Podcasts about his father

In this episode, Kristi teaches about Jesus's time in the wilderness and how the Word from His Father's mouth sustained Him. Register for the Braveheart Summit here! What is the Summit? It's a rallying point for Bravehearts — men and women who burn to see the Bride of Christ mature in purpose, power and freedom. If you're hungry for God, eager for true connection with others, and ready to grow deep in the faith of the gospel, this Summit is for you.The Summit is not an end point, it's a launching point. We purpose to gather, to magnify Jesus, to uplift the body of Christ and to return home on mission refreshed, radiant and ready to run.Send us a textSupport the show

Through Samuel the Word of God multiplied and brought stability. The promised judgment upon the house of Eli happened in the battle at Ebenezer - meaning both "the son of help" and "the stone of help". Had a faithful priesthood been present in Israel their Rock would have given His people victory. Instead disaster overtook the nation with the extinction of Eli's line and 30,000 carcasses lying as carrion upon the field. Though foolish sons treated the ark as a lucky charm in contrast to what Yahweh intended- contrast Numbers 10:35-36. Though emboldened by the ark's presence and contrariwise the Philistines dismayed, Israel fell before the foe whose battle cry should be that of the saints in their spiritual warfare (1 Corinthians 16:13). The great catastrophe for the 98 year old Eli and his devout daughter in law was the capture of the ark. Her final word was Ichabod, meaning the glory has departed.The glorious servant of Yahweh in Isaiah 50 showed that the glory returned in the Lord Jesus Christ, as his servant ear was ever open to the Word of his God and instructed his every thought and action. The chapter begins with the LORD as challenging the nation of Israel, who were claiming that their Sovereign had divorced them. This was untrue and the Almighty says show Me your evidence - show Me your bill of divorce. It didn't exist since Yahweh hates "putting away": Malachi 2:10-16. The prophecy of Hosea establishes that despite the nation's continued unfaithfulness their God was ready to take them back as His spouse after a period of separation and genuine repentance. Verses 4-7 contrasts Israel's behaviour with Yahweh's faithful Servant - our Lord Jesus Christ. The Father daily sent an angel to sharpen His Son's magnificently receptive mind to His Father's Word. The Son like the perpetual and voluntary servant under the Law opened his ear to that Word. Read psalm 40:6-8; Hebrews 10:5-10. This submission and acceptance of His Father's way helped to enable the Son to life the life of total service. Jesus was obedient unto death, even the death upon the stake: Philippians 2:5-11. Verses 7-9 describe Jesus' determination to die that death in Jerusalem by which our the basis for our redeeming was established:Luke 9:51. Note the context of this comment from Luke in chapter 9 verses 21-36; 43-44. As a consequence no adversary could stand before him and Yahweh would stand with His servant and provide him with the assurance that Jesus would overcome his foes in the name of his God: Psalm 118:10-29. Verses 10-11 tell those self assured false leaders that their Sovereign would extinguish their fire permanently.

     Sometime in eternity past, God the Father sent God the Son into the world to fulfill a divine mission. God's Word tells us, “The Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world” (1 John 4:14). This was the great mission: to bring salvation to everyone. This act of God was done in love, as it is written, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16), and “He loved us and sent His Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins” (1 John 4:10). The Son agreed with the Father, saying, “I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me” (John 6:38), and “The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). When God the Son came into the world and took upon Himself humanity, He executed His mission flawlessly.      The divine mission began in time and space nearly two thousand years ago when God the Son took upon Himself humanity. The writer to the Hebrews cites the words of God the Son as He was about to enter the world, saying, “Therefore, when He comes into the world, He says [to God the Father], ‘Sacrifice and offering You have not desired, but a body You have prepared for Me'” (Heb 10:5). The third Person of the Trinity, God the Holy Spirit, facilitated the mission by bringing about the hypostatic union within the womb of the virgin Mary (Isa 7:14; Luke 1:30-35; Gal 4:4). The angel Gabriel told Mary, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God” (Luke 1:35). At the moment of conception in the womb of the virgin Mary, undiminished deity was combined forever with perfect humanity. Eventually, Jesus was born, and God “became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). The apostle Paul tells us, “For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form” (Col 2:9).      God's Word informs us that Jesus was a Jew, born a son of Abraham, in the line of David (Matt 1:1), the promised Messiah (Matt 1:17). Jesus grew in wisdom (Luke 2:40, 52) and lived a perfectly righteous life before God and man. The record of Scripture is that Jesus “knew no sin” (2 Cor 5:21), was “without sin” (Heb 4:15), “committed no sin” (1 Pet 2:22), and “in Him there is no sin” (1 John 3:5). In His humanity, Jesus walked in perfect conformity to God the Father's holy character and divine revelation. This is important, for Jesus' sinless life qualified Him to go to the cross and pay the ransom price for our sins (Mark 10:45).      When the divinely appointed time came for Jesus to go to the cross (John 12:23; 13:1), He went willingly (Isa 53:10; John 10:18). Just hours before the crucifixion, Jesus said to His Father, “I glorified You on the earth, having accomplished the work which You have given Me to do” (John 17:4). Then He went to the cross and “offered Himself without blemish to God” (Heb 9:14), giving “His life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). Jesus paid our sin debt by means of His “precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ” (1 Pet 1:19). While on the cross, “Christ died for our sins” (1 Cor 15:3), and He died in our place, “the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God” (1 Pet 3:18; cf. Rom 5:8).      Jesus' death on the cross was a one-time event, as He “offered one sacrifice for sins for all time” (Heb 10:12). After Jesus paid for all our sins, “He said, ‘It is finished!' And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit” (John 19:30). Jesus' death on the cross satisfied every righteous demand of God the Father concerning the payment for our sins (Rom 3:25), for “He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world” (1 John 2:2). Jesus paid the price for all our sins. There's nothing more to pay. After Jesus died, He was placed in a grave and was resurrected to life on the third day (Acts 2:23-24; 4:10; 10:40; 1 Cor 15:3-4), never to die again (Rom 6:9). Because Christ died for everyone (John 3:16; Heb 2:9; 1 John 2:2), everyone is savable. The Bible tells us that God has brought “salvation to all men” (Tit 2:11), that He “desires all men to be saved” (1 Tim 2:4), and is “not wishing for any to perish” (2 Pet 3:9).      Once we understand who Jesus is, as God in the flesh (John 1:1, 14), and what He has accomplished for us on the cross—having died for our sins, was buried, and raised again on the third day (1 Cor 15:3-4)—we can then exercise our faith by trusting in Him as our Savior (John 3:16; 20:31). This is the Jesus of Scripture and history, and not a fake Jesus like those taught by Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, or one we create in our imagination. To receive salvation, the unbeliever is told to “believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31a). Jesus is the object of our faith. To believe in Christ as our Savior means we trust Him to accomplish for us what we cannot accomplish ourselves: eternal salvation from the lake of fire.      Faith in Christ is the only condition for salvation. Faith does not save; Christ saves. Faith is merely the instrument by which we receive the free gift of God, which is eternal life. Though the gift was very expensive for the Lord, it is offered totally free to us, for “the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom 6:23). And it is “by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Eph 2:8-9). Only the empty hand of faith accepts the gift. It offers nothing but is open to receive that which is offered by another. God's gift is available to everyone, for “whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16), and “he who believes has eternal life” (John 6:47). No payment is required from us to receive it (Rom 4:4-5), and no precondition of good works is necessary before, during, or after salvation.      The only sin that keeps a person out of heaven is the sin of unbelief, the individual choice NOT to trust in Jesus as one's Savior. The one who rejects Jesus as Savior is judged by God on the sole ground that “he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God” (John 3:18). These are the ones who “are always resisting the Holy Spirit” (Acts 7:51; cf. John 16:8), who “do not believe” in Jesus as their Savior (John 16:9), and “are unwilling to come” to Him so that they “may have life” (John 5:40). Those who willingly reject Christ as Savior will, after death, experience eternal separation and punishment away from God for all eternity, for “if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire” (Rev 20:15). This need not happen. Hell is avoidable for the one who trusts in Christ as Savior, for “whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16). Salvation is a free gift from God (Rom 3:24; 6:23), offered by grace alone (Eph 2:8-9), through faith alone (Rom 3:28; Gal 2:16; 3:26; 2 Tim 3:15), in Christ alone (John 14:6; Acts 4:12), totally apart from human works (Rom 4:5; Eph 2:8-9; Tit 3:5). For lost sinners, the matter is simple: “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31).      Once we have trusted in Christ for salvation, we receive forgiveness of sins (Acts 10:43; Eph 1:7), the gift of righteousness (Rom 5:17; Phil 3:9), eternal life (John 3:16; 10:28), and many other blessings (Eph 1:3). And having entered into a relationship with God through Christ (John 1:12; Gal 3:26), we are then called to a life of holiness and righteousness (1 Pet 1:15-16), as we learn His Word (2 Tim 2:15; 3:16-17; 1 Pet 2:2; 2 Pet 3:18), walk by faith (2 Cor 5:7; Heb 10:38), and advance to spiritual maturity (Heb 6:1). This new walk with God will honor Him and edify others (Eph 4:1-2; 5:1-2).      Our forgiveness of sins, eternal life, and many wonderful blessings from God are all made possible because God the Son came down to us and accomplished what we cannot: our salvation. For this, we praise God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit for their work of salvation, for “having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom 5:1). Amen. Steven R. Cook, D.Min., M.Div., B.Sc.

In the sixth and final week of our series called The Lord's Prayer, Pastor Kim examines the final verse of the prayer which reads: and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Kim makes the case that God tests us to strengthen us, the enemy tempts us to destroy us, but God delivers us. A test is meant to prove or improve your character. A temptation is meant to entice you to sin and destroy your faith. Kim explains why God Himself never tempts us in this way. In order to navigate tests and temptations properly we must pray for protection, perceive the real battle, and pursue Jesus' example. Jesus overcame temptations by quoting scripture, trusting His Father, and staying in prayer.

When Facing Difficult Circumstances, Look to Jesus as Our Great High Priest MESSAGE SUMMARY: Introduction – Why don't we go to God when things get difficult? Jesus is Our Great High Priest; and we have access to Him, at any time, through prayer. Today's Message – In the Jewish Temple Worship, the Great High Priest was called by God from the Jewish Tribe of Levi; and he represented the people before God, and he represented God to the people. However, the Great High Priest of the Temple was human and a sinner, thereby, requiring sacrifices to God daily to atone for his own sin as well as the sins of the people of the Temple. Jesus, like the Temple's Great High Priest, was appointed by God; but Jesus represented all humanity before God through His prayers. Also, Jesus represented God, His Father, to the people through His preaching and teaching. Additionally, and like the Temple's Great high Priest, Jesus provided a sacrifice to God for the sins of the people. However, Jesus sacrifice was permanent and “once offered for the sins of the whole world” and forever. In Hebrews 5:9-10, the author of Hebrews tells us that: “{Jesus} And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.". Jesus priesthood, unlike the Temple's Great High Priest, was a “permanent Priesthood” with limitless power. Therefore, Jesus is able offer complete Salvation to all that come to Him. Again, the author of Hebrews, in Hebrews 7:26-27, presents how Jesus, is Our Great High Priest and how Jesus differs from the Temple's Great Hight Priest: “For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. He {Jesus} has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself.". Since Jesus is Our great High Priest, the author of Hebrews admonishes us, in Hebrews 4:16, to hold fast to Jesus as Our great High Priest and to not let go. In Hebrews 4:15-16, we are told why we are so privileged with Jesus as Our Great High Priest: “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.". Since Jesus has been designated by God as Our Great High Priest for our intercessions with God, we have Jesus, as Our Great High Priest in our times off difficulties and needs. Therefore, when times get difficult for us, we have no excuse for not going Our Great High Priest, Jesus, with troubles. Through Our great High Priest, God is merciful and full of grace; and God will meet our needs.   TODAY'S PRAYER: Lord, Sabbath rest is truly an unbelievable gift! Thank you that there is nothing I can do to earn your love; it comes without any strings attached. As I close my eyes for these few minutes before you, all I can say is, thank you! In Jesus' name, amen.    Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 133). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: I affirm that because of what God has done for me in His Son, Jesus, I AM FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT. If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him! Luke 11:13 SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Hebrews 5:1-10 ; Psalms 2:7; Psalms 110:4; Genesis 14:18-20; Hebrews 7:1-26: Romans 8:35; Hebrews 4:15-16;  (Click the Bible References, in blue, below to read the full Bible text for these Scripture References.). A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. WEBSITE LINK TO DR. BEACH'S DAILY DEVOTIONAL – “Jesus Followers Have Eternal Life, Even Before their Earthly Death, Because Whoever “believes him {God} who sent me {Jesus}””: https://awordfromthelord.org/devotional/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

Jesus Delivered Us (audio) David Eells – 6/22/25 Father, fill us with faith as we discover what has been accomplished for us by the sacrifice of Jesus. How that he bound the strong man and delivered us from evil. Give us understanding that we be not ignorant of satan's devices. Help us to stand on Your Word and swing our sword of the Spirit which the fallen angels cannot resist. We ask for your grace and power to open up Your Word to our hearts and minds and make us all the spiritual warriors You have called us to be. The enemy fears those who know their rights. Saints, I'm going to talk to you today about what Jesus provided for us and our deliverance from the demonic hoards. When the Pharisees accused Jesus of casting out demons by Beelzebub, the prince of demons, He replied, (Luk.11:19) 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. (21) When the strong [man] (The word “man” is actually not in the original; it was added-in later. Jesus was calling the devil “the strong” when He was spoiling his kingdom.) fully armed guardeth his own court, his goods are in 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. (23) He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth. So it actually reads, (Luk.11:21) When the strong fully armed guardeth his own court, his goods are in peace. These “goods” Jesus is talking about are the things that the devil, “the strong,” has been given authority over in this world, and the “court” here represents his kingdom where he, “the strong,” rules and reigns. (Luk.11:21) When the strong  fully armed guardeth his own court, his goods are in peace: (22) but when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him (That was Jesus who overcame him!), he taketh from him his whole armor wherein he trusted. Did you know that the devil has no armor? His kingdom has no armor. He and his demons have no armor if we believe it. They have no protection against the authority that God has given to us. The protection has all been taken away from them. His “whole armor” has been taken away since it is God in (Col.1:13) Who delivered us out of the power of darkness, and translated us into the kingdom of the Son of his love. And He gave us authority in (Luk.10:19) 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. This is something that has already been accomplished; it isn't something that we have to accomplish. God has given us authority to partake of everything that Jesus did for us at the Cross. (Col.1:12) Giving thanks unto the Father, who made us meet (The Greek there is “made us competent or able.”) to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light. Whatever a saint walking in light is entitled to, God made us able to partake of that, so if you think that you lack ability, you are just wrong and you need to study the Scriptures. For example it says in (Eph.6:13) Wherefore take up the whole armor of God (So we have been given God's armor and the devil has none), that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand. (16) Withal taking up the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil [one]. So, through faith in this Word we can cast down all of his weapons against us. We are invincible. And in (Php.4:13) I can do all things in him that strengtheneth me. Jesus made us able to be a partaker in whatever we need. He made us able to plunder the devil's kingdom, and the devil's kingdom is wherever the devil rules or his curse reigns. Wherever the devil has ability, we now have the ability to take it away from him. The devil has no power if we believe this. Do you remember when Joshua and Caleb were seeking to bring the children of Israel into the Promised Land? After spying out the land, these two said that their enemies' defense was removed from over them. We read this in (Num.14:9) Only rebel not against the Lord, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defence is removed from over them, and the Lord is with us: fear them not. The demons and the people they use are the ones who should fear us. All that the other ten spies could see were the giants, but Joshua and Caleb saw that the enemy had no armor. That's the way we have to see the enemies of God's Kingdom. It makes no difference whether those enemies are the lusts of the flesh, works of darkness, demons, the devil, or whatever. Their defense is removed from over them. They have no power against the Word of God. Jesus was the “Stronger” Who came and took away their whole armor (Luke 11:22). Praise be to God! So Jesus has already divided the spoils for us. Those “spoils” of the devil's kingdom are all the places where he has taken advantage of your life or taken authority over the things or circumstances that God has put in your hands. All these add up to “spoils.” When Jesus went about doing good and “healing all who were oppressed of the devil” in (Acts 10:38), He was spoiling the devil's kingdom. If you are being oppressed of the devil, Jesus destroyed this oppression. He broke this power everywhere He went. Whether it was hunger, sickness, demonic possession, or mental need, it didn't make any difference; Jesus broke the oppression and He told us to do the same thing because (Mat.12:30) He that is not with me is against me, and he that gathereth not with me scattereth. The devil's power over God's people rests in the fact that God's people don't know that his power has already been broken, and they don't know the authority that's been given to them. Although the Word speaks it plainly, it still has to be a revelation that you pick up and use like a sword. The Bible says of Jesus in (Col.2:15) Having despoiled the principalities and the powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it. He already made spoil of our eneies. “Triumphing” is not the victory. “Triumphing” is celebrating the victory that has already been won. Jesus triumphed over the devil and He rubbed the devil's nose in what He had accomplished on the Cross. The victory was at the Cross; what came after the Cross was the triumph, which is our responsibility. (2Co.2:14) But thanks be unto God, who always leadeth us in triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest through us the savor of his knowledge in every place. We are to simply celebrate His victory. Hallelujah! What we need to do is repeat what the Word says about our circumstances or situation, and we do that by stating what the Word says about our authority and righteousness. All we have to do is believe that. The devil wants us to look at ourselves and our failures and the curse around us, but we just need to remember that we have authority over that curse. We've been crucified with Christ and we're not alive anymore; now it's Christ Who lives in us. (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. When we remember what the Word of God says about us and about our circumstances, we can celebrate the victory. When we are praising God for what He has done, this is triumphing over the devil; it's celebrating the victory! Praising God is not necessarily singing songs, and some songs that you sing in church don't really praise God. Many songs don't even confess the Word of God. They don't celebrate the victory, and as a matter of fact, a lot of them just confess the problem. We are not under the curse anymore because (Gal.3:13) Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us; for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: (14) that upon the Gentiles might come the blessing of Abraham in Christ Jesus; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. (He became accursed for us so that we could have Abraham's blessings.) So, how was Abraham blessed? (Gen.24:1) … And the Lord had blessed Abraham in all things. (Gal.3:15) Brethren, I speak after the manner of men: Though it be but a man's covenant, yet when it hath been confirmed, no one maketh it void, or addeth thereto. (16) Now to Abraham were the promises spoken, and to his seed. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. (17) Now this I say: A covenant confirmed beforehand by God, the law, which came four hundred and thirty years after, doth not disannul, so as to make the promise of none effect. (18) For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no more of promise: but God hath granted it to Abraham by promise. So, now we are celebrating the victory that He has already accomplished. Jesus said in (Joh.16:33) … In the world ye have tribulation: be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. And He said in (Joh.19:30) … It is finished… That's what we have to remember when we look around us and, instead, we see the very opposite. If we apply the Word to the problem, we are going to spoil the principalities, the powers, and the rulers of darkness (Ephesians 6:12). The Bible says when Jesus took away the devil's armor, He divided the spoil. (Isa.53:12) Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he poured out his soul unto death… Jesus said in (Luk.11:23) He that is not with me is against me… He's talking there about those who are dividing or plundering the spoils. If you are with Jesus, then you are going to do what He did, and what He did was plunder the devil. All of His physical life, He plundered the devil, and by His victory over the devil, He made it possible for us to plunder the devil's kingdom too. We should be spoiling the devil's kingdom; we should be destroying the curse around us. We should be bringing people into victory by putting faith in their hearts. We should be delivering those who are captive by casting out demons. And we should be delivering those who are oppressed of the devil by healing the sick. We should be doing everything our Lord Jesus did. Jesus went on to say, (Luk.11:23) He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth. So you are either going to be “gathering” or you are going to be “scattering.” That means you are either going to be on the attack or you are going to be on the run. You're going to be doing one or the other, and sad to say, most Christians are on the run because they don't understand what Jesus did. They don't understand what the Word of God says. They don't understand what their position and calling is in this world. As believers, we are on the attack. We are going into the Promised Land to take this land for Jesus Christ, and not a man there can stand before us. The Lord said in (Jos.1:5) There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life. as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee; I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Most Christians don't understand that the victory has already been given to us. We are not supposed to go in there and lose people; we are supposed to go in there and conquer the enemy. It's been given to us to conquer the enemy. Jesus said in (Joh.20:21) … as the Father hath sent me, even so send I you. God did not send Jesus to fail. He sent Him with the Word of God and He sends us with the Word of God too. He says in (Eph.6:17) And take the … sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. We have to take the Sword of the Spirit and we have to fight, because if we don't fight, we are going to lose. If we are not plundering, if we are not gathering the spoils, we're being scattered. The word “scattereth” there is from the Greek word skorpizo, and this is where we get the English word “scorpion.” It's from the same root as the Greek word skorpios, meaning “to penetrate and to put to flight.” When a scorpion stings with its tail, it penetrates and puts to flight because of the pain and misery it inflicts. Jesus spoke about scorpions. (Luk.10:19) 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. In the kingdom of the devil, scorpion spirits are tormentors. When a scorpion spirit stings you, just as with a real scorpion, it hardly ever kills, but it's very painful. Scorpion spirits can torment your body with sickness and pain, and they may also torment you with fear. (1Jn.4:18) …fear hath punishment… If you are not plundering, the devil is going to penetrate you with one of these spirits, causing you to flee. If you are not plundering, then your thinking is contrary to the Word of God and you are not going to stand up to the devil. (Luk.10:18) And he said unto them, I beheld Satan fallen as lightning from heaven. (19) Behold, I have given you authority… If your Bible says “power” instead of the word “authority,” then it has the wrong word because the Greek there is exousia, and it means “authority.” “Authority” is the “right to use power.” You have been given the right to use God's Power. (19) Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power (Now that word is the Greek word dunamis, meaning, “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… This is talking about serpent and scorpion spirits. These are different kinds of spirits and they have different works. In the kingdom of the devil, the serpent spirits have authority. While the poison a scorpion inflicts is in its tail, the poison that the serpent inflicts is in its head, and as the saying goes, it's the head that wags the tail. The Bible says in (Deu.28:13) And the Lord will make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if thou shalt hearken unto the commandments of the Lord thy God… You are going to be above and not beneath; you are going to be the head and not the tail, just as Israel was supposed to be the head and not the tail. The tail reveals something about the head in most of God's creatures. For example, you can tell a dog's attitude when you look at its tail. If his tail is standing up in the air and wagging back and forth, you know that dog is happy and content, not fearful. But if his tail is tucked down between his legs, you can tell he's feeling guilty or fearful. You can read his mind by looking at his tail. The superior authority is always the head and not the tail. And the serpent's poison being in the head symbolizes that the serpent spirit poisons the mind. The job of the serpent spirit, mostly, is not to bring about torment, but to change your mind. Their job is to deceive, as the Bible says in (Gen.3:1) Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. He was subtle. He was crafty. He was wise in an evil way. (2Co.11:3) But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve in his craftiness (So the “serpent” is a beguiler.) your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity and the purity that is toward Christ. Serpent spirits beguile. They are deluding spirits and deceiving spirits. They want to change your mind, just as the serpent changed Eve's mind, because he wanted to pervert her knowledge. He wanted her to partake of knowledge that was forbidden. (Gen.2:17) But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it… He wanted her to partake of knowledge that wasn't legal. Scripture tells us about different ways we can receive things through the spirit realm that are illegal. Let's go to (Deu.18:9) When thou art come into the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations. (10) There shall not be found with thee any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, one that useth divination, one that practiseth augury, or an enchanter, or a sorcerer, (11) or a charmer, or a consulter with a familiar spirit, or a wizard, or a necromancer. (12) For whosoever doeth these things is an abomination unto the Lord: and because of these abominations the Lord thy God doth drive them out from before thee. (13) Thou shalt be perfect with the Lord thy God. (14) For these nations, that thou shalt dispossess, hearken unto them that practise augury, and unto diviners; but as for thee, the Lord thy God hath not suffered thee so to do. (20) But the prophet, that shall speak a word presumptuously in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, that same prophet shall die. (21) And if thou say in thy heart, How shall we know the word which the Lord hath not spoken? (22) when a prophet speaketh in the name of the Lord, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord hath not spoken: the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously, thou shalt not be afraid of him. You see, there is false or deceptive knowledge. Going to consult familiar spirits or deceiving spirits, even if they claim to be prophets, is illegal. Going to consult wizards or necromancers is not allowed. All these operate in forbidden knowledge. But the devil wants to give you forbidden knowledge because he wants to delude you. He can make the “tail” do whatever he wants if he can change your mind, if he can change the knowledge that God has given you. If he can do that, then he's got you. That's why these serpent spirits have been given authority in the devil's kingdom. They are higher spirits than scorpion spirits because their primary purpose is to deceive you. Some of these “serpents” are “seducing spirits” that operate by giving you false doctrine. (1Ti.4:1) But the Spirit saith expressly, that in later times some shall fall away from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons. They seduce you by giving all kinds of flesh-pleasing reasons why it is advantageous for you to believe their doctrines. There are seducing spirits forbidding you to eat meats, or to marry (as in this context), and so on, because if you have a false doctrine, that head is going to wag that tail. The devil knows the rest of the body is going to follow. The most important thing for the devil is that you accept the spirits that work in your head; that's the way he can control the rest of your life.  Remember, we are not to receive forbidden knowledge. Instead, we're supposed to be (2Co.10:5) casting down imaginations, and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. You'll win the battle if you start with the head, but if you have spirits of rejection, fear, anxiety, condemnation, or guilt, then the devil has a stronghold in you. If you have anything that he can use against you, then you've got a “spy in your camp”. And the devil has rights now, because one demonic spirit can open the door for other demonic spirits so that you won't be able to stand up against the devil, who is looking to destroy you. We read in (Mat.12:43) But the unclean spirit, when he is gone out of the man, passeth through waterless places, seeking rest, and findeth it not. (44) Then he saith, I will return into my house whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. (45) Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more evil than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man becometh worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this evil generation. The devil's seducing spirits are “double agents.” They talk in your mind as if they are your friend and as if they belong to you, but whatever is speaking in your mind that's contrary to the Word of God is a stronghold of the enemy by which he can conquer you. You have the authority to cast it out. Get rid of it! Father, continue to grant us repentance as You bring to our attention where we have read or listened to things that are not according to Your Word and accepted those things we might have once believed as true that were not. Lord, help us to search our hearts and minds for any past church doctrines or religious beliefs that are not true. We only want what is True to be what we base our faith in. Father, help us to discern and destroy the strongholds we may have and get rid of them! Amen. Thank You Lord! The Bible says in (Rev.9:1) And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star from heaven fallen unto the earth (That's speaking of Satan.): and there was given to him the key of the pit of the abyss. (2) And he opened the pit of the abyss; and there went up a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit. (3) And out of the smoke came forth locusts upon the earth; and power was given them, as the scorpions of the earth have power. (4) And it was said unto them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree, but only such men as have not the seal of God on their foreheads. (5) And it was given them that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion, when it striketh a man. As we've learned, the tormenting spirits are scorpion spirits. In the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant in Matthew 18:23-35, the Lord says that He will turn you over to the tormentors until you should pay what is due (Matthew 18:34), and those tormentors are these scorpion spirits. Nobody is ever going to see with their physical eyes the creatures described here from the bottomless pit, because they're coming to the second heaven. It's like the angel here in (Rev.14:6) And I saw another angel flying in mid heaven (The Greek word means “middle heaven.”), having eternal good tidings to proclaim unto them that dwell on the earth, and unto every nation and tribe and tongue and people; (7) and he saith with a great voice, Fear God, and give him glory; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made the heaven and the earth and sea and fountains of waters. “Middle heaven” means the angel is in the second heaven. That means you don't see him, although the angel is right here with us in the devil's kingdom and he's preaching the Gospel. We can see what's in the first heaven, but the second heaven is a different realm, a “twilight zone,” if you will. And so this scorpion spirit of Revelation 9 has been given five months to torment those people who don't have the seal of God on their foreheads, but they are not able to see this spirit that came out of the bottomless pit. Satan has authority to loose these angels that the Bible says were held for the end of time, for a time and a season when God was going to judge the earth. (Rev.9:1) And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star from heaven fallen unto the earth: and there was given to him the key of the pit of the abyss.) (Rev.13-15) And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the horns of the golden altar which is before God, (14) one saying to the sixth angel that had the trumpet, Loose the four angels that are bound at the great river Euphrates. (15) And the four angels were loosed, that had been prepared for the hour and day and month and year, that they should kill the third part of men.) Satan was given authority to loose them when he was cast out of heaven, and that's what is happening here. The Bible says, (Rev.14:11) And the smoke of their torment goeth up for ever and ever; and they have no rest day and night, they that worship the beast and his image, and whoso receiveth the mark of his name. As we read, both smoke and torment are also mentioned in Revelation 9. Out of the smoke came tormenting spirits that were like locusts and like scorpions, and we've seen that these are demons with the authority to penetrate and to put to flight. Other demons are mentioned often in the Scriptures. For instance, (Rev.16:13) And I saw coming out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet, three unclean spirits, as it were frogs: (14) for they are spirits of demons… People who have a gift of discerning of spirits have seen frogs in the spirit realm, and those frogs were evil spirits, just as the scorpion spirits are evil. You know, the devil always sends his “big guns” after you when you get into a deep trial, a heavy trial that will have a really terrible outcome if you lose it. The Bible says in (1Jn.4:18KJV) … Fear hath torment… During a battle or a trial, you may have suddenly felt a spirit of fear just come down on you. That's another one of the devil's “big guns,” and if you listen to it, if you give in to it, you are going to run from the devil. Now we are commanded in Ephesians 6 what we should do! (Eph.6:11) Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. (12) For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual [hosts] of wickedness in the heavenly [places]. (13) Wherefore take up the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand. (14) Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, (15) and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; (16) withal taking up the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil [one]. (17) And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.  We should put up a shield of faith to quench those “fiery darts” of the wicked one. What does a fiery dart do? Just like the tail of the scorpion, it's made to penetrate and put to flight. It's made to conquer you, but with the shield of faith, you can quench rejection, fear, depression, anxiety, condemnation, or any other of these fiery darts, which are tormenting spirits that come against you, because they can only come against you if your mind isn't right. But if you have faith in your mind, how is it possible for fear to come into you? If you have faith in your heart, how is it possible for depression, or anxiety, or any of these other spirits that seek to take hold of you, to conquer you? Remember what the Scripture says about you. (Rom.6:11) Even so reckon ye also yourselves to be dead unto sin, but alive unto God in Christ Jesus. Don't ever think that whatever the spirit may be that's coming against you, is you. When these kinds of deceiving spirits speak into your mind, that's when you have to use the armor and put up your shield of faith. Don't accept those thoughts as yours. They're not coming from you, and they don't belong to you. There's a doctrine in the apostate church about the “holiness” of oppression, the “holiness” of sickness. They want you to believe that this martyr's syndrome is good for you, but you know if God promised you an “egg,” He's not going to give you a “serpent.” (Luk.11:11) And of which of you that is a father shall his son ask a loaf, and he give him a stone? or a fish, and he for a fish give him a serpent? (12) Or if he shall ask an egg, will he give him a scorpion? The serpent and scorpion represent doctrines of death, but an egg represents life. What some churches have is actually a doctrine of death because they think that God is going to send them a “scorpion” or some other curse. And as for sickness, they think they are going to have to put up with it but Jesus and the apostles didn't. They claim that Paul's “thorn in the flesh” was sickness, but it never was, and Paul even said it wasn't sickness. (2Co.12:7) And by reason of the exceeding greatness of the revelations, that I should not be exalted overmuch, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, that I should not be exalted overmuch. I am not stating that there was a demon inside of Paul, but an angel of Satan was humbling him. The word “messenger” in the Scriptures, 181 of 183 times, is translated as “angel,” so an angel of Satan was sent to buffet him, and the word “buffet” means “to beat or strike repeatedly.” Paul was not talking here about an infirmity or sickness; only the KJV says that Paul's “thorn in the flesh” was an “infirmity.” No Bible derived from the ancient manuscripts has this translation because that's not the word “infirmity”; it is the word “weakness.” Scripture says that Christ was crucified through weakness. (2Co.13:3) Seeing that ye seek a proof of Christ that speaketh in me; who to youward is not weak, but is powerful in you: (4) for he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth through the power of God. This same Greek word asthenes translated as “weakness” in 2 Corinthians 13:3 by the King James, is what the King James in 2 Corinthians 12:9 claims is “infirmity.” Paul did not have an infirmity. The Bible says, (Psa.103:2) Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all his benefits: (3) Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; Who healeth all thy diseases. God is not going to turn around and say, “No, Paul, you keep this disease. It's good for you.” This is not our God. Those churches claim that it was sickness in order to make a person who is going through sickness and suffering feel righteous, but most of the suffering that God's people go through is because they don't believe the Word. God promises an egg while the devil wants us to settle for a scorpion, and it's sadly true that for most people, what's ruling their life is a scorpion. If you listen to rejection, anxiety, fear, or guilt, you are being ruled by the devil. If you listen to shame or unbelief, you are being ruled by the devil. (Rom.6:16) Know ye not, that to whom ye present yourselves [as] servants unto obedience, his servants ye are whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? You can't listen to what God says and listen to what the devil says at the same time. (1Co.10:21) Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of demons: ye cannot partake of the table of the Lord, and of the table of demons. You can't partake of the Lord's Table and the table of demons at the same time because everything demons will feed you is contrary to the Word of God. God promised us in (Exo.23:27) I will send my terror before thee, and will discomfit all the people to whom thou shalt come, and I will make all thine enemies turn their backs unto thee. (28) I will send the hornet before thee, which shall drive out the Hivite, the Canaanite, and the Hittite, from before thee. A hornet is like a scorpion, because it also penetrates and puts to flight. It's a little bitty thing, but it can move a great big man. So you see, God can make our enemies fear us, and they do fear us if we know our authority.  If we know what the Word of God says and we step out and swing that Word of God like a sword (Ephesians 6:17), they fear us. Our daughter had a dream once about five chickens that represented five evil spirits that were bothering my mother. Well, those chickens were “chicken,” because just as soon as we gave them the Word, they ran. Evil spirits do fear us, but they recognize whether or not we know the Word of God. And they know whether or not we're standing on the Word of God, but they'll try to bluff us as long as they can. The devil wants us to fear him, and he is constantly trying to make us fear the “fiery darts” of the curse that he administers. But we know the Word of God says we've been delivered from all that. (Col.1:13) 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. And the Bible tells us who we are in Christ. (Rom.6:11) Reckon ye also yourselves to be dead unto sin, but alive unto God in Christ Jesus. (18) And being made free from sin, ye became servants of righteousness. Now that's a sword. That Word is a sword for you to use against the devil's lies. The devil wants you to act on what he says, but the Lord wants you to know who you are in Christ and act on what He says about you. If you don't act on what the Lord says, you don't get anything, because (Jas.2:17) Even so faith, if it have not works, is dead in itself. The devil's kingdom operates the same way. He can come by and put a little thought in your mind, but if you don't accept or act on it, if you don't chew or meditate on it, you are not guilty. The devil can put these little thoughts in your mind but you can reject them, and if he gets a little stronger, you can get a little stronger. You can speak up and just rebuke him! You can throw the Word of God into his face as Jesus did! Our faith and understanding of what Jesus did for us make us free from being fearful of any weapon the devil has.  Remember, we read that Christ took away the devil's “whole armor” (Luke 11:22). He took away all of his power (Matthew 28:18). He delivered us out of the power of darkness (Colossians 1:13). All of this is our shield, and you need to use this knowledge. You don't fear the devil when you know who you are and that you don't have to give in to him. However, many people do give in to the devil; they give in to the spirits he sends against them, because they don't believe they have any other choice. Well, there's a reason that the Gospel is called the “Good News.” We do have another choice; we have authority over the devil. He has to move when we say, “Move!” If we step out and exercise that authority over him, he has to move. Thank you Father! As we've seen, the word skorpizo, refers to scorpion spirits, and the devil comes to scatter. Jesus said in (Joh.16:32) Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is come, that ye shall be scattered (That's the word, skorpizo.), every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. Fear scattered the disciples when the men came for Jesus in the garden (Matthew 26:50-56; Mark 14:43-52; Luke 22:47- 53; John 18:1-14). They were afraid the same thing was going to happen to them, but we know that (Joh.3:27) A man can receive nothing, except it have been given him from heaven. The devil sent a spirit there to put fear in them so they would just abandon Jesus in his affliction. To be perfectly just, He had already told them that this is what He came for, so what could they do? The devil also comes to divide. There's another word used in the Scriptures, which is diaskorpizo, and it means “to scatter and separate.” A good example of that is, (Joh.11:52) And not for the nation only, but that he might also gather together into one the children of God that are scattered abroad. That means not only are they scattered from their land, but they are separated from each other, and the devil did it through those scorpion spirits. They divided, they separated, and scattered the Body of Christ, just as God warned us through the apostle Paul. He said in (Act.20:29) I know that after my departing grievous wolves shall enter in among you, not sparing the flock; (30) and from among your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. All of God's people are supposed to be coming out of the bondage they're in and back to this one land. Do you know what that means? It means that we are supposed to be one. Jesus said, (Joh.10:16) And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice: and they shall become one flock, one shepherd. This is what the Tribulation is going to do. God's people are going to become one Flock with One Shepherd, but for now they are diaskorpizo, they are “scattered abroad,” separated. They wanted to hang out at Jerusalem and have Church but the persecution scattered them to spread the gospel. Scorpion spirits separate the Body, separate the Flock, and they do this with false doctrine, false understanding, and false thinking. I've heard people say about our teachings, “Well, aren't you doing the same thing?” No, and when you look around us, you see people from all different backgrounds here. We all get along very well. We want the Flock to be one, but there is only one way the Flock is going to be one, and that's to give up sectarianism, because sectarianism is a work of the flesh. Let's read that in (Gal.5:19) Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these: fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, (20) idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousies, wraths, factions, divisions, parties (The three Greek words there mean “contentions,” “dissentions,” and “sects.”), (21) envyings, drunkenness, revellings, and such like; of which I forewarn you, even as I did forewarn you, that they who practise such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Demon spirits come in to make you believe the lie that you are something great, or that you have everything you need without the rest of the Body, but the Bible tells us in (1Co.12:13) For in one Spirit were we all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bond or free; and were all made to drink of one Spirit. The Body needs to be one, because the Body has different parts of God's knowledge and different parts of God's gifts. When all are put together, the Body is edified, it's “built up.” (Eph.4:15) But speaking truth in love, we may grow up in all things into him, who is the head, even Christ; (16) from whom all the body fitly framed and knit together through that which every joint supplieth, according to the working in due measure of each several part, maketh the increase of the body unto the building up of itself in love. God wants His Flock to be one, and we want His Flock to be one, but the devil is warring against this unity. The devil knows that when God's Flock is one, it's going to be a powerhouse, and so we want to learn not to be separate from our brethren. We want to know what it is that has deceived our brethren to make them separate from us. Babel always seeks to be one but their motives were evil and God scattered them, most likely with scorpion spirits.. The mind-deceiving serpent spirits deceive different members of the Body in different ways to keep them from knowing the truth. Since the head wags the tail, the rest of that body, whether it's one person or a group of many people, is going to follow whichever way the head leads. That's the job of the serpent spirits, but other demon spirits do the same thing. They sow their seeds of fear, doubt, unbelief, anger, lust, and so on, and if you receive their seed, your flesh will take on their nature. Your flesh will take on the nature of these demonic “gods” of the lusts of the flesh. Now Jesus sows a Seed, too, and if we believe and act on and live on it, we take on His Nature. The Spirit of Christ is come in order to sow His Seed in our hearts so that our hearts take on His Image. What's an “image”? Well, it's an imagination. The Bible says, (Rom.1:21) Because that, knowing God, they glorified him not as God, neither gave thanks; but became vain in their reasonings… In other words, they “became vain in their imaginations.” So, what is a “vain” imagination? The Scriptural word for “vain” is mataioo, and it means “aimless, foolish, futile, without purpose.” A “vain” imagination is not doing what it's supposed to do; it's not working for God anymore. Your imagination was created to do something for you on this earth for God. If it's not fulfilling that purpose, then it's fulfilling another one, and it is vain. (Rom.1:21) Because that, knowing God, they glorified him not as God, neither gave thanks; but became vain in their reasonings, and their senseless heart was darkened. If you become vain in your imagination, if you have the kind of imagination that, for instance, brought the Flood (Gen.6:5-7) And Jehovah saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. (6) And it repented Jehovah that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. (7) And Jehovah said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the ground; both man, and beast, and creeping things, and birds of the heavens; for it repenteth me that I have made them.), then your senseless heart is being darkened, because those imaginations are evil; know that the gods of the lusts of the flesh are taking advantage of you through this ground that they've gained in you. We need to be (2Co.10:5) casting down imaginations, and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. This is talking about re-taking the ground, these high places, that those spirits have taken from us. Anywhere you are being ruled by any lust, there's a demon around. He doesn't necessarily have to be on the inside; he might be on the outside, but he's still there. You can rebuke him, and when you rebuke him, he has to leave. If you know who you are in Christ, if you know the authority you have in Christ, and if you repent and believe it, when you rebuke the demon, he has to leave.  So whatever problem you may have or situation you may currently be dealing with, you don't have to keep it. You don't have to be ruled by it any longer. You can take the authority you have in the Name of Jesus, and it has to leave. Any stronghold in your thoughts, or evil imaginations that the devil has used against you, you bring them into the obedience of Christ and cast them all away. Amen. Now, I want to remind you that the most important thing is to submit yourselves unto God. (Jas.4:7) Be subject therefore unto God; but resist the devil, and he will flee from you. We do this by repenting and believing what the Word says about us. “Resist the devil, and he will flee” is a promise to us from the Word of God. If we submit to God and resist the devil, he has to flee, but the devil's not going to tell us that. He's going to try to convince us that he doesn't have to leave. He's going to try to convince you that you're in bondage to this lust. No, we're not in bondage to this lust. We've been set free from that bondage because Jesus bound the strong man and then He plundered him. Jesus crippled the devil.  In the animal kingdom, when the mothers want to teach the babies how to hunt, the predator mother cripples the prey first. It may be a bird or a rabbit, and she sends the cub after it. She's teaching that cub how to be a predator. We need to understand that's what our Lord did for us. He went and crippled the devil. And not only that, He also took away his armor. Our Lord made it possible for us “little cubs” to run out there and jump on that old, mean devil. We can see a parable from God when we look at the animal kingdom. So now the devil is crippled, he has no armor and he's defenseless before us, but we have to know it and we have to believe it. We have to speak the Word of God; we have to swing the Sword!  Now I'd like to share with you the following testimonies:   God's Word Gave Faith for Deliverance From Ten Afflictions - Anonymous Wonderful things have taken place in our lives since reading “Sovereign God, For Us and Through Us.” We have been delivered of Asperger Syndrome (autism), bipolar disorder, asthma, sinus infections, food allergies, acid reflux, esophagitis, lacking a thyroid, broken toes, and smoking, over less than a five-month period through faith in the Word. My oldest son, at eleven years old, has been healed of Asperger Syndrome, a high-functioning form of autism, and bipolar disorder. Since my faith was awakened, I took courage in the promises of God and took him off of all his medication, which amounted to seven pills a day. He had been taking pills for five years to control behavioral problems. We were able to finish the school year with minimal problems, he had absolutely no withdrawal symptoms. By faith I called the school to tell them we were taking him off of all his meds because we had prayed and believed that God had healed him. It was a great opportunity for his teachers to see a miracle. Since then, we have had trials of our faith. The symptoms tried to come back. But I had already been through “hell on earth” from this demonic activity that we had earlier mistaken for mental illness. There was no way I was going to accept it back, once I knew the truth! The medications that he had been taking made him a zombie! They took away his personality and stunted his growth. Now he is happy, with an animated personality. He is able to eat and has gone through a big growth spurt! My middle son, aged five years, was healed from severe asthma! He was taking two inhalers twice a day, Singular pills, and Nasonex nasal spray for chronic sinus infections. In addition, he had to have nebulizer treatments. He has not had to take any of it since we stood on faith for his healing! We have had trials of our faith for him also. Twice it tried to come back, but I rejected it and cast it out again. He runs around and jumps on the trampoline and doesn't have problems breathing or being out of breath or with chronic sinus infections anymore! My youngest son, at age three years, has been healed from food allergies and severe acid reflux. He had been allergic to milk, eggs and peanuts. Every time he would eat these foods he would have constant reflux and esophagitis so bad that he would almost lose his voice and would wake up crying all night. We stood on faith for this also. He has not had any problems with reflux or allergies to foods since. Again, when we were tested on this, we stood firm on God's promises. The symptoms left very quickly. My husband was healed from severe acid reflux disease and has not had to take Nexium for four months now! He can eat whatever he wants without any trouble. My son had also recently broken two toes on his right foot, so we prayed over them. They were completely healed within two days! He is able to fully bend them and move them now. He had injured the same foot years ago by dropping a weight on it and had not been able to bend those toes for years. But since God healed them, he has regained the motion in his toes on that foot!  God delivered me from smoking, too. The thing that seemed like such a mountain to me just six months ago is just a side thought now. I had tried to quit smoking once, but had done it with more of a white-knuckle approach. I mostly went about it through my own willpower. Satan would tempt me often to start again. I would be jealous when I saw others smoking because I still wasn't depending on God for strength. I needed my crutch back. I started smoking again. Later while reading Sovereign God, I knew I needed to forsake this idol for good. This time I prayed to God to take the desire away for smoking. If any part of my deliverance came from my flesh, it would be another struggle, and possible failure again. After I prayed to God to deliver me, I knew instantly that I was delivered. I still had some cigarettes that I finished up, but I realized that the desire to smoke had left me. When the last one was gone, I knew I would never again want another. (Note: It might have been better to throw that partial pack away, but, thank You, Lord, for my deliverance.) It has been that way ever since – like I've never smoked a cigarette in my life! Praise God!  These deliverances all happened simultaneously once I realized what Christ really did at the Cross. He still offers the same healing today that He did during His ministry on earth!  I have received a tremendous miracle. Ten years ago, I had my thyroid removed because of a cancerous tumor that had been growing in it. Since then I had taken total replacement hormone for my body systems to function. If I missed more than two or three days in a row of taking it, I would not be able to hear my alarm to wake up in the morning or to think clearly that day.  The doctors had told me that I could not live without this replacement hormone – the body cannot function without it indefinitely. All the body systems would shut down and I would eventually slip into a coma and die. About a year ago the doctors kept having to retake my thyroid blood levels and adjust my prescription dosage down. Every six weeks, when I would go in to have the blood level drawn again, it would still be too high! Because I didn't understand what was happening at the time, I was becoming frustrated at the lab and the doctor. After I read “Sovereign God,” I realized that God had been growing my thyroid back all this time in preparation for the coming wilderness time ahead! I reached up to my neck and felt around the scar. Sure enough, there was something there again!   I had wondered about this situation in a wilderness-type environment, with no access to meds or health care. Now I don't have to be concerned about it anymore because I have received a tremendous miracle. I have been off my thyroid replacement meds for three months now. I feel more energy now than while taking it. God is good! He truly will meet all our needs even before we ask or before we have come to fully know the truth! God has wonderful things for me to serve Him with in the near future. I won't leave this earth until He is finished with me. Thank You, Father, for Your gifts! Another testimony:   Set Free from Unforgiveness by A.L. I had unforgiveness in my heart toward someone. The Lord said it was time to be delivered, and He started working with me. This took about one year. It was rough at first. The enemy didn't want to leave, trying several times to keep me from forgiving. I put up a wall when this person was around. It was my way to keep from being hurt anymore. Some encounters were better than others, but the more I prayed, the better they got. Oftentimes, my memory would be flooded with all the hurtful things that I had buried inside. But I would cry out to the Lord and ask Him to forgive me for holding onto them and to please take them. He always did. There were times that I would be mad or aggravated with this person and would start ranting about what they had done. These rantings, the out-loud ones, were always to my mom. The rantings in my mind were to the Lord. He would always settle me down and take that memory so that it would be gone. My mom would very gently and lovingly look at me and tell me to let it go and remind me that I had to forgive this person. Most of the time it worked, but a few times I would fire back at her out of frustration and tell her, “I know. I'm working on it, but it doesn't go away overnight.” My mom prayed for me a lot, probably more than I realized.  During this time, the Lord had me listen to the audio of “The Curse of Unforgiveness” series. [This is also in book form and available at no charge from ubm1.org as a PDF.] I downloaded it to my iPod and would go for a walk and listen to it. I listened to it several times. The more I prayed and overcame, the more layers the Lord peeled off.  During the winter months, I like to stand or sit in front of the fire to pray. It's always quiet and peaceful. One night, the Lord put this person in my mind, so I started to pray. As I was praying, I asked the Lord to forgive me for having unforgiveness, anger, hurt, and bitterness in my heart. I asked Him, “Would You please take it?” As soon as I said those words, I felt it all come out of my chest. It was gone. I can't explain, but the feeling was great! I started praising the Lord with tears streaming down my face. I was free!  The next night I was in my same spot, praying. The Lord brought this person to my mind again, only this time, I had to ask for love. I told the Lord, “I don't love this person. Would You please forgive me and give me love for them?” As soon as I said those words, I felt the love of God go right in through my chest. This feeling is indescribable – a hundred times better than the night before. I stood with tears streaming down my face, praising the Lord for His grace to get me through to the end.  I love this person now and pray for them. I can be around them without it bothering me. There are no more buried memories. The Lord tilled up all of the roots so they could be plucked up and He could plant His Seed. Whenever I am delivered of something, I ask the Lord to fill that spot with something from Him. Thank You, Heavenly Father for Your grace to get me through to the end.  We learn that it is the Father Who turns people over to the tormentors. Scripture consistently tells us God uses demons for chastening (Matthew 18:34). When we want to take away a demon's authority, we need to make sure that the groundwork has been done first so that we have the legal right to take away his authority. We must forgive. Jesus tells a story of a master who had forgiven his servant a great debt, but this servant went out and would not forgive his fellow servant a much smaller debt. Jesus said that His Father would turn that unforgiving servant over to the tormentors until he should pay what was due.  Let's read that parable. (Mat.18:21) Then came Peter and said to him, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? until seven times? (22) Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times; but, Until seventy times seven. (23) Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, who would make a reckoning with his servants. (24) And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, that owed him ten thousand talents. (25) But forasmuch as he had not [wherewith] to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.  (26) The servant therefore fell down and worshiped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. (27) And the lord of that servant, being moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt. (28) But that servant went out, and found one of his fellow-servants, who owed him a hundred shillings: and he laid hold on him, and took [him] by the throat, saying, Pay what thou owest. (29) So his fellow-servant fell down and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee. (30) And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay that which was due.  (31) So when his fellow-servants saw what was done, they were exceeding sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. (32) Then his lord called him unto him, and saith to him, Thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou besoughtest me: (33) shouldest not thou also have had mercy on thy fellow-servant, even as I had mercy on thee? (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. The Lord said He will turn you over to the tormentors until you pay for what you have done because if you don't forgive, you are not forgiven. The devil knows when he has this right. He knows when you are not forgiven and he torments you, and his demons will continue to torment you, until you take that right away from him. This is necessary because you can't be saved while you are holding on to unforgiveness. If you don't forgive, you are not forgiven, which is the very foundation of salvation. If you want to take away the demons' rights over you, you need to forgive and you need to believe that Jesus delivered you from them at the Cross. That's the key. (Col.1:13) Who delivered us (it has already been done) out of the power of darkness, and translated us into the kingdom of the Son of his love.  Like this person's testimony, if you will be sure to forgive everyone and exercise your faith toward God's promises, you will be a new person who is free to love and to associate with good people. I say that because so many of these people don't feel comfortable around good people and don't associate with good people. When they're around good people, they feel convicted. In my experience most demonic torment and much sickness is based in unforgiveness. See - The Curse of Unforgiveness

GOD'S REP #RTTBROS #Nightlight"Let them praise thy great and terrible name; for it is holy." - Psalm 99:3 (KJV)In the annals of Scripture, we find a common thread woven through the stories of David and Goliath, Daniel's refusal of the king's portion, and our Lord Jesus Christ cleansing the temple. This thread is the unwavering commitment to uphold God's holiness and reputation above all else.Consider David, a young shepherd who faced the mighty Goliath. His motivation was not personal glory, but rather a zeal for the Lord's name. As we read in 1 Samuel 17:45, David declared, "I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied."Similarly, Daniel, when presented with the king's rich fare, "purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank" (Daniel 1:8). His primary concern was not his own comfort or advancement, but maintaining his purity before God.Lastly, we see our Saviour, Jesus Christ, cleansing the temple with righteous indignation. As recorded in Mark 11:17, He proclaimed, "Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves." His actions were not driven by personal gain, but by a fervent desire to preserve the sanctity of His Father's house.These examples teach us a profound lesson in discipleship. As followers of Christ, our primary mission is to glorify God and uphold His reputation in all circumstances. This may often require us to set aside our own desires, comforts, and even our personal reputations for the sake of God's name.In our daily walk, let us continually ask ourselves: Does this action, word, or decision bring glory to God? Are we more concerned with our own agenda or with advancing God's kingdom? By aligning our hearts with this divine priority, we can become more effective disciples, shining the light of Christ in a world that desperately needs it.May we, like David, Daniel, and our Lord Jesus, be found faithful in upholding God's holy name, for as the Psalmist declares, "Let them praise thy great and terrible name; for it is holy" (Psalm 99:3). Be sure to Like, Share, Follow and subscribe it helps get the word out.https://linktr.ee/rttbros

John 5:19 Therefore Jesus answered and was saying to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner. This verse reveals a truth about Jesus that is also true about all disciples of Jesus Christ. In essence, Jesus said to the Jews that apart from His Father, He could do nothing. Jesus told His disciples (and all believers by extension) that apart from Him, we could do nothing. This reminds us of what Jesus said in John 14. He told His disciples that He didn't speak on His own initiative, but the Father, abiding in Him, did His works. To see Jesus is to see the Father. This was Jesus' explanation for why He healed the lame man on the Sabbath. He saw the Father at work, so He worked with Him in the same manner. This truth lies at the heart of living to love with Jesus. He abides in us and when we abide in Him, He does the Father's works in and through us for His glory. That's what is meant by “doing nothing.” There's nothing we can do to glorify God apart from Jesus, any more than Jesus could do anything apart from His Father to glorify God. We can do things apart from Jesus, but nothing we do apart from Him glorifies God, the Father. Therefore, we glorify God in the same manner as Jesus glorified God—by abiding in Jesus as Jesus abided in the Father. What does that mean for Jesus to abide in the Father? I use the present tense because He still abides in the Father as He abides in us. He thinks as the Father thinks. He never acts apart from the Father's purpose and worldview. His mind is one with the Father. That gives us great encouragement to be of one mind with Christ. The apostle Paul gave this encouragement to the Philippians in 2:1-5 when admonishing them to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord. Therefore, if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves, which was also in Christ Jesus. Can you see it? Just as Jesus had the same purpose and mind as His Father, we are to have the same purpose and mind as Christ. His purpose is to glorify the Father by living to love with Him. Our purpose is to glorify the Father by living to love with Jesus. I have explained Jesus' worldview in chapter 2 of my book, Live to Love: Experience Freedom and Joy in Relationships, which you can find in print, e-book, and audiobook formats at livetolovewithjesus.com. I hope you'll get your free copy soon and share it with others. This is the call of God to all who believe. Christians are those who live in the same manner as Jesus. Abiding in Him as He abides in us. Doing His work as we think and live in a manner worthy of our calling for the glory of God. I invite you to become a partner in our ministry. Would you pray about becoming a regular supporter of Elijah Ministries and the Live to Love with Jesus ministry? I hope you will receive the joy and benefit of "giving it forward," so others may receive encouragement to turn their hearts to God and to live to love with Jesus. You may give online or send a check to the address listed at www.spiritofelijah.com/donate.

John 5:18 For this reason therefore the Jews were seeking all the more to kill Him, because He not only was breaking the Sabbath, but also was calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God. The Jews understood exactly what Jesus was saying. His Father is God, and He is equal with God. But they didn't believe it. It angered them and fueled their murderous hearts. It was bad enough that He broke the Sabbath, but it was blasphemous to make Himself equal with God. Jesus knew who He is. He is God. Jesus is the only human being of which this is true in the history of the world. He is like no other. The writer of Hebrews described Jesus as “the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature.” However, we are not to think that Jesus is the Father. He is God's only-begotten, or unique, son, as John recorded in John 3:16. Jesus said in Matthew 11:27, “All things have been handed over to Me by My Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father; nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.” This shows clearly that the Father and Son are both God, and yet they are separate beings, working together. For our encouragement today, let's connect some dots, so to speak. Jesus is God, and God is love. Because we have all of God dwelling in us, we have the fullness of God from which His love flows. Living to love with Jesus is how I describe those who have the God of love dwelling inside them. Through the new birth by the Holy Spirit, the presence of Jesus Christ comes to abide in those who love Jesus. Because they love Jesus, the Father also abides in them. Jesus promised this in His last words to His disciples before going to His Father by way of the cross. John 14:23. “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him.” Why do the Father, Son, and Spirit live within us? To glorify God by revealing His presence and power as we live to love with Him. We reveal that Jesus lives and that He is both Lord and Christ. What a privilege it is to be His ambassadors of love, His representatives on the earth. May God fill us with His grace today as we walk with Him, abiding in Him, and He in us. I invite you to become a partner in our ministry. Would you pray about becoming a regular supporter of Elijah Ministries and the Live to Love with Jesus ministry? I hope you will receive the joy and benefit of "giving it forward," so others may receive encouragement to turn their hearts to God and to live to love with Jesus. You may give online or send a check to the address listed at www.spiritofelijah.com/donate.

Question: I challenge you to prove the Trinity without the help of Catholic Church councils like Nicea in 325 and others after. Also don't even give me the opinions from the early Church Catholic Fathers either. Also, don't even give me any theological eisegesis interpretation on who is God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.Response: You sound like you're not acquainted with our position on the Godhead. The Berean Call has never referenced "Church" Councils in establishing that the Scriptures are the final authority as to whether or not the Trinity exists.The key to understanding the Godhead is knowing His Word. To study the Trinity to the point of full understanding requires extremely finite individuals grappling with an infinite God. Further, we have to understand what is said in Scripture. Titus 3:4 speaks of "God our Saviour" and Titus 1:3 speaks of "God our Saviour," while the next verse speaks of "Jesus Christ our Saviour" (1:4). Isaiah 43:11 tells us, "I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour." Yet in Acts 4:12 (speaking of Jesus), we are told, "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."The declarations made are often explained by the idea that the one God takes on a different "mode" or existence. Yet Jesus, the Son, left the disciples at times to go and have conversations with the Father. As limited humanity, we cannot conceive of a simultaneous unity and diversity. Our closest "understanding" (and that a stretch) is what some call schizophrenia; but we are not deities. Yet even the prophecies concerning the Lord Jesus contain elements foreign to anyone less than God: "But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting" (Mic 5:2). Jesus is a distinct individual who regularly talks to His Father. "For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak" (Jn 12:49). He was also in submission to the Father.That's just a few of the challenges to those who deny the Trinity (Godhead). We would encourage you to read what we have already written; there is quite a bit more (see—https://bit.ly/4csqWT3).Why do we need to repent and believe in Christ if the penalty has been paid in full for everyone? The good news of the gospel is that salvation is offered to all.

III. Christ, by His obedience and death, did fully discharge the debt of all those that are thus justified, and did make a proper, real, and full satisfaction to His Father's justice in their behalf (Rom. 5:8-10, 19; 1 Tim. 2:5-6; Heb. 10:10, 14; Dan. 9:24, 26; Isa. 53:4-6, 10–12). Yet, in as much as He was given by the Father for them (Rom. 8:32); and His obedience and satisfaction accepted in their stead (2 Cor. 5:21; Matt. 3:17; Eph. 5:2); and both, freely, not for anything in them; their justification is only of free grace (Rom. 3:24; Eph. 1:17); that both the exact justice, and rich grace of God might be glorified in the justification of sinners (Rom. 3:26; Eph. 2:7). IV. God did, from all eternity, decree to justify all the elect (Gal. 3:8; 1 Peter 1:2, 19-20; Rom. 8:30), and Christ did, in the fulness of time, die for their sins, and rise again for their justification (Gal. 4:4; 1 Tim. 2:6; Rom. 4:25): nevertheless, they are not justified, until the Holy Spirit doth, in due time, actually apply Christ unto them (Col. 1:21-22; Gal. 2:16; Titus 3:4-7).

Here we have Jesus' answer to the Jews who were persecuting Him for healing on the Sabbath. John 5:17 But He answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I Myself am working.” Later in John 14:10-11, John recorded very similar words from Jesus explaining His union with His Father and His Father's working. “Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? The words that I say to you, I do not speak on My own initiative, but the Father abiding in Me does His works. Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me; otherwise, believe because of the works themselves.” Jesus lived to work with the Father. If His Father was healing on the Sabbath, then Jesus spoke the words. Did you notice in John 14:10 that when Jesus spoke, the Father worked? That's how the lame man was healed. Jesus spoke, not from His own initiative, but from His Father's, “Get up. Take up your pallet and walk.” Then God did His work and healed the man. Jesus constantly abided in the Father, meaning, He lived for the same purpose the Father did, which was to love for the glory of the Father, and He thought and spoke as the Father thought and spoke. This is the live to love with Jesus encouragement from this verse. We should be able to say the very same thing. We have Jesus abiding in us, and as we abide in Him, meaning, as we live with His purpose and think and say what He says, then Jesus does His works. If Jesus is speaking or working in any given moment, then we receive what He gives us and express His presence and power through our words and actions. We trust He will do the work as we receive and give. That's what it means to live to love with Jesus. Just as Jesus received from the Father and then gave what He received, we receive what the Father gives us through Christ in us and then give what we receive. Another important encouragement from this verse is implied. Jesus lived for the glory of God and not man. Even though Jesus knew He would not receive the glory from men if He healed the man on the Sabbath, He was most satisfied in glorifying His Father by doing His will. This encourages us to not seek the glory of men as we live each day, rather we seek the glory of God, and the way to glorify God is to live to love with Jesus. When Jesus is loving, we are loving. When we are loving, Jesus is loving. We are one with Him for the glory of God. I invite you to become a partner in our ministry. Would you pray about becoming a regular supporter of Elijah Ministries and the Live to Love with Jesus ministry? I hope you will receive the joy and benefit of "giving it forward," so others may receive encouragement to turn their hearts to God and to live to love with Jesus. You may give online or send a check to the address listed at www.spiritofelijah.com/donate.

John 5:14-16 Afterward Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, “Behold, you have become well; do not sin anymore, so that nothing worse happens to you.” The man went away, and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well. For this reason, the Jews were persecuting Jesus, because He was doing these things on the Sabbath. The lame man probably had not participated in a feast for 38 years. He could not have entered the temple in his condition, but now that he was healed, he headed for the temple to join the celebration. That's where Jesus found him. Let's notice Jesus' love for the man and the man's betrayal of Jesus. Jesus loved the man enough to go looking for him. Jesus found him in the temple, which implies He went looking for him. He had a message for him that provided an opportunity for the man to engage with Jesus regarding his deeper need for healing—the salvation of his soul. The opportunity was provided by telling him his responsibility before God—do not sin anymore. Let's not miss this. He told him to do the impossible from a natural human perspective. The love of God was revealed by Jesus' admonition to not sin anymore. If the Spirit of God was at work, the man would have responded with a confession of sin and a brokenness that comes from an awareness of helplessness. Faith in Jesus can only come when a person realizes they must repent of trusting in themselves. In a real sense, Jesus knocked on his door, to see if the Holy Spirit would answer. This, by the way, is the love of God. The Law is meant to reveal the power of sin and our helpless condition so that we might repent of trusting in ourselves, humble ourselves, and call upon the name of the Lord to be saved. That's how the Law is. It is spiritual (Rom. 7:15) and has the power to reveal whether the flesh or the Spirit is at work. That's the message of Romans 7. Unfortunately for this man, the Spirit was not at work. Instead, this time having learned Jesus' name, he went away to tell the Jews who had healed him and broken the Sabbath. He betrayed Jesus to the Jews. He returned evil for good, which demonstrated an amazing hardness of heart. It was clear that the Father wasn't saving the man at that time. Let's not miss this example of God's love being poured out to His enemies. Jesus healed the man, not because the man was one that the Father had given Him to save, but one the Father had given Him to love. Jesus lived to love with His Father, and the Father loved even if it resulted in suffering. There are times when Jesus avoided these conflicts, but this is one time when He didn't. We will be faced with the same situations. We must abide in Jesus, so we can have the wisdom to know when to draw back and when to engage. Both can be acts of love when guided by the Holy Spirit. Our encouragement today is to love with Jesus, even when doing so may bring suffering and persecution. When we love like that, it is for the glory of God. God is glorified through His Son, as He loves His enemies through us. I invite you to become a partner in our ministry. Would you pray about becoming a regular supporter of Elijah Ministries and the Live to Love with Jesus ministry? I hope you will receive the joy and benefit of "giving it forward," so others may receive encouragement to turn their hearts to God and to live to love with Jesus. You may give online or send a check to the address listed at www.spiritofelijah.com/donate.

Have you ever felt overworked, overwhelmed, or overburdened? Sure! When life gets out of balance it takes a toll on us and those around us. As Jesus walked the earth, He modeled the value of healthy rhythms. Even Jesus needed to get away. This summer, we'll be looking at the life of Jesus and His example to get away. He was intentional in these moments to spend time with His Father or those closest to Him. The rhythms that emerge are a vital pattern for us to consider as we seek to follow Jesus effectively!  

John 5:12-13 They asked him, “Who is the man who said to you, ‘Pick up your pallet and walk'?” But the man who was healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had slipped away while there was a crowd in that place. I ask myself how on earth did that man not know who healed him? If I apply the information I have in these verses, I can imagine a scenario where the man never got Jesus' name. There were no words of introduction. The portico around the pool was packed with people because of the feast (5:1). Jesus saw the man and asked if he wanted to be healed. The man gave his excuse for not being able to get to the pool, and then Jesus said, “Get up. Pick up your pallet and walk.” The man got up and started walking, and as soon as the man walked away from Jesus, He slipped away through the crowd. I see the man turn back in amazement to thank Jesus, but He's already gone. Why did Jesus slip away so quickly that the man couldn't even thank Him or get His name? Was that loving? I think the explanation lies in why John told this story. In John 20:31, we learn that these things were written so that those who read it might believe in Jesus and be saved. If we go back to John 3:14-21, we get the introduction to the encounters of the Samaritan woman, the men of Sychar, the royal official and the healing of his son, and now the lame man's healing. As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only-begotten Son of God. This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God. These are examples of God's love for the Gentile world as well as Israel. Each encounter revealed God's judgment, which is shown by their responses. Jesus is the Light. His deeds and words revealed where God was at work to save and to judge. The unbelieving Jews played an important part in Jesus being lifted up, so we would have a savior. The healing on the Sabbath, the willful blindness of the Jews, and the hardness of the healed lame man are necessary to the gospel story and exemplify what John said about Jesus. They show us that God had given all things into Jesus' hand so we might believe in Him. One thing for sure was that Jesus didn't need or want notoriety or glory from man. He wasn't doing these things for a show. So let's be encouraged today as we love with Jesus to make as little of ourselves as possible, and as much as we can of Jesus. That's what Jesus did. He made much of His Father by entrusting what He did to His Father, and made little of Himself. He humbled Himself as a servant of His Father. May we be filled with the humility of Jesus and make much of Him and little of ourselves. I invite you to become a partner in our ministry. Would you pray about becoming a regular supporter of Elijah Ministries and the Live to Love with Jesus ministry? I hope you will receive the joy and benefit of "giving it forward," so others may receive encouragement to turn their hearts to God and to live to love with Jesus. You may give online or send a check to the address listed at www.spiritofelijah.com/donate.

Prayer is not about performance, but relationship. Jesus didn't just tell us how to pray. He told us to whom we're praying: our Father. Not a distant figure, but Abba—close, personal, and full of love. Message based on Matthew 6:5-13; 7:7-11.Quotes:Duane Brooks: Jesus wants His Father to be our Father. J.I. Packer: You sum up the whole of the New Testament religion if you describe it as the knowledge of God as one's Holy Father. If you want to judge how well a person understands Christianity, find out how much they make of the thought of being God's child and having God as a father.Bill Gladden: I've got a room. I've got an actual closet. I go into that room. If I wake up, I get up. And if I get up, I pray up.Joy: I want to become a follower of Jesus like my dad.To discover more messages of hope go to tallowood.org/sermons/.Follow us on Instagram, X, and YouTube @tallowoodbc.Follow us on FaceBook @tallowoodbaptist

Todaywe're looking at Luke chapter 22. We believe this chapter describes the eventsthat took place on Thursday of Passover Week and what we also call PassionWeek. This is the day that Jesus would prepare for the Passover with Hisdisciples because He knew He was the Passover Lamb. Remember the story of theExodus when the Passover lamb was killed, the blood was sprinkled on thedoorpost and lintel, and the firstborn would be spared. The death angel would “passover” that house because the blood had been applied. Whata beautiful picture when Jesus shows up three and a half years earlier and Johnthe Baptist said, "Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of theworld." The next day John sees Jesus coming again and simply says, "Beholdthe Lamb of God." (John 1:29-35). Today I pray that you and I willbehold Jesus, the Passover Lamb of God, submissive and obedient to His Father andis led as a lamb to the slaughter (Isaiah 53:7 - “He was oppressed and Hewas afflicted, Yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to theslaughter, And as a sheep before its shearers is silent, So He opened not Hismouth”). And Who takes away our sin, gives us forgiveness, heals us, andgrants us eternal life.  ThenI pray that you will behold Jesus, the Passover Lamb of God, in His beauty,courage, strength, death, burial, and resurrection. What a beautiful picture wehave of Jesus in His great love for us, fulfilling John 3:16: "For God soloved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Himwould not perish but have everlasting life." My friend, that word"whosoever" includes you and me.  I'mconvinced Jesus Christ and God love every person on planet Earth with aneternal love, and He sent His only Son so that “whosoever—anyone”—can be saved.No one is predestined to be saved or lost; we are all called to salvation. Thedifference is we must choose whether we will believe in Jesus as the Son ofGod, the Lamb of God who alone can take away our sin. When we repent, believeand receive Jesus as our only hope, we discover we are the chosen ones who believed,chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world, according to Ephesianschapter 1. We have an eternal choice that everyone has: to trust Christ orreject Him. He is Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God. Jesusknows all this. He knows why He came into the world—"not to condemn theworld but that the world through Him might be saved” (John 3:16-21). We knowmen love darkness rather than light because their deeds are evil. ThePharisees, scribes, and chief priests rejected Christ because of hypocrisy, andas Pilate points out, because of envy and jealousy. They loved the darkness of theirreligion and sin. And Jesus was infringing on their religious business. Jesusalways challenges religion and religious business. He came to seek and savethat which was lost. Today, trust Him. Duringthis time of Passover, some 100,000 to 300,000 Jewish pilgrims would flood intoJerusalem. Historian Josephus said 250,000 lambs would be slaughtered for apopulation of 500,000 to a million Jewish people. On this Thursday, Jesus ispreparing for the Passover while the scribes, Pharisees, and chief priests areplotting to kill Him. Judas, filled with Satan's animosity and hatred forChrist and God, is led to betray Jesus. This is all taking place as Jesusprepares to be that Passover Lamb. We see the preparation for the supper takeplace in verses 7 through 13 as they prepare for this special commemorative meal!Today,let us remember to get rid of the leaven of sin and bitterness in our heartsand come cleanly to the feast of the Passover with our hearts open, rememberingthe death of Jesus Christ till He comes.Godbless!

What does it mean when the Nicene Creed affirms that our one Lord Jesus Christ was "begotten of His Father"? Was there a time when the Second Person of the Holy Trinity did not exist?Beyond that, what are the implications FOR US that the Son of God was begotten of His Father?

Saul Bellow wrote, “Losing a parent is something like driving through a plate-glass window. You didn't know it was there until it shattered, and then for years to come you're picking up the pieces.” In honor of Father's day, we offer some thoughts about parental relationships that you may find helpful as you pick up your own pieces of glass, and maybe a few splinters.  https://bit.ly/4l8cvXf In this Episode:02:54 - Road Trip: Virginia and Pimento Cheese Recipe04:21 - Patrick Henry's Famous Speech06:52 - Essay by David Sedaris on the Death of His Father, "Orphaned at Last"18:08 - Leo Tolstoy - The Old Grandfather and the Grandson19:42 - OutroSupport the showGet show notes and resources at our website: every1dies.org. Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | mail@every1dies.org

Power in Real Faith (1) (audio) David Eells 6/11/25 Here is the faith Jesus told us to use always for anything. Mar 11:24 Therefore I say unto you, All things whatsoever ye pray and ask for, believe that ye received (In Greek) them, and ye shall have them. As we will see Jesus and His disciples did not use men's methods and works. When we don't believe we have received, we rely on our own works. (Isa 38:21) Now Isaiah had said, Let them take a cake of figs, and lay it for a plaster upon the boil, and he shall recover. Why does it appear that God is using a physical means to bring healing here when normally Jesus and His disciples would just pronounce a healing? It's because those figs symbolize something in the Scriptures and that's why it was a “cake of figs,” or, I might say, even a “congregation” of figs. There is power in numbers. Deu 32:30 How should one chase a thousand, And two put ten thousand to flight… Mat 18:19 Again I say unto you, that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father who is in heaven. You see, the figs there represent the body of Christ, or Israel, such as in Jesus' warnings about bearing fruit. (Luk 13:6) And he spake this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came seeking fruit thereon, and found none. 7 And he said unto the vinedresser, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why doth it also cumber the ground? The fig tree is a physical parable of a spiritual people, the people of God, and He's calling His people the “figs,” which means we have to bear fruit. That's very clear in Revelation, where it talks about a great falling away. (Rev.6:13) And the stars of the heaven fell unto the earth… The “stars of the heaven,” represent Abraham's seed in (Gen 22:15) And the angel of the Lord called unto Abraham a second time out of heaven, 16 and said, By myself have I sworn, saith the Lord, because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son, 17 that in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heavens, and as the sand which is upon the seashore. And thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies. Today we are Abraham's seed by faith, as the Bible says. (Rom 4:16) For this cause it is of faith, that it may be according to grace; to the end that the promise may be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all. And in (Rev 6:13) And the stars of the heaven fell unto the earth, as a fig tree casteth her unripe figs when she is shaken of a great wind. The unripe figs are God's people who don't bear ripe fruit, but (Joh 1:47) Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile! 48 Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee. Jesus identified Nathanael as an Israelite without guile, and where did He see him? Jesus saw him under the fig tree, as one who is among those who bore fruit. That's where we are. All of us who are true disciples of Christ are “under the fig tree.” Now if we go back to the previous verse in Isaiah, it says, (Isa 38:20) The Lord is [ready] to save me (They added in the word, “ready,” but it actually says, “The Lord is to save me.”): Therefore we will sing my songs with stringed instruments All the days of our life in the house of the Lord. So there's the “cake of figs,” the people of God, and they were singing praises to God for healing Hezekiah. It wasn't the cake of figs that healed him, that was just a physical symbol who exorcised their faith for his healing. It's similar to what happened with Naaman the Syrian when he came to Elisha to be healed of leprosy. (2Ki 5:9) So Naaman came with his horses and with his chariots, and stood at the door of the house of Elisha. 10 And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean. 11 But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the Lord his God, and wave his hand over the place, and recover the leper. 12 Are not Abanah and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? may I not wash in them, and be clean? So he turned and went away in a rage. 13 And his servants came near, and spake unto him, and said, My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing (his own works), would Est thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean? 14 Then went he down, and dipped [himself] seven times in the Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God; and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean. Naaman was offended when Elisha told him to dip seven times in the dirty old Jordan, but it was a matter of obedience and faith. An act of faith was required because faith without corresponding action is fruitless. When his servants turned him around and Naaman obeyed, he received the healing, but a person doesn't get healed from leprosy by any kind of water, so the water and the seven times must represent something. What does the water represent? (Eph 5:26) That he might sanctify it, having cleansed it by the washing of water with the word. The water represents the Word. What does “seven” represent? It represents the “seventh day,” the “Sabbath rest.” “Seven” represents entering into the rest, which is ceasing from your own works through faith as we can read in Hebrews chapters 3 and 4. (Heb 3:18) And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that were disobedient? 19 And we see that they were not able to enter in because of unbelief. Paul goes on to talk about how the “rest” is to cease from your works. (Heb 4:3) For we who have believed do enter into that rest… (Heb 4:9) There remaineth therefore a sabbath rest for the people of God. 10 For he that is entered into his rest hath himself also rested from his works, as God did from his. In other words, stop trying to save yourself; believe God has done it. So, Naaman dipped in the water seven times. The water represents the Word of God, and seven represents the rest, and he received his healing. Nobody would say the river water healed Naaman, and nobody would say the cake of figs healed Hezekiah, either. The “cake of figs” that healed him was the saints, who were praising the Lord for the healing. Praise is the language of faith. I'd like to share a testimony from a brother that fits this so well. B.A. said to us, I'm pretty partial to that story in the scriptures of Naaman, when he came to the prophet for to heal the leprosy he had. I guess it was about three years ago when I had a growth that was on my forehead, and I was reading that Scripture in a morning meditation. I had been reading it for a couple of days and studying it, and when I was in the shower, the Lord just really spoke to me very clearly. I was actually going to ask the Bible study group to pray over this growth that was on my head, and the Lord just said, “Why don't you just wash it seven times?” See, it was just like it was with Naaman. I said, “Okay, Lord.” So, I started counting, and on the seventh day, it was gone. Unbelievable! There was no trace of it. It was just a wonderful miracle. It was like, on the seventh day, “Okay, today's the day!” And sure enough, that was the end of that. Well, praise You, Father! You know, when you trust God with real faith, you're going to praise Him; you're going to give thanks to Him. I think healing is 99% giving thanks and praising the Lord for the answer, and only 1% prayer. Because it says in (Mar 11:24) Therefore I say unto you, All things whatsoever ye pray and ask for, believe that ye received (The Greek word there is in the past tense, although a lot of Bible versions translate it as “receive.”) them, and ye shall have them. How would you behave if you believe you have received? Well, you're going to be joyful and full of thanks toward God. And you're going to confess Him before men. (Rom 10:10) For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. What does it mean to “confess” Him before men? “Confess” in Greek means “speak the same as,” so you'll thank God and confess that He's healed you and delivered you (1Ti 6:12) …Confess the good confession in the sight of many witnesses. Now, people might look at you funny, but if you'll confess Him before men, the Bible says He'll confess you before His holy angels and His Father in heaven. What are we actually doing when we confess our healing, our deliverance, our salvation, and so on, before men? We're using “the things that are not...to bring to nought the things that are.” (1Co 1:26) For behold your calling, brethren, that not many wise after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, [are called:] 27 but God chose the foolish things of the world, that he might put to shame them that are wise; and God chose the weak things of the world, that he might put to shame the things that are strong; 28 and the base things of the world, and the things that are despised, did God choose, [yea] and the things that are not, that he might bring to nought the things that are: 29 that no flesh should glory before God. And how do we use “the things that are not...to bring to nought the things that are”? We do what God does. (Rom 4:17) … God, who giveth life to the dead, and calleth the things that are not, as though they were. By faith, God calls the things that “are not, as though they were.” Notice that's past tense: “as though they were.” We can see this all through Scripture, for example, before Christ's sacrifice we see in (Isa 53:5) … and with his stripes we are healed, and after His sacrifice, (1Pe 2:24) … by whose stripes ye were healed. It's not “by whose stripes you are going to get healed,” it's “were healed.” We call the things that are not, as though they were. We consider it done at the Cross, and that's the whole point. Since it was done at the Cross, God's not going to say, we have to do it ourselves, in our own works. One thing we must have is a clear conscience towards God in order to have faith. It's not that God doesn't offer His provision to you. Think about all the people who boldly came to Jesus; they were stiff-necked, hard-hearted Jews, and yet they all received their healing. But, you see, there's a big difference when a person has something on their heart that they need to get off their heart. The difference is that you can't have boldness towards God when you're in that state. The Bible says in (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. A clear conscience is what you need when you go to God. Why do you confess your sins? It helps you to have a clear conscience so you can exercise faith the way you should. God is faithful. Jas 5:16 Confess therefore your sins one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed… There are other places in the Bible where people have considered that maybe Jesus used physical methods, such as when He healed the man who was blind from birth. (Joh 9:6) When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and anointed his eyes with the clay, 7 and said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam (which is by interpretation, Sent). He went away therefore, and washed, and came seeing. I asked the Lord about that one time and He told me, “He didn't get healed when I smeared the mud in his eye; he got healed when he washed the mud out of his eye.” Then the thought came to me that mud represents our human nature. Adam came from the dust of the earth. As long as we see according to the way of man, the way of Adam, we don't get what we received from God at the Cross. We have to wash that out of our eyes. We have to be able to see clearly and to accept what the Word says about our condition. For instance, health doesn't come through any of man's methods. Health comes from the fact that Jesus already bore our curse on the Cross. It's past tense as we see here. (Gal 3:13) Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us; for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree. It comes from the fact that (1Pe. 2:24) … by whose stripes ye were healed, and not from herbs or vitamins or supplements. Some of those things are expensive and besides that, they're not available to everybody. All over the world, people eat different things. It makes no difference to God. All they have to do is believe in the Gospel of healing, and they will receive it. The Lord says in (Exo 15:26) I will put none of the diseases upon thee which I have put upon the Egyptians, for I am the Lord that healeth thee. Those Egyptians and Egypt, in type, represent the world, and the whole world is under the curse, but we are not under the curse because of what Jesus did. If we're trying to earn God's gift through our own works, then we are not being weak. When we're trying to negotiate with the curse by our own strength, then God's power is not going to be there. We need God's power, so we need to glory in our weaknesses in order to have God's power. That's what Paul said in 2 Corinthians 11:30, and 12:5,9. Paul said to call “the things that are not, as though they were,” and give up all your efforts to save yourself, heal yourself, deliver yourself. It is a free gift. Jesus told His disciples, (Mat 10:8) Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons: freely ye received, freely give. He sent them out to give these gifts to God's people freely, so believe the Lord and accept His free gift. Now look in (Act 19:11) And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: 12 insomuch that unto the sick were carried away from his body handkerchiefs or aprons, and the evil spirits went out. Why were they procuring handkerchiefs from Paul and touching people with them? Handkerchiefs don't heal people, do they? And why does God command us to lay hands on the sick? Is it because our hands are special? No, the laying on of hands is something that helps us to imagine the healing, just as baptism is something to help our imagination because we're doing something physical. Also, we who are filled with His Spirit have His power in us and it flows through our hands. When we get baptized, we're able to imagine that we were buried with Christ when we go down in the water, and that we're a new creature in Christ when we come up. It's an act of faith. The water doesn't do anything. It's not the cleansing of the flesh with the water, it's the faith and obedience. The same thing applies to the laying on of hands. When we lay hands on somebody for healing, we imagine that the power God has put in us is being transferred into the other person. I do that. As a matter of fact, quite often I feel something like electricity running through my arm and going into people, but you don't have to touch anybody for them to get healed; you can just speak the Word for them to be healed. It's a point of contact to release the power of faith. God uses these physical things to help you because your imagination is something that connects your mind, your tongue, and your actions. The Bible says in (Rom 10:10) For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation, so there's a real connection with our imagination. If you can't imagine something, you are not going to be able to believe for it. You may be saying with your mouth that you're healed, but if your mind can't even imagine it, then you're not exercising any faith. Your imagination helps you come into the Image of God. (2Co 3:18) But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord the Spirit. That “image” is an imagination. If you're seeing Jesus in the mirror, that's imagination. And if you're seeing Jesus in the mirror, is that Person in the mirror sick? Is He demon-possessed? Is He sinful? Absolutely not! He's delivered from all of those things, which is exactly what the Bible says about us. We're delivered from all of those things. We accept those free gifts by faith, and because our works are not involved in it, man doesn't get any credit. God alone gets the glory. God's power is there. A lot of people imagine the worst and speak the worst, and they destroy themselves by doing that. But if you use that same energy in the opposite direction, it's amazing what you can do. You know, everything that a man creates has to first be seen in his imagination before he can create it, so we need a renewed imagination, we need a renewed mind. We're told in (Rom 12:2) And be not fashioned according to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, and ye may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Your imagination is in your mind, so you see yourself as healed, you see yourself as delivered, and so on. It doesn't matter what you feel, because the truth is that the devil can manipulate your feelings. The devil is going to tell you that you're not healed, that you're not delivered, that you're not saved from sin. He's going to tell you all of those things, but we need to have a renewed mind where we do not accept those lies. (2Co 10:3) For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh 4 (for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the casting down of strongholds), 5 casting down imaginations, and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. If we do that, and if we receive in our mind only the thinking of the Lord and the Word of the Lord, it doesn't matter what we feel. It matters what we believe and what we accept. We need to do the warfare and cast down those vain imaginations and thoughts. Brother B.A. tells us this story. One time we got an email from somebody that we had counseled with, and the person was talking about some of the sinful nature that he was dealing with in his walk, and he started rattling off a lot of things, and then in the next email, he said them again. I had written him about trying to walk by faith and taking authority over the devil, but he sent me a second email and said, “No, these are not my present sins, these are my sins from before.” I wrote him back and said that he must not believe that these sins are forgiven if he's still talking about these sins as if they're not forgiven. Why are these sins anymore if they are as far as the east is from the west? These should be far from his mind because of what the Lord has done for him. True forgiveness with true repentance means it's over. And you can understand that it's the devil's work that would bring these things back to our remembrance, and what happens is, and it was what this young man was dealing with, he didn't believe he was forgiven, and he didn't have any faith to walk by faith. He was not able to exercise authority over the devil and was continually in bondage. So, it's the devil's work when we don't receive forgiveness, and we don't recognize how perfect the sacrifice at the Cross was. Well, we know the Bible says in (Rom 8:1) There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus. The King James version adds in there, “who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit,” but that's not in any of the ancient manuscripts. If you have to walk in the Spirit in order to have God's blessings, you're in real trouble. No, you have to accept God's blessings by faith, even in your failure. You have to call “the things that are not, as though they were.” It's all by grace, it's all by “unmerited favor.” We are not good enough, and we can never be good enough to receive the blessings of God. As we've seen, we need to confess your sins so that we have a clear conscience. (1Jn 3:21) Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, we have boldness toward God; (But walking according to our conscience is powerful.) 22 and whatsoever we ask we receive of him, because we keep his commandments and do the things that are pleasing in his sight. But even if you do confess your sins, the devil is going to tell you that you're still guilty. Who are you going to believe? Are you going to believe the devil, or are you going to believe God? The Bible says, (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. If you have confessed your sins, God has forgiven you. Accept that. When condemnation goes past the time of repentance and confession of sin, you need to know it's coming straight from the devil. He knows that if you're in condemnation, then you won't have any faith. You can't have faith and condemnation at the same time, so if you have condemnation, you're no threat to him. The devil can continue to curse you and keep you in bondage. When you confess and repent of your sins, God removes them as far as the east is from the west (Psa.103:12) and casts them into the depths of the sea (Mic.7:19), so why are you remembering them? Accept His forgiveness, go on, and walk by faith. Don't pay any attention to what you feel; the devil manipulates that. Pay attention to what the Bible says and be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Cast down the vain imaginations that are against the knowledge of God, and you will win the victory. None of those people whom Jesus healed, delivered, and gave provisions to were worthy. They weren't what you would call “born again” people, but they had the Covenant with God. They were in Covenant and that's why Jesus said that He'd only been sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Today we have a better Covenant, based on better promises (Heb.8:6), and as Jesus said in (Luk 7:28) … Among them that are born of women there is none greater than John: yet he that is but little in the kingdom of God is greater than he. Can you receive a healing just by confessing your sins and accepting by faith what God said? Of course. If we have a better Covenant, based on better promises, and He healed every one of those Jews who came to Him by faith, what's He going to do today? The Bible says, (Heb 13:8) Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and to-day, yea and forever. So He's going to do the same thing today. The problem is that so many of God's people have different doctrines today, even though the Scripture tells us in (1Jn 2:24) As for you, let that abide in you which ye heard from the beginning. If that which ye heard from the beginning abide in you, ye also shall abide in the Son, and in the Father. One of those different doctrines is that “These days, sometimes God heals, and sometimes He doesn't,” but that's completely wrong. God has already healed. It has nothing to do with what God will do and what God won't do. The Bible says, (1Pe 2:24) … by whose stripes ye were healed, so it's already done. You can stop praying for hours trying to get God to heal you, because you're not saved by works. If you're going to convince anybody, you need to convince yourself. The Word of God is true. He already healed you. That's why it's called the “rest.” (Heb 4:3) For we who have believed do enter into that rest; even as he hath said, As I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. When you believe what God says, you can rest and not worry about it anymore, because God has already taken care of it and you believe it. God says He has saved you and when you believe it, then you're not continually having to be good enough, as some religions teach. I was raised in the Catholic church, and it was all about salvation by works. In other words, you had to be good enough. Jesus administered these gifts of God to His people and He told His disciples, (Mat 10:8) Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons: freely ye received, freely give. “Freely ye received.” You can't pay for it. But, for example, if you have to go buy a bunch of expensive herbs to try and get healing, or if you have to go to an expensive doctor, that's not free. If you have to buy those expensive drugs, that's not free. Herbs, doctors, drugs…those are all things that are, they aren't things that are not. The things that are not are for the purpose in (1Co 1:29) that no flesh should glory before God. God doesn't want anybody to be able to take the credit. He's a very jealous God. We should just accept this free gift from God and be healthy. I remember a lady who used to come to our Bible study years ago, who understood everything we're talking about, and she ministered to a lot of the people who came to her business. She would tell people about healing and deliverance and all that God does, but people were rejecting her. In fact, in some cases, she lost business telling people that. So she started dealing with them on a level that they could accept and got heavily into this herbal healing business to the point where, if you could say anyone was a real guru of herbal healing, this lady became one. She did all the studying and she knew what was naturally better for this and naturally better for that. Sometimes her herbs backfired on her and made a person sick. I'm not saying that there aren't some natural things that are much better than drugs. When I came to the Lord, I had inherited from my dad and his dad, a generational curse of sinus problems and chest congestion. I'd get pneumonia and had all kinds of sinus problems. That was just normal for me. And I had taken so much penicillin that it didn't do me any good anymore. Then I switched to vitamin C and found out that it worked way better than penicillin. Then I came to the Lord one day, and I threw down my Neo-Synephrine, which I was carrying year-round to try to keep my sinuses open. My sinus linings were finally burned out from that stuff, and I threw it in the garbage when I realized that Jesus Christ already healed me at the Cross. So now my nose and sinuses haven't stopped up in fifty four years. Well, there's something that's better than vitamin C, folks. Do you want a miracle, or do you want to keep paying with your own efforts to deliver yourself? This lady was using her own efforts, her own works, because it was more acceptable to her clients and she could help them on that level. I told her, “You don't have permission, nor a commission, to save people from the curse through that method. The Great Commission is when you offer them the Gospel, and if they don't accept it, then let them stay under the curse.” Of course, she thought that was kind of harsh, but let me point something out to you. If you read Deuteronomy 28, you'll see that God instituted the curse to bring men to repentance. I said to her, “What you're really doing by all your works is trying to take the curse away from those people so they won't have to repent to get healed.” We are to offer people the Good News, and if they don't want that, then let them stay under the curse to bring them to repentance. God Almighty is the One Who sent the curse. Some churches teach that the devil sent the curse, but the devil is not sovereign. Read Deuteronomy 28, which says that God sent the curse. The devil just administers it. God is Sovereign. He said to us, (Exo 15:26) … If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his eyes, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases upon thee, which I have put upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee. God might use the devil to do what He wants to do, but He's still Sovereign. (Php 2:13) For it is God who worketh in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure. Just as He works in you, He does the same thing with all of His creation, and He has His vessels of honor and His vessels of dishonor. (2Ti 2:20) Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some unto honor, and some unto dishonor. 21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, meet for the master's use, prepared unto every good work. So you see, God uses the devil. He works in him to will and to do of His good pleasure, too. (Deu 32:39) See now that I, even I, am he, And there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal; And there is none that can deliver out of my hand. The prosperity teachers think all the bad comes from the devil and only the good comes from God, but when you need a whipping, that's good, and it comes from God (Job 2:10). People need a whipping when they go their own way. God has to get our attention before we come to the end of this road, and the truth is that the curse gets our attention better than anything else in the world. The apostle Paul turned men over to Satan for the destruction of their flesh so that their spirit would be saved in the day of the Lord. He used the curse to save men. We're supposed to let the curse do its work, but we're also supposed to offer people the only real cure, and that's the Gospel. One caveat, if others are under our authority, like children or the elderly or even under our roof, we can give them a gift of healing. Back to this herbal guru who was offering her clients a cure that didn't have anything to do with the Gospel, or bringing people to the knowledge of repentance and faith. She wanted to help them to live comfortably under the curse so that they'd have no need for God and would eventually fall off into hell at the end of their lives. If you stop and think about it, folks, that's what you're doing if that's what you're preaching. It's another gospel, not the Gospel of the Kingdom. God has done it this way on purpose. All of our salvation is past tense because, if you believe it, you have to cease from your works and enter into the rest. (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. 3 For we who have believed do enter into that rest; even as he hath said, As I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. … 9 There remaineth therefore a sabbath rest (Notice that the Greek word there is sabbatismos and it means “a continual rest.” This is the only place in the Bible where sabbatismos is used.) for the people of God. 10 For he that is entered into his rest hath himself also rested from his works, as God did from his. 11 Let us therefore give diligence to enter into that rest, that no man fall after the same example of disobedience. So you see, the “rest” is not one day of the week anymore. When you believe the promises of God, you enter into the rest. You're supposed to stay in the rest by believing all of the promises concerning all the curse and concerning all of your problems. You're supposed to abide in the rest because you believe the great promises, and that's what the Old Testament Sabbath pointed to as a shadow of the good things to come. The Bible says Jesus Christ is the Lord of the Sabbath in Matthew 12:8. If you abide in Him, then you are keeping the Sabbath, and to “abide in Christ” means you believe the promises and you are obeying Him. Since you were healed, you were “delivered out of the power of darkness,” you were saved from sin and perfected at the Cross (Heb 10:14), what can you do to bring it to pass? Nothing. If you try to bring it to pass yourself, it proves that you are an unbeliever. God's people are not receiving the blessings that were given through Jesus Christ because they are unbelievers. Repent, cease from your works, and enter into the rest. Accept the free gift of God. It's really Good News, because we don't have to do anything except believe. That's our part of the Covenant. God's part is to supply the power, the deliverance, the healings, and supply the sanctification. That's God's part. Our part is to believe. We have the easy part of this. What can you add to what Jesus did without dishonoring His sacrifice? These principles cannot be imposed by law for they only work through personal faith.

LESSON 162I Am As God Created Me.This single thought, held firmly in the mind, would save the world. From time to time we will repeat it, as we reach another stage in learning. It will mean far more to you as you advance. These words are sacred, for they are the words God gave in answer to the world you made. By them it disappears, and all things seen within its misty clouds and vaporous illusions vanish as these words are spoken. For they come from God.Here is the Word by which the Son became His Father's happiness, His Love and His completion. Here creation is proclaimed, and honored as it is. There is no dream these words will not dispel; no thought of sin and no illusion which the dream contains that will not fade away before their might. They are the trumpet of awakening that sounds around the world. The dead awake in answer to its call. And those who live and hear this sound will never look on death.Holy indeed is he who makes these words his own; arising with them in his mind, recalling them throughout the day, at night bringing them with him as he goes to sleep. His dreams are happy and his rest secure, his safety certain and his body healed, because he sleeps and wakens with the truth before him always. He will save the world, because he gives the world what he receives each time he practices the words of truth.Today we practice simply. For the words we use are mighty, and they need no thoughts beyond themselves to change the mind of him who uses them. So wholly is it changed that it is now the treasury in which God places all His gifts and all His Love, to be distributed to all the world, increased in giving; kept complete because its sharing is unlimited. And thus you learn to think with God. Christ's vision has restored your sight by salvaging your mind.We honor you today. Yours is the right to perfect holiness you now accept. With this acceptance is salvation brought to everyone, for who could cherish sin when holiness like this has blessed the world? Who could despair when perfect joy is yours, available to all as remedy for grief and misery, all sense of loss, and for complete escape from sin and guilt?And who would not be brother to you now; you, his redeemer and his savior. Who could fail to welcome you into his heart with loving invitation, eager to unite with one like him in holiness? You are as God created you. These words dispel the night, and darkness is no more. The light is come today to bless the world. For you have recognized the Son of God, and in that recognition is the world's.- Jesus Christ in ACIM

John 4:49-50 The royal official said to Him, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” Jesus said to him, “Go; your son lives.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and started off. The faith expressed by the official satisfied Jesus that His Father was working, and word of Christ satisfied the official. He needed no proof, in direct contrast to those Jesus rebuked for needing signs to believe. This man believed with no sign. He only needed the word of Christ. Let's notice that the faith the man had to return home with no sign or proof of his son's healing was generated by the word of Christ. At this point, there's no indication that the man believed Jesus was Lord or the Christ. He believed his son lived. However, we will discover in the next few verses that the official was on his way to a life-changing faith. Hebrews 12:3 describes Jesus as the author and perfecter of faith. This man fixed his eyes, his hope on Jesus, and when Jesus said the son lives, he took Jesus at His word. That's exactly what Paul said about faith in Romans 10:17. “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.” As in this case, God often uses storms in life and crises to initiate movement toward His Son. Knowing this encourages us to be alert to those God puts in our paths who are hurting, hungry, thirsty, and in desperate need. To love them well, we point them to Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of faith. We want to lead them into an encounter with Him that will be life-changing. The best way to lead someone to a life-changing encounter with Jesus is to share with them the word of Christ—the promises of God given to us through His Son. John 14:6 comes to mind. Jesus said that He is the way, the truth, and the life, and that He alone is the way to the Father. John 11:25-26 is another good one. Jesus said to Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?” In times of trouble, Hebrews 4:14-16 is one of my favorite. Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore, let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Do you have some favorite verses in your mind ready to share when God puts someone like this official in your path who is desperately in need of help? I hope you'll collect a few and be prepared to love them with Jesus by sharing His word. You never know how God is working until you give the word of Christ to someone. Paul said the gospel is the power of God for salvation in Romans 1:16. May the Spirit of God prepare us and work through us today as we live to love with Jesus. I invite you to become a partner in our ministry. Would you pray about becoming a regular supporter of Elijah Ministries and the Live to Love with Jesus ministry? I hope you will receive the joy and benefit of “giving it forward,” so others may receive encouragement to turn their hearts to God and to live to love with Jesus. You may give online or send a check to the address listed at www.spiritofelijah.com/donate.

This episode is part 17 in a series going through the story of the Book of Mormon.This episode covers Mosiah 15:1-9 and its clear teaching of modalism. These verses sound like something a Oneness Pentecostal might say.This episode explains the Trinity and how Oneness Pentecostalism differs with clips from Dr. David K. Bernard of the UPCI.Then, we compare what Oneness theology says with what Mosiah 15:1-9 claims about Jesus. Also, the Joseph Smith Translation changes Luke 10:22 to make Jesus say that the Father and the Son are the same person. (Note: I mistakenly said Matthew 11:27 in the audio, which is the parallel gospel account.)It seems undeniable that Joseph Smith was dabbling in modalism while writing the Book of Mormon.Sources Cited:"How Is Jesus Both God and Man? | Episode 36," David K. Bernard."Is Jesus God or God's Son? | Episode 99," David K. Bernard."Why Did Jesus Pray to His Father? | Episode 181," David K. Bernard.David K. Bernard, "The Oneness View of Jesus Christ: Oneness theology affirms Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as simultaneous, not sequential, manifestations of God," McGahan Publishing House, January 4, 2021.Luke 10:23 in the Joseph Smith TranslationRelated Truthspresso episodes:Episode 81: Is Jesus Like Ant-Man?Episode 87: Is Jesus Like the Incredible Hulk?Episode 157: Is Jesus Like Doctor Octopus? (part 1)Episode 159: Is Jesus Like Doctor Octopus? (part 2)Episode 160: Is Jesus Like Doctor Octopus? (part 3)Episode 78: The Christmas Promise of Isaiah 9:6Further research:Book of Mormon in videoJoseph Smith: The Prophet of the RestorationThe Book of Mormon online: Mosiah [chapter 15]*** Please contribute to the Hurricane relief fund for A.M. Brewster ***Have questions for Truthspresso? Contact us!Mentioned in this...

Have you ever felt overworked, overwhelmed, or overburdened? Sure! When life gets out of balance, it takes a toll on us and those around us. As Jesus walked the earth, He modeled the value of healthy rhythms. Even Jesus needed to get away. This summer, we'll be looking at the life of Jesus and His example to get away. He was intentional in these moments to spend time with His Father or those closest to Him. The rhythms that emerge are a vital pattern for us to consider as we seek to follow Jesus effectively!  

Monday, 9 June 2025   But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven. Matthew 10:33   “And if, whoever, he should deny Me before men, I will deny – I also – him before My Father, the ‘in heavens'” (CG).   In the previous verse, Jesus noted that whoever will assent in Him before men, He will assent that person before His Father in heaven. Now, taking the opposite angle, He says, “And if, whoever, he should deny Me before men.”   Jesus introduces the word arneomai, to contradict. As such, it signifies to disavow, reject, refuse, etc. As an example, it says this in Acts 3 –   “The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified His Servant Jesus, whom you delivered up and denied [arneomai] in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let Him go. 14 But you denied [arneomai] the Holy One and the Just, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, 15 and killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses.” Acts 13-15   Jesus is saying to the apostles that when they go forth spreading their message, those they encounter will have to decide. If they assent in Him, He will speak likewise before the Father. However, those who deny Him, “I will deny – I also – him before My Father, the ‘in heavens.'”   The words bear a strong emphasis, just as in the previous verse. Jesus adamantly avows that those who deny Him, He too will deny. As with the previous verse, the words here speak of free will. There is nothing forced, and God leaves the decision up to the contemplation of the individual.   Jesus is speaking to those of Israel whom the apostles will encounter. The apostles are not directed to go to anyone outside of the cities of Israel, and Jesus' ministry is – by His own words – directed to the lost sheep of the House of Israel (Matthew 10:6 & Matthew 15:24).   Further, Jesus' words precede the completion of His ministry and fulfillment of the law. He is speaking about matters in that context.   Life application: How many times have you heard someone cite the words of Matthew 10:33 to indicate that a person can lose his salvation? As noted, the context is not speaking of those in the church. It is speaking of those of Israel, even before the completion of Jesus' ministry.   Further, notice the use of the same word, translated as denied, in Acts 3 cited above. Who was Peter speaking to in those verses? He was speaking to the people of Israel who had denied their Messiah. Peter was appealing to them to change their minds and believe. Therefore, there is a chance for someone who had denied Jesus to “undeny” Him and believe.   Paul uses the same word in 2 Timothy 2 –   “This is a faithful saying: For if we died with Him, We shall also live with Him. 12 If we endure, We shall also reign with Him. If we deny [arneomai] Him, He also will deny [arneomai] us. 13 If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.” 2 Timothy 2:11-13   But though often interpreted as such, those verses do not speak of a loss of salvation. Refer to the Superior Word commentary to understand what Paul is saying.   Since the completion of Christ's ministry, He has fulfilled the Mosaic Covenant and established the New Covenant. Gentiles are accepted into this New Covenant through faith, just as Jews are. Believing the gospel leads to salvation. Salvation is guaranteed by the sealing of the Holy Spirit –   “In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.” Ephesians 1:13, 14   Jesus didn't speak of these things because His work was not yet complete. The message of salvation by faith through grace as a guarantee through the sealing of the Holy Spirit only came about after His atoning death for the sins of the world.   When someone believes, he has no longer denied Jesus. He moves from death to life, eternal life. Be sure to read the commentary on 2 Timothy 2:12, 13 to understand what Paul is referring to. And the next time you hear someone cite Matthew 10:33 as proof that one can lose his salvation, be sure to correct his thinking.   Lord God, despite not knowing everything about what You have done for us, we know that You have saved us, fully and forever, through belief in Your gospel. We know that nothing can ever separate us from Your love because of Jesus. We are saved – forever and ever. Amen.  

This episode is part 17 in a series going through the story of the Book of Mormon.This episode covers Mosiah 15:1-9 and its clear teaching of modalism. These verses sound like something a Oneness Pentecostal might say.This episode explains the Trinity and how Oneness Pentecostalism differs with clips from Dr. David K. Bernard of the UPCI.Then, we compare what Oneness theology says with what Mosiah 15:1-9 claims about Jesus. Also, the Joseph Smith Translation changes Luke 10:22 to make Jesus say that the Father and the Son are the same person. (Note: I mistakenly said Matthew 11:27 in the audio, which is the parallel gospel account.)It seems undeniable that Joseph Smith was dabbling in modalism while writing the Book of Mormon.Sources Cited:"How Is Jesus Both God and Man? | Episode 36," David K. Bernard."Is Jesus God or God's Son? | Episode 99," David K. Bernard."Why Did Jesus Pray to His Father? | Episode 181," David K. Bernard.David K. Bernard, "The Oneness View of Jesus Christ: Oneness theology affirms Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as simultaneous, not sequential, manifestations of God," McGahan Publishing House, January 4, 2021.Luke 10:23 in the Joseph Smith TranslationRelated Truthspresso episodes:Episode 81: Is Jesus Like Ant-Man?Episode 87: Is Jesus Like the Incredible Hulk?Episode 157: Is Jesus Like Doctor Octopus? (part 1)Episode 159: Is Jesus Like Doctor Octopus? (part 2)Episode 160: Is Jesus Like Doctor Octopus? (part 3)Episode 78: The Christmas Promise of Isaiah 9:6Further research:Book of Mormon in videoJoseph Smith: The Prophet of the RestorationThe Book of Mormon online: Mosiah [chapter 15]*** Please contribute to the Hurricane relief fund for A.M. Brewster ***Have questions for Truthspresso? Contact us!Mentioned in this...

John 4:46-47 Therefore He came again to Cana of Galilee, where He had made the water wine. And there was a royal official whose son was sick at Capernaum. When he heard that Jesus had come out of Judea into Galilee, he went to Him and was imploring Him to come down and heal his son; for he was at the point of death. Let's begin today with a few facts. The journey to Cana from Sychar was about 40 miles, or probably 2–3 days. The royal official was probably a Gentile, an official in Herod Antipas' administration, who was the Tetrarch of Galilee. The distance from Cana to Capernaum was about 20 miles over hill country, a long day's journey by foot. These facts help us keep things in perspective. Nothing is going to happen fast if everything goes at the normal pace. The situation given by the Father to Jesus was dire. The official's son was probably at the point of death before the father left for Cana to meet Jesus, so you can imagine the urgency of the official once they met. Having heard that Jesus was in Cana, he believed Jesus was the boy's only hope of healing. He believed it enough to undertake a 40-mile round trip. Under the circumstances, I think he would have taken the fastest means possible, which would have been horseback. That's simply conjecture. The apostle John didn't give us that information. There are a few encouragements I get from these verses. First, God may allow sickness in order to reveal His glory through His Son. The condition of the official's son was totally in God's hands. For this story to be in the Bible, the son had to be sick to the point of death. In fact, that had to be true of everyone Jesus healed. So, my takeaway is that regardless of how dire the circumstances are, don't panic, the situation is necessary for the glory of God. Since my purpose is to live to love with Jesus for the glory of God, it seems wise and faithful to ask, “How does God want to glorify Himself through His Son in this situation that He has given to Him and to me? Then pray, listen, receive, and release into the situation what I'm given. A second encouragement is that God reveals His will by giving faith where He plans to work. Jesus knew where the Father was working by the attitudes and responses of the people God put in His path. I think of 2 Chronicles 16:9 “For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.” Where Jesus saw faith at work, He knew His Father was working, so then He worked with His Father. He was living to love with His Father. In this case, the official demonstrated faith. He heard Jesus was in Cana. His son was desperately ill, and there was no other hope. He knew Jesus was a healer and miracle worker. He made the trip to find Jesus to beg Him to come and heal his son because he believed Jesus was capable of healing his son. As we walk with Jesus, there will be times when we face dire circumstances and people with an urgent need. May we be so filled with the Spirit of Christ that we can discern where the Father is working and trust in Him to give us what we need to glorify His name at that time. I invite you to become a partner in our ministry. Would you pray about becoming a regular supporter of Elijah Ministries and the Live to Love with Jesus ministry? I hope you will receive the joy and benefit of “giving it forward,” so others may receive encouragement to turn their hearts to God and to live to love with Jesus. You may give online or send a check to the address listed at www.spiritofelijah.com/donate.

Sunday, 8 June 2025   “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. Matthew 10:32   “All, therefore, whoever he will assent in Me before men, I will assent – I also – in him before My Father, the ‘in the heavens.'” (CG).   In the previous verse, Jesus reassured His apostles that they were of more value than many sparrows. He next turns to words which have to be considered in their intended context.   Jesus is still speaking to His apostles (disciples as recorded in Luke 10). He is doing so while they go out into the cities of Israel to proclaim the good news of the kingdom. He has not yet been crucified for the sins of the world. Thus, His words speak solely of the relationship between Israel and Jesus.   Understanding this, He begins the first of two verses which must be considered with those points in mind, saying, “All, therefore, whoever he will assent in Me before men.”   The first thing to understand is that not every “every” means “every” and not every “all” means “all.”   Mark 1:5 says, “Then all the land of Judea, and those from Jerusalem, went out to him and were all baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins.” However, Luke 7:30 says, “But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the will of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.”   This is not a contradiction. Rather, the word “all” as used by Mark, as is often the case, is given as a general statement concerning who went to be baptized.   Jesus is making a broad statement concerning those who are going forth and those who will hear and attend to their message. Those who hear the message and assent in Him, acknowledging the word, will be in one category. That category is defined by His next words, “I will assent – I also – in him before My Father, the ‘in the heavens.'”   Jesus emphatically declares that He will then confess such a person before His Father. The proposition depends on the free will assertion of the individual hearing the good news. In response to that free will assertion, Jesus Himself will likewise assent concerning that person.   The expression en emoi, in Me, demonstrates a uniting of the confession with the individual. Despite this, these words are spoken prior to the giving of the Spirit, which first occurs in Acts 2 and which is spoken of in the epistles as a guarantee of eternal salvation, such as in Ephesians 1:13, 14.   Therefore, that process of salvation cannot be what Jesus is referring to here. Rather, He is speaking of a general confession of Him and not necessarily the uniting of an individual with the Spirit. That will become clear through analyzing the next verse.   Life application: The words of this verse and the next are constantly quoted by Christians concerning other Christians who then make claims of salvation or condemnation based on what Jesus is saying here. As an example –   “It means to acknowledge the Lord Jesus Christ, and our dependence on him for salvation, and our attachment to him, in every proper manner. This profession may be made in uniting with a church, at the communion, in conversation, and in conduct. The Scriptures mean, by a profession of religion, an exhibition of it in every circumstance of the life and before all people. It is not merely in one act that we must do it, but in every act. We must be ashamed neither of the person, the character, the doctrines, nor the requirements of Christ. If we are; if we deny him in these things before people; if we are unwilling to express our attachment to him in every way possible, then it is right that he should ‘disown all connection with us,' or deny us before God, and he will do it.” Albert Barnes   That is not the gospel. In fact, what Barnes says is in complete contrast to the gospel, which says one is saved by grace through faith and that when one believes, he is sealed with the Holy Spirit for the day of redemption.   If what Barnes (et al) says is true, then it means that salvation is not of Christ but of our own efforts. Mixing the words of Jesus in the dispensation of the law with the words of Paul in the dispensation of grace will inevitably lead to confusion of thought and a contradiction in one's theology.   Lord God, help us to walk with You all our days, living in a manner that is pleasing to You and in the joy of the salvation which You have given to us. When we fail in this, we know that You will still be with us, but it is we who will suffer the lack of fellowship as we do things our own way. May it not be so! Help us to hold fast to You always. Amen.

LESSON 159I Give The Miracles I Have Received.No one can give what he has not received. To give a thing requires first you have it in your own possession. Here the laws of Heaven and the world agree. But here they also separate. The world believes that to possess a thing, it must be kept. Salvation teaches otherwise. To give is how to recognize you have received. It is the proof that what you have is yours.You understand that you are healed when you give healing. You accept forgiveness as accomplished in yourself when you forgive. You recognize your brother as yourself, and thus do you perceive that you are whole. There is no miracle you cannot give, for all are given you. Receive them now by opening the storehouse of your mind where they are laid, and giving them away.Christ's vision is a miracle. It comes from far beyond itself, for it reflects Eternal Love and the rebirth of love which never dies, but has been kept obscure. Christ's vision pictures Heaven, for it sees a world so like to Heaven that what God created perfect can be mirrored there. The darkened glass the world presents can show but twisted images in broken parts. The real world pictures Heaven's innocence.Christ's vision is the miracle in which all miracles are born. It is their source, remaining with each miracle you give, and yet remaining yours. It is the bond by which the giver and receiver are united in extension here on earth, as they are one in Heaven. Christ beholds no sin in anyone. And in His sight the sinless are as one. Their holiness was given by His Father and Himself.Christ's vision is the bridge between the worlds. And in its power can you safely trust to carry you from this world into one made holy by forgiveness. Things which seem quite solid here are merely shadows there; transparent, faintly seen, at times forgot, and never able to obscure the light that shines beyond them. Holiness has been restored to vision, and the blind can see.This is the Holy Spirit's single gift; the treasure house to which you can appeal with perfect certainty for all the things that can contribute to your happiness. All are laid here already. All can be received but for the asking. Here the door is never locked, and no one is denied his least request or his most urgent need. There is no sickness not already healed, no lack unsatisfied, no need unmet within this golden treasury of Christ.Here does the world remember what was lost when it was made. For here it is repaired, made new again, but in a different light. What was to be the home of sin becomes the center of redemption and the hearth of mercy, where the suffering are healed and welcome. No one will be turned away from this new home, where his salvation waits. No one is stranger to him. No one asks for anything of him except the gift of his acceptance of his welcoming.Christ's vision is the holy ground in which the lilies of forgiveness set their roots. This is their home. They can be brought from here back to the world, but they can never grow in its unnourishing and shallow soil. They need the light and warmth and kindly care Christ's charity provides. They need the love with which He looks on them. And they become His messengers, who give as they received.Take from His storehouse, that its treasures may increase. His lilies do not leave their home when they are carried back into the world. Their roots remain. They do not leave their source, but carry its beneficence with them, and turn the world into a garden like the one they came from, and to which they go again with added fragrance. Now are they twice blessed. The messages they brought from Christ have been delivered, and returned to them. And they return them gladly unto Him.Behold the store of miracles set out for you to give. Are you not worth the gift, when God appointed it be given you? Judge not God's Son, but follow in the way He has established. Christ has dreamed the dream of a forgiven world. It is His gift, whereby a sweet transition can be made from death to life; from hopelessness to hope. Let us an instant dream with Him. His dream awakens us to truth. His vision gives the means for a return to our unlost and everlasting sanctity in God.- Jesus Christ in ACIM

John 4:45 So when He came to Galilee, the Galileans received Him, having seen all the things that He did in Jerusalem at the feast; for they themselves also went to the feast. In light of yesterday's contrast between the Samaritan's receiving Jesus and the Galilean's prior rejection of Him, we learn from today's verse that the Galileans received Him. However, let's notice why. They had attended the feast in Jerusalem and witnessed the same signs Nicodemus had witnessed. They, too, couldn't deny that God was with Him, so they received Him. We're not to think that they believed in Him with saving faith as a result of the signs. We will see in the next chapter that the miracles He performed got Him into more trouble with the Jews, but that didn't stop Him from loving people God put in His path. I realize there may be many of you listening who work in a hostile environment or have family who consider your values and faith toxic. You've found it difficult to navigate those relationships. They receive you into their midst, but they don't like you or what you stand for. You know you aren't just imagining their disgust or disdain for you. You see it on their faces, or notice conversation stops when you come near, or you are the constant butt of jokes and snide remarks. My guess is that Jesus experienced the same and expected it, however, His purpose never changed: He lived to love with His Father. He stayed tuned in to His Father as things happened and people crossed His path. Knowing this about Jesus, encourages us to stay tuned in to Him each day in every situation. We want Jesus to be glorified in us, just like Paul wanted Jesus to be glorified in the believers in Thessalonica. He prayed for them and I pray for you, “To this end also we pray for you always, that our God will count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thess. 1:11-12). Therefore, today, should God lead you into difficult circles, be ready to glorify Jesus by loving with Him those He puts in your paths. I invite you to become a partner in our ministry. Would you pray about becoming a regular supporter of Elijah Ministries and the Live to Love with Jesus ministry? I hope you will receive the joy and benefit of “giving it forward,” so others may receive encouragement to turn their hearts to God and to live to love with Jesus. You may give online or send a check to the address listed at www.spiritofelijah.com/donate.

John 4:43-44 After the two days, He went forth from there into Galilee. For Jesus Himself testified that a prophet has no honor in his own country. These verses are meant to show us the contrast between how Jesus was received in Samaria and how He was received in Galilee. He was received in Sychar, a city of Gentiles, as a prophet. Remember what the woman said after Jesus revealed that He knew she had five husbands and was living with a guy? “Sir, I perceive that You are a Prophet.” Jesus performed no miracles in Sychar that we know of, and the people wanted Him to stay. He was honored, and in an honor/shame culture, that's a big deal. They believed Him to be the Savior of the world because of His words. Jesus experienced for a brief time, only two days, the joys of sowing and reaping with His Father. What a blessed and rewarding two days! In contrast, Jesus not only was not honored in Galilee, His own country, but was shamed and cast out. He had lived a perfect life in Galilee for more than 20 years of His life. The manner in which He lived His life, His attitudes, His conduct, His words must have stood out to those who knew Him, but they couldn't see His glory. When He healed a man with a withered hand, preached the good news in the synagogue, and prophesied, they cast Him out of the city and attempted to kill Him by throwing Him off a cliff. In the next verse we will see how He was received, but for today, let's learn a couple of important lessons in walking with Jesus. First, there are good times and difficult times in ministry. We must not determine to whom and where we minister on the basis of hoped for results. We are to be faithful wherever He leads us and receive what He gives us with contentment and gratitude. If God gives us a season of sowing and reaping, we are to receive it with great joy, but be ready to move on in obedience to the leading of the Spirit of God. Second, we must not pre-judge people or assume we know how we are going to be received. We learn from this account, that the ones we think might be most receptive to our love will not be, and the ones we think might be the most resistant may not be. Familiarity may breed contempt, or at least blind people from recognizing that they have one sent from God in their midst. It is not always the case, but it still may happen. One may find a much warmer reception in a foreign field than he finds at home in his own family or church. That's how it was with Jesus, so we should not be surprised. We are to trust the reception of our love and ministry to God and His will. Our responsibility is to be faithful and to trust God for the results. So let this verse encourage us to live to love with Jesus in both good and bad times, content with whatever results or fruit the Lord wills. Let's simply be faithful, enjoy the blessings of loving with Him, and be thankful for the privilege and honor it is to work in God's field with Him. I invite you to become a partner in our ministry. Would you pray about becoming a regular supporter of Elijah Ministries and the Live to Love with Jesus ministry? I hope you will receive the joy and benefit of “giving it forward,” so others may receive encouragement to turn their hearts to God and to live to love with Jesus. You may give online or send a check to the address listed at www.spiritofelijah.com/donate.

We have now come through Lent and the Easter season, including the Ascension of Jesus to His Father's right hand, and in June we celebrate Pentecost. In these studies, we have explored messianic prophecies in January through April, with an introduction to messianic typology last month. This month's study will deal with a prophecy that is not exactly messianic, but features prominently in the New Testament: in Peter's sermon on the day of Pentecost. We also will explore the Old and New Testaments' witness to the Holy Spirit and His work then and now. Rev. Carl Roth, pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Elgin, TX, joins Sarah to talk about the “Searching Scripture” feature in the June/July 2025 issue of the Lutheran Witness titled “The Promised Spirit” on Joel 2:28–32 and Acts 2:1–22. This year, “Searching Scripture” is themed “Opening the Old Testament” and will walk through ways that the Old Testament witnesses to Jesus Christ and His grace, mercy and peace, delivered through the holy Christian church. Follow along every month and search Scripture with us! Find online exclusives of the Lutheran Witness at witness.lcms.org and subscribe to the Lutheran Witness at cph.org/witness.

We have now come through Lent and the Easter season, including the Ascension of Jesus to His Father's right hand, and in June we celebrate Pentecost. In these studies, we have explored messianic prophecies in January through April, with an introduction to messianic typology last month. This month's study will deal with a prophecy that is not exactly messianic, but features prominently in the New Testament: in Peter's sermon on the day of Pentecost. We also will explore the Old and New Testaments' witness to the Holy Spirit and His work then and now. Rev. Carl Roth, pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Elgin, TX, joins Sarah to talk about the “Searching Scripture” feature in the June/July 2025 issue of the Lutheran Witness titled “The Promised Spirit” on Joel 2:28–32 and Acts 2:1–22. This year, “Searching Scripture” is themed “Opening the Old Testament” and will walk through ways that the Old Testament witnesses to Jesus Christ and His grace, mercy and peace, delivered through the holy Christian church. Follow along every month and search Scripture with us! Find online exclusives of the Lutheran Witness at witness.lcms.org and subscribe to the Lutheran Witness at cph.org/witness.

John 4:37-38 For in this case the saying is true, ‘One sows and another reaps.' I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labor. The food the disciples brought was the fruit of someone else's labor. Jesus pointed out that fact, so He wanted them to notice that they were entering or coming into their labor. The same thing was about to happen. Arriving at the same time as the crowd from the city was also arriving, they were coming into the labors of Jesus and the woman. His food, doing the will of His Father, was going to become their food. They would reap where they had not labored. As we live to love with Jesus, we will often enter into the work of others who have gone before us. Jesus has already been working in the hearts of people, and He brings them into our paths. They are ripe for the picking, so to speak. They have heard about Jesus. They are looking for someone to tell them more about Him and how they may be saved. God sends us to harvest the fruit for which we have not labored. We simply enter into it, by the grace and sovereign will of God. What a joy that is when that happens! That's what happened to the disciples that afternoon at the well. More than likely, the disciples baptized them. I get that from 4:1-2. “Therefore when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John (although Jesus Himself was not baptizing, but His disciples were)…” They now, ever since they began to follow Him, were living to love with Jesus. They lived to enter into His work. That's what we do every day, as we live to love with Jesus. We live to enter into His work. I love the way Paul put it to the Ephesians. “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” As we go through our days, we are coming into His work, being brought into them by the Father, and we work through His life dwelling within us. What a joy it is to enter into the work of God. Sometimes we sow or water or reap. Whatever we do, we do it by the grace of God that He gives us. That's how the Father glorifies the Son in our lives. We reap the fruit of His labor as we live to love with Him. I invite you to become a partner in our ministry. Would you pray about becoming a regular supporter of Elijah Ministries and the Live to Love with Jesus ministry? I hope you will receive the joy and benefit of “giving it forward,” so others may receive encouragement to turn their hearts to God and to live to love with Jesus. You may give online or send a check to the address listed at www.spiritofelijah.com/donate.

It's a Feria, commemoration of Sts. Marcellinus, Peter, and Erasmus, Martyrs, 4th class, with the color of white. In this episode: The meditation: “A Month to Honor the Sacred Heart and Make Reparations,” today's news from the Church: “A Pontificate at a Crossroads,” a preview of the Sermon: “Sitting at the Right Hand of His Father,” and today's thought from the Archbishop. Sources Used Today: The Risen Christ– Caryll Houselander (Amazon) “A Pontificate at a Crossroads” (FSSPX.news) https://fsspx.news/en/news/pontificate-crossroads-52734 “Sitting at the Right Hand of His Father” (SSPX Sermons) Watch on YouTube Listen & Subscribe: SSPX Sermons Podcast The Spiritual Life- Archbishop Lefebvre (Angelus Press) - - - - - - - We'd love your feedback on these Daily Devotionals! What do you like / not like, and what would you like us to add? podcast@sspx.org - - - - - - - Please Support this Apostolate with 1-time or Monthly Donation >> - - - - - - - Explore more: Subscribe to the email version of this Devotional - it's a perfect companion! Subscribe to this Podcast to receive this and all our audio episodes Subscribe to the SSPX YouTube channel for video versions of our podcast series and Sermons FSSPX News Website: https://fsspx.news Visit the US District website: https://sspx.org/ - - - - - What is the SSPX Podcast? The SSPX Podcast is produced by Angelus Press, which has as its mission the fortification of traditional Catholics so that they can defend the Faith, and reaching out to those who have not yet found Tradition.  https://sspx.org

Hour 2 1:12 - David Aldridge Reacts to Knicks Firing Thibodeau & Previews the NBA Finals 21:36 - Inside “Coach”: The Story of TJ Oshie and His Father

John 4:33-34 So the disciples were saying to one another, "No one brought Him anything to eat, did he?” Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work. The disciples' response to Jesus about the food He said He had to eat was so similar to Nicodemus and the woman at the well. They didn't understand and tried to make sense out of what Jesus said from the physical world—normal birth, water, and food. Our first encouragement today might be that when there are things that Jesus says that don't make sense to us, at least we're not the only ones. The truth that we are dealing with is that spiritual things cannot be understood by the natural mind, as Paul explained in 1 Corinthians 2:14: “But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.” To live to love with Jesus, we should know that the mindset and thoughts behind living with Jesus are not going to be natural thoughts. They are not going to make sense to us if we are thinking with our culture or even from our own self-centered perspective about life and relationships. Jesus viewed all of his circumstances and relationships through the eyes of His Father. We must view all of our circumstances and relationships through Jesus' eyes. It's the only way we can live with Him. The disciples were still learning this lesson. They were thinking physical food, and Jesus was thinking spiritual food. A second encouragement we can take away from this verse is that if Jesus lives in us and hasn't changed, then His food is still to do the will of the Father. He is still living to love with His Father. The only change is the means by which He's doing it. He accomplishes the Father's work in and through His people. Before His resurrection and the giving of the Holy Spirit, He worked in His one and only physical body. Ever since then, He has a new body in which to work, and today, He's eating the food the Father gives Him as He lives to love in us. So, today, let's eat up! Let's dine and feast with Jesus and the Father as we do His will—love those the Father brings to us with Jesus. I invite you to become a partner in our ministry. Would you pray about becoming a regular supporter of Elijah Ministries and the Live to Love with Jesus ministry? I hope you will receive the joy and benefit of “giving it forward,” so others may receive encouragement to turn their hearts to God and to live to love with Jesus. You may give online or send a check to the address listed at www.spiritofelijah.com/donate.

What if the price of every laugh was your own happiness? Jimmy Fallon reveals the shocking toll of his comedy empire.  Jimmy Fallon is host of ‘The Tonight Show', Emmy-winning comedian and television personality, and former host of ‘Saturday Night Live' (SNL). He is also the author of children's and comedy books such as, 'Papa Doesn't Do Anything!' and is set to launch a new innovative marketing show called ‘On Brand with Jimmy Fallon' this Fall. Jimmy discusses: How he didn't expect the entertainment industry to be so brutal. Why his sense of humour became his secret weapon. How he navigated receiving hate after achieving massive success in comedy. How his strict Catholic upbringing shaped his relentless need to please others. How his mother's support gave him the confidence to chase his dreams. 00:00 Intro 02:24 What Made Jimmy the Way He Is Nowadays 03:37 The Earliest Memory of Jimmy Wanting to Please Others 04:52 Jimmy's Parents 07:33 Jimmy's Mother 13:02 Who Was Jimmy Trying to Impress More: His Mother or His Father? 14:28 Jimmy's Relationship With Money 17:05 Jimmy's Anecdote With Jerry Seinfeld 21:11 Was Jimmy a Confident Young Man? 22:11 Principles for Achieving Your Childhood Dream 25:51 How Did Jimmy's Parents React to His Career Plans? 28:10 Did Jimmy Ever Doubt Himself While Trying to Break Into Show Business? 33:51 Where Does Jimmy's Passion for SNL Come From? 37:58 Jimmy's Mental Health During the Auditioning Phase 40:41 What Would Jimmy Say to His Younger Self? 45:09 What Life Would Have Been Like If Jimmy Hadn't Got on SNL 47:32 Jimmy's First SNL Audition 52:00 Getting on SNL Before Turning 25 – A Non-Negotiable Goal 53:32 Ads 57:36 Finally Getting SNL 01:02:01 Was There an Anticlimax When Jimmy Got on SNL? 01:02:50 Struggles With Public Criticism 01:05:55 How Did Jimmy Cope With Fame? 01:09:48 How Meeting Influential People Changed Jimmy's Perspective 01:12:20 How to Never Get Bored of Hosting a Show 01:14:12 How Does Jimmy Keep Himself Challenged? 01:14:52 Dada and "Mama" Books 01:16:23 How Jimmy's Mother's Death Changed Him 01:19:01 What Jimmy Misses About His Mother 01:20:39 Jimmy's Grief After His Mother's Death 01:21:35 Would Jimmy Have Followed His Passion Without His Mother? 01:22:33 When Did Jimmy Start Being Concerned With Longevity? 01:26:50 Is There Another Chapter Beyond TV for Jimmy? 01:29:04 How Is Jimmy Misunderstood? 01:29:31 Jimmy's Pursuits Outside of TV 01:32:31 What Would Jimmy's Gravestone Say? 01:34:02 How Becoming a Father Shifted Jimmy's Meaning of Life 01:34:44 Life Advice Jimmy Would Give to His Daughters 01:36:39 Question From the Previous Guest Follow Jimmy: Instagram - https://bit.ly/3HiDAs1  X - https://bit.ly/3Su5zrd  TikTok - https://bit.ly/3Hk24Bu  You can purchase Jimmy's book, Papa Doesn't Do Anything!, here: https://amzn.to/3HgeQkc  The 1% Diary is back - limited time only: https://bit.ly/3YFbJbt  The Diary Of A CEO Conversation Cards (Second Edition): https://g2ul0.app.link/f31dsUttKKb  Get email updates: https://bit.ly/diary-of-a-ceo-yt  Follow Steven: https://g2ul0.app.link/gnGqL4IsKKb  Sponsors:  Shopify - https://shopify.com/bartlett  Perfect Ted - https://www.perfectted.com  with code DIARY40 for 40% off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Read Online“I glorified you on earth by accomplishing the work that you gave me to do. Now glorify me, Father, with you, with the glory that I had with you before the world began.” John 17:4–5Saint Ignatius of Loyola bases his spiritual masterpiece, The Spiritual Exercises, on one basic premise: Man is created to praise, reverence, and serve God our Lord, and by this means to save his soul. This is the essence of what Ignatius calls the “Principle and Foundation” of our lives. In other words, our goal in life is twofold: First, we must seek to give God the greatest glory possible by our lives. And second, the effect of this singular focus is the salvation of our souls.In the Gospel passage quoted above, Jesus speaks of the fact that He perfectly fulfilled His human life on earth by glorifying the Father in Heaven. He did this by accomplishing the work that the Father gave Him to fulfill.If you are looking for purpose in your life or if you are trying to discover the meaning of your life, then look no further. Jesus' words above offer the ideal “principle and foundation” for your life. This message of our Lord could be broken down into three lessons.First, the Father truly does have a plan for your life. Are you seeking to discover that plan? Knowing that there is a divine plan for your life is the first step in fulfilling it. If you do not know God's plan, it will be difficult to fulfill it. So do you seek to discern this plan each and every day? Secondly, when you do discern what God wants of you in your daily life, you must accomplish His will. Sometimes we fall into the trap of trying to fulfill only a portion of what God wants of us. The problem with that approach is that we may actually accomplish “a portion” of God's will. But that's not enough. We must aim for perfection. We must strive for the complete fulfillment of the will of God in our lives.Thirdly, if we can truly accomplish the daily will of God for our lives, then our lives will not only glorify God in every way possible, but we will also be blessed to share in God's glory. To share in God's glory is to share in God's very life. It means that God will be alive in us and we will become partakers of the joys of Heaven. And it will begin here on earth. Why would we settle for earthly “joys” and earthly pleasures when we are called to share in delights that are beyond what we could ever imagine in this world? Reflect, today, upon Jesus' act of perfectly fulfilling the will of the Father in His human nature. Even though our Lord was divine, He was also fully human. He, therefore, perfectly understands your human struggles and weaknesses. He knows what you go through, and His humanity is the model for you to follow in life.Reflect upon His human life and the way in which He lived in union with the will of His Father day in and day out. Commit yourself to this unwavering mission of fully accomplishing the will of the Father in your life and you, too, will share in the glory of our Lord.My glorified Lord, You now share in the full joy and glory of Your Father in Heaven with Your human nature. By doing so, You invite me to not only imitate Your life on earth but to also share in that same glory in Heaven. Give me the grace I need, dear Lord, to accomplish all that the Father calls me to do. May my life fully imitate You in every way so that I may also share, one day, in Your glory. Jesus, I trust in You.Conniemod, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia CommonsSource of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

Send me a Text Message!Once when Jesus had been out praying, one of his disciples came to him as he finished and said, "Lord, teach us to pray..." They had been watching Jesus; front-row seats to watch the greatest pray-er who ever prayed. Jesus' habit was to rise early in the morning to talk with His Father.  In the evening He'd often go to the Mount of Olives or some other quiet spot to pray. And don't you suppose that the disciples noticed that when Jesus prayed stuff happened.  Seas calmed.  Dead people get alive.  Bread multiplies.  Wine created. Mountain-top experiences. Stuff like that ever happen when you pray? So it was perhaps understandable, that the only recorded time that the disciples asked Jesus to teach them anything, it was prayer. Teach us to pray!

LESSON 153In My Defenselessness My Safety Lies.You who feel threatened by this changing world, its twists of fortune and its bitter jests, its brief relationships and all the “gifts” it merely lends to take away again; attend this lesson well. The world provides no safety. It is rooted in attack, and all its “gifts” of seeming safety are illusory deceptions. It attacks, and then attacks again. No peace of mind is possible where danger threatens thus.The world gives rise but to defensiveness. For threat brings anger, anger makes attack seem reasonable, honestly provoked, and righteous in the name of self-defense. Yet is defensiveness a double threat. For it attests to weakness, and sets up a system of defense that cannot work. Now are the weak still further undermined, for there is treachery without and still a greater treachery within. The mind is now confused, and knows not where to turn to find escape from its imaginings.It is as if a circle held it fast, wherein another circle bound it and another one in that, until escape no longer can be hoped for nor obtained. Attack, defense; defense, attack, become the circles of the hours and the days that bind the mind in heavy bands of steel with iron overlaid, returning but to start again. There seems to be no break nor ending in the ever-tightening grip of the imprisonment upon the mind.Defenses are the costliest of all the prices which the ego would exact. In them lies madness in a form so grim that hope of sanity seems but to be an idle dream, beyond the possible. The sense of threat the world encourages is so much deeper, and so far beyond the frenzy and intensity of which you can conceive, that you have no idea of all the devastation it has wrought.You are its slave. You know not what you do, in fear of it. You do not understand how much you have been made to sacrifice, who feel its iron grip upon your heart. You do not realize what you have done to sabotage the holy peace of God by your defensiveness. For you behold the Son of God as but a victim to attack by fantasies, by dreams, and by illusions he has made; yet helpless in their presence, needful only of defense by still more fantasies, and dreams by which illusions of his safety comfort him.Defenselessness is strength. It testifies to recognition of the Christ in you. Perhaps you will recall the text maintains that choice is always made between Christ's strength and your own weakness, seen apart from Him. Defenselessness can never be attacked, because it recognizes strength so great attack is folly, or a silly game a tired child might play, when he becomes too sleepy to remember what he wants.Defensiveness is weakness. It proclaims you have denied the Christ and come to fear His Father's anger. What can save you now from your delusion of an angry god, whose fearful image you believe you see at work in all the evils of the world? What but illusions could defend you now, when it is but illusions that you fight?We will not play such childish games today. For our true purpose is to save the world, and we would not exchange for foolishness the endless joy our function offers us. We would not let our happiness slip by because a fragment of a senseless dream happened to cross our minds, and we mistook the figures in it for the Son of God; its tiny instant for eternity.We look past dreams today, and recognize that we need no defense because we are created unassailable, without all thought or wish or dream in which attack has any meaning. Now we cannot fear, for we have left all fearful thoughts behind. And in defenselessness we stand secure, serenely certain of our safety now, sure of salvation; sure we will fulfill our chosen purpose, as our ministry extends its holy blessing through the world.Be still a moment, and in silence think how holy is your purpose, how secure you rest, untouchable within its light. God's ministers have chosen that the truth be with them. Who is holier than they? Who could be surer that his happiness is fully guaranteed? And who could be more mightily protected? What defense could possibly be needed by the ones who are among the chosen ones of God, by His election and their own as well?It is the function of God's ministers to help their brothers choose as they have done. God has elected all, but few have come to realize His Will is but their own. And while you fail to teach what you have learned, salvation waits and darkness holds the world in grim imprisonment. Nor will you learn that light has come to you, and your escape has been accomplished. For you will not see the light, until you offer it to all your brothers. As they take it from your hands, so will you recognize it as your own.Salvation can be thought of as a game that happy children play. It was designed by One Who loves His children, and Who would replace their fearful toys with joyous games, which teach them that the game of fear is gone. His game instructs in happiness because there is no loser. Everyone who plays must win, and in his winning is the gain to everyone ensured. The game of fear is gladly laid aside, when children come to see the benefits salvation brings.You who have played that you are lost to hope, abandoned by your Father, left alone in terror in a fearful world made mad by sin and guilt; be happy now. That game is over. Now a quiet time has come, in which we put away the toys of guilt, and lock our quaint and childish thoughts of sin forever from the pure and holy minds of Heaven's children and the Son of God.We pause but for a moment more, to play our final, happy game upon this earth. And then we go to take our rightful place where truth abides and games are meaningless. So is the story ended. Let this day bring the last chapter closer to the world, that everyone may learn the tale he reads of terrifying destiny, defeat of all his hopes, his pitiful defense against a vengeance he can not escape, is but his own deluded fantasy. God's ministers have come to waken him from the dark dreams this story has evoked in his confused, bewildered memory of this distorted tale. God's Son can smile at last, on learning that it is not true.Today we practice in a form we will maintain for quite a while. We will begin each day by giving our attention to the daily thought as long as possible. Five minutes now becomes the least we give to preparation for a day in which salvation is the only goal we have. Ten would be better; fifteen better still. And as distraction ceases to arise to turn us from our purpose, we will find that half an hour is too short a time to spend with God. Nor will we willingly give less at night, in gratitude and joy.Each hour adds to our increasing peace, as we remember to be faithful to the Will we share with God. At times, perhaps, a minute, even less, will be the most that we can offer as the hour strikes. Sometimes we will forget. At other times the business of the world will close on us, and we will be unable to withdraw a little while, and turn our thoughts to God.Yet when we can, we will observe our trust as ministers of God, in hourly remembrance of our mission and His Love. And we will quietly sit by and wait on Him and listen to His Voice, and learn what He would have us do the hour that is yet to come; while thanking Him for all the gifts He gave us in the one gone by.In time, with practice, you will never cease to think of Him, and hear His loving Voice guiding your footsteps into quiet ways, where you will walk in true defenselessness. For you will know that Heaven goes with you. Nor would you keep your mind away from Him a moment, even though your time is spent in offering salvation to the world. Think you He will not make this possible, for you who chose to carry out His plan for the salvation of the world and yours?Today our theme is our defenselessness. We clothe ourselves in it, as we prepare to meet the day. We rise up strong in Christ, and let our weakness disappear, as we remember that His strength abides in us. We will remind ourselves that He remains beside us through the day, and never leaves our weakness unsupported by His strength. We call upon His strength each time we feel the threat of our defenses undermine our certainty of purpose. We will pause a moment, as He tells us, “I am here.”Your practicing will now begin to take the earnestness of love, to help you keep your mind from wandering from its intent. Be not afraid nor timid. There can be no doubt that you will reach your final goal. The ministers of God can never fail, because the love and strength and peace that shine from them to all their brothers come from Him. These are His gifts to you. Defenselessness is all you need to give Him in return. You lay aside but what was never real, to look on Christ and see His sinlessness.- Jesus Christ in ACIM

Jesus knew that His Apostles' battle would continue after He ascended to heaven. Satan would go after them and seek to destroy them. But Jesus prayed to His Father, “I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.” He wanted them to be in the world, but to be different from the world. Jesus' prayer for His closest followers reflects His desires for us: that our joy would be full, that we would be protected from Satan, and that we would be set apart for holy service to God. All these things are only found through a relationship with Jesus Christ. Take-Home Message: The Lord's greatest prayer reveals His greatest priorities. What is an Apostle? The Apostles were those specially chosen and commissioned by Christ to speak with His authority.  Jesus Prays for His Apostles' Joy (13). Superficial Joy vs. True JoyFake JoyFickle JoyFading JoyForever Joy Jesus Prays for His Apostles' Protection (14-16). Jesus Prays for His Apostles' Sanctification (17-19). Sanctify– To be set apart for holy service to God Take-Home PrioritiesBe forever joyful.Be watchful in the world.Be set apart by the Word. Message: Jesus Prays for His Apostles: Part 2 Scripture: John 17:13-19 Simple. Authentic. Jesus. Prairiebible.org

Read Online“I have told you this so that you might have peace in me. In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.” John 16:33What did Jesus tell His disciples that produced the “peace” of which He spoke? He is especially referring to His entire Last Supper Discourse from which we have been reading. The words spoken throughout this discourse are meant to give the disciples, and us, “courage” and the ability to conquer the trouble imposed upon us by the world.Throughout Jesus' discourse, He especially points to the unity He has with His Father and the fact that if we stay united with Jesus, we will also be united to the Father. He spoke of Himself being the vine and us the branches who must remain firmly attached to Jesus. He spoke of this being possible only by the coming power of the Holy Spirit Whom He will send. And He spoke of the hatred that the world has for all who remain firmly grounded in the Truth. Therefore, if you are one who seeks to remain deeply rooted in Christ, filled with the Holy Spirit and separated from the deceptions of the secular and un-Christian world, then Jesus is clearly speaking to you.In this passage above, Jesus identifies one gift that will help us on this journey. This particular gift is the gift of His peace. Peace is the ability to remain calm and focused in the midst of any and every “trouble” we encounter. The trouble that Christians will especially face are the various persecutions of the world when we live in accord with the Truth. And though there are many moral truths presented clearly by our faith that the world attacks, there are also other forms of troubles we will encounter within the world today.One of the most manifest troubles inflicted upon many by the world comes in the form of constant visual, auditory and mental stimulation. Our world is a noisy world. Modern electronics, the mass media, commercials, radio, Internet, social media and so many other parts of our daily life have the subtle effect of distracting us, stimulating us and stealing away the peace of Christ.Consider, for example, the idea of entering into the silence of a retreat for a day, or two, or longer. How would you handle turning off your smartphone, tablet, computer, television and radio for an extended period of time? Would you go through a form of withdrawal? Many today would indeed find this difficult. And the reason for this is that the “peace” of which Jesus speaks is slowly dwindling in the lives of many. Instead of God's peace, we are filled with constant noise, commotion and activity. This is the “world” attacking us and stealing the peace God wants to bestow. Reflect, today, upon the exceptionally important truth—that Jesus wants you to know His peace in your heart. And He wants that peace to sustain you.Reflect upon the interior battle that may take place within you between the world and the peace of Christ. Who is winning that battle for your soul? Is there more of the world or more of the peace of Christ reigning within you? Seek out the peace that only Jesus gives, and, as you discover His peace, you will also discover the source of that peace: Jesus Himself.Lord of all peace, You have called us out of the world so that Your peace will abide within us, sustaining us, giving us courage, wisdom and strength. I open my life to You, dear Lord, and pray that the many distractions and commotions imposed upon me by the world will begin to cease. May I always hear Your gentle voice and follow You to the place of silent repose found only in You. Jesus, I trust in You.  Image: Philbrook Museum of Art, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsSource of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

Friends of the Rosary,In most countries and ecclesiastical provinces in the U.S., the Seventh Sunday of Easter is today celebrated as the Solemnity of the Ascension of Christ Jesus into heaven, marking the end of His earthly life.Ascending again to His Father, Our Lord preceded us into the heavenly home. This triumphant event fills humans with immense joy as it announces what awaits us.The feast of the Ascension of the Lord in his human nature to the Father is the confirmation of our Christian faith. What we call death is not the end but rather the real beginning to an invisible dimension, with glorified bodies, enjoying a true life of eternal happiness.We are consoled and comforted with the assurance that we will live on forever with our dear ones — which is what all human beings want.Death on earth has separated us from our loved ones temporarily. This break anticipates a new life about to begin.That's what we see when we look up to heaven and observe Christ ascending to His Father and our Father.Ave Maria!Jesus, I Trust In You!Come, Holy Spirit, come!To Jesus through Mary!Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.Please give us the grace to respond with joy!+ Mikel Amigot w/ María Blanca | RosaryNetwork.com, New York• ⁠June 1, 2025, Today's Rosary on YouTube | Daily broadcast at 7:30 pm ETEnhance your faith with the new Holy Rosary University app:Apple iOS | New! Android Google Play

Hebrews 5verses 12-6 and 20 continues the theme begun in chapter 5 – a warning against apostacy. The first 8 verses deal with a pressing danger to those, who were once enlightened by the Spirit Word, and had shared in the Holy Spirit gifts of the first century, of “falling away” (Greek word for apostacy and having a number value of 666). This proves that the possession of a spiritual gift was not a guarantee of a place in the kingdom. The writer expresses his hope that the majority of the letter's readers will not succumb to this challenge. From verse 13 to the end of chapter the writer outlines the certainty of God's promises. All His promises are unfailing and are not capable of any shortfall in what He has promised. Yahweh's promise to Abraham is vouchsafed by an oath based on God's own existence. And so with Chrst having been raised and exalted to His Father's presence our hope is securely anchored in Christ. This hope takes us beyond mortality and being with Christ will be realised at Jesus' return to earth to set up the kingdom promised to Abraham (see Romans 4 verse 13; Genesis 13 verses 14-15). From chapters 7-10 the writer speaks of the “better priesthood”, which has been brought into existence by our Lord Jesus Christ. Chapter 7 introduces us to “one made like unto the Son of God”, by the terms the Scripture uses and the manner in which they are introduced to the reader of the sacred inspired text. Twice only do we find Melchizedek, the king-priest of Jerusalem mentioned in the Old Testament – Genesis 14 and Psalm 110. These verses were written about a thousand years apart. And together with an enacted parable from 2 Samuel chapters 6-8 allow us to see how this man prefigures the Lord Jesus Christ and his priesthood. Like Abraham's promises Christ's priesthood (typically seen in Melchizedek) is founded upon an oath. Since Melchizedek's priesthood preceded and also prophetically succeeds the Aaronic priesthood the Scripture foreshadows a change of law administered by an eternal priesthood of King-priests. Christ's sacrifice suffices in the forgiveness of sins once for all time. And our Lord Jesus will return to the earth free from a body which is weak and sin prone to rule in glorious immortality.

Pilate gives the people a choice between Barabbas and Jesus, and the crowd chooses the criminal. Pilate doesn't want anything to do with the situation. And Jesus is mocked while He is crucified and forsaken by His Father. Have a listen.   Show Notes: Support 1517 Podcast Network 1517 Podcasts 1517 on Youtube 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 Events Schedule 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education What's New from 1517: Preorder Sinner Saint by Luke Kjolhaug The Impossible Prize: A Theology of Addiction by Donavan Riley Ditching the Checklist by Mark Mattes Broken Bonds: A Novel of the Reformation, Book 1 of 2 by Amy Mantravadi  More from the hosts: Daniel Emery Price Erick Sorenson

God is not looking for an army of task-doers to fulfill His purposes in the Earth. He is building a family of sons and daughters that bear His likeness. In this powerful message, Ps. Mike unpacks a very powerful prayer that Jesus, the perfect son, prays to His Father.

Welcome to Day 2640 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2640 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 69:9-15 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2640 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2640 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. In today's Wisdom Nugget, we continue our trek through the turbulent waters of Psalm 69 in the New Living Translation. In our last trek, we entered the raw, desperate cry of the psalmist, who felt like he was drowning in troubles, overwhelmed by enemies, and unjustly accused. We witnessed his exhaustion, his tears, and his profound sense of betrayal, even by his own family. As we continue today, the psalmist reveals an even deeper layer to his suffering: his fervent devotion to God has become the very fuel for the scorn and mockery he endures. This particular section of Psalm 69 resonates deeply with the experiences of those who choose to live wholeheartedly for God, often encountering misunderstanding, ridicule, and even hostility from the world around them. For the ancient Israelite, public shame and social ostracization were profoundly painful. This psalm gives voice to that specific agony, while simultaneously offering a powerful example of persistent prayer even when faced with unimaginable contempt. So, open your hearts and minds as we immerse ourselves in Psalm 69, verses 9 through 15. (Reads Psalm 69:9-12 NLT) For passion for your house has consumed me, and the insults of those who insult you have fallen on me. When I weep and humble myself with fasting, they scoff at me. When I wear sackcloth to show my sorrow, they make jokes about me. I am the favorite topic of town gossips, and drunkards sing taunts about me. Guthrie Chamberlain: The psalmist immediately identifies the core reason for his suffering: “For passion for your house has consumed me, and the insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.” This is a powerful declaration of his fervent devotion to God and God's dwelling place, likely referring to the Temple in Jerusalem. “Passion” or “zeal” for God's house speaks to an intense, consuming commitment to God's presence, His worship, and His honor. This kind of zeal means that God's concerns become one's own. In the ancient Israelite context, “God's house” was the center of their spiritual life. To have zeal for it meant a deep love for God's commandments, His presence, and His glory. This devotion wasn't passive; it was active, causing the psalmist to prioritize God's honor above his own comfort or reputation. The consequence? The “insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.” Because he identifies so strongly with God and His honor, the contempt directed at God is effectively aimed at him. He is bearing the reproach of God. This is a profound foreshadowing of Christ, for whom zeal for His Father's house would indeed consume Him (John 2:17). The psalmist then details how his pious acts of devotion, intended to express humility and sorrow before God, have become targets of mockery: “When I weep and humble myself with fasting, they scoff at me. When I wear sackcloth to show...

Through miracles, Jesus revealed TRUTH about Himself and His Father. On the next LEADING THE WAY, encouragement from the feeding of the multitude! (John 6) Support the show: https://au.ltw.org/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this powerful episode of the Jake & Gino podcast, we're joined by Israel Duran—entrepreneur, speaker, author, and the self-proclaimed "Impact Architect." Israel shares how losing his father at 3 months old shaped his lifelong quest for identity, purpose, vision, and a custom plan. Through hardship and a near-fatal car accident, Israel discovered his mission to help others scale their influence, impact, and income. Jake and Gino dive into Israel's 4-step Principle of Impact, explore how resistance and resilience lead to breakthroughs, and unpack the mindset shifts required to build a thriving business rooted in service and purpose. Whether you're stuck in a corporate rut or launching your first deal, this episode is your blueprint for transformation.Free Gift from Israel:Get the Online Business Blueprint for free! DM "blueprint" on Instagram via https://www.israelduran.com   Chapters:00:00 - Introduction  02:31 - The 4 Things Israel Wished He Got from His Father  05:16 - From FBI Dreams to Corporate Life  07:15 - The 2018 Car Accident That Changed Everything  20:57 - Why Most People Quit at Resistance  26:56 - Why People Wait Until Their 40s to Change  30:27 - Books and Philosophies That Shaped His Journey  31:45 - How Israel Invests and Builds Partnerships  33:10 - How Israel Uses AI to Increase Productivity and Show Rates  40:53 - Gino Wraps it Up   We're here to help create multifamily entrepreneurs... Here's how: Brand New? Start Here: https://jakeandgino.mykajabi.com/free-wheelbarrowprofits Want To Get Into Multifamily Real Estate Or Scale Your Current Portfolio Faster? Apply to join our PREMIER MULTIFAMILY INVESTING COMMUNITY & MENTORSHIP PROGRAM. (*Note: Our community is not for beginner investors)