and the peace and the power and the meaning you need. If you die with your back still to Him, erase God from your picture forever. And that's hell. Unless you can find a way to get rid of your sin and get back to Him, like the space station without the sun, the result is ultimately death. I'm so glad that "gone astray" verse doesn't stop there. It also tells us the way to find the God we've lost. It says, "And the Lord has laid on Him the wrongdoing of us all" The Him is Jesus and all the sin that cuts us off from God was laid on Jesus, God's sinless Son, when He died on that cross. You can literally walk up to that cross and say, "For me. He's doing that for me." The day you tell Jesus you're putting your total trust in Him to rescue you from your sin is the day you find your Creator, the Son you were created for. For you, it could be today. That's why God brought us together, so this could be your day. If you want to know how to begin with Him and how to know you belong to Him, that's what our website's all about. I urge you to check it out as soon as you can today - ANewStory.com. Hasn't your "chaotic flight" lasted long enough? It's the Son - the Son of God - you need right now. He has all the power you'll ever need to meet every demand of your life.

There are many Scriptures regarding thanksgiving. As Christians, we are to be a thank-filled people. The apostle Paul exhorts, " . . . in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you" (I Thessalonians 5:18, NKJV). What is the will of God? That we give thanks in everything "in Christ Jesus." This is God's will concerning each of us. When we're "in Christ", we realize and believe all we've received from Christ and this causes us to give thanks for everything, no matter what kind of problem and no matter what the circumstances; we give thanks. Why? Because we know we're walking in the victory of Christ.  We give thanks in the good and the bad. Fact is, if we're not thanking God in the good things; when the bad things come, we certainly won't be thanking Him then. Again, we praise God whether things are good or bad; in the pleasant things and in the undesirable things. "And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful" (Colossians 3:15, NKJV). When the peace of God rules in our hearts, we become thankful. What does "thankful" mean? It literally means to be "full of thanks." In Christ, we have the victory! Jesus overcame the world, the flesh and the Devil; and in Christ, we overcome as well.  This empowers us to be able to give thanks in everything. Knowing who we are in Christ is key. Understanding all we've received through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, gives us reason to rejoice with thanks. Paul tells us to be thankful, and tells us how: "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him" (Colossians 3:16-17, NKJV). The key is grace. It's the power of God for us to be thankful. Selah! Let me hear from you - Charles https://www.aboundinglove.org/ Subscribe and share with someone you love.

Let's say the day is about to end. I would invite my wife to go for a romantic walk with me as we look toward the west at the beautiful colors of the sunset. Well, that's what you'd call it, right? And so would I. But we would be scientifically incorrect. Since when does the sun set? The sun doesn't go anywhere; it's the earth that's moving! Right? So, "Honey, let's go for a romantic walk and watch the beautiful earth set?" Uh, that doesn't work! The National Science Foundation conducted a poll and discovered that one in four Americans believed at that time that the sun orbits around the earth! They're confused about what's revolving around what! I'm Ron Hutchcraft, and I want to have A Word With You today about "Why We're In Trouble With God." What's far more significant - and far more deadly - is God's survey about what orbit you and I are in. In the words of the Bible, we were "created by Him and for Him" (Colossians 1:16). Like the earth is created to revolve around the sun, so you and I are created to revolve our life around our Creator. But here are the disturbing results of God's survey of the human race. It's in our word for today from the Word of God in Isaiah 53:6. "We all, like sheep, have gone astray. Each of us has turned to his own way." God says that 100% of us have left the orbit we were made for, and we've gone to an orbit simply called "My Way." Just in case some of us religious folks would like to think we're not included, God says in Romans 3 that "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God...there is no one righteous" (by God's standard, that is) "not even one." It's like the earth leaving its orbit around the sun and saying, "I think I'll go off on this orbit of my own. I'm free now." No, the earth away from the sun will die. You or me away from God - we'll die. And that's why life just isn't working. That's why the loneliness, the emptiness, the confusion about living, the fear about dying. We are out of the orbit we were created for. We are all in trouble with God - big trouble. The Bible says in Isaiah 59:2, "Your iniquities (that's your sins) have separated you from your God" So, picture it - a huge wall between you and God. No wonder you're empty. The only One who can fill the hole in your heart is on the other side of a wall. No wonder you're lonely. The One whose love you were made for is on the other side of that wall. No wonder you're nervous about eternity. You should be. The God you'll meet the moment you die is on the other side of the wall. Maybe you're tired of that wall between you and God. It can finally come down before this day is over. But you can't take it down. No religion can take it down. Only Jesus can do that. Why? Well, in that verse that says we've all turned away from God, He says, speaking of Jesus, "The Lord has laid on Him the wrongdoing of us all." The same sins that keep you from God, Jesus had transferred to Him when He died on the cross for you. See, He loves you that much. He really doesn't want to lose you. The wall between you and God comes down from the moment you put your trust in Jesus to forgive you for a lifetime of sin. Please, don't let procrastination or religious pride cost you this relationship or cost you heaven. I invite you this very day to say to Jesus, "Jesus, I believe that what You did on that cross was for me. I believe You walked out of your grave so you could walk into my life. And beginning here and beginning now I'm yours." Our website is really for you at a moment just like this to help you secure your personal relationship with Jesus. I ask you to go there today as soon as you can, ANewStory.com. Haven't you spent enough days, enough years away from the One who loves you most in that death orbit of running your own life? Hey, it's time to come home.

Send us a text“If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, 7 in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them. “8 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, 10 and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, 11 where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all. “12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. 14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (Colossians 3:1-17).Written and sent out from the morning prayer time of Tommy Hays each day.God bless you and may you have a great day!—Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministrieshttp://messiah-ministries.org

It's the Super Bowl of the Skies! No ticket required. In a world of people addicted to screens, countless millions of us are stopping everything to see a spectacle in the skies. When a celestial switch is flipped and the lights go out. The solar eclipse of 2024. Millions are traveling to be in the path of the total blackout known as totality. Towns in the path of full eclipse are getting rich quick. Hotel rooms, usually $150, are going for $600 and $700 a night. If we didn't know better, a lot of us would likely freak out as the sun disappeared. The ancient Mayans did. They thought the sun had been eaten - and they had some pretty elaborate rituals to stay safe. Now our rituals will be simpler. Weird glasses and everyone looking reverently at the sky. Now from our side of things the eclipse is a not-to-be-missed big event, but its galactic explanation is remarkably simple. Something comes between Earth and the Sun, its source of light. The moon is that "something." In totality, it gets totally dark. Now while solar eclipses are relatively rare, we experience eclipse personally a lot more frequently than we realize. Not in the sky. But in ourselves. I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "Stuck in the Eclipse." We all know those times when life turns dark. When our heart is broken. A relationship is broken. Our dream is broken. Sometimes it's hard to pinpoint the reason for the darkness we feel in our soul. But there is this unrelenting loneliness... this unexplainable sadness... this uneasy fear... this unsettling despair. And it turns dark. It's easy to get lost in the dark. To make choices that only deepen the darkness. To let our thoughts go to dangerous places. To believe lies about our worth... our life... our future. There are a lot of factors can contribute to our emotional darkness, but I think much, if not most, of our darkness has a source beyond our circumstances. Something has come between us and our Source of light. And that source is revealed in the Bible in these words. Speaking of our Creator, the orbit we were made for, it says, "All things were created by Him and for Him" (Colossians 1:16). In just six words, God gives us the answer to life's big question - "Why am I here?" Answer: I'm created by God and for God. Not a religion about God, but for a relationship with God. Then why the spiritual eclipse we live in so much of the time? It must be that something has come between us and Him. But He loves us enough to tell us what it is. Because He's the source of all the light in our life - lasting love... purpose... security... a peace stronger than our storms... a strength greater than our fears. Here's God says has come between us. "Your sins have separated you from your God" (Isaiah 59:2). Sin - that's me doing my life my way instead of His way. Me saying, "God, you run the universe - I'll do me." And the Sun stops shining. When it goes dark in my soul, I've let some sin come between me and my God. I can try everything to dispel the darkness, but nothing can bring back the Sun until the spiritual obstruction between us is forgiven and forsaken. Listen to the hope Jesus talks about our word for today from the Word of God in John 8:12 - "I am the light of the world. He that follows Me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." On Good Friday, I was thinking eclipse as I read again the account of Jesus' death on the cross. It says, "From noon until three in the afternoon, darkness came over all the land." Just as He was saying, "My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:45-46). At that moment Jesus was carrying all our sins in His soul (1 Peter 2:24). All the garbage of my life and yours. Paying my spiritual death penalty. And all the darkness of all our sin came between God the Father and God the Son. God was turning His back on His Son so He would never have to turn His back on us. And why? The Bible says, "He loved me and gave Himself for me" (Galatians 2:20). Without Him, the eclipse will last forever. With Him, the Light floods my soul. Sin is forgiven. Guilt is gone. Death has no fear. I am safe. I am never alone again. The Sun has risen. Never to set again.

I love the view of Manhattan when you fly into LaGuardia Airport. The view around the runways? Not so much. Water on three sides. The thought has crossed my mind, "A plane could end up in the water some day." On March 6, 2015, one almost did with 127 passengers on board. A jetliner that slid off the runway, crashing through a fence - its nose virtually in the water. A passenger said he knew the wheels weren't getting traction on that icy runway that day. Next thing - the jet was sliding uncontrollably to the left, off the runway and to the edge of the East River with some passengers crying, some praying, and some frantic. This young man named Jared was praying. He told the reporter, "Something like this makes you reflect on your relationship with God. God must not be done writing the story of my life." If God hasn't mattered much before, He really matters when you may have been seconds away from seeing Him. I've had a couple of pretty close calls in my life; some on an airplane, some in a car. And you really do - or you really should - start asking the bottom line questions we're usually too busy to consider. Somewhere along the way, we all get our wake-up call. So we'll stop and examine our life, our priorities, our relationship with God, and our eternal destination. Moments that bring us to the brink of eternity point us to life's big questions. What really matters and what really doesn't? Why am I here? Why did God spare me? If this had been the end, what then? I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "Plane on the Edge and Life's Bottom Line." The meaning of our life? The only One who can tell us is the One who gave us our life. And He has in His Book. We are, He says in the Bible, "created by Him and for Him" (Colossians 1:16). Problem: I've lived pretty much for me. So I'm missing my purpose until I know my Creator. What really matters? Well, Ecclesiastes 3:11 says "God has set eternity in the hearts of men." What matters - and all that satisfies - is what will last forever. What about eternity? God says in our word for today from the Word of God in Hebrews 9:27, that man is "destined to die once and after that comes judgment." That can be disturbing because we're not ready. Because, as the Bible says, "your sins have cut you off from God" (Isaiah 59:2), and that's a terrible way to meet God. Thank God for Jesus! On that bloody Good Friday, I'll read you these five life-changing words right out of the Bible, "Christ died for our sins" (1 Corinthians 15:3). So we don't have to. He loved us. He didn't want to lose you. And the Bible gives us this best of good news in John 3:36, "anyone who believes in God's Son has eternal life." What does it mean to believe in Jesus? It doesn't just mean to agree with His teachings, or like Him, or know a lot about Him. No, it's what happened the day I was drowning when I was ten years old and a man jumped in to save me. I grabbed him like he was my only hope, because he was. I'd have died without him. You know, that's what it means to believe in Jesus. You grab Him like He's your only hope. He is your only hope, because no one else died for your sins. If you don't take His death for you, you pay for your sins. No one else can give you eternal life because no one else has got it except the man who walked out of His grave. This day He is ready to make you ready for eternity by changing a death penalty for your sin to eternal life you could never earn and never deserved. I'd love to show you how to begin that relationship with Him if you'd just go to our website ANewStory.com. In a very short time there I think you'll understand how to begin that relationship with Jesus Christ. I gave myself to this Jesus. And because of Him, I - and millions like me - have this anchored peace, even in the face of death. I'm ready for eternity whenever or however it comes. And you can be too.

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RATE! REVIEW! FOLLOW! Email me your thoughts, comments or questions: caniberealpodcast@gmail.com • Colossians Background ○ Paul is the author of Colossians ○ Paul did not visit the Church at Colossae personally, because he was on house arrest in Rome when he wrote this letter (AD 60-63) [Acts 28:16-31] ○ Likely written around the same time Paul wrote the letter to Philemon and to the Ephesians ○ The Church at Colossae was predominantly a Gentile church ○ The faith of the new converts was being distorted and perverted by Greek mystery religions and mysticism as well as being threatened by some Jewish laws and customs. ○ Evidently, Epaphras had brought word to Paul of these heretical things that had begun to infiltrate the church. (Timothy had also evangelized in this city) ○ Paul's purpose behind this letter is to urge the Colossians to preserve true doctrine in the church regarding the sufficiency and supremacy of Christ. ○ The Letter to the Colossians also provided a practical theology for everyday living and growth in the faith. • Read ○ Colossians 1:1-14 (NLT) § Colossians 1:1-8 § Paul starts off by encouraging them…we have heard of your faith in Christ…..which comes from your confident hope. □ Paul reminds them of what they already know- that God has treasures reserved for us in heaven. □ Read 2 Corinthians 3:7-11 § I want to point out briefly two things: □ Verse 6: It [the Good News] is bearing fruit everywhere by changing lives… ® Read: Acts 8:4-"But the believers who were scattered preached the Good News about Jesus wherever they went." ® Read: Romans 10:17-"So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ." ® Read: Hebrews 10:14-"For by that one offering he forever made perfect those who are being made perfect." □ Verse 8: …about the love for others that the Holy Spirit has given you. ® Remember Galatians 5:22-23 ® Love is a fruit of the Spirit, that we cannot fully possess and bare without Him § Colossians 1:9-14 § Paul mentions some of the prayers he, Timothy, and likely others, have been praying for the Colossians: □ Ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will □ Give you spiritual wisdom and understanding ® We need knowledge of God's will, spiritual wisdom and understanding to live lives that …always honor and please the Lord…produce every kind of good fruit…while learning to know God better and better □ That you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have the endurance and patience you need with joy § Verses 12-14, Paul reminds them [and therefore us] of God's grace and mercy Reread verses 12-14 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/rachel398/message

Romans 12:2Genesis 3:1-14Big Idea: God wants to take our lies and replace them with truth.We believe the lie that God's word is not trustworthy • The truth is we are the ones who have drifted from fully trusting GodWe believe that the Bible is God's word: We hold that the Scriptures are infallible and inerrant in the original manuscripts. They are the unique, full, and final authority on matters of faith and practice, and there are no other writings similarly inspired by God. Deuteronomy 6:6-9; Psalms 19:7-11; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Hebrews 4:12; 1 Peter 1:23-25“We're finite in knowledge and flawed in morality, a wise and holy God needs to guide us towards what is good and right and true.” - Paul David Trip We believe the lie that God is disappointed in us• The truth is (for those who know Him) We are His children and we do many things to please Him.• Example: Sitting here this morning is pleasing to Him…Colossians 1:10 • While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. - Romans 5:8Galatians 4:6-7“God is so boundlessly pleased with Jesus that in him he is altogether well pleased with us.” - C.H. SpurgeonWe believe the lie that we are better than others• The truth is God commanded us to love others as ourselves.Matthew 22:36-40“We make loving people a lot more complicated than Jesus did. Every time I try to protect myself by telling somebody about one of my opinions, God whispers to me and asks about my heart. Why are you so afraid? Who are you trying to impress? Am I really so insecure that I surround myself only with people who agree with me? When people are flat wrong, why do I appoint myself the sheriff to straighten them out? Burning down others' opinions doesn't make us right. It makes us arsonists.” - Bob GoffResponse1. Seek after God Daily2. Fill your mind with what the Word of God says about you:Romans 8:17 | You are an heir of GodEphesians 2:19 | You are part of God's familyRomans 10:13 | You are saved1 Corinthians 6:19 | The Holy Spirit lives in youPsalm 23:1-3 | God is taking care of youJohn 15:11 | Jesus gives you true joyEphesians 1:3 | You are blessedGalatians 2:20 | Jesus gave himself for youPsalm 139:1 | God understands youExodus 19:5 | You are treasured by GodIsaiah 43:4 | You are precious to GodGalatians 3:13 | You are rescuedJeremiah 29:11 | God has a plan for your life1 John 5:14-15 | God listens to youZephaniah 3:17 | God is with you3. Love others like Jesus wouldDISCOVERY BIBLE STUDY► This week's Passage: Colossians 3:12-14► Connection questions:1. What are you thankful for?2. What is a challenge you are facing?3. How did you do with last week's “I will” statement?► Have at least one member of the group restate the passage in their own words► Individual answers to five questions:1. What stands out to you?2. What does this passage tell us about people?3. What does this passage tell us about God?4. Based on the passage, what is one thing I could do differently starting now and what would happen if I did? (each person commits to their action for one week using an “I will…” statement)5. Who are you going to tell about what you discovered? (each person commits to having that conversation before the next meeting)

Romans 12:2Genesis 3:1-14Big Idea: God wants to take our lies and replace them with truth.We believe the lie that God's word is not trustworthy • The truth is we are the ones who have drifted from fully trusting GodWe believe that the Bible is God's word: We hold that the Scriptures are infallible and inerrant in the original manuscripts. They are the unique, full, and final authority on matters of faith and practice, and there are no other writings similarly inspired by God. Deuteronomy 6:6-9; Psalms 19:7-11; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Hebrews 4:12; 1 Peter 1:23-25“We're finite in knowledge and flawed in morality, a wise and holy God needs to guide us towards what is good and right and true.” - Paul David Trip We believe the lie that God is disappointed in us• The truth is (for those who know Him) We are His children and we do many things to please Him.• Example: Sitting here this morning is pleasing to Him…Colossians 1:10 • While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. - Romans 5:8Galatians 4:6-7“God is so boundlessly pleased with Jesus that in him he is altogether well pleased with us.” - C.H. SpurgeonWe believe the lie that we are better than others• The truth is God commanded us to love others as ourselves.Matthew 22:36-40“We make loving people a lot more complicated than Jesus did. Every time I try to protect myself by telling somebody about one of my opinions, God whispers to me and asks about my heart. Why are you so afraid? Who are you trying to impress? Am I really so insecure that I surround myself only with people who agree with me? When people are flat wrong, why do I appoint myself the sheriff to straighten them out? Burning down others' opinions doesn't make us right. It makes us arsonists.” - Bob GoffResponse1. Seek after God Daily2. Fill your mind with what the Word of God says about you:Romans 8:17 | You are an heir of GodEphesians 2:19 | You are part of God's familyRomans 10:13 | You are saved1 Corinthians 6:19 | The Holy Spirit lives in youPsalm 23:1-3 | God is taking care of youJohn 15:11 | Jesus gives you true joyEphesians 1:3 | You are blessedGalatians 2:20 | Jesus gave himself for youPsalm 139:1 | God understands youExodus 19:5 | You are treasured by GodIsaiah 43:4 | You are precious to GodGalatians 3:13 | You are rescuedJeremiah 29:11 | God has a plan for your life1 John 5:14-15 | God listens to youZephaniah 3:17 | God is with you3. Love others like Jesus wouldDISCOVERY BIBLE STUDY► This week's Passage: Colossians 3:12-14► Connection questions:1. What are you thankful for?2. What is a challenge you are facing?3. How did you do with last week's “I will” statement?► Have at least one member of the group restate the passage in their own words► Individual answers to five questions:1. What stands out to you?2. What does this passage tell us about people?3. What does this passage tell us about God?4. Based on the passage, what is one thing I could do differently starting now and what would happen if I did? (each person commits to their action for one week using an “I will…” statement)5. Who are you going to tell about what you discovered? (each person commits to having that conversation before the next meeting)

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He was five years old, and his mommy wasn't feeling well. So she was taking a nap. His little two-year-old sister wanted an ice cream cone, so he did what Mommy would do. Yeah. He picked up the car keys Mommy had left on the kitchen table, took his little sister out to the car, put her in the back seat, turned on the car and somehow started driving (this is a true story). Then Mr. Five-Year-Old pulled out into the main thoroughfare at the corner. Thankfully, a police officer saw the car going by apparently without a driver from what he could see. That got his attention! He pursued the mystery car and managed to get the driver to pull over. Needless to say, there was one shocked policeman when he opened the door and saw a little boy at the wheel. I'd say it's a pretty good thing he stopped him. I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "Never Meant to Drive." That little guy was never meant to drive. Just like you and me - our life I mean. The One who gave you your life, that's the one who's supposed to be driving your life. In the words of the Bible, we were "created by Him and for Him" (Colossians 1:16). There's a fundamental reason that we continue to wonder what the purpose of our life is and why it doesn't have the meaning we want it to have; a fundamental reason that no relationship, no accomplishment or experience, or even religion has filled the hole in our heart. It's the reason we continue to end up feeling lonely and lost. We insist on driving our life when God is supposed to. In our word for today from the Word of God, Isaiah 53:6, the Bible says: "We all, like sheep, have gone astray; each of us has turned to his own way." The result is described a little later in a subsequent chapter: "Your sins have separated you from your God" (Isaiah 59:2). Here we are, cruising down the road without the One we were made by and made for. That explains so much of our frustration, and our hurt, and even the times we've crashed - all because we are obsessed with doing the driving. You may be, by nature, a self-reliant person. And that could be good. You've had to figure out things on your own. And maybe you've done a pretty good job of it. Then God comes along and says, "If you want your life to work, if you want to have a relationship with Me, you have to let go of the wheel." You'll go to some of God's meetings, you believe God's beliefs, maybe even contribute to some of God's causes, but you're not about to let go of the wheel. In the same verses that talk about us going our own way, God goes on to say, "The Lord has laid on Him (that's God's Son, Jesus) the iniquity (or the wrong doing) of us all... the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him." Jesus actually went to a cross to absorb all the guilt of all our wrong doing so we could be forgiven, so we could be reunited with the God who made us; so we could make it into His heaven when we die. If there was something you or I could do to make it with God, there's no way He would have sent His Son to go through what He did when He died for us. It was the only way. It's your only way. But you have to let go of the wheel. You and I are dying spiritually, and Jesus is the Rescuer who's come to save us. You'll have to abandon trusting in yourself to let go and trust the Man who died and rose again for you. If you insist on hanging onto the wheel of your life, you will ultimately drive it over the cliff of an eternity away from God. And if you've got a family or people who follow you, you may even take others with you. Today, the God who made you, the God who gave His Son for you, is saying to you, "Let go of the wheel so I can take your life where I meant for it to go." The release of that wheel will result in the greatest peace you've ever experienced, because the One who was supposed to drive will finally be driving. Man, I would love for you to begin this life-changing relationship with Him. If you want that, go to our website and find there the information that will help you get this settled. It's ANewStory.com. The greatest tragedy in life would be if you go into eternity with your hands still stubbornly hanging onto the wheel. Because only Jesus can drive you where you want to end up.

On our list of holidays that we all celebrate each year, I have a sneaking suspicion there might be at least one of them that was invented by greeting card companies and florists. In America we call it Valentine's Day! Florists freak out and then they count their shekels the next day. And, of course, I even did my part by helping some struggling greeting card company. Yeah, I would do that. I had to of course. I wanted to get one for the woman I love. And I get to celebrate on that day a lifetime love that God had given me in my amazing wife. But occasionally Valentine's Day would give me a flashback of a not-so-happy romantic memory; back in the day when I was 13 and I knew I was in love. Right! Let's call this junior high heartthrob "Cindy." I remember combing the stores on our little town's main street for the perfect gift for Cindy - something to let her know I had feelings for her. Well, I bought the nicest necklace that a few weeks' allowance could afford. It was a heart-shaped necklace. I wrapped it in this mushy note I wrote, put it in an envelope and I left it on her desk in study hall. The next day she passed by my desk and, as my heart beat loud enough to dance to, she silently left an envelope on my desk. There was a brief moment of excited anticipation, followed by one massive letdown. It was the envelope I'd given her with my note and my necklace inside. Uh-huh, I was crushed. She had rejected the love gift I'd spent everything on. I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "Love That Won't Let You Down." You know, God knows how that feels, because He's spent everything on His love gift for you and me. In our word for today from the Word of God in Romans 8:32, it says, "He did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all." And then in John 3:16 it says, "God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life." You know, you can put your name in that verse. That's how deeply personal this love is. For example, for me it goes, "God so loved Ron (or put your name in there) that He gave His one and only Son that if (there's your name) will believe in Him, then (there's your name again) will not perish but have eternal life." God knows the feeling of pouring out His love for us and having us just hand it back to Him. "Thanks, God, but no thanks. I'm not interested or I'm not ready." It's not a necklace we're rejecting. It's what the Bible calls "the gift of God (which) is eternal life" (Romans 6:23). In short, we are rejecting heaven. Because there's no way to get there except to have every wrong thing we've ever done forgiven. And there's no one who could do that but the man who died to pay for our sins. Jesus did the dying for the sinning we've done. Look what He spent on this gift! Now, for too many, Valentine's Day and anniversaries are just reminders of how disappointing human love has been. Even a great love fails to fill that gaping hole in our heart. It's too big for any human to fill. The hole in our heart has Jesus' name on it. Here's what the Bible says, "we were created by Him and for Him" (Colossians 1:16). And only He has the unloseable love that will anchor us and finally complete us. It must hurt God a lot to have spent so much and then have us care so little. But He's a stubborn lover. He's back again today. He's offering His love to someone who's listening right now. Won't you respond to His love? Accept the gift He died to give you. Open your heart. Tell Him right where you are today, "Dear Jesus, thank you for the price you paid for me; for my sin. Today I give me to You." Let me encourage you to go to our website if you're wanting to be sure you belong to Jesus. Because that's what that website's all about. That's ANewStory.com. This could be the day that you find the love that you've been looking for your whole life!

Oh our pregnancies were big news to us. And then our kid's pregnancies, they were big news to us. Thankfully, the press didn't follow us everywhere; they couldn't have cared less. But then, we're not like British Royalty like William and Duchess Kate were when they had their first baby. I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "Every Baby's a Royal Baby." Kate's first-trimester problems were front page news a few years ago, because that baby is an heir to the throne - a royal baby. But every baby is a royal baby, because only the King - of all kings - can start a human life. Long before ultrasound, God gave us a glimpse inside a mother's womb in this prayer from Psalm 139. "You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb. Thank You for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous." "You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb...Every day of my life was recorded in Your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed" (Psalm 139:13-16). Wow! From the moment the egg and sperm come together to start a life, it's all God. Every child is a unique, precious creation of Almighty God. On the day our grandchildren came into the world, I held them in my arms. I called them by name and I spoke these words to them. They're from Ephesians 2:10. "You are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus, for good works God prepared in advance for you to do." Those aren't my words; those are God's words. I picture God, our Heavenly Father, holding every baby and telling them that. Born rich, born poor, born "planned," born an "accident," born "normal," born "special," born "wanted," born "unwanted" - all divine masterpieces, designed by God; loved by a Creator who makes no mistakes, who has a plan for every life. The worth of every human is conferred on them before they're even born. So no one on earth can give you your worth - and no one on earth can take it away. Amazingly, when God visited our planet, He didn't beam down as a Conqueror on a white horse. He came as we all did - as a baby: embryo, fetus, protected by amniotic fluid, sustained by a placenta, pushing His way into the world. If there was any doubt of the sacredness of a baby, the Christmas Story declares, "Case closed." The stunner from the Bible is that the Bethlehem baby is also "the Author of all life." That baby designed every baby with a purpose and destiny that revolves around Him. In our word for today from the Word of God, "All things were created by Him and for Him" (Colossians 1:16). Jesus is the reason you're here. So the kids are right when they sing, "Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world." From the moment they're conceived - all the children, and every moment from then on. We never really understand our worth, though, until we have a personal relationship with the One who gave us our worth in the first place. Jesus came and died because the relationship was broken by our sin; by our self-willed running of our own life; our way instead of God's way. "Created by Him, created for Him," yeah, but living for me. And facing an eternal death penalty for defying God's rule of a life that He created. And that's why Jesus came. It's why He died, to pay the price... not for sinning He had done, but for the sinning I have done and you have done. He stands ready today to forgive every sin of your life and bring you into His love where you'll finally experience the worth you've had all along. If you're not sure you've ever begun that relationship with Jesus, tell Him today,"I'm yours, Jesus." And go to our website. It will help you be sure you belong to Him. Our website is ANewStory.com. Today. Yeah, this is the day you could finally find your way home.

Message: The Letter to the Hebrews Text: Hebrews 13:10-14 Let us go forth to Him Colossians 1:16 Psalm 139:13-18

Pastor Bryan Newberry teaches As You Have Received Christ Jesus the Lord, so Walk in Him - Colossians 2:1-7. Recorded at Calvary Chapel of Los Alamitos on Sep 25 2022 on Sunday Morning Sermon. Link to Notes: https://cdn.subsplash.com/documents/ZSHVG9/_source/98830322-cd5d-4b67-a93c-5d8d16f06186/document.pdf Visit us on our website: https://www.bryannewberry.org/ Download our app Google Playstore - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.customchurchapps.wordsofencouragement App Store - https://apps.apple.com/us/app/words-of-encouragement/id1307063773 Connect with us - Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/PastorBryanNewberry/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/pastorbryannewberry/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/bryancnewberry Donate: https://www.bryannewberry.org/give

Our mission is to proclaim Christ and present everyone mature in Him (Colossians 2:28-29). Damascus Road is not just a church with a location. We are an unstoppable movement of God's people on mission, part of Jesus' plan to bring transformation and healing to our communities. Healing in us. Healing through us. Healed people heal people. Our leaders have spent many months praying and discussing on four important ways we will live out our God-given vision that we pray just opens the tap and releases God's redemptive and healing power all over our region and beyond. My biggest prayer is that none of us will miss out on what God has planned for us in this next stretch, which I believe is “immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever” (Ephesians 3:20-21). Amen!

# Introduction Have we made the point that grace is great and greater than all our unrighteousness and self-righteousness? The gospel of grace is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes. Christ alone shows the glory of divine love by dying for sinful men. Christ alone is our righteousness, our access to God, our mediator of peace with God. Through the grace of Christ we *rejoice* in God (Romans 5:11). Christ has redeemed us from our guilt in Adam. We lost everything in Adam, and life in Adam is full of vanity and striving after wind, and then you die. In Adam we were separated from fellowship with our Creator. In Adam we lost confidence to come before the Lord in His majesty. In Adam we lost a clear conscience. In Adam we lost life. In Christ, and Christ alone, our hope is found. In Christ is reconciliation for the disfellowshipped. In Christ is access to the throne of grace. In Christ is the peace of justification. In Christ we are dead to the sin that killed us. By no doing of their own the mourners are comforted, the poor in spirit are made heirs, the guilty are forgiven. The only condition is faith, which itself is a gift of God (see Ephesians 2:8-9). You can do no thing to earn your salvation. You can do no thing to lose your salvation. You do not even need to be able to define *sola fide* in order to be saved, you are justified by faith alone. If that gets close to making you uncomfortable, that's grace. All it would take is a prayer of faith by grace and Putin goes to heaven, Biden gets the mind of Christ, any abuser can be absolved before heaven's throne, your spouse forgiven of *all* sins before the Father through the Son. It is, according to some, unfair. It is, if not unfair, *useless*. Where atrocities against the infinite excellence of the God of heaven abound, grace abounds even more. God *delights* to show His grace. Sin is no match for grace. Sin stands the same chance of survival as a withered leaf on the surface of the sun. Grace swallows up our guilt. I am laboring on about and lingering over grace for a few reasons. Most importantly, I long for you to know it, to own it. Not everyone has a faith-hold on grace. You hear it, but it is still just an idea, not a balm. Others are believers, but still have unbelief. You believe, but you are still troubled in accepting the peace, or living in peace with others by grace. The other reason I am elaborating on grace is because as great as grace is for granting forgiveness, it is as great for enabling obedience. Grace delivers from condemnation and grace delivers amidst temptation. The ocean puts out a flaming box of matches, and then it *soaks* it through. Good old Yankee know-how has turned the gospel into its lowest common denominator in order to get men through the door. The American church got good at narrowing grace down to praying for Jesus to come into our hearts. Fine, but maybe better would have been praying for our hearts to get buried with Jesus in His death and raised to walk with Him. Evangelism that doesn't lead to holiness is conversion (at best but) not discipleship (think Driscoll, in his ministry and his life; coming to Christ was the end rather than being more and more conformed to Christ). The Great Commission isn't about getting others to “pray the prayer,” it's about getting others to walk in all Christ's ways. Without justification we can't have peace with God. Without sanctification we have no proof of justification. Paul answers abounding abuses of grace in Romans 6 and 7. He does not preach a "cheap" grace, though perhaps the more accurate pejorative would be about a "powerless" grace. Grace abounds when sin increases in more than one way. Grace abounds to unite us to spiritual realities and then to remind us of those spiritual realities and empower us to live in our spiritual identity. We live, and we live as those dead to sin. So, by grace, stop sinning. If that gets close to making you uncomfortable, that's also grace. Grace is a nature changer. It does not change us so that God will justify us, but it changes all those whom God justifies. Justification and sanctification must be distinguished, but they can't be separated. Three parts in 6:1-4. # Grace: Abused and Answered (verses 1-2a) The flesh loves to torture theology, but the truth is obvious. > What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! (Romans 6:1-2a, ESV) Is it true that where sin increases grace abounds all the more? 110%. Paul himself wrote those words in the previous sentence (Romans 5:20-21). It also seems that as glorious as grace is, so is the tendency for some junior high student to purposefully misunderstand it. Paul must have run into this kind of theological arguing before. The truth is true that grace is greater than sin. Grace always scales to cover sin no matter how much sin there is. The blanket is never short, so God be praised when more grace is shown. But it is *not* true that grace gives us a cover to keep sinning. It is *not* true that grace only is external to us, like a blanket, it is also like new blood, about which the rest of the paragraph says more. Grace is *obviously* not an excuse to continue to disobey. **By no means!** “May it never be!” (NASB) “Absolutely not!” (NET). “God forbid!” (KJV) Why would you want to stay in sin? You wouldn't, but you might want to argue. # Grace: Dead and Buried (verses 2b-3) Though the word grace isn't repeated, grace is God's instrument toward us in completely changing our spiritual reality. > How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ were baptized into his death? (Romans 6:2b-3, ESV) Prepositions are a blessing. We were dead *in* sin (Ephesians 2:1), but, in Christ who died *for* sin, we are dead *to* sin. Being dead to sin means that it no longer has any authority. Its reign is over. The focus is on the *death*: "we who **died**," a past event, “baptized into his **death**." (Note how many more times death comes up through verse 13.) The Good in Good Friday belongs with His propitiation for our sin, but it also belongs with our position to sin. When Christ died, we died. Paul doesn't argue for it, it argues *from* the reality. The picture of this reality is *baptism*. It's almost an unexpected time in the letter to bring it up. When we think about grace we should think about our baptism. When we think about why we should not sin, we should remember our baptism. Baptism isn't the end, it belongs with the beginning of our life as disciples (Matthew 28:19); discipleship starts with our death. Paul can not mean that there is guaranteed grace in the water (against those who teach “baptismal regeneration”), but he makes no distinction that water isn't involved. We know that it is not the work of the water but the work of the Spirit; “whatever the Lord offers by the visible symbol is confirmed and ratified by their faith” (John Calvin). Baptism pictures our being dead and buried with Christ. When He died He died for us. When He died we died with Him. a weapon in our sanctification as disciples. # Grace: Up and Running (verse 4) The death we died in Christ is determinative, but like Christ we are no longer dead. > We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. (Romans 6:4, ESV) Death is reiterated. But death is more than part of a sequence, it has a purpose in our salvation. Baptism is both the burial and the resurrection. The Father raised Christ **by the glory**. "Power" would be easier, and found in other passages (cf. Ephesians 1:19). Raised **by glory** or “through glory” (διὰ τῆς δόξης τοῦ πατρός) is worth some meditation. Resurrection is a glory issue, and God's glory brings all His excellencies to bear. The Son knew it was His glory to die (John 12:23), the Father's glory raised Him up. We are raised to **walk in newness of life**. To walk is to think of our daily conduct, and **newness** is of an extraordinary character. We run on grace. # Conclusion Is this a tension of grace? Is the left hand of grace forgiveness and the right hand of grace obedience? Not really. To separate these elements of grace is not accurate. It's the same grace. What should you expect for yourself in sanctification? What standard do we hold for fellow believers? Is it possible to be impatient and punitive toward others? Sure. But admonishing a brother in sin isn't always legalism. Regularly when someone says something such as, “There's no grace at Grace”, that is a misunderstanding of the real grace *in* grace. Guilty about feeling guilty? Get grace; Christ died. Stuck thinking you're stuck in sin? Get grace; you died in Christ. The battle of sanctification is a battle of faith in the gospel, to believe the realities of our baptism. By faith we are dead to sin's penalty and dead to sin's power, alive with Christ. > For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. (Galatians 3:27, ESV) We have Romans 6 to help us with this, but the pendulum of abuses swings back to complaints about legalism in Romans 7. Doing depends on doctrine, and the doctrine is that you are *dead* to sin. Your baptism is an immersion ministry, and your walk is new. ---------- ## Charge Christians, you are union walkers. You are united to Christ. When you walk, it is no longer you who live, but Christ who lives in you (Galatians 2:20). You've been crucified with Christ, buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised with Him (Colossians 2:12). So you have been forgiven, and this is in order that you would bear fruit for God (Romans 7:4). Believe and bear fruit in keeping with your baptism. ## Benediction: > Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word. (2 Thessalonians 2:16–17, ESV)

Buried & Raised in Him (Colossians 2:11-12) by Edgington EPC

"… so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him” - Colossians 1:10 Learning about God is for a greater purpose. Learning Scripture is for a greater purpose. Growing in theological understanding is for a greater purpose... What is that purpose? "Walking in a manner worthy of the Lord."In this episode, we discuss what it means to walk in a manner worthy of God.

Walk in Him (Colossians 2:6-7) by Edgington EPC

Buried with Him ... Risen with Him Colossians 2:11-12 19 January 2022 - Wednesday Evening Dr. Brad Weniger, Pastor

January 03 2022 Monday Week 29 In Him Scripture Study  Perfect In His Sight Ephesians 1:15-23 NLT  'Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for God's people everywhere, I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance. I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God's power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God's right hand in the heavenly realms. Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come. God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself.'  Ephesians 3:14-21 NLT 'When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God's love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.' This In Him Scripture Study Started On June 21 2021 Go Back And Listen From The Beginning…  Matthew 11:28  Find Rest In Jesus Christ Your Lord and Savior… Mark 10:29-30  100 Fold Return…  Millions of people live in chains not knowing that they have the key to break those chains… Biblical Hope Is A Confident Expectation… Hebrew 3:20-21  Perfect In God's sight in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior… 2 Corinthians 5:7  We walk by faith and not by sight… 2 Corinthians 5:21  Jesus made you righteous in Him… Colossians 1:28  Presenting us perfect in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior… Romans 10:9-10 KJV/NLT/AMPC  Salvation… The Biblical Definition Of Grace Is God's Unmerited Favor… Matthew 18:19-20  I will agree with you about your prayer request… Acts 10:34  God is not a respecter of persons. He loves and cares for us all the same… Romans 12:3  God has given us His Faith… Romans 5:5  God has given us His Love… 2 Corinthians 5:17  We are new creatures in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior… 2 Corinthians 5:21  We are the Righteousness of God in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior… God's Word Is True Above All Opinions…  Romans 12:2  Renew your mind to what God's Word says… Believe God's Word Above All Opinion… Philippians 4:13  We can do all things through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior… Philippians 4:19  God will provide all your needs… Romans 10:13  Call on Jesus' Name and be Saved… 1 John 1:9  Confess your sins God Will Cleanse You…  John 3:3  You Must Be Born Again… Luke 15:10  Heaven Rejoices Over One Person That Repents And Is Born Again… John 3:16  Believe On The Lord Jesus Christ Your Lord And Savior… 1 Peter 2:24  Healing… Mark 10:29-30  100 Fold Return… Share This Podcast On Your Social Media Website https://the-prodigalson.com What God's Word Can Do In Your Life https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJWTZG_x2vE&t=3s Email tstacyhayes@gmail.com YouVersion Bible App  https://my.bible.comi iOS App https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/prodigal-son/id1450529518?mt=8 …  Android App https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=tv.wizzard.android.prodical  Social Media https://www.facebook.com/The-Prodigal-SON-209069136315959/ https://www.facebook.com/noreligion1511/ https://twitter.com/noreligion1511 https://www.instagram.com/noreligion1511/ https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCPx4s1CLkSYef6mp4dSuU4w/featured

Walk in Him (Colossians 2:4-8)

Immunity From “All Our Diseases” (Audio) David Eells - 11/7/21  God's Vaccine 7 Anxiety and Fear, Part 1 Psa. 103:3  Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; Who healeth all thy diseases. Folks, there are some mighty shakings of God coming (Hebrews 12:26-29). You're going to see things that you never thought you would see in this world, but the Lord doesn't want us to be troubled about it. It's all part of His plan. He is a sovereign God and He works all things after the counsel of His Own Will. (Eph.1:11) In whom also we were made a heritage, having been foreordained according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his will. And, as the Bible also says, (Joh.3:27) … A man can receive nothing, except it have been given him from heaven. God is the only One Who “doeth according to his will.” (Dan.4:35) And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou? He reigns in the heavens and upon the earth. (1Ch.16:31) Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; And let them say among the nations, the Lord reigneth. So we can trust in Him.  These shakings are coming in order to bring many people into the Kingdom, and yet, we don't want to be anxious or fearful concerning these things. We want to be at peace. We want to be able to be used of God when these things happen, but we are totally useless to God if we have anxiety or fear, and the devil knows that. Yes, the devil is about to make great war on the saints but those who walk by faith, those who draw close to the Lord, those who depend upon Him even for their faith and their grace, have nothing to worry about. Through these great shakings, God is going to weed out the apostates from among His true people. Only those who have received the gift from God to want to walk with Him will remain.   You know, when Jesus sent the disciples and the seventy out, it was on-the-job training for them. The Lord showed me that this was a foretaste, a foreshadowing, of what's going to happen in our day in the beginning of the tribulation period. That's because history repeats. (Ecc.1:9) 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. We are coming into a great time of grace, and the Lord is going to appear. He is going to be manifested in His people. (Col.1:26) [Even] the mystery which hath been hid for ages and generations: but now hath it been manifested to his saints, (27) to whom God was pleased to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: (28) whom we proclaim, admonishing every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ. He is going to be manifested as “Christ in you, the hope of glory,” and His First-fruits are going to be able to do the same things that Jesus did in raising-up disciples, the sending forth two-by-two, and so on; all this will be repeated. Great and wondrous things are going to happen. Oh, praise the Lord! (Luk.10:17) And the seventy returned with joy, saying, Lord, even the demons are subject unto us in thy name. Some of you know this already, but the overwhelming majority of Christianity does not. As a matter of fact, even the overwhelming majority of God's elect don't yet know this, but they will. They will come out (Isaiah 52:11; John 10:3; 2 Corinthians 6:17), they will be led, they will be disciples, and then they will shake the world (Haggai 2:6; Acts 17:6; Hebrews 12:26-27). So the seventy were overjoyed to find out that the demons were subject to them. Jesus told His disciples, (Mar.16:17) And these signs shall accompany them that believe: in my name shall they cast out demons… We have been given authority over demon powers, saints, and it is a joyous thing to see people set free, but how do we defend ourselves against these demons? The attacks are coming. The warfare is about to go forth against the saints, yet God's people, those who walk by faith, will have nothing to worry about. I'd like to share with you from Luke about fear and anxiety. Of course, once the Lord has put His Word in your heart and you have some experience walking in that Word, it is very hard for fear and anxiety to come into your heart. This is what God wants to do; He wants to prepare us for the things to come. I know that some people won't be prepared. They will be shocked and they will be fearful, however, because of that fear, they will run to the Lord for refuge and then God will teach them how to walk in peace and rest. (Luk.10:18) And he said unto them, I beheld Satan fallen as lightning from heaven. (19) Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall in any wise hurt you. (20) Nevertheless in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rejoice that your names are written in heaven. We see they came back rejoicing that the demons were subject to them, and then Jesus mentions that He has given them authority to tread upon “serpents” and “scorpions.” “Serpents” and “scorpions” here represent two different kinds of the spirits over which they were exercising their authority. I want to explain that to you because it has a lot of bearing on anxiety and fear and how to deal with it. First I need to point out to you that there are “serpent” spirits, but I am not going to go deep into this. I have taught on this before and I want to talk more about anxiety and fear. (Act.16:16) And it came to pass, as we were going to the place of prayer, that a certain maid having a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much gain by soothsaying. (17) The same following after Paul and us cried out, saying, These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim unto you the way of salvation. (18) And this she did for many days. But Paul, being sore troubled, turned and said to the spirit, I charge thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And it came out that very hour. A “spirit of divination” is a spirit of false prophecy, and if we look at the original Greek words there, we find that they mean a “spirit of python.” In other words, a spirit of divination is a serpent spirit, and a big one. As you know, serpents that are poisonous carry their poison in their heads. One of the reasons the Lord pointed this out to me is because serpent spirits are deceiving spirits, and so they war with your mind. False prophecy does that, along with all the other serpent spirits. They bring deception to mankind.  However, it is the second group, the “scorpions,” that I want to deal with here. Jesus said, “I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions.” “Tread” means to “put them under your feet, under your authority, under your dominion.” The word “scorpions” in the Greek, is skorpios and it's where we get our English word “scorpion.” As Jesus was making war against the demon powers, He was teaching His disciples how to make war against the demon powers. (Luk.11:17) … Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house [divided] against a house falleth. (18) And if Satan also is divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out demons by Beelzebub. (19) And if I by Beelzebub cast out demons, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges. (20) But if I by the finger of God cast out demons, then is the kingdom of God come upon you. Obviously, Satan does not cast out Satan; it is only the Kingdom of God that gives deliverance from Satan and his demons. (21) When the strong [man] fully armed guardeth his own court, his goods are at peace: (22) but when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him his whole armor wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils. And we know that Jesus was stronger than the “strong man.” He conquered the devil, and when He passed His authority on to His disciples, He was giving us authority over all the power of the enemy. He was dividing the spoils.  We are plundering the devil's kingdom when we preach the Gospel to someone and they believe it. When that happens, they are delivered out of the devil's kingdom and into the Kingdom of God. The same thing happens when we heal the sick, and when we cast out demons, and so on. That's our job, folks; we all have a job to do in plundering the devil's kingdom. (Luk.11:23)  He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth. We need to be on the Lord's side. He ordained us, He raised us up, and He wants us all to have a part in this. No matter where we are or what we are doing, we work for the Kingdom of God and we represent the King. We are ambassadors of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20). We speak for Him in this world. We go forth to do His works in this world. Jesus said, (Mar.16:17) And these signs shall accompany them that believe: in my name shall they cast out demons; they shall speak with new tongues; (18) they shall take up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall in no wise hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. These things “shall accompany them that believe.” If you are a believer, you have a right to all the gifts of the Spirit. If you are a believer, you have a right to be doing the work of God by healing the sick, casting out devils, speaking in tongues, and so on and so forth.  “He that gathereth not with me scattereth.” I have pointed out before that the word “scattereth” here is the Greek word skorpizo, and it means “to penetrate and put to flight.” There are some small creatures that sometimes frighten people more than big creatures, and a scorpion is a very small creature, but it is frightening because people know the pain, the trouble, and the poison that can come from it. When the Israelites were going into their Promised Land, God spoke to them, saying, (Exo.23:28) And I will send the hornet before thee, which shall drive out the Hivite, the Canaanite, and the Hittite, from before thee. A hornet is another very small creature, but it has a sting in its tail, just like the scorpion. The poison is in its tail, not in its head, and when it goes forth, it can put a lot of people to flight. Of course, God was using the hornet as a type and a shadow, in the same way He was using it here for the scorpion to penetrate and put to flight. Your defense against this is to take up (Eph.6:16) … the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil [one]. You need the shield of faith whenever you're attacked by these scorpion spirits because their job is to cause you to run, and they do a very good job of it. The Lord has taught me that certain of these scorpion spirits cause God's people to run from the battle, to give-up in the face of the enemy. Two of the big ones are spirits of anxiety and fear, but others are spirits of guilt, spirits of rejection, spirits of shame, and spirits of unbelief. They cause God's people not to take up their sword of the spirit, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and so on and so forth to conquer the enemy (Ephesians 6:10-17). Knowledge of the Word of God and understanding who we are in Christ, understanding that He has delivered us, gives us power over them. If we are not with Jesus, we are against Him. If we are not gathering with Him, then we are scattered.   Of course, if you are not plundering Satan's kingdom, that means Satan is plundering you. You can't have it both ways; it is one way or the other. The Lord has given us the victory in Jesus Christ, we know that. We know because of the Sacrifice that He gave, that we have been given victory. He said, (Joh.16:33) These things have I spoken unto you, that in me ye may have peace. In the world ye have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. Jesus conquered the devil, the evil one, He conquered sin, He conquered the curse, He conquered sickness; He conquered it all at the Cross. We have already studied the real Good News that gives us authority and power over the devil. [Editor's Note: Our book, The Real Good News, is available without charge from ubm1.org as a PDF.] We should be able to defend ourselves against the fear and anxiety that is going to attack many people when they see the judgments that are coming upon this world. It is quite normal and natural for the wicked to run and to be fearful and to be moved by what they see and what they hear, but not for us. (Pro.28:1) The wicked flee when no man pursueth; But the righteous are bold as a lion. We need to hold fast that bold faith that the Lord has given to us (Romans 3:22; Ephesians 3:12; Hebrews 10:35; etc.)  You should know that there are some things that will totally take away your defense against these demon spirits, and one of the major ones that I have seen is unforgiveness. Having unforgiveness, or one of its relatives such as bitterness or judgment toward anybody, is what delivers many of God's people over to the power of these demons. [Editor's Note: Our book, The Curse of Unforgiveness, is available without charge from ubm1.org as a PDF.] Jesus warned us, (Mat.18:34) And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due. (35) So shall also my heavenly Father do unto you, if ye forgive not every one his brother from your hearts. If we don't forgive our brother from the heart, the Father will turn us over to the tormentors until we pay our own debt. It's sad but many of God's people don't realize that they're laboring under these tormenting demons. They can't get victory, they can't overcome, they have no confidence, they have no gift of faith, yet they don't understand that it's because they're holding on to unforgiveness, bitterness, and judgment against their brothers. Jesus is not a liar. He said the Father will turn you over to the tormentors. If we want to have boldness before God, one thing that we have to do, folks, is to make sure that we have a clean conscience. (1Jn.3:21) Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, we have boldness toward God; (22) and whatsoever we ask we receive of him (Now that's a place of safety! We don't have to worry about a thing; we just ask, and God answers.), because we keep his commandments and do the things that are pleasing in his sight. In other words, we have a clean conscience. This should put the fear of the Lord in you, not the fear of anybody else. The only One we have to please is the Lord Himself. If you want to be ready for the things that are coming at you down the road, then you need to have a clean conscience because the devil is going to send in his big guns of fear and anxiety to lead the pack. Usually what happens is people see or hear something and all of a sudden, the devil is there to penetrate and to put to flight. He is there to attack. That is when we need to be full of the boldness of the Lord and realize we are dealing with the enemy. This is not our mind; this is the devil attacking our mind, trying to bring us down so that we will be totally useless in this battle.  One important thing that we have to understand is that fear is sin. Many times people think fear is a weakness in them. They think they just don't have the faith that they need, but the Bible calls this “an evil heart of unbelief.” (Heb.3:12) Take heed, brethren, lest haply there shall be in any one of you an evil heart of unbelief, in falling away from the living God. And we are told, (Rev.21:8) But for the fearful, and unbelieving (So it is a sin that's thrown in there with all of the other sins.), and abominable, and murderers, and fornicators, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, their part [shall be] in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone; which is the second death. When you are tempted with fear and anxiety, you should deal with that as sin. Many people just give in to fear, but the Bible says, (2Ti.1:7) For God gave us not a spirit of fearfulness; but of power and love and discipline. When that spirit of fear comes, it is of the devil. When that spirit comes, it is in order to manipulate us and to move us to react to the situation, instead of acting according to what the Word of God says. The devil wants to put us to flight before him so that he can continue to plunder us.  (Luk.10:19) Behold, I have given you authority (That includes dominion over anxiety and fear.) to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall in any wise hurt you. We need to be bold in our faith because we have been given authority over the devil in everything and “nothing shall in any wise hurt” us. Does that verse actually mean that? Of course it does! It means that nothing shall in any wise hurt us, but that promise is only effectual when you mix it with faith (Hebrews chapters 3 and 4). (Heb.4:1) Let us fear therefore, lest haply, a promise being left of entering into his rest, any one of you should seem to have come short of it. (2) For indeed we have had good tidings preached unto us, even as also they: but the word of hearing did not profit them, because it was not united by faith with them that heard.  We know from God's word that these shakings are going to come. (Heb.12:26) 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. (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. (28) Wherefore, receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us have grace, whereby we may offer service well-pleasing to God with reverence and awe: (29) for our God is a consuming fire. God is going to bring down this world through these great shakings and He is going to bring shakings in the lives of His people. Events will occur that you and I have never seen on this earth. In fact, things that have never happened before are going to happen and they're going to put the fear of God in His elect. However, they're going to put the fear of the devil, the fear of the curse, and the fear of the things that are coming upon the world in the hearts of the wicked. There will be (Luk.21:26KJV) Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. Only God's elect are going to have His patience and His peace in the midst of this. I am not saying they are going to have it all of a sudden and at the beginning, but they are all going to grow into it. They're all going to understand what it is to serve the Lord. They're all going to be highly motivated because of the things that are coming upon the world.  Yes, these shakings are coming but we need to call fear and anxiety what God calls them, we need to call them “sin.” God has given us a deliverance from this, (Heb.10:14) For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. We can count on it because God has delivered us from all sin. (Joh.1:29) … Behold, the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world! Jesus took away our sin. Jesus took away fear and anxiety. We don't have to put up with it because He did that, therefore we can partake of the peace of God in the midst of great destructions upon this world. (Isa.26:3) Thou wilt keep [him] in perfect peace, [whose] mind [is] stayed on [thee]; because he trusteth in thee. Those destructions are coming and they are coming fast and so we need to be prepared. It is a trick of the devil to immediately show up with fear and anxiety whenever something like this happens, and you need to cast it down. We are children of the King and we are here for His purpose, not for the purpose of the world. What the world is going to go through and take a penalty for, we don't have to take the penalty for because our Lord Jesus already took it. (2Co.5:21) Him who knew no sin he made [to be] sin on our behalf; that we might become the righteousness of God in him. He became cursed for us, He bore the penalty on the Cross. What should we fear? (Psa.27:1) The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid? (Php.4:6) In nothing be anxious (Some versions say “careful,” however the Greek word there, merimnaó, specifically means “anxious.”); but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. Since we have such authority with God, such promises from God, what is “anxiety”? It is unbelief, that's what it is. You and I do not believe that the Word of God is true whenever we give in to this temptation. It is sin, we need to look at it as sin, and we need to cast it down just like we would any other kind of sin. (Rev.21:8) But for the fearful, and unbelieving, and abominable, and murderers, and fornicators, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, their part [shall be] in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone; which is the second death. You would never think of doing some of those things that are mentioned there, but would you consider fear and anxiety to be in the same category? Would you consider them to be sin before God? Would you consider unbelief to be sin before the King? If someone is unbelieving, then they are not justified because they are not letting God be true and every man a liar (Romans 3:4). And, if they are not justified, that means their sins are not covered. So God says, “In nothing be anxious,” because He is absolutely sovereign. We truly have nothing to worry about since He has everything under control. Let's go back to the beginning of this chapter for a closer look because the Lord showed me, many years ago, a neat revelation here that He hid in the Word just for us. You know, He wants us to stand steadfast and unmovable in Him (Colossians 1:23). He doesn't want us to be moved by what we see or what we hear. You are about to hear of horrendous things in this world. You are about to see horrendous things in this world. He doesn't want us to be moved by those things at all. Just remember, we are the ones to whom God is giving a demonstration. We are the ones He wants to teach. He doesn't want to destroy us; He has good plans for us. Keep that in mind. All these promises concerning you are true, and they are true for you.  (Php.4:1) Wherefore, my brethren beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my beloved. (2) I exhort Euodia, and I exhort Syntyche, to be of the same mind in the Lord. The Lord spoke to me one day when I read this. He spoke to me to go look these names up, and I did. “Euodia” means “to be successful in reaching a goal; to succeed in reaching.” “Syntyche” is just the opposite. It means “to meet with an accident.” They are opposite names here, with opposite meanings. In other words, sometimes you just walk in the success of the Lord and sometimes you meet with an accident, but the Lord is saying to be of the same mind, no matter which one you are going through. As a matter of fact, He also tells us that we should be content in either case. (Php.4:11) Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therein to be content. He says that because everything that comes to you, saints, comes to you from the Hand of God (John 3:27). He wants you to trust in Him.  (Php.4:2) I exhort Euodia, and I exhort Syntyche, to be of the same mind in the Lord. (3) Yea, I beseech thee also, true yokefellow, help these women, for they labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow-workers, whose names are in the book of life. Yes, they do; they labor with all of us in the Gospel, and they labor with us in our own life, and in bearing fruit and so on and so forth. Saints, God wants us to be stable and not moved up and down by our emotions, not moved by every wind of doctrine, not moved by anything that happens in the world. He wants us to be steadfast, standing on His Word like standing on a rock. In one of the first visions we received, I was shown standing on a rock with leg braces on. The interpretation is that God's external power was helping me to stand upon the Rock. I was able to stand only by His grace and power, not by any power of my own.  He said, “these women … labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also.” “Clement” means “merciful.” Jesus said, (Mat.5:7) Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. With those who will have mercy towards others, and be forgiving towards others, God will show Himself the same way. Sometimes we do much harm to ourselves in the way that we relate to others, as in the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant. (Mat.18:34) And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due. (35) So shall also my heavenly Father do unto you, if ye forgive not every one his brother from your hearts. He turns you over to the tormentors, so we need to be merciful and we need to not be moved by success or failure. (Php.4:4) Rejoice in the Lord always: again I will say, Rejoice. (5) Let your forbearance be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. (So much the more today!) (6) In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. In other words, don't worry about a thing; just lay your request before God. Remember that Jesus said, (Mar.11:24) … All things whatsoever ye pray and ask for, believe that ye received them, and ye shall have them.  Are we going to be anxious, or are we going to believe? As we've seen, anxiety is totally against faith and it is a sin against God (Revelation 21:8), but if you know that, you know that you can cast it down. You can put up your shield of faith, and quench that fiery dart. You don't have to let the skorpizo spirit penetrate you and put you to flight. Many people are not acting on the Word, instead, they are reacting to what the devil is doing around them. Guess what they are ruled by? If you are not ruled by faith, you are going to be ruled by fear. (Luk.11:23) He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth. If you want to be moved and ruled by the Lord, then remember anxiety and fear is sin. When anxiety and fear comes to people's hearts immediately after some disaster, this is the devil seeking to bring them into bondage and it must be cast down immediately.   (Php.4:7) And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus. We need the peace of God in the midst of turmoil. (Isa.26:3) Thou wilt keep [him] in perfect peace, [whose] mind [is] stayed [on thee]; because he trusteth in thee. Oh, glory to God! Keep your mind on what God has said, on what He has taught you, and cast down everything else the devil fires your way. God will keep you in perfect peace while other people are falling apart. They will be going this way while you will be going that way. You know, when you react to the devil, he's herding you in the direction he wants you to go and you're proving that you are one of his pack. If you follow him, you are one of his. You're proving who you follow by how you handle these trials that you are going through, these things that are really not “accidents,” because nothing can come into your life by accident. They are trials from the Lord that He has absolute control over, otherwise, how could He say “in nothing be anxious”? And how could He say that He works all things together for your good (Romans 8:28)? He can say that because He is in absolute control and you can trust Him. You can rest in His promises, therefore, don't let anxiety or fear affect you. Cast them down.  (Php.4:8) Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true (Who is the Truth? Jesus Christ, the Word of God, is Truth, and He promises to keep you in perfect peace if your mind is stayed on Him {Isaiah 26;3}.), whatsoever things are honorable, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report… We want to believe and remember the “good report.” It doesn't make any difference what happens in the world around us. We have to hold fast to the good report. When the Israelites were moved by fear and anxiety, they cried out to God, claiming He had brought them to that wilderness to die (Numbers 21:5), which was so foolish, but you think that way when you are under the dominion of fear and anxiety. The Lord has not brought us anywhere to fail, but to teach us to be sons of God, if we will only keep our mind upon Him, upon the Word of God, upon the good report. Remember, the Israelites listened to the bad report from the spies who did not have any faith in God (Numbers 13:31-33). Their faith was in the bad report. They believed that they could not conquer that land or those giants, which in type represented the old man of the flesh (Numbers 14:2-4). (Php.4:8) Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honorable, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Refuse to think on the things that are going to destroy you, or cause you to be manipulated, or cause you to be herded before the demons of the devil so that you partake of their curse. (Php.4:9) The things which ye both learned and received and heard and saw in me, these things do: and the God of peace shall be with you. Paul was telling them, (1Co.11:1) Be ye imitators of me, even as I also am of Christ. Or, in other words, “Follow me, as I follow the Lord.” Even today, folks, when you see people who are following the Lord and being a good example, pay attention to their witness and their testimony. There are many people out there speaking only from their theology, but with no experience whatsoever. They haven't walked with God by faith and they're leading God's people into Babylon. “The things which ye both learned and received and heard and saw in me, these things do: and the God of peace shall be with you.” This is what we want, folks. We want to walk in the peace of God. (Isa.26:3) Thou wilt keep [him] in perfect peace, [whose] mind [is] stayed [on thee]; because he trusteth in thee.  If we permit the devil to penetrate our defense, which is faith in the Word of God, then the fiery dart of the “stinger” will come through. If you are not (Eph.6:16) … taking up the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil [one], then you'll be overcome by emotions. You'll do what the world does and so you'll fall under the judgment of the world. As we've seen, this is exactly what the Israelites did in the wilderness, when they fell under the judgment of the world and under the curse of Deuteronomy 28. Except for Joshua and Caleb, they died in the wilderness instead of overcoming and entering into the Promised Land. “But I am persuaded of better things of you,” Paul said. “I am persuaded that the Lord is able to keep you and to bring you through these troubling times in boldness and in courage” (Hebrews 6:9-12,18-19). Make sure, saints, that there is nothing in your heart that will hinder, nothing in your heart that will separate you from that boldness that God gives to those who are obedient, because (1Jn.3:21) Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, we have boldness toward God… And that boldness will bring you peace. (Php.4:9) The things which ye both learned and received and heard and saw in me, these things do: and the God of peace shall be with you. There is one passage in the Bible where Jesus spoke about anxiety; it's in Matthew chapter 6 and He mentioned it six times. He did not do that anywhere else. We're going to look at that because it's where an awful lot of Christians struggle. We are heading toward a wilderness trial, folks, and one thing we find in a wilderness trial is that the Lord suffers His people to see lack. He suffers them to be tried in order to see what they will do. In all the places where the Lord led His people Israel in the wilderness, it was from one trial to the next. They were always seeing lack ahead of them, lack of water, lack of food, lack of protection from enemies, and so on and so forth. Of course, they had many opportunities to be penetrated by fear and anxiety. They had many opportunities to run in the opposite direction, to cry out in unbelief, and even to accuse God of things that He had no mind to do. (Num.14:2) And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron: and the whole congregation said unto them, Would that we had died in the land of Egypt! or would that we had died in this wilderness! (3) And wherefore doth the Lord bring us unto this land, to fall by the sword? … You know, they finally convinced Him and it was exactly what they needed. It was their own fault, too, because God told Moses, (Num.14:28) Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord, surely as ye have spoken in mine ears, so will I do to you: (29) your dead bodies shall fall in this wilderness; and all that were numbered of you, according to your whole number, from twenty years old and upward, that have murmured against me, (30) surely ye shall not come into the land, concerning which I sware that I would make you dwell therein, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun. That's what they had faith for and so He gave it to them, because (Mat.9:29) … According to your faith be it done unto you. Anxiety and fear is faith; it is just negative faith, faith in the curse and in the devil, and God will let you have the curse if you believe in it. I know there are some of you who don't believe there is anything to come but peace and prosperity to God's people because of how special they are. Folks, you are missing history. Please read the Bible again because God's people went through fiery trials. They were hated of the nations, and Jesus said it's going to be the same for us. (Mat.24:9) Then shall they deliver you up unto tribulation, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all the nations for my name's sake. (10) And then shall many stumble, and shall deliver up one another, and shall hate one another. (11) And many false prophets shall arise, and shall lead many astray. (12) And because iniquity shall be multiplied, the love of the many shall wax cold. (13) But he that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved. Most of us have never gone through any of that, but none of us have gone through the hatred of the whole world against Christianity. The Lord is raising-up a very big enemy against His small group of elect, exactly the way it was with Israel. And He's going to take a lot of worldly provision away from His people in the days to come, so that their provision will come from heaven. The Lord is going to provide for His people. He's going to show Himself strong on behalf of them that have put their faith and trust in Him. Now I would like to read what Jesus had to say concerning His provision for you in the times to come. Notice that in this passage where Jesus mentions the word “anxious” six times, it is always the same Greek word merimnaó, which we just read in Philippians. (Php.4:6) In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. Well, here in Matthew we see He is teaching the people, and it seems their anxiety was always about their provision, the things that they needed in order to be able to live in the wilderness. He tells them, (Mat.6:19) Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal: (20) but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth consume, and where thieves do not break through nor steal (Many of God's people have their confidence in what they can store-up, not in what God promised He would do.): (21) for where thy treasure is, there will thy heart be also. Of course, your treasure is something that you stored up as a provision for your future, so that is where your heart, your trust, will be. (22) The lamp of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. In other words, an “eye” that is “single” is not an eye that is set upon its own provisions; it's not set upon things that it has stored-up to save self in the days to come. (23) But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore, the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is the darkness! An “eye” that is “dark” is an eye that has its confidence in the things of this world, and I am going to prove that to you as we read on. (24) No man can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. Those “two masters” He's talking about are God and mammon. Mamónas is the Aramaic word for “riches, money, possessions, property,” and it comes from an Old Testament Hebrew word matmon, which means “hidden treasures,” while mammōnás means “the treasure a person trusts (has confidence) in.”  So “mammon” here represents trusting in worldly treasures that are stored-up or hidden, trusting in the things of the world to provide salvation. As you know, when the Israelites came out of Egypt, God permitted them to have something they trusted in, gold and silver, that was given into their hands by the Egyptians, by the world (Exodus 3:22). And, again, they made an idol out of this, meaning they trusted in it. God wanted them to be tried in this way because He was the one that permitted them to go out there with this gold. However, His plan was to try them to see if they would be faithful, and they weren't. They made an idol out of that gold (Exodus 32:4), the thing that they had stored-up to preserve them through their wilderness trials. God wanted to meet their needs out of heaven; that was His plan from the beginning but first He had to get the gold out of the way. (Exo.32:20) And he (That is Moses.) took the calf which they had made, and burnt it with fire, and ground it to powder, and strewed it upon the water, and made the children of Israel drink of it. In other words, “I hope you remember this lesson.”  People who are trusting in the things that they are storing-up for the times to come, are doing it because they do not believe the Word of God. They do not believe that (Php.4:19) … my God shall supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. They are anxious, troubled, and fearful. Their trust and confidence is in mammon. They have the eye that is evil. Their eye is not single. Let's read on and see if Jesus confirms this. (Mat.6:25) Therefore I say unto you, be not anxious (There is the first one of six mentions, and again, it's the same word, merimnaó, that we read in Philippians 4:6.) for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. We don't have to worry about these things. We don't have to worry about preparing in our own strength to preserve ourselves through the days to come. Many people claim they have received words from the “Lord” about preparing for themselves. I tell you, folks, we are coming to a time when God wants to prove His power to save you by signs and wonders and miracles, not by your own worldly methods. God's provision came out of heaven to God's people in the wilderness. He did not want them to be anxious; He did not want them to be fearful. He wanted them to trust in His provision alone, so He ran them out of everything that they provided for themselves when they came out of Egypt and then He provided for them. They received water out of the rock (Numbers 20:11) and manna out of heaven (Exodus 16:4) and quail out of the sky (Exodus 16:12). We are coming to the exact same repetition of history today, except this time it is for the Church. Once again God is going to provide for those who believe. (Mat.6:25) Therefore I say unto you, be not anxious for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than the food, and the body than the raiment? (26) Behold the birds of the heaven, that they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; and your heavenly Father feedeth them. Have you ever thought that if you could not provide for yourself or if the economy went down, which it will, and you could not work, that God would provide for you? Well, I guarantee you He will provide if you walk by faith, but where He says “they sow not,” is God teaching that you don't need to work for a living? Obviously not, because Paul told us, (2Th.3:10) For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, If any will not work, neither let him eat. (11) For we hear of some that walk among you disorderly, that work not at all, but are busybodies. (12) Now them that are such we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. I'll tell you what I believe is going to happen. I believe there is going to be a great exchange in these days, God's people are finally going to wake up and take the Great Commission seriously. (Mat.28:19) Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said (Luk.11:23) … he that gathereth not with me, scattereth. He wants us gathering and He raises up disciples to do His work of the Great Commission and if you are not working for the world, you can work for Him. Even the birds and the flowers work for Him, but they don't toil in the world and God still feeds the birds and clothes the flowers.  (Mat.6:26) Behold the birds of the heaven, that they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns (They're not storing up their treasures, their food, for the days to come.); and your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are not ye of much more value than they? (27) And which of you by being anxious (There's the second mention.) can add one cubit unto the measure of his life? We know that anxiety does nothing but destroy you, physically, mentally, emotionally. It brings sickness because it tears down your immunity. Faith can beat anything, but anxiety can do nothing except bring you more harm. (Mat.6:28) And why are ye anxious (There's the third mention.) concerning raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: (29) yet I say unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. (Wow!) (30) But if God doth so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, [shall he] not much more [clothe] you, O ye of little faith? The Lord is going to take care of you; don't worry about a thing. Some of you are going to lose your jobs, which you so prize, and maybe your high standard of living. However, you are going to exchange your attitude towards the world and the things of the world, for one that is like those of the disciples in Jesus' day. Folks, Christians were plundered in Jesus' day. When those Jews became Christians, they were plundered. Nobody would do business with them. Basically, they were in a wilderness, yet the Lord provided for them because they put their trust in Him.  (Mat.6:31) Be not therefore anxious (There's the fourth mention.), saying, what shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? Why did He keep mentioning the same thing? It's because He knew the carnal nature and He knew the trials that were coming for the Jewish Christians in these days. When Jesus spoke this back then, they were in the beginning of the first 3-1/2 years of their tribulation. He knew what they were going through, and He knew what we are going to go through in our day, which is the same thing, folks. There is a great economic collapse coming, but God has made this promise that He is going to provide for His people. Don't give in to any anxiety and fear. Know that God has said He is your Jehovah-Jireh. (Gen.22:14) And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovah-jireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the Lord it shall be provided. He is going to provide for you in everything. He wants to show you His Glory. He wants to show you His Power.   (Mat.6:31) Be not therefore anxious, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (32) For after all these things do the Gentiles (These were the unsaved heathen at that time.) seek; for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. Yes, He already knows this. You don't have to worry, you don't have to beg, and you don't have to spend hours and hours on your knees. All you have to do is, (Php.4:6) In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. You are not going to be heard for your “much speaking” (Matthew 6:7). Don't be fearful or anxious because of what you see, or because it appears as if you're coming to the end of your own provision. God is bringing you there because you need to be at the end of your own provision before you can receive God's provision. He wants to show you a miracle; He wants to show you many miracles.  (Mat.6:33) But seek ye first his kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. God is going to make sure that you are provided for as you seek first His Kingdom, as you seek to build His Kingdom both in your life and in the lives of the people around you. Seek first His Kingdom and He is going to make sure that you are going to have everything that you need. Of course, if you are seeking His Kingdom, you are not going to have a love of the world. (1Jn.2:15) Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. The love of the world is sin; the love of the Father is not. I would say the overwhelming number of Christians have a problem with a love of the world, and they are even taught to love the world in their prosperity-minded churches. They have to have the things of the world, but the Bible doesn't call that “prosperity.” (3Jn.1:2) Beloved, I pray that in all things thou mayest prosper (The Greek word there is euodoó meaning “to have a successful journey.” It's the same root for the name “Euodia” that means “successful in reaching a goal” in Philippians 4:2.) and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. That's euodoó again so it's not talking about having material riches. (Mat.6:34) Be not therefore anxious for the morrow: for the morrow will be anxious for itself. (These are the fifth and sixth mentions of “anxious” by Jesus. He said not to be anxious about our provisions, about our needs being met, because God would take care of it.) Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. Jesus is commanding us, “Don't worry about tomorrow. The Lord is going to take care of it for you. You don't have to be fearful.” He reminds us, (Luk.12:32) Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Oh, glory to God! It certainly is. Now I would like to show you what He says is important. (Luk.10:38) Now as they went on their way, he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. (39) And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at the Lord's feet, and heard his word. (40) But Martha was cumbered about much serving; and she came up to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister did leave me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. (41) But the Lord answered and said unto her, “Martha, Martha, thou art anxious and troubled about many things: (42) but one thing is needful: for Mary hath chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her. Folks, don't be worried and anxious about how to serve God or what to do in this world. There is just one thing that is important: we need to sit at His feet and listen to Him.  God's Vaccine 8 Anxiety and Fear, Part 2 As we're learning, there are some great shakings, some great judgments, coming across the world in these days, and the devil always uses things that we see and things that we hear to try to bring fear upon God's people. Whenever something happens, immediately the devil or his demons pounce and you feel the spirit of fear come over you like a blanket. Well, we're obviously meant to make war against that, so don't accept any fear as if it's just a personal weakness and allow it to stay. Remember, we spoke about the skorpizo spirits, whose job it is “to penetrate and put to flight.” They cause a person to be fearful or anxious. They cause a person to flee from the devil and, of course, then they're no threat against his kingdom.  Fear is one of the devil's “big guns,” but the Bible says, (2Ti.1:7) For God gave us not a spirit of fearfulness; but of power and love and discipline. The word there translated “discipline” comes from the Greek sóphronizó and literally means “sober-mindedness; control.” If you're not walking in willful disobedience when a spirit of fear comes upon you, you know that it's not from God. It's from the devil and you shouldn't receive it or give-in to it or think about it, because if you do, it's going to conquer you. It comes for the purpose of penetrating your armor (Ephesians 6:10-17) and putting you to flight. We know the only fear that we should have is the fear of the Lord, which is the beginning of wisdom (Psalm 111:10; Proverbs 1:7,9:10; etc.) If we fear the Lord, we will depart from unrighteousness, as the Bible says (2 Timothy 2:19). Any other fear, such as the fear of man, brings a snare. God didn't give us a spirit of fear, but if you're walking in willful disobedience, you're proving that you don't fear the Lord. If you don't fear the Lord, you will have fear of the devil, which is foolishness because it is giving faith to the devil. Fear is faith, but it's negative faith; it's faith in the curse, faith in the devil, faith in failure. It's as our Lord Jesus told us, (Mat.9:29) … According to your faith be it done unto you. And that's one reason why Job said, (Job.3:25) For the thing which I fear cometh upon me, And that which I am afraid of cometh unto me. It's important for us to understand that our fears come to pass, just like our faiths do. They're opposite reactions, but both of them are faith. Saints, we are supposed to be overcomers.    (Rev.21:7) He that overcometh shall inherit these things… Of course, the Lord is implying that if you don't overcome, you're not going to inherit the new heaven and new earth and all the great things that God has provided for His people (Revelation 21:1-4). There are those who don't think we have anything to overcome. They think that Jesus overcame it all, which is true, but Jesus overcame so that we could overcome. We learn to abide in Him and see those works manifest. The Bible says, (Jas.2:17) Even so faith, if it have not works, is dead in itself. Overcomers are sons of God and they will inherit the Kingdom. (Rev.21:7) He that overcometh shall inherit these things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. Now the next verse puts “fear” and “unbelief” together, because if you are fearful, then you are unbelieving, and if you are unbelieving, then you will be fearful. Notice “He that overcometh,” is not an overcomer unless these things are overcome. (Rev.21:8) But for the fearful, and unbelieving, and abominable, and murderers, and fornicators, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, their part [shall be] in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone; which is the second death. “Fearful” and “unbelieving” are grouped right in there with these really abominable sins. So fear is more than a weakness, it's a sin, and it's unbelief. The Bible calls it “an evil heart of unbelief.” (Heb.3:12) Take heed, brethren, lest haply there shall be in any one of you an evil heart of unbelief, in falling away from the living God. Fear is something we need to make war against whenever we feel its presence, whenever we have fearful thoughts. Fear can manifest in even worse ways but most of all, it causes us to run from the devil and give up the fight. It causes us to lose ground.  Just as the fearful and the unbelieving are among the wicked, obviously, there's a part of every one of us that is wicked, and it's that old man that we want to overcome. (Gal.5:17) For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are contrary the one to the other; that ye may not do the things that ye would. There's a war going on in every one of us, yet we can overcome through faith in the victory that Jesus had at the Cross. (1Co.15:22) For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. When Christ was resurrected, we were resurrected, too. We received His resurrection life. When He overcame, we also overcame. (Gal.2:20) I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I that live, but Christ living in me: and that [life] which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, [the faith] which is in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me. We were crucified with Christ and the old man was put to death with Christ, but we need to hold on to our faith to see it manifested in the physical realm. The gift that has been given to us, we can overcome to receive.  There's an awesome revelation I want to share with you where God calls the fearful “wicked,” which is another confirmation that we need to fight against this spirit. (Job.15:20) The wicked man travaileth with pain all his days, Even the number of years that are laid up for the oppressor. (21) A sound of terrors is in his ears; In prosperity the destroyer shall come upon him. Isn't that amazing? Some of the words we hear most these days are “terror” and “terrorist” and “terrorism”! You know, I believe we are coming to the end of the “seven years of plenty” that was prophesied by Joseph and we're coming to the beginning of the “seven years of famine” (Genesis 41). We can look around us and see that this is coming upon the prosperous.  (Job.15:22) He believeth not that he shall return out of darkness… The wicked are in terror and they don't believe that they will return out of darkness, but that's not believing the Gospel. That's not believing the Good News. (Col.1:12) Giving thanks unto the Father, who made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light; (13) who delivered us out of the power of darkness, and translated us into the kingdom of the Son of his love; (14) in whom we have our redemption, the forgiveness of our sins. That's the Good News we are to believe, but the wicked don't believe and so they live in terror. (Job.15:22) He believeth not that he shall return out of darkness, And he is waited for of the sword. (23) He wandereth abroad for bread, [saying], Where is it? He knoweth that the day of darkness is ready at his hand. (24) Distress and anguish make him afraid; They prevail against him, as a king ready to the battle. The devil conquers and rules the wicked by fear. If you are ruled by fear, if you act according to your fear, then you're submitting to the devil's kingdom instead of God, because He hasn't given us a spirit of fearfulness. If you're ruled by fear, you're not ruled by God and you're in idolatry because you're having faith in the devil. (Job.15:25) Because he hath stretched out his hand against God, And behaveth himself proudly against the Almighty. Fear is part of the judgment that comes upon the wicked because they're acting against God. God turns over to the devil those who walk in sin. This is true even of the Kingdom people. Jesus said, (Mat.18:34) And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due. He had them turned over to the tormentors, but the wicked of the world are already turned over to the tormentors. They live in torment, but the righteous are believing God and they're coming out of the kingdom of darkness. The wicked do not believe God, so they live under the tormentors, which include fear and anxiety. Since they have stretched out their hand against God, He has delivered them over to this fear. We're told, (1Jn.3:21) Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, we have boldness toward God; (22) and whatsoever we ask we receive of him, because we keep his commandments and do the things that are pleasing in his sight. If we have a clear conscience, we have boldness and not fear. When God does allow fear to come upon a person who has a clear conscience, God is allowing it to come as a trial unto them, and their boldness is the very thing that will vanquish it. (Pro.28:1) The wicked flee when no man pursueth; But the righteous are bold as a lion. Fear is natural and normal to the wicked. Who are the “wicked”? The wicked are those who sin. It doesn't matter whether you're a Christian or not, if you're walking in willful sin, you're wicked. You don't have boldness toward God and His benefits in that case because your conscience condemns you. You want a defense against fear in the days to come, because you're going to see and hear things that are fearful, and that's when the devil pounces upon you. That's when he tries to overcome you so that you're full of fear and are just running from him. Jesus told us, (Mat.12:30) He that is not with me is against me, and he that gathereth not with me scattereth. If we're not plundering the devil's kingdom, we are going to be running from him. Without a clear conscience, we have guilt. Demons use this to condemn you so that you have no faith toward God and His Word. When you don't know the Gospel, when you don't know that your failures and ignorances are covered by the Blood (James 4:17), you can have false guilt, which Satan can use to deliver you over to fear.  As a matter of fact, that's what happened to Adam. Adam had only one commandment to obey, (Gen.2:17) … of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. But Adam broke that commandment. (Gen.3:7) And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked… “Nakedness” here is a representation of the guilt of sin. They didn't know they were naked until they partook of the fruit “of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.” Now they were made sinners because now they knew they had broken God's law, and so guilt is the first thing they received. (Gen.3:7) And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig-leaves together, and made themselves aprons. Obviously, they were attempting to cover their guilt. Men do try to cover their guilt in various ways through self-works.  As we know, (Gen.3:21) And the Lord God made for Adam and for his wife coats of skins, and clothed them. God slew animals, and without the shedding of blood, there is no covering for our sins (Hebrews 9:22). He didn't accept their self-works to alleviate their guilt. (Gen.3:8) And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden. Many people, including Christians, are hiding themselves because of their guilt. They don't want to face God and they don't like to read the Word because it condemns them. They don't know the great Sacrifice that the Lord has made for them to be given grace to overcome. Guilt makes them feel bad when they face themselves, when they read the Word, and so forth. (Gen.3:9) And the Lord God called unto the man, and said unto him, Where art thou? (10) And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself. Guilt brings fear. If you don't want to be overcome by fear, you need to confess your sins because, (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. We need to repent, confess our sins, and have faith that Jesus has given us authority over this old flesh.  The real Good News is that the Lord wants to live the Christian life in us; He wants to be (Col.1:27) … Christ in you, the hope of glory. Many people are living under the bondage of guilt and there is no reason to be doing that when the real Good News is that He's already set us free. (Rom.8:2) For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus made me free from the law of sin and of death. If you have guilt, the devil can use that to conquer you with fear because then you don't have boldness towards God. You know, folks, sometimes we get so far down that we're willing to look up, and sometimes the Lord lets the devil take advantage of us until we're willing to get our eyes on Him and to have faith in what He's accomplished at the Cross. Faith that brings obedience gives us victory over fear. (Lev.26:13) I am the Lord your God, who brought you forth out of the land of Egypt… As Christians, we, too, have been delivered out of the “land of Egypt.” Spiritually speaking, “Egypt” represents the world, and we've been delivered from bondage to the world, delivered from bondage to the old man, who is the “Egyptian.” (Lev.26:13) I am the Lord your God, who brought you forth out of the land of Egypt, that ye should not be their bondmen; and I have broken the bars of your yoke, and made you go upright. This is basically the Gospel, isn't it? You've been delivered: He made you free from sin. You're no longer in bondage to the old man.  (Lev.26:14) But if ye will not hearken unto me, and will not do all these commandments (Notice how many times He says the same thing over and over here.); (15) and if ye shall reject my statutes, and if your soul abhor mine ordinances, so that ye will not do all my commandments (He's making sure that we get the point.), but break my covenant; (16) I also will do this unto you: I will appoint terror over you (God delivers people who are rebellious against His Word over to fear.), even consumption and fever, that shall consume the eyes, and make the soul to pine away; and ye shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it. Yes, many people are constantly plundered by the devil. They're delivered over to fear because they're rebellious against His Word. They have no boldness to come against the devil and they don't understand why they're being devoured by the devourer (Malachi 3:11). (Lev.26:17) And I will set my face against you, and ye shall be smitten before your enemies: they that hate you shall rule over you; and ye shall flee when none pursueth you. This is exactly what we read earlier: (Pro.28:1) The wicked flee when no man pursueth; But the righteous are bold as a lion. So we see that God appoints terror over rebellious people, whether they are God's rebellious people or the people of the world. Terror in these days, I believe, is something that God has loosed through the devil to motivate people to run to Him, to run to repentance and faith and boldness, so that we may be delivered of these things. Fear gives control to the devil, who will bring us right back into bondage in Egypt.  (Deu.28:64) And the Lord will scatter thee among all peoples, from the one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth… A lot of people don't realize that everything that happened to Israel in the Old Testament, happens to the Church in a spiritual way. The Church was said by Peter to be just one holy nation (1 Peter 2:9), and Paul said that we were grafted into the olive tree called “all Israel” (Romans 11:17-26). We are one people, but we've been divided and scattered. The Bible talks about the shepherds that scatter the flock (Jeremiah 10:21; Ezekiel 34:6; Matthew 26:31;

What is going on in America? Are we turning into a dictatorship nation?  Do not undermine my authority. Absolute power corrupts absolutely. American workers, many of them are being extorted and held hostage by this covid shot mandate. There being force because many workers want to take care of their families. So what about their constitutional rights, which have been violated, which is also discrimination. Reality: A person can respect the position but does not respect the person that's reality. Satan is using leaders elected leaders for his destruction of America. But Jesus defeated Satan AND WILL defeat him again. What makes it OK for a woman to say my body my rights in kill an unborn child so why is it not okay for a person to say my life my rights in refused to get of Covid shot, and don't say that is different because both issues are dealing with rights in the life of others. A man has no say, so if a woman chooses to get an abortion, but he may want to keep the child, grandparents have no voice, so if a woman wants an abortion, they would like to have grandkids. This list can go on. But my religious beliefs as an American citizen are being threatened taken away from me because I do not want to get a covid shot to lose my job. Is that American justice just asking? Yes, COVID is real. I know I had it, but I believe in the healing power of Jesus Christ. Read plasm 91.  To my understanding, you have the Department of Justice wants to try to file suit against Texas because they upheld the law by making abortion illegal.  I wonder what God's word says about abortion: I know in the book of proverbs it says speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves for the rights of all who are dissolute speak up and judge pretty defend the rights of the poor and the needy in this proverbs 31 verses 8 through 9. No, I'm not the most intelligent person in the world, but I'm smart enough to know the unborn child could not speak for themselves think about that. I also have another question is our leaders directly or indirectly helping to promote terrorism within our nation? I'm just asking this question because I genuinely don't know but looking at what's going on here and now, I'm sure I'm not the only one wondering this. OK, now let's get back to the subject of abortion. The Bible never specifically addressed abortion; however, there are numerous teachings in the scripture that make it abundantly clear what God's view of abortion is. Jeremiah 15 tells us that God knows us before he forms us in the womb. Psalms 139 verse 13 through 16 speaks of God's active role in our creation then the formation in the womb verse 22 through 25 prescribed the same penalty is death for someone who causes the end of a baby in the womb yes for someone who commits murder. Now to me, this indicates that God considers a baby in the womb to be just as much of a human being as a fully grown adult such as you and me I. for a person that believes in Christ, a Christian abortion is not a matter of a woman right to choose it is a matter of life and death of a human being made in God's image Genesis 1 verse 26 and 27 Genesis 9 verse 6, now put what does the Bible say about abortion put abortion is murder it is the killing of a human being who has created an image of God. Are the American people living in a state of terror? Afraid that they may lose their job being a federal or government job if they refuse to get the covid shot or afraid to get kicked off an NFL team or they refuse to get the Covid picture, what about the rights of the American people. Something else is shocking to me. Why would anyone want to use the legacy of a deceased person to get what they want, be they a politician or just a regular Joe on Streets? Why would you want to use a dead person for your gain? It appears that particular politician is throwing the US constitution out the window for their self-interest, not America inserts interest their self-interest. Just look around America. We live in the signs of the time, whether you choose to believe it or not your choice.  I believe that there are many warnings in the Bible about the power of the government taking over or, let me say, the increasing government control. Yes, as Christians, we are to obey the laws of the land, but if the land laws go against God's laws, Bing will not follow. I want to clarify that this is not any form of rebellion, nor is this a political podcast. This is Christian freedom. The Bible states emphatically in Galatians 5:1 that believers are free in Christ: “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free” (Galatians 5:1). Before Jesus died on a cross, God's people lived under a complicated system of laws that served as a moral compass to guide their lives. The Law, while powerless to grant salvation or produce true freedom, nevertheless pointed the way to Jesus Christ (Galatians 3:19–24). Through His sacrificial death, Jesus Christ fulfilled the Law, setting believers free from the law of sin and death. God's laws are now written in our hearts through the Spirit of God, and we are free to follow and serve Christ in ways that please and glorify Him (Romans 8:2–8). In a nutshell, this is the definition of Christian freedom. An essential aspect of Christian freedom is our responsibility not to return to living under the Law. The apostle Paul compared this to slavery: “Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery” (Galatians 5:1). Continuing to live under the Law after salvation is merely a legalistic form of religion. We cannot earn righteousness through the Law; instead, the Law's purpose was to define our sin and show our need for a Savior. Christian freedom involves living not under the burdensome obligations of the Law but God's grace: “For sin shall no longer be your master because you are not under the law, but under grace” (Romans 6:14). In Christ, we are free from the Law's oppressive system, we are free from the penalty of sin, and we are free from the power of sin. Christian freedom is not a license to sin. We are free in Christ but not free to live however we want, indulging the flesh: “For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don't use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love” (Galatians 5:13, NLT). Believers aren't free to sin but free to live holy lives in Christ. Christian freedom is one of the many paradoxes of the Christian faith. True freedom means willingly becoming a slave to Christ, which happens through a relationship with Him (Colossians 2:16–17). In Romans 6, Paul explains that when a believer accepts Christ, they are baptized by the Spirit into Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. At that moment, the believer ceases to be a slave to sin and becomes a servant of righteousness: “But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness” (Romans 6:17–18, ESV). Only Christians know true freedom: “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36). But what does Christian liberty look like in a practical sense? What are we free to do and not do? What can we watch on TV? What can we eat and drink? What can we wear to the beach? What about smoking and drinking? Are there limits to Christian freedom? In 1 Corinthians 10, the apostle Paul gives a practical illustration of Christian freedom: “‘Everything is permissible—but not everything is beneficial. ‘Everything is permissible—but not everything is constructive. Nobody should seek his good, but the good of others” (1 Corinthians 10:23–24, NIV84). In writing to the church in Corinth, Paul mentions members attending meals in pagan temples, just as they had done before receiving Christ. They felt free to continue participating because they thought these festivals were merely a normal part of the social culture, and they didn't see their actions as pagan worship. Paul laid out several warnings, reminding the Corinthians of Israel's dangerous flirtation with idolatry in the Old Testament. Then he handled the practical concern of eating meat that had been sacrificed to idols. “Everything is permissible,” the Corinthians were saying. True, Paul says; Christians have a great deal of freedom in Christ. However, not everything is beneficial or constructive. Our freedom in Christ must be balanced by a desire to build up and benefit others. When deciding how to exercise our Christian freedom, we ought to seek the good of others before our good. In Judaism, restrictions were placed on purchasing meats in the market. Jews could only buy and eat kosher meats. Paul said believers were free in Christ to buy and eat any meat (1 Corinthians 10:25–26). However, if meat sacrificed to idols came up, believers were to follow a higher law. Love is what limits Christian freedom. Later in the chapter, Paul wrote about eating meat as a guest in someone's home. Christians are free to eat whatever they are served without questions of conscience (1 Corinthians 10:27). But, if someone brings up that the meat has been offered to an idol, it is better not to eat it for the sake of the person who raised the issue of conscience (verse 28). While believers have the freedom to eat the meat, they are compelled to consider what's best for those who are observing their behavior. Romans 14:1–13 raises a key determiner in understanding the limits of Christian freedom. In the passage, Paul again brings up eating meat sacrificed to idols and observing certain holy days. Some believers felt freedom in Christ in these areas, while others did not, and their differing perspectives were causing quarrels and disunity. Paul emphasized that unity and love in the body of Christ are more important than anyone's convictions or Christian liberty: “Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister” (Romans 14:13). Essentially, Paul's message to the New Testament believers and us today is this: even if we believe we are right and have Christian freedom in an area,[sPause sec=2.6 ePause] if our actions will cause another brother or sister to stumble in his or her faith, we are to refrain out of love. Paul spoke again of the matter in 1 Corinthians 8:7–9: “Some people are still so accustomed to idols that when they eat sacrificial food, they think of it as having been sacrificed to a god, and since their conscience is weak, it is defiled. But food does not bring us near God; we are no worse if we do not eat and no better if we do. Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak.” The issue in New Testament times was eating meat offered to idols; today, other “gray areas” arise in our Christian walk. Romans 14:1 calls these “disputable matters,” areas where the Bible does not give clear-cut guidelines on whether a behavior is a sin. When faced with gray areas, we can rely on two guiding principles to regulate our Christian freedom: let love for others compel us not to cause anyone to stumble and let our desire to glorify God be our all-encompassing motive (1 Corinthians 10:31). [sPause sec=2.6 ePause]

So let us walk in Him -Colossians 2-6-

So let us walk in Him -Colossians 2-6-

Don't just dress for success this year; dress for significance, too.   "And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him" (Colossians 3:17).   https://www.bible.com/events/48738230

The podcast this week, “Christian Contradictions: Jesus died for everyone, BUT that only applies to those who believe it,” is ready! The podcast looks at what happened on the cross (and when) from an eternal perspective, and is going to challenge some traditional doctrines about salvation. What is the difference between believers and non-believers, really? Much of the Western church fails to read the New Testament Scriptures in the context in which they were written - with two covenants still in place (the Old Covenant didn’t end until 70 A.D.), and thereby project many of the Scriptures that were written to a people who were still under the sacrificial covenant on to our modern day, when we are ONLY under the New Covenant. This week’s podcast will be looking at the sacrifice of Jesus from a Cristo-centric lens, which changes everything! Here’s what the Scriptures say: • We have always been chosen by God, since before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:3-11) • Jesus was crucified before Adam fell (Revelation 13:8) • We have been predestined, called, justified, glorified (Romans 8:29-30) • We were crucified with Jesus (Galatians 2:20) • We were raised with Jesus and we are in Him (Colossians 3:1-4) • We are separated ONLY IN OUR MINDS (Colossians 1:19-22) “We,” meaning humanity...this is the co-identification of humanity in Christ. The cross was a universal act by Jesus Christ, for all people. But when does one experience that? When is one ‘saved’? After the alter call?

The podcast this week, “Christian Contradictions: Jesus died for everyone, BUT that only applies to those who believe it,” is ready! The podcast looks at what happened on the cross (and when) from an eternal perspective, and is going to challenge some traditional doctrines about salvation. What is the difference between believers and non-believers, really? Much of the Western church fails to read the New Testament Scriptures in the context in which they were written - with two covenants still in place (the Old Covenant didn’t end until 70 A.D.), and thereby project many of the Scriptures that were written to a people who were still under the sacrificial covenant on to our modern day, when we are ONLY under the New Covenant. This week’s podcast will be looking at the sacrifice of Jesus from a Cristo-centric lens, which changes everything! Here’s what the Scriptures say: • We have always been chosen by God, since before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:3-11) • Jesus was crucified before Adam fell (Revelation 13:8) • We have been predestined, called, justified, glorified (Romans 8:29-30) • We were crucified with Jesus (Galatians 2:20) • We were raised with Jesus and we are in Him (Colossians 3:1-4) • We are separated ONLY IN OUR MINDS (Colossians 1:19-22) “We,” meaning humanity...this is the co-identification of humanity in Christ. The cross was a universal act by Jesus Christ, for all people. But when does one experience that? When is one ‘saved’? After the alter call?

The podcast this week, “Christian Contradictions: Jesus died for everyone, BUT that only applies to those who believe it,” is ready! The podcast looks at what happened on the cross (and when) from an eternal perspective, and is going to challenge some traditional doctrines about salvation. What is the difference between believers and non-believers, really? Much of the Western church fails to read the New Testament Scriptures in the context in which they were written - with two covenants still in place (the Old Covenant didn’t end until 70 A.D.), and thereby project many of the Scriptures that were written to a people who were still under the sacrificial covenant on to our modern day, when we are ONLY under the New Covenant. This week’s podcast will be looking at the sacrifice of Jesus from a Cristo-centric lens, which changes everything! Here’s what the Scriptures say: • We have always been chosen by God, since before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:3-11) • Jesus was crucified before Adam fell (Revelation 13:8) • We have been predestined, called, justified, glorified (Romans 8:29-30) • We were crucified with Jesus (Galatians 2:20) • We were raised with Jesus and we are in Him (Colossians 3:1-4) • We are separated ONLY IN OUR MINDS (Colossians 1:19-22) “We,” meaning humanity...this is the co-identification of humanity in Christ. The cross was a universal act by Jesus Christ, for all people. But when does one experience that? When is one ‘saved’? After the alter call?

If you want to live longer, take a vacation! Forty years after a study of middle-aged, male executives who each had a risk of heart disease, researchers in Helsinki, Finland, followed up with their study participants. The scientists discovered something they hadn’t been looking for in their original findings: the death rate was lower among those who had taken time off for vacation. Work is a necessary part of life—a part God appointed to us even before our relationship with Him was fractured in Genesis 3. Solomon wrote of the seeming meaninglessness of work experienced by those not working for God’s honor—recognizing its “anxious striving” and “grief and pain” (Ecclesiastes 2:22–23). Even when they’re not actively working, he says their “minds do not rest” because they’re thinking about what still needs to be done (v. 23). We too might at times feel like we’re “chasing after the wind” (v. 17) and grow frustrated by our inability to “finish” our work. But when we remember that God is part of our labor—our purpose—we can both work hard and take time to rest. We can trust Him to be our Provider, for He’s the giver of all things. Solomon acknowledges that “without him, who can eat or find enjoyment?” (v. 25). Perhaps by reminding ourselves of that truth we can work diligently for Him (Colossians 3:23) and also allow ourselves times of rest.

There're still many who haven't understood true Christianity; therefore, they go about seeking God just like in Jeremiah 29:13-14. But having received Christ Jesus, the Bible tells us that He lives in us and we should continue to live in Him (Colossians 2:6). We now have Christ Jesus. We are born into His presence. You carry His presence everywhere you go! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/esther511/message

In this session you will learn--- * Just like the creation of the heavens and the earth, God made every born-again believer complete in Him (Colossians 2:9-10, I John 4:17, II Corinthians 5:17). * In the same way God had something more for the Israelites than living in Egypt and the wilderness, God has more for us than escaping hell. * What is our Sabbath rest as New Testament believers? * What is our fight of faith? * What does it mean to labour into the rest of faith?

There is no comparison between a man who is a person of integrity and honor. and a man who is exhibiting or denoting obsessive enthusiasm... One that choose to lead from compassion and his heart and the other that want lead for his own self interests. One seeks to raise the conversation or discussion to resolve several problems. the other seeks to get elected and seek photo ops. Personally, I don't care who you vote for: but one needs to research for themselves the issues with the person or persons they want to vote for. Politicians has turned the covid – 19 into a pollical issue just as they have done with race relations. The diversity of the American people which was once our strength now has become our weakness, and if you think another country will not play on this look at China and Russia. Our leaders are fighting each other for power instead of working together from the American people. The American government has something that no other organization has or can even come close to what's that it is being the only one of its kind; unlike anything else. mission of service to the American people. It is responsible for ensuring our food is safe to eat, our water is drinkable, that we can fly in friendly skies that are safe to fly and to and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, think about the rioters and protester. No other organization, Public or private, BLM, KKK, LBGT, or any social group that advocates and practices hatred, hostility, or violence towards members of a race, ethnicity, nation, religion, gender, gender identity. Our government is responsible for these missions mentioned above, and that is why these government agencies must be diverse, equitable and inclusive. Being A Righteous Man or Woman first none is truly sin free or 100% righteous; Romans 3:10 As it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one. what does the Bible say? Dictionaries define righteousness as “behavior that is morally justifiable or right.” Such behavior is characterized by accepted standards of morality, justice, virtue, or uprightness. The Bible's standard of human righteousness is God's own perfection in every attribute, every attitude, every behavior, and every word. Thus, God's laws, as given in the Bible, both describe His own character and constitute the plumb line by which He measures human righteousness. Read the following Psalm 33:18–22, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Proverbs 15:9, (John 15:1–2; Mark 4:20). Galatians 5:22-23. For us to pursue righteousness means we must recognize that we cannot please God in our sinful state (Romans 8:8). We turn from trying to justify ourselves by our good deeds and instead seek the mercy of God. We desire that He transform our minds (Romans 12:2) and conform us “to the image of His Son” (Romans 8:29). In the Old Testament, men were declared righteous when they believed God and acted on it (Genesis 15:6; Galatians 3:6; James 2:23). Before Pentecost (Acts 2:1–4), people pursued righteousness by keeping God's Law, seeking holiness, and “walking humbly with God” (Micah 6:8). No one was justified by rule-keeping but by the faith that enabled them to obey God (Romans 3:20; Galatians 2:16). Likewise, today we are justified by the faith that leads us to Jesus (Romans 3:28; 5:1; 10:10). Those who are in Christ continue seeking God to please Him (Colossians 3:1). When we come to faith in Christ, He gives us the Holy Spirit who empowers us to pursue righteousness for its own sake (Acts 2:38). He commands us to “walk in the Spirit” (Galatians 5:16, 25). Walking in the Spirit means we live a lifestyle of total surrender to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. We cultivate the ability to hear God and the habit of obeying His voice in everything.

The Judgement of the World III “I am crucified to the world and the world is crucified to.” This glorious judgment must ring in our hearts. I am crucified with Christ to live unto Him. This is the answer to all my problems. This is the answer to my frustrations. I am crucified with Him! In Ephesian 2, Paul writes that we are quickened with Christ. This word means made alive. We have been made alive from the world. We are not made alive with the world but with Christ Jesus, who was raised alive out of the world. Jesus was quickened out from the dead. He was not just raised again, but He was raised out from the dead. Paul says in Ephesians 2 that we were dead in trespasses and sins and walked according to the course of the world. The reality here is we WERE dead. We ARE made alive with Christ. Do you see the separation? In time past, we were of the world. We lived in the world. It held us. The world had its grips on us. Here is where we had our conversation. Now through Jesus Christ, God’s great mercy appeared. We who have received Him are made alive with Him. Through God’s saving grace, Paul writes we are made alive with Him, raised with Him, and seated with Him. This reality is not set forth to be just some positional truth that we are waiting to be real some futuristick day. This has happened to us because how it happened to us is NOW in us. The how is a person, Christ Jesus the Lord. We have received Christ Jesus the Lord to walk in Him, to be rooted and built in Him (Colossians 2). This separation or division of the cross is real, and it is made real through the person who performed the work being revealed in our hearts. Jesus did the work. He completed the work God gave Him to do. His work separated us from the world. We are in the world, but we are not of it. The world dos does not possess our souls, Christ does! We are the church which is His body the fullness of Him who is far above all principality and power (Ephesians 1). I love this statement. He is above all powers, all authorities, all rulers, all laws, anything we can think or imagine, Christ Jesus is above. Or we can simply say He is Lord. Jesus is Lord, our Ruler, our King. We are seated with Him in heavenly places in Christ. To get ahold of this is to understand He is above. He is seated above rulers and powers at the right hand (power and authority) of God. We that are His body are seated with Him in His glorious work to manifest Him and His completed work to the earth. This is the purpose of the church to manifest Him, whose body we are. Let this become our hearts, let this become our identity, “the church which is His Body.” We are the Body of the Lord to express the Lord wherever we go in the earth. We are to be His expression. We are to bring His aroma into all situations. WE ARE HIS!  

“Your people will rebuild long-deserted ruins, building anew on foundations laid long before you. You will be known as Repairers of the Cities and Restorers of Communities.” [Isaiah 58:12] There is a reason loss and injustice affect us so deeply. We are moved not just by our own pain, but often by the painful experiences of others. It's because we have experienced a better word, a better way -- The Word and The Way named Jesus Christ. Your life is now concealed in Him [Colossians 3:3]. Though your enemy, satan, can't take you out of Christ, he can convince you that your position in Christ makes no difference to the world around you. Oh, but it does! _ Did you know you can subscribe to Posture on YouTube? Subscribe now: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3fh7515WGbIggFJ2yKPVuw - You can also watch episodes of Posture... Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3fh7515WGbIggFJ2yKPVuw Follow on Facebook: https://facebook.com/posturepodcast Follow on Instagram: https://instagram.com/posture.podcast

“Who are you,” they asked in a less than gracious tone. Jesus had been in the temple area since early morning teaching a large gathering of people who had come to hear His words. A group of religious leaders brought an adulterous woman into the middle of the crowd, right before him and said, “The Law of Moses says stone her. What do you say?” They were not seeking counsel but an opportunity to impugn His character and His teaching. Jesus turned the tables on his accusers. “You, who are without sin, cast the first stone.” Indignant and offended by His tone, convicted in their own heart, the men who had brought the woman slithered away one by one. The woman remained before Him; no doubt humiliated, maybe very angry at the men and at the crowd around her. Jesus looked at her with eyes of love, mercy and grace. “Where are those who accuse you? Is someone condemning you,” Jesus asked? “No one,” she answered. “Neither do I condemn you,” He answered, “Go and sin no more.” Jesus continued teaching the crowd that had been with Him all morning. Among them were some Pharisees who had watched this whole seen with great interest. They began to question the Lord. “Where is your father? Who are you?” Who Is Jesus Christ? Ah, there you have the great question that Lucifer has used for millennia to gain an entrance and establish a foothold in a person’s life. He used that strategy on Jesus when was in the wilderness forty days fasting and praying. The Lord was preparing Himself spiritually for the next three years of public ministry. Satan came on the last day seeking opportunity to stop the advance of God’s Kingdom.  “If you are the Son of God,” he challenged the one born in Bethlehem’s stable. When Jesus parried His attacker with “It is written…” The Devil resumed the offense with, “If you are the Son of God…” Jesus again parried His attacker with, “It is also written…” Satan made a counter move with a more subtle attack on Jesus true identity, “All these things I will give You if You fall down and worship me.” Jesus Christ Knew Who He Was The Son of Man knew His true identity. He not only parried the assailants move, He defeated him. “Away with you Satan, for it is written…” This Luciferian strategy was the challenge throughout His years of ministry. It was the very point that sent Him to the cross of Calvary. The night Jesus was arrested a brought before the High Priest many accusations were thrown against Him. None of them stuck. In frustration and anger the High Priest declared, “I put you under oath by the living God. Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God!. 26:63) That is the stumbling block of all ages. The prophet Isaiah wrote, “He will be as a sanctuary. But a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense to both the houses of Israel, as a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem” (8:14). The Apostle Paul quoted that passage from Isaiah when he wrote to the Church in Rome, “…For they stumbled at that stumbling stone. As it is written, ‘Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and a rock of offense and whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame’” (9:32-33). The Apostle Peter also quoted two passages from Isaiah clearly connecting the dots. “ Therefore, it is also contained in the Scripture, ’Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious, and he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.’ Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious: But to those who are disobedient, ‘The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone and a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense’” (1 Peter 2:6-8). What is it that makes Jesus Christ such a lightning rod? It is not that He is a founder of a religion. Thousands down through the centuries have found new religious groups without such level animosity. It is not that He was a prophet. Nostradamus, Edgar Cayce, Baba Vanga, and Jeane Dixon are a few the world has acknowledge and continue to publish their words. The Christian church has recognized men and women that have been anointed by the Holy Spirit to speak prophetically, Martin Luther, John Wesley, Smith Wigglesworth, David Wilkerson, just to name a few. It is profoundly interesting to observe in the public arena that You can speak about Muhammad, Buddha; Display the Hindu goddess on the Empire State Building (August 2015); Build a statue of Saraswati, the goddess of wisdom and learning, on Embassy Row, Massachusetts Ave., Washington DC to bless our Nation’s Capital; Imam’s can pray in the name of Allah. It is not permitted to wear images or symbols of Jesus Christ on clothing at public schools. Teachers are not permitted to share the teachings of Jesus Christ, although it is common for them to share teachings of Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism. Why is Jesus Christ singled out as not acceptable? There is one reason. Jesus Christ declared Himself to be the Son of God! “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation… He is before all things and in Him all things consist… For it pleased the Father than in Him all the fullness should dwell” (Colossians 1:15-19). Jesus Christ is not the reasonable fact simile of Almighty God. He is Almighty God, “for in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily and we are complete in Him” (Colossians 2:9-10). He is called The Word of God. He is pre-existed His virgin birth. Indeed, He pre-existed all of creation. He existed before all things and by Him all things are held together. All of creation came into being by His mighty hand and the word of His power. “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God.  All things were made by Him and without Him was not anything made that was made.” He makes it very clear, the redemption of mankind; the forgiveness of sin; and eternal life; is possible only through Him. That exclusivity drives sinful human heart crazy. Mankind desperately wants to believe he can save himself, that he is basically good and has the capability of making himself good. Polytheism and political correctness demands there be many roads to God and tolerance makes no room for an exclusive Savior. None of that changes the truth of the Holy Scripture and the true identity of Jesus Christ. He alone is “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the word” (John 1:29). There is no other sacrifice for the sins of mankind that can transform the human heart and deliver a person from the powers of darkness and transfer them into the Kingdom of God. There is no other human being that took upon Himself the sins and the guilt of the human race and was crucified, buried in a grave, and raised from the dead the third day. There is no other man that ascended back to Heaven, sat down at the right hand of God and ever lives to make intercession for the human race. Jesus Christ alone carries that identity. There is no other mediator between God and man. There is no other avenue to God because no one can come to the Father except by Jesus Christ. There is no other name given to mankind through which one can be saved. He is exclusively the Savior. He is exclusively the Promised One, the Alpha and the Omega. He is exclusively the Son of God. Read More Content Like this: The Humanizing of Jesus Who is Jesus Christ? Which Jesus is the Church Preaching

Another Sunday is upon us and the church is still having to figure out how to worship together while practicing self-distancing.  Awkward and uncomfortable, I know.  But I believe our choice to forgo our right to assemble and worship for the sake of the least of these (those who are at greater risk), is proper and prudent.  And I believe the Lord will honor the free sacrifice of our own rights for the sake of others. With that said, the following message is from the first two chapters of the book of Joel.  In fact, as we go through Joel together, I think you'll be amazed and comforted at how the crisis in Joel's time (locust invasion) parallels the crisis we are facing as a church and a nation today.  For me, the most encouraging truth from Joel is the solution to their locust problem then is the same as the solution to our coronavirus problem now.  And that solution, as always, is repentance. We will specifically focus on Joel 2:12-13, which reads: "Now, therefore," says the LORD, "Turn to Me with all your heart, (how) with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning."  So rend your heart, and not your garments; return to the LORD your God, (why) for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness; and He relents from doing harm. Note, the first sentence is a statement by God.  The second is the application from Joel.  And Joel's words are timeless.  They are just as valid and true in his generation as they are today.  So take them to heart. Two Truths About God from Joel If you read the small book of Joel, you will discover there are two unchanging truths the Lord wants us to know about Himself.  It is almost like He is presenting these as an encouragement to His children when they go through trying times and He wants us to rest in these eternal truths.  The first one deals with God's sovereignty. God is in control of all situations we may face - government intrusion, war, illness, heartache, financial ruin, swarming locusts and the coronavirus.  Name your catastrophe, it doesn't matter.  God is in control. And the second one is even more encouraging. God responds to repentance.  Always and forever.  Without fail.  No matter how horrible the sin that prompts the repentance. Or, to put it another way, God loves us as least as much as the best human father we could imagine would love his children.  Howie Cunningham, Ward Cleaver, James Dobson, Andy Taylor, Carl Winslow, Philip Banks, you name it.  They are great fathers, maybe better than the ones you had as a child.  But God is off the charts!  Beyond comprehension.  So there is no comparison.  Period. As we face an uncertain future, let's confidently hold fast to our certain God.  Rest in Him.  Trust Him.  Grow in a likeness to Him.  And when you do, you'll find His promises to be true. My brethren (put your name here), count it all joy when you fall into various trials, (why) knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.  But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. (James 1:2-4). And remember, you are "complete in Him" (Colossians 2:10). The following is a study on Repentance, Old Testament Style, as revealed in Joel 1-2.

The Book of Revelation - His Feet of Brass II In John’s seeing of the Son of Man the sacrificial system is immediately brought into view.  Jesus was described with a garment down to his foot, wearing a golden girdle, with feet of brass as they burned in the furnace.  Immediately, our hearts should go to the Old Covenant and begin to look at the sacrificial system.    As Israel entered the Temple Courts the first piece of furniture to be encountered was the brass altar.  Here was the sacrifice offered.  Here the judgement took place.  In a symbolic way the sins of the offeror were transferred to the sacrifice.  Jesus our great lamb was where all sins of mankind was finally transferred.  He offered himself once and for all, completing the requirements for the redemption of all mankind.  Man would now simply have to respond to Christ’s offering.  Whosoever calls on the name of the Lord is now saved through the work and effort of our Lord Jesus Christ who gave Himself for all men.   The Apostle Paul wrote to the Romans that if we confess with the mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in our hear that God raised Him from the dead we would be saved.  I’ve heard it said many times that confession is good for the soul.  Usually, that implies confessing our bad deeds.  I want to preface this.  I do believe you should confess to the Lord your sins.  I do believe you need to believe unto Him for salvation.  I do believe you must be born again.  All of this I do strongly believe.   However, much of our confession after we are born again is not according to Christ’s work.  Paul wrote in his epistles that we are the righteousness of God through Christ.  Much of the time we do not confess this but confess our short comings.  Consider with me that when we confess our short comings, we are not confessing the Lord Jesus.  If I confess Him, I could say that through one offering for sin you have sanctified forever those who are saved (Hebrews 10).  I could say that I have been made full or complete in Him (Colossians 2:10).  I could confess I have been cleansed and made free through the blood of the Lamb, and that Jesus Christ now lives in me as He declared He would in John 14:20.    I could confess His work and reality in my life.  That is what I could learn to confess and then boldly say that confession is good for my soul!  Glory to God.  I could say this is my judgement, the offering of the body of Jesus Christ and His resurrection.  As God judged Israel’s sins through the offering of the animals.  He has judged us in the offering of Christ, and through His resurrection He judges us complete in Him, having obtained the atonement.    The brass altar is a place of judgement, and is the entranceway into the Temple of God.  No one comes to the Father but through the offering of Jesus.  Jesus is now our entrance way and the only way to the Father.  Here through his work, as we eat the lamb and come to know Him we will find that He has judged us righteous and complete.  We will find that we now live in and through Him that loved us and saved us with His own precious life.   I hope you enjoy these podcasts as we follow the leading of the Spirit for the unraveling of the Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ.  It is a privilege to share with you what the Lord is teaching and showing me.  Glory to God in the Highest!!!

Rooted and Built Up - Walk in Him - Colossians 2:6-10

We Are Family As we enter what is known as the Holy Week or the Passion Week, we need to take time to reflect on WHO Jesus Christ is to us. We need to know WHO WE are in Christ. Because when we realized WHO we are in Christ, we will understand WHY He did what He did and also the magnitude of what He did. He literally loved us to death. “WHO IS JESUS?” John 7:3-5; Acts 1:14; John 20:29 Let’s look at today’s passage. Matthew 12:46-50 I have heard it said that Jesus is disrespecting His mom and family here! Is He? Or was Jesus establishing the foundation of a “spiritual family”? Was Jesus being rude or was He commending those who followed Him and as such were now a part of a “spiritual family” through faith? One commentator said that Jesus was not dishonoring Mary, but rather honoring His Father. Mary was secure in her belief in God. She had no reason to take offense. But Jesus was honoring those who did not let anything come between them and Jesus not even blood relationships. Matthew 10:37 We are family… spiritually! We become family by faith, when we repent and believe in Jesus and do the will of the Father. Romans 8:17; Galatians 3:23-4:7 The crazy part is this was the plan from the beginning of time! Ephesians 1:4-6 God had already planned out a way to receive us and make us heirs with Christ! Do you realize the amount of love God has for you and for me… that it pleased Him to bruise and crush His own child so that we could be brought into relationship with Him? Colossians 1:19-22 God the Father allowed Jesus His Son to go through the pain of the cross, and He did it knowing there would be rejection but there would also be those who believed! It “pleased” God to do that so that His creation could be made one in Him. That we would all be one family! Bound by blood, not our own, but Jesus’ blood! We would be a spiritual family! “Who is My mother and who are My brothers?” … “Here are My mother and My brothers! 50 For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.” Good Friday marks the day that Jesus made the sacrifice. It marks the day that He said, “It is finished!” So we need to ask ourselves the question… WHO IS JESUS? He is faithful and just to forgive.

July 20, 2008         College Park Church  The Core:  Living with Jesus at the Center “Rooted in Him” Colossians 2:6-7  Mark Vroegop   6  Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7  rooted and built up in him and established...