Podcasts about his holy spirit

Send us a textAs children of God we need to have the mind of Christ or in other words we need to think in a manner consistent with His will.  This is only truly possible when His Holy Spirit has the reigns of our lives.  And when we are loving one another we are doing His will.  But there are times when our liberty in Jesus can be a stumbling block to someone else's faith.  And we don't want that.  So being on guard so that we avoid hurting someone's relationship with the Lord is crucial in maintaining unity in the Spirit.  

The title of my sermon is a play on words. The beginning of this chapter we are told that what comes out of our mouths by way of teaching will incur a stricter judgment; therefore, anything we teach concerning God or His word must fall into the category of sound doctrine. On the other hand, the noise we make with our speech is evidence of what is really in our heart. Words matter. I will take it one step furtherwords matter to God. Proverbs 18:21 puts it this way: Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit. Words matter. The Bible and Creation begins with words! The first words in our Bible are about the first words responsible for everything beautiful and living: In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. And the earth was a formless and desolate emptiness, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. Then God said, Let there be light; and there was light (Gen. 1:1-3). I love these verses in Genesis! In the beginning there was nothing but God... until He had something to say about it! His words brought life. Then what follows in Genesis 1 is a series of phrases like: God said... God called... What made all that exists a reality were WORDS! Not just any words from any old mouth, the Words that came from God made everything and all of it was good. On the sixth day, God spoke more words: Let Us make mankind in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the livestock and over all the earth, and over every crawling thing that crawls on the earth. So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them (Gen. 1:26-27). Then, God used Words to bless the first couple by telling them: Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth. Listen to me... WORDS MATTER. Three chapters later, after God used His words to speak beauty and life into existence out of nothing, we are introduced to a serpent. In an effort to tempt Eve to sin against God, he got her to doubt the words of God spoken to Adam: But the Lord God warned him, You may freely eat the fruit of every tree in the gardenexcept the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat its fruit, you are sure to die (Gen 2:16-17; NLT). Listen carefully to what the serpent said to Eve and her husband: Did God really say...? and then proceeded to get Eve to doubt the word of God and His goodness towards her (see Gen. 3:1-5). Not only does God value His words, but He is concerned about the words of people too. Jesus even said, I tell you that for every careless word that people speak, they will give an account of it on the day of judgement. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned (Matt. 12:36-37). Our Words Matter Concerning What We Say About God Chapter 3 begins with these sobering words: Do not become teachers in large numbers, my brothers, since you know that we who are teachers will incur a stricter judgment. Here is how the ESV translates this verse: Not many of you should become teachers..., which is the way most of the major English translations translate this verse. What is the point? The point is that what we say about God is serious and God takes what we say about Him seriously. James is warning us not to take on the mantle of teacher in the Church recklessly, for those who speak on Gods behalf will be held to a stricter judgment. Many rightfully apply this verse to the serious call of pastors who are entrusted with preaching the word of God such as myself. The passage Dr. Ed Hardesty selected to deliver at my ordination charge was from 2 Timothy 4:1-2, I solemnly exhort you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and exhort, with great patience and instruction. In 2 Timothy 2:15, Paul instructed a young pastor and son in the faith with these words: Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a worker who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. The Bible reserves some of the harshest words for those who use the word of God to lead others from the truth of His word. In the Old Testament, we are told that if anyone claiming to be a prophet speaks claiming to speak on Gods behalf prophetically that God did not command him to speak, was to be put to death (See Deut. 18:20-22). Similar language is used in 2 Peter regarding false prophets who claim to speak for God when they do not: But false prophets also appeared among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. Many will follow their indecent behavior, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; and in their greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep. (2 Pet. 2:1-3) There is a stricter judgment that is coming upon those who teach and claim to speak on behalf of God. It doesnt matter what people think or what they want, the mandate is the same: Preach the word. Not just sometimes, not just when it is convenient, not even when you feel ready. Those who have been called to equip the church are to, preach the word and to, be ready in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and exhort, with great patience and instruction. Why? Because the authority is not with the one preaching, but the word he has been called to preach! This is why, in my opinion, whatever church you find yourself in, ought to be a church where the regular diet of preaching is expository instead of topical preaching. Permit me to give you three reasons why: Topical preaching is the kind of preaching where the one preaching chooses a subject and builds a sermon around that subject with verses he believes to support that subject. Expository preaching is the kind of preaching where the one preaching choses a scripture passage and builds a sermon around that particular passage, so that the point of the scripture passage becomes the point of the sermon. The difference between topical and expository preaching is that with topical preaching, the one preaching determines the point of the sermon; with expository preaching, the scripture passage determines the point of the sermon. The one who regularly preaches topical sermons will never preach more than what he already knows. The one who regularly preaches expository sermons will have to study a particular passage to understand it in order to preach/teach it, forcing the one preaching to grow beyond what he already knows. Mark Dever, in his book, Nine Marks of a Healthy Church, wrote the following helpful observation regarding the strengths of expository preaching: In being committed to preach a passage of Scripture in context, expositionallythat is, taking as the point of the message the point of the passagewe should hear from God things that we didnt intend to hear when we set out to study the passage.... And from your repentance and conversion to the latest thing the Holy Spirit has been teaching you, isnt that what it means to be a Christian? Dont you again and again find God challenging you and convicting you of some things you would never have thought about a year ago, as he brings to unearth the truth of your heart and the truth of his Word? What Dever says next, is so insightful: To charge someone with the spiritual oversight of a church who doesnt in practice show a commitment to hear and to teach Gods word is to hamper the growth of the church, in essence allowing it to grow only to the level of the pastor. The church will slowly be conformed to the pastors mind rather than to Gods mind. And what we want, what as Christians we crave, are Gods words. We want to hear and know in our souls what he has said.[1] James 3:1 is to warn those who wish to or do teach, to do so faithfully to the word of God because this is the best way to serve His people and to protect the church from the wolves who would seek to harm Gods people. However, that warning is not only for pastors and teachers and we know this because of the following verses. Our Words Matter Concerning What We Say to Others James 3:1 is not just for pastors, but for anyone who claims to speak on behalf of God. Think about what we know; the heart of Jesus great commission includes the responsibility every Christian has for teaching: Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations... teaching them to follow all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age (Matt. 28:19-20). The apostle Peter wrote in epistle, ...always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, but with gentleness and respect (1 Pet. 3:15). And what is it that we are to be ready to testify with words? In the words of the apostle Paul: We proclaim Him, admonishing every person and teaching every person with all wisdom... (Col 1:28). Christ has gifted His church with pastors, teachers, and evangelists to help His people to speak what they have been called to say with clarity and in accordance with what God has actually said (see Eph. 4:11-13). And when we get it wrong, Christ also called men who are able to teach the word of God, to serve as elders whose responsibility includes: holding firmly the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict it (Titus 1:9). What we say about God matters, and for those like myself, who have been entrusted with teaching the word of God, we will be held to account for the words we have spoken in His name, so we dare not be reckless with our words. But it is not just what we say about God that matters to Him, it is also what we say to others in general that matters to God. What we say can do so much good for our neighbors, but our words can bring so much harm as well. Verses 2-12 is for all who have been redeemed by Jesus and therefore born again. James continues in verse 2, For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to rein in the whole body as well. It is true that if you are a Christian that you have been born again, however, that does not mean we still do not have a nature that gravitates towards sin. Perfection is coming for the Christian, but not until after death or a resurrection when our sin nature is finally and categorically put to death. It is true that when you placed your faith and trust in Jesus Christ as savior and Lord over your life, you were born again.When you were born again, you received what was promised in Ezekiel 36:26, in that God, gave you a new heart and put a new spirit within you... and replaced your heart of stone with a spiritual heart of fleshyou received a new nature. However, we still must contend with that part of us that is tethered to our old nature of sin. We still stumble in many ways and because we do, we still say stupid stuff! We can still use our tongues to speak great harm. What Jesus said about the heart is still true of the Christian: The good person out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil person out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart (Luke 6:45). James gives us three illustrations that convey just how powerful the tongue is and why we must exercise great caution over what comes out of our mouths: The tongue is like the bit in a horses mouth. A bit weights about 2 pounds while the average weight of a horse is about 1000 pounds. A bit is used to communicate with the horse, but if used by an unskilled and undisciplined rider, a bit can become the source of stress and anxiety for the horse. An unskilled rider can use the horses bit to injure the horse. An unskilled rider can use the horses bit to cause the horse to become confused. An unskilled rider can use that little 2-pound bit to harm his 1,000-pound horse. The tongue is like the rudder on a large ship. A rudder controls the direction of a ship, it is used to avoid harmful obstacles, it contributes to fuel efficiency by minimizing drag and optimizing water flow, a rudder helps provide stability, and it is critical for the captain of the ship to maintain the right course. However, without a skilled captain maintaining control of the rudder, it can be catastrophic to the rest of the ship. The tongue is like a fire. Instead of using oxygen for life, fire consumes oxygen as fuel. In enclosed spaces, a fire depletes the available oxygen so that it can continue to kill and destroy. The effects of a fire are also harmful, for it irritates the respiratory system, it can exacerbate heart conditions, and it can even cause certain cancers over time. Think about the damage a persons tongue can cause. James points out that we are able to tame wild animals, but no one among mankind can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil, full of deadly poison (vv. 7-8). The reason why we cannot tame the tongue is because our problems are deeper than what comes out of our mouths. The irony is that there is good that can come out of our mouths, but we will spend a lifetime needing to keep what comes out of our mouths in check.We can train and tame veracious and giant creatures, but not our tongues! James continues: With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people, who have been made in the likeness of God; from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing (vv. 9-10a). How can we sing songs of worship about our great and awesome God and at the same time use destructive words against another person who is made in the image of the God we claim to love? In reaction to this, James concludes: My brothers and sisters, these things should not be this way (v. 10b). So what do we do? How do we address the problem within for those of us who have been born again? How can we make sure our words are life-giving instead of destructive? How can we have the fruit of our words flow out of our new heart instead of our old nature? Well the good news is that as a Christian, you have been sealed and are empowered by the Holy Spirit to live and speak in a way that is pleasing to the God who redeemed you (Eph. 1:13-14; Acts 1:8). Permit me to leave you with five things to remember and practice that will help : Remember that you are now a child of God. As a child of God, you have been sealed by His Holy Spirit and empowered to life, His way over your ways; you have been given power through the Holy Spirit to live the life God has called you into (Eph. 1:3-14; Acts 1:8). Saturate your heart with Gods word. You cannot know how to live for God if you do not know what God has said about living for Him. We are told, Walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh (Gal 5:16). Whatever you are putting into your mind, you are filling your heart with, and whatever you are filling your heart with, will come out through your speech. So, read your Bible. Listen to songs about the things that please God. Consume more of what lines up with the things of God than what dishonors Him. Be quick to listen and slow to speak. You will be less reckless with your words, if you carefully consider your words before you say them (Jas. 1:19) Ask God to guide your speech by asking Him to give you wisdom in what you say (Jas. 1:5-8). When you honestly seek God for wisdom to guide your speech, besides the fact that God honors such prayers, your prayer alone will give you the kind of awareness that assists in being less reckless with your words. Remember the image of God. Remember that you bear the image of the living God not to make much of yourself, but much of God. Be mindful that regardless of a persons performance, that person was carefully created by God to bear the image of God too, so do not curse those who were created in the image of God. [1] Mark Dever, Nine Marks of a Healthy Church (Weaton, IL: Crossway; 2021), 47.

In this enriching episode of the Double Edged Sword Podcast, we journey with Father Genard into Acts 15, where faith, obedience, and divine authority converge. Discover how the early Church faced the challenge of Gentile salvation, learning that true faith in Christ transcends the law through love and obedience to His commandments. Drawing from the wisdom of the apostles and the unity of the Jerusalem Council, we're reminded that to know and love our Heavenly Father, we must embrace the Son as the way, and honor the apostles He appointed. As James 2:17 teaches, faith without deeds is lifeless—let us live out our belief, trusting in Christ's authority and the guidance of His Holy Spirit. Tune in and be strengthened in your walk with God!

Romans 5:5 — What is the place of tribulation in the life of the Christian? Often times, people see hardships as nothing more than obstacles to their happiness and joy. They see no deeper purpose in the hardships. But in this sermon titled “Glory in Tribulation” on Romans 5:5, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones shows how Scripture paints a different picture of what hardships are about. For those that trust in God and who have His Holy Spirit, suffering is a means of becoming more like Jesus Christ. It is a means of deepening and strengthening one's faith in God and to grow in holiness. As Christians go through these trials, they come to a greater assurance of who they are in Christ. So then, there is great hope for those that suffer as followers of Christ. This sermon holds out a great hope for all who are in the midst of trials and tribulations because it displays how Christ is working in His people in and through life's hardships. This sermon is a call for all to repent of their sins and come to Jesus. It is a call to return to God the Creator and seek His glory. This is the only life of true and lasting joy.

Romans 5:5 — What is the place of tribulation in the life of the Christian? Often times, people see hardships as nothing more than obstacles to their happiness and joy. They see no deeper purpose in the hardships. But in this sermon titled “Glory in Tribulation” on Romans 5:5, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones shows how Scripture paints a different picture of what hardships are about. For those that trust in God and who have His Holy Spirit, suffering is a means of becoming more like Jesus Christ. It is a means of deepening and strengthening one's faith in God and to grow in holiness. As Christians go through these trials, they come to a greater assurance of who they are in Christ. So then, there is great hope for those that suffer as followers of Christ. This sermon holds out a great hope for all who are in the midst of trials and tribulations because it displays how Christ is working in His people in and through life's hardships. This sermon is a call for all to repent of their sins and come to Jesus. It is a call to return to God the Creator and seek His glory. This is the only life of true and lasting joy. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/603/29

Do you remember where you were when you accepted Jesus into your heart? When you said those words and believed in your heart that Jesus is Lord, a change took place within you! The Lord poured His Holy Spirit into your heart and changed you from the inside out forever. Pastor Jeff wants you to understand that there is a difference between saying that you're a believer in Christ and experiencing the transformative power of the Holy Spirit that works within you, changing you from the inside out.

God can fill you with His Holy Spirit to a point where you become a resource person. Broadcast #6865To help support this podcast, please visit walkwiththeking.org/donate and select "Podcast" from the dropdown menuA transcript of this broadcast is available on our website here. To hear more from Bob Cook, you can find Walk With The King on Facebook or Instagram.

We'recontinuing to look at the last verses of Luke 24. In these verses, Jesus givesHis last words to His disciples before He ascends into heaven. It is what wecall the Great Commission, the commission to go into all the world and sharethe gospel with every creature. We have this recorded in Matthew 28:19-20. ThereJesus said, "Go into all the world and make disciples of all thenations." In Mark 16:15, “And He said to them, "Go into allthe world and preach the gospel to every creature”.  Andhere in Luke's Gospel, verse 46, “Then He said to them, "Thus it iswritten and thus it was necessary for Christ to suffer and to rise from thedead the third day." This is essence of the gospel. Then Jesus says inverse 47, not that this is just a historical event that a few people might besaved, but, my friend, “that repentance and remission of sins should bepreached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem”. For a personto come to Christ, they must turn. That's what repentance means. Turn fromtheir sin, turn from the world, turn from their self, and turn to God. Turnfrom religion, turn from good works, and turn to God, God alone, and the nameof Jesus Christ.  Thenit says they'll receive “remission of sins”. Their sins will be removedfrom them as far as the east is from the west. My friend, how simple can God'ssalvation be? Simply turn to Him and you will receive forgiveness of sins asyou repent, as you turn, as you believe, as you trust, as you receive Him. Youbecome a son of God. John 1:12. And then He goes on to say here, "Andyou are witnesses of these things." In Acts chapter 4, when Peter andJohn were brought before the Sanhedrin and told they could not preach anymorein the name of Jesus, they proclaimed, "For there is salvation in noother name. For there is no other name under heaven given among men whereby wemust be saved." It's only the name of Jesus. His name means Savior.His name means Deliverer. He is the only one who can deliver us, save us fromour sins.  That'swhy Jesus came. Jesus said. “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to savethat which was lost” (Luke 19:10).  InJohn's gospel, the Great Commission is also given in John 20:21, He said,"Peace be to you. As the Father has sent Me, even so send I you."My friend, you and I as followers of Christ, believers in His great salvation,have been sent and commissioned by Jesus Himself. Now we have the opportunityto be witnesses unto Him. In other words, He is the one who does thewitnessing.  Jesustells us, "Behold, I send the promise of My Father upon you. But tarryin Jerusalem till you be endued with power from on high”. This is the authorityof the Holy Spirit, God Himself in us. We are on mission with God. God is alwaysat work in this world to reveal Himself. God is speaking to people's hearts andlives today. There people with empty hearts living aimless lives seeking intheir hearts to know the truth. And God is ready to connects you with thembecause where the Master is, there will His servant be also.  Oh, what a privilege it has been for me these50 years to be on mission with God and experience His Holy Spirit bring dear peopleto Jesus and save their souls. I love these verses in the book of Daniel 12:2-3that give us a great promise. “And many of those who sleep in the dust ofthe earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, some to shame and everlastingcontempt. And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of thefirmament, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever”. Proverbs11:30 says, "The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he thatwins souls is wise." My friend, you can't take anything to heaven withyou. Your money, your fame, everything gets left behind. The only can take toheaven are the souls, those precious lives that you share Jesus and Hiswonderful Gospel message with. Who are you taking to heaven with you? Godbless!

Think about this truth. God didn't have to love us. He didn't have to offer us grace and mercy. Nothing forced God to show us forgiveness. Nothing compelled Him to give us the precious gift of eternal life, but God chose to. He chose to love us. He chose to call us His own. He chose to make us children of God. Main Points:1. If you've ever been tempted to doubt the love of God, recognize this wonderful blessing: God chose to love you. Despite all of your sins, your failures, and your mistakes, God still chose to love you and wants to spend eternity with you. 2. But there's more, not only has God chosen to love us, he has chosen to use us. You have an assignment, a task, and a role to play in the kingdom of God. For many of us, we feel as if we aren't capable or qualified, so we expect God will use others instead, but that is not what the scriptures teach us.3. God takes great joy and delight to use our lives for his glory. As He empowers us with His Holy Spirit, and we take steps of faith and obedience, great things are accomplished through our lives. All of this takes place because chooses to make it happen.Today's Scripture Verses:1 Peter 2:9 - “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”1 Peter 2:4 - “…rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him.”1 Corinthians 1:26-29 - “Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him.”Quick Links:Donate to support this podcastLeave a review on Apple PodcastsGet a copy of The 5 Minute Discipleship JournalConnect on SocialJoin The 5 Minute Discipleship Facebook Group

In order to walk in newness of life, so that we might not serve sin, God gives us the gift of His Holy Spirit immediately after repentance and baptism.

Our study continues with Romans 6:1-7. Paul has just written that the increase of sin revealed by the law resulted in an even greater revelation of grace. He now poses a rhetorical question, "should we keep on sinning so that we can receive more grace?" (paraphrased) Absolutely not! He explains why not in the following verses. As redeemed believers in Jesus, we are dead to sin! He uses the symbolism of baptism to illustrate his point. If you have been in Baptist churches for very long, you will have heard the pastor use portions of this passage in the ceremony as the new believer is submerged and brought up out of the water. But is this paragraph actually about water baptism? The practice is certainly taught in the Bible. Jesus Himself was baptized. His disciples baptized others. He commanded them to do so before He ascended. In almost every case of someone coming to faith in the New Testament, they are immediately baptized. The word we translate as baptize means to immerse, and it appears in other context that do not have to do with a believer's baptism. In these cases, translators will usually use a different word. If it isn't a reference to water baptism, what is it? It is the reality that the water baptism symbolizes. Our old self is crucified and buried with Jesus the Christ, and we are raised to walk in a new life as a new creation. Our life is immersed in His life. We are baptized in His Holy Spirit. Don't go back and dig up the dead man. That's disgusting!

Are you tired of the burdens that the world places on you? Are you worn out from the struggles you face in your life? In today's message, Pastor Ken invites you to give your life to Jesus Christ. He is the only one who can set you free from your sins because He has already paid the price for them. When you accept Him into your life, His Holy Spirit comes to dwell within you, washing away your sins and transforming them from scarlet red to white as snow. And in that moment, you're made new in Jesus.

In Revelation 7, we receive a vision of hope! God gives His people a powerful promise: That Christian believers across all time are signed by the blood of Jesus, sealed by His Holy Spirit, and will be delivered safely to Heaven. What does that mean for you? Although we all go through painful trials on earth, Christians don't need to fear the antichrist or the great tribulation to come. If you belong to Christ, no one can ever break His seal of salvation on your heart. The seal of the Holy Spirit is God's guarantee of your future redemption!

God reveals Himself to us through creation and through Scripture, and He enables us to see Him by His Holy Spirit.

What we know of James is that he and his brothers did not believe that his half-brother and the oldest of his siblings was all that He claimed to be (John 7:5). It most likely was not until after Jesus resurrection that James finally did believe.However, based on what we read in these verses, I am curious if James was present when Jesus preached His sermon on the mount? James seems to be the sermon on the mount applied to life. I cant prove it, but I believe James 1:19-27 is the first four beatitudes applied to life. Think about the first four beatitudes (Matt. 5:3-6): Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the gentle, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. Permit me to share some of my initial takeaways from James 1:19-27 and then share how the first four beatitudes fit into these verses. Each of us live with a nature that we wish we did not have to contend with. For some, it is lust. For others, it is anger. If it is not lust or anger, it is something else. When it came to lust and anger, Jesus told us in His Sermon on the Mount to take radical action to fight against such sins that come from within (see Matt. 5:21-30). The apostle John wrote of our struggle with sin: If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous, so that He will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:8-9). It would really be great if we didnt have to wrestle and contend with our sin though! Gods Word promises us that our fight with sin can be won with the Word of God. In fact, the battle with sin is first won or lost in the mind; listen to 2 Corinthains 10:3-5, For though we walk in the flesh, we do not wage battle according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying arguments and all arrogance raised against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. James states, ridding yourselves of all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls (James 1:21). You cannot win against your sin apart from the Word of God. To believe the Bible to be the Word of God is good, but you cannot progress and grow in your relationship with God if you do not act upon His Word as it is contained in the Bible. The only way to move forward in your faith as a Christian is to hear the Word of God and then act upon the Word of God by doing what it tells you to do. In the case of James 1:26-27, you have not really heard the Word of God if it has not affected your speech (v. 26). You have not really heard the Word of God is you are not looking for ways to love others. It is not enough to believe what the Bible says about the damage your words can do, the only way you will be able to start addressing the problem of your tongue is to, in the words of James, bridle his tongue (v. 26). What God Has Said is More Important Than Your Feelings (vv. 19-21) We live in a world filled with people who are slow to hear, quick to speak, and at the flip of a switch... explode with anger. We easily respond to the wounding of our pride with anger. Ecclesiastes 7:9 says of angry people: Do not be eager in your spirit to be angry, for anger resides in the heart of fools. If Ecclesiastes is true, and I believe that it is, then we live in a nation of fools. There is a righteous anger that ought to be felt and at times expressed, when necessary, but the kind of anger we see all around us has more to do with feeling triggered, hurt feelings, and whatever entitlements we think belong to us. We will look at James 4:14 later in this sermon series, but for now, we are told: Come now, you who say, Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit. Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. For you are just a vapor that appears for a little while, and then vanishes away. What is uncomfortable about the epistle of James is that it forces us to consider the simple reality that all of us are here one moment and then we are gone. You may have 76 years like Ozzy Ozborne or 71 years like Hulk Hogan, or... you may only have until tomorrow! The question James wants us to ask and that he answers is this: What are you chasing after and why? Why are you so slow to listen? Why are you so quick to speak? Why are you quick to get angry? This is why Jesus started his sermon on the mount with the first step towards the life you were born to experience: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 5:3). To be poor in spirit is to recognize just how far short you fall from being right before the only One who mattersnamely God. To be poor in spirit is to recognize that you cannot help yourself. To be poor in spirit is to be fully aware that you need a righteousness that you cannot generate. If you are genuinely poor in spirit, you will mourn over the sin that offended a holy God, alienated you from Him, and is the reason for the mess that is your life. There is no coming to God unless you see your sin for what it really is, and if you see it for what it is, then you will come to him with the very keen awareness that your only hope is outside of yourself. If you really do mourn over your sin while aware that you need God to do the saving, then you will be meek. The choice of the NASB to translate praus to gentle in Matthew 5:5 was a poor discission by the translators. Every other major version of the Bible translates this world meek or humble. To be see yourself for what you really are, and if you see yourself for what you really are, you will not be too impressed with yourself. So, James states in verses 21, Therefore, ridding yourselves of all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility [prautēs] receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. The word James uses in verse 21 for humility comes from the same root that Jesus used in His third beatitude! If you received the word, you received the gospel. If you received the gospel, you have been born again and the power that raised Jesus from the grave, is the same power that now resides in you in the person of the Holy Spirit who indwells and seals you (see Eph. 1:13-14; 3:20-21). How do I address the filthiness and wickedness that remains in me? Be quick to hear what the Word of God says about it, keep your mouth shut by accepting it, and instead of responding in anger, respond in humility. Who cares about your feelings, what you ought to really care about is what has God said and why does it matter? What God Wants to Do in Your Life is Greater than What You Know (vv. 22-25) If I understand the Christian life and how it is that God brings change in our lives, it seems to me that for God to accomplish what He needs to in my life, He must wound my ego by exposing my thoughts and the intentions of my heart. James exhorts us in verse 22, But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not just hearers who deceive themselves. The author of Hebrews said of the Word of God: For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, even penetrating as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart (Heb. 4:12). What James states in verse 19 is primarily how it is that God uses His word in the lives of His people to live and finish well. Why does God want this for your life? Well, again, in verse 18, God used His word (the gospel) so that we can become born again, so that we would be a kind of a first fruits among His creatures (v. 18). Here is the thing about first fruits: The Israelites were commanded to give God the first fruits of their crops which was the best of their crops. If you are a Christian, you are Gods first fruits, which means you are of great value to Him, and what He wants for you is to thrive as His child! If you are a Christian, then it is true that you, at one time, arrived at the cross of Christ as one who was poor in spirit, one who mourned over your sin, and one who died to the any notion that you were able to save yourself by laying down your pride to embrace the cross of Christ as the only hope of your salvation and redemption. So what has changed since then? Not a thing! The evidence that the gospel has germinated and taken root in your life is that you are still poor in spirit, that you still mourn over your sin, and that you are still aware that it is only by the grace of God that you have been saved, are saved, and will be saved. In the mind of James, and every other person who contributed to the Bible, those who are poor in spirit, those who mourn over their sins, and those who let go of their pride come to Christ, it is not enough to only hear the word of God! Why? Because when a person is born again, something happened that happens to all people who are alive: you are now hungry and thirsty. But hungry and thirsty for what? Hungry and thirsty for the righteousness of God. After the first, second, and third beatitude, Jesus said, Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied (Matt. 5:6). When you are hungry and when you are thirsty for the word of God, it is not enough to just listen to the word of God. This is the point of verses 23-25, For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. God uses His word to form and shape His people through the power of His Holy Spirit. To listen to His word intently will mean that you must let Gods word challenge your assumptions about who He is, how you live your life, and the world you live in. This is why we must be both slow to speak and slow to anger. What does that mean? Well, if you do not like what Gods word says because of what you would like Gods word to say, you must yield your life, heart, and soul to it. When the word of God confronts you, when it challenges your assumptions, and when it calls you to action, your best course of action is to yield to it knowing that God wants to accomplish His good will in and through your life for your joy and His glory. This is how you address, ...all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness in your life; this is what it means to be a doer of the word, and not just a hearer who deceives his/herself. This will not happen in your life if you are passive about His word. God Wants to Change Your Heart for Your Joy and the Good of the World (vv. 26-27) Think for a moment about your life. Are you satisfied and happy with what comes out of your mouth? Are you content with the way things are now? What kind of mark do you want to leave in this world when you are gone? What are you doing now, Christian? What is your religion really worth? How much of the world has left or is leaving its mark on you? If you think that verses 26-27 are only about what comes out of your mouth or to what extent you help those in need, then you have completely missed the point! James is taking something Jesus said and is showing us what that looks like in day-to-day life; here is what Jesus said: But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person (Matt. 15:18). Against the backdrop of Matthew 15:18, think carefully about what James is addressing in verses 26-27, If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this persons religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. So, how are you doing Christian? What does your speech and how you treat others really say about your faith in Jesus? When Jesus said what He said in Matthew 15:18, He said of the Pharisees of His day: You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said: This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me... (Matthew 15:7-8). If James was with us during our worship service today, I think he would ask what the Holy Spirit may be asking you right now, and that question is this: How is your heart? Conclusion Listen to me now, the epistle of James is written to those who identify as Christians. James considered those to whom he wrote his letter as brothers and sisters. What this means is that as a Christian, it is possible to have an unbridled tongue and to ignore orphans and widows for a season in your life as a Christian. The reason why James warns us of the dangers of being slow to listen, quick to speak, and easily angered is because those dangers exist for the one who has been born again. As a Christian, it is possible to be carried away and enticed by your own lust resulting in your own sin (v. 14). It is possible that although you are a Christian, that you have entered a season where your heart has grown far from God because you have been carried away by a desire to sin. If that is you, then Joel 2:12-13 is for you, Yet even now, declares the Lord, Return to Me with all your heart, And with fasting, weeping, and mourning; and tear your heart and not merely your garments. Now return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in mercy and relenting of catastrophe. An outward expression of repentance in the Bible involved the tearing of ones garment. God is not interested in what you do on the outside as much as what you are doing about the inside. To tear your heart is to allow the word of God to speak into your heart, and if there is anything there that needs to be addressed, to address it. It is to take the mirror of Gods word before your heart and to do something about what is seen in the mirror. Dear Christian, what is the mirror of Gods word telling you this morning? What are you willing to do to address what the mirror of Gods word is showing you? It is not enough to only hear Gods word; you must do something about what it is exposing, because God is for your joy more than you can ever know. The first step is to repent by bringing whatever it is that you see before God and to commit to turning from that sin. The next step is to assess how it is that you got where you are, and to change the pattern of your life to line your heart up more with the things that please the God who saved you. Instead of standing and staring at the things that displease the Lord, turn from your sins to His Son.

What we know of James is that he and his brothers did not believe that his half-brother and the oldest of his siblings was all that He claimed to be (John 7:5). It most likely was not until after Jesus resurrection that James finally did believe.However, based on what we read in these verses, I am curious if James was present when Jesus preached His sermon on the mount? James seems to be the sermon on the mount applied to life. I cant prove it, but I believe James 1:19-27 is the first four beatitudes applied to life. Think about the first four beatitudes (Matt. 5:3-6): Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the gentle, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. Permit me to share some of my initial takeaways from James 1:19-27 and then share how the first four beatitudes fit into these verses. Each of us live with a nature that we wish we did not have to contend with. For some, it is lust. For others, it is anger. If it is not lust or anger, it is something else. When it came to lust and anger, Jesus told us in His Sermon on the Mount to take radical action to fight against such sins that come from within (see Matt. 5:21-30). The apostle John wrote of our struggle with sin: If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous, so that He will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:8-9). It would really be great if we didnt have to wrestle and contend with our sin though! Gods Word promises us that our fight with sin can be won with the Word of God. In fact, the battle with sin is first won or lost in the mind; listen to 2 Corinthains 10:3-5, For though we walk in the flesh, we do not wage battle according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying arguments and all arrogance raised against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. James states, ridding yourselves of all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls (James 1:21). You cannot win against your sin apart from the Word of God. To believe the Bible to be the Word of God is good, but you cannot progress and grow in your relationship with God if you do not act upon His Word as it is contained in the Bible. The only way to move forward in your faith as a Christian is to hear the Word of God and then act upon the Word of God by doing what it tells you to do. In the case of James 1:26-27, you have not really heard the Word of God if it has not affected your speech (v. 26). You have not really heard the Word of God is you are not looking for ways to love others. It is not enough to believe what the Bible says about the damage your words can do, the only way you will be able to start addressing the problem of your tongue is to, in the words of James, bridle his tongue (v. 26). What God Has Said is More Important Than Your Feelings (vv. 19-21) We live in a world filled with people who are slow to hear, quick to speak, and at the flip of a switch... explode with anger. We easily respond to the wounding of our pride with anger. Ecclesiastes 7:9 says of angry people: Do not be eager in your spirit to be angry, for anger resides in the heart of fools. If Ecclesiastes is true, and I believe that it is, then we live in a nation of fools. There is a righteous anger that ought to be felt and at times expressed, when necessary, but the kind of anger we see all around us has more to do with feeling triggered, hurt feelings, and whatever entitlements we think belong to us. We will look at James 4:14 later in this sermon series, but for now, we are told: Come now, you who say, Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit. Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. For you are just a vapor that appears for a little while, and then vanishes away. What is uncomfortable about the epistle of James is that it forces us to consider the simple reality that all of us are here one moment and then we are gone. You may have 76 years like Ozzy Ozborne or 71 years like Hulk Hogan, or... you may only have until tomorrow! The question James wants us to ask and that he answers is this: What are you chasing after and why? Why are you so slow to listen? Why are you so quick to speak? Why are you quick to get angry? This is why Jesus started his sermon on the mount with the first step towards the life you were born to experience: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 5:3). To be poor in spirit is to recognize just how far short you fall from being right before the only One who mattersnamely God. To be poor in spirit is to recognize that you cannot help yourself. To be poor in spirit is to be fully aware that you need a righteousness that you cannot generate. If you are genuinely poor in spirit, you will mourn over the sin that offended a holy God, alienated you from Him, and is the reason for the mess that is your life. There is no coming to God unless you see your sin for what it really is, and if you see it for what it is, then you will come to him with the very keen awareness that your only hope is outside of yourself. If you really do mourn over your sin while aware that you need God to do the saving, then you will be meek. The choice of the NASB to translate praus to gentle in Matthew 5:5 was a poor discission by the translators. Every other major version of the Bible translates this world meek or humble. To be see yourself for what you really are, and if you see yourself for what you really are, you will not be too impressed with yourself. So, James states in verses 21, Therefore, ridding yourselves of all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility [prautēs] receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. The word James uses in verse 21 for humility comes from the same root that Jesus used in His third beatitude! If you received the word, you received the gospel. If you received the gospel, you have been born again and the power that raised Jesus from the grave, is the same power that now resides in you in the person of the Holy Spirit who indwells and seals you (see Eph. 1:13-14; 3:20-21). How do I address the filthiness and wickedness that remains in me? Be quick to hear what the Word of God says about it, keep your mouth shut by accepting it, and instead of responding in anger, respond in humility. Who cares about your feelings, what you ought to really care about is what has God said and why does it matter? What God Wants to Do in Your Life is Greater than What You Know (vv. 22-25) If I understand the Christian life and how it is that God brings change in our lives, it seems to me that for God to accomplish what He needs to in my life, He must wound my ego by exposing my thoughts and the intentions of my heart. James exhorts us in verse 22, But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not just hearers who deceive themselves. The author of Hebrews said of the Word of God: For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, even penetrating as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart (Heb. 4:12). What James states in verse 19 is primarily how it is that God uses His word in the lives of His people to live and finish well. Why does God want this for your life? Well, again, in verse 18, God used His word (the gospel) so that we can become born again, so that we would be a kind of a first fruits among His creatures (v. 18). Here is the thing about first fruits: The Israelites were commanded to give God the first fruits of their crops which was the best of their crops. If you are a Christian, you are Gods first fruits, which means you are of great value to Him, and what He wants for you is to thrive as His child! If you are a Christian, then it is true that you, at one time, arrived at the cross of Christ as one who was poor in spirit, one who mourned over your sin, and one who died to the any notion that you were able to save yourself by laying down your pride to embrace the cross of Christ as the only hope of your salvation and redemption. So what has changed since then? Not a thing! The evidence that the gospel has germinated and taken root in your life is that you are still poor in spirit, that you still mourn over your sin, and that you are still aware that it is only by the grace of God that you have been saved, are saved, and will be saved. In the mind of James, and every other person who contributed to the Bible, those who are poor in spirit, those who mourn over their sins, and those who let go of their pride come to Christ, it is not enough to only hear the word of God! Why? Because when a person is born again, something happened that happens to all people who are alive: you are now hungry and thirsty. But hungry and thirsty for what? Hungry and thirsty for the righteousness of God. After the first, second, and third beatitude, Jesus said, Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied (Matt. 5:6). When you are hungry and when you are thirsty for the word of God, it is not enough to just listen to the word of God. This is the point of verses 23-25, For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. God uses His word to form and shape His people through the power of His Holy Spirit. To listen to His word intently will mean that you must let Gods word challenge your assumptions about who He is, how you live your life, and the world you live in. This is why we must be both slow to speak and slow to anger. What does that mean? Well, if you do not like what Gods word says because of what you would like Gods word to say, you must yield your life, heart, and soul to it. When the word of God confronts you, when it challenges your assumptions, and when it calls you to action, your best course of action is to yield to it knowing that God wants to accomplish His good will in and through your life for your joy and His glory. This is how you address, ...all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness in your life; this is what it means to be a doer of the word, and not just a hearer who deceives his/herself. This will not happen in your life if you are passive about His word. God Wants to Change Your Heart for Your Joy and the Good of the World (vv. 26-27) Think for a moment about your life. Are you satisfied and happy with what comes out of your mouth? Are you content with the way things are now? What kind of mark do you want to leave in this world when you are gone? What are you doing now, Christian? What is your religion really worth? How much of the world has left or is leaving its mark on you? If you think that verses 26-27 are only about what comes out of your mouth or to what extent you help those in need, then you have completely missed the point! James is taking something Jesus said and is showing us what that looks like in day-to-day life; here is what Jesus said: But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person (Matt. 15:18). Against the backdrop of Matthew 15:18, think carefully about what James is addressing in verses 26-27, If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this persons religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. So, how are you doing Christian? What does your speech and how you treat others really say about your faith in Jesus? When Jesus said what He said in Matthew 15:18, He said of the Pharisees of His day: You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said: This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me... (Matthew 15:7-8). If James was with us during our worship service today, I think he would ask what the Holy Spirit may be asking you right now, and that question is this: How is your heart? Conclusion Listen to me now, the epistle of James is written to those who identify as Christians. James considered those to whom he wrote his letter as brothers and sisters. What this means is that as a Christian, it is possible to have an unbridled tongue and to ignore orphans and widows for a season in your life as a Christian. The reason why James warns us of the dangers of being slow to listen, quick to speak, and easily angered is because those dangers exist for the one who has been born again. As a Christian, it is possible to be carried away and enticed by your own lust resulting in your own sin (v. 14). It is possible that although you are a Christian, that you have entered a season where your heart has grown far from God because you have been carried away by a desire to sin. If that is you, then Joel 2:12-13 is for you, Yet even now, declares the Lord, Return to Me with all your heart, And with fasting, weeping, and mourning; and tear your heart and not merely your garments. Now return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in mercy and relenting of catastrophe. An outward expression of repentance in the Bible involved the tearing of ones garment. God is not interested in what you do on the outside as much as what you are doing about the inside. To tear your heart is to allow the word of God to speak into your heart, and if there is anything there that needs to be addressed, to address it. It is to take the mirror of Gods word before your heart and to do something about what is seen in the mirror. Dear Christian, what is the mirror of Gods word telling you this morning? What are you willing to do to address what the mirror of Gods word is showing you? It is not enough to only hear Gods word; you must do something about what it is exposing, because God is for your joy more than you can ever know. The first step is to repent by bringing whatever it is that you see before God and to commit to turning from that sin. The next step is to assess how it is that you got where you are, and to change the pattern of your life to line your heart up more with the things that please the God who saved you. Instead of standing and staring at the things that displease the Lord, turn from your sins to His Son.

John Baumgartner God requires prayers and thanksgiving from all people on the earth. Prayer offered with thanksgiving is a vital act in Christian life and corporate worship. God the Father hears all and only prayers made in the name of the Son, by the help of His Holy Spirit, with understanding, reverence, humility, earnestness, faith, love, and perseverance. We are commanded to pray for everything according to His word and not to pray for anything His word forbids.

Greetings, my friends.Thank you for joining us on our walk with God, as His Holy Spirit within us reveals the truth about our identity.Love.Tony

“What do we feel is the first and last need of the Church? …the Spirit, the Holy Spirit…. He is her divine breath, the wind in her sails, the principle of her unity, the inner source of her light and strength.” - St. Paul VI Summary We can't wait for you to hear this podcast!  The week before Pentecost, we did a webinar with Dr. Sean and Nicole Tobin, a Catholic couple passionate about helping families live in the power of the Holy Spirit. Sean is a clinical psychologist, worship leader, and co-founder of the Divine Mercy Clinic and Nicole holds a master's in Theology and co-founded the Los Angeles campus of the Encounter School of Ministry with Sean. Together, they speak and minister nationally, helping families become more fully alive in the Spirit through healing, activation, and practical faith formation. They came and spoke to our people about how the Holy Spirit can help us be the parents God wants us to be and the parents our children need.  None of us can raise our kids alone!  Not only do we need our spouses, but we also need God present in our lives every day through His Holy Spirit.  Listen in to get some amazing wisdom and to learn how God wants to empower our parenting in a new way.     Key Takeaways Desperation with expectation is an invitation to the Holy Spirit. Virtue does not come from us just “trying harder”, it comes as a fruit of the Holy Spirit.   “What do we feel is the first and last need of this blessed and beloved Church of ours? We must say it, almost trembling and praying, because as you know well, this is the Church's mystery and life: the Spirit, the Holy Spirit. He it is who animates and sanctifies the Church. He is her divine breath, the wind in her sails, the principle of her unity, the inner source of her light and strength.” Pope St Paul VI Heaven has been invading earth since Pentecost… it continues the mission of Christ in us. The biggest hindrance in our home is our busyness.  We have to notice and be sensitive to the Holy Spirit. Tune in and listen. Children thrive in structure and routine, so teach them to give God the first and your best. Have them read scripture first thing, then pause and have them listen and journal each and every day. Healing is an easy first step - pray for this. Couple Discussion Questions What's one way we can invite the Holy Spirit more deeply into our home? Is there something we need to surrender or ask God to heal in our family?  

This Sunday Pastor Lynn continues our Dangerous Sermon Series by preaching a message on the Dangerous No! The Holy Spirit has been given to us so that we can say "No!" to those things that are not in agreement with our Lord Jesus Christ. We have the power to say "No!" to the habits of our past, fleshly thoughts, and those things that come against us trying to defeat us or label us. You do not want to miss this important message on the Dangerous "No!" the Lord has given to us to defeat the enemy, and our own sinful flesh, through the power of His Holy Spirit.

July 13, 2025Guest Speaker: Bill WarnerDaily Declaration: While I was a helpless sinner and God's enemy, He still sent His Son Jesus to die for me. And because I have placed my faith in Jesus and His finished and complete work on the cross, • Today…I am in good standing with God. Not only that, but • Today…I enjoy a position of complete wholeness before God, with nothing to hide. Not only that, but • Today…I have access to God's favor which empowers me to rejoice in hope, to rejoice in any sufferings that may come my way, and to rejoice in my God. Not only that, but • Today…God's love is being poured into my heart and He chooses to take up residence within me by His Holy Spirit. Not only that, but • Today…I am reconciled to God and any sin I may commit will not intimidate Jesus. This is who I am because of Whose I am. So Today I have a choice on how I will live, and I choose to live for the glory of God and the good of my neighbor, because my life is a gift and it's worth living! Songs that Preach the Gospel “All Sufficient Merit” by Shane & Shane “Yet Not I But Through Christ in Me” by City Alight

God's thoughts are as high above ours, as the heavens are over the earth... and yet He makes them accessible to us by His Holy Spirit. Today we delve into what it looks like to appropriate what Jesus paid for with the crown of thorns. We get to learn to live out of our seat with Him in the heavenly places and have our minds governed by His own Spirit. The result is supernatural springtime taking over where winter used to rule. 

When trials and suffering come, where do we turn? We ought to turn to God, the God of all comfort. Suffering in this life is inevitable. David knew that. He wrote his psalms about that. But he wrote with the knowledge that God's love brings comfort, encouragement, freshness, and life to those who pant after Him. In this message, Jill points us to the many resources for encouragement that God has already given us: His Holy Spirit, His word, and His people. God aks us to bring encouragement to those around us. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1141/29

The Spirit of God is not for sale. It is not a commodity that can be bought or sold. The power of God can only be received. It is to be used only for kingdom purposes. God, who knows our hearts, will never give us His anointing and power if He knows we have improper motives.Main Points:1. It's not wrong to want to be used by God. In fact, it's a wonderful desire. It's a holy desire. But an important question is: “Why do you want to be used by God? Why do you want His power in your life?” 2. If our ambition is to build our own kingdom, set up our own platform, and receive our own recognition, we will never be given the power of God.3. I believe today God freely gives His Holy Spirit to those with pure hearts and those who sincerely desire for God to use their lives for His glory.Today's Scripture Verses:Acts 8:20-24 - “But Peter replied, “May your money be destroyed with you for thinking God's gift can be bought! You can have no part in this, for your heart is not right with God. Repent of your wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive your evil thoughts, for I can see that you are full of bitter jealousy and are held captive by sin.  “Pray to the Lord for me,” Simon exclaimed, “that these terrible things you've said won't happen to me!”Jeremiah 17:10 - “I, the Lord, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve.”Psalm 115:1 - “Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to Your name be the glory…”Revelation 4:11 - “You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For you created all things, and they exist because you created what you pleased.”Quick Links:Donate to support this podcastLeave a review on Apple PodcastsGet a copy of The 5 Minute Discipleship JournalConnect on SocialJoin The 5 Minute Discipleship Facebook Group

In this week's sermon, Pastor John covers Psalm 46 where we find God as our help in time of trouble and a fortress we can run to. Especially in a season of life filled with anxiety. And even now, as we reflect on the flooding in the Hill Country. God is our provision!PSALM 46:1-11 Psalm 46:1 1. God is both awesome and accessible. PSALM 46:2-3 2. Nothing - absolutely nothing - should move God's people, who are under God's hand, into fear! PSALM 46:4-5 3. God has given ME provisions so that I will not drift into anxiousness.> His Presence.> His Help.> His Holy Spirit. John 4:13-14 PSALM 46:6-7 4.The Lord, who is with ME, rules the world! PSALM 46:8-9 5. Remember the vast capabilities of God! He is at work to bring ME peace PSALM 46:10-11 6. Choose quietness over panic to hear again that God is with ME.

Who are you? Many of us answer that question by mentioning what we do or what we've accomplished. Others might respond by what others have done to them. In Galatians 4:1-7, Paul lifts our eyes to a different kind of answer one not built on our achievements or our failures, but on something much more profound. God has adopted us into His family, sent His Holy Spirit into our hearts, and made us heirs through Jesus! Join us at cefc.church.

Prayer, Judgment, & Revival (1) (audio) David Eells 7/2/25 Many true dreams, visions, and prophecies given to the saints can be lessened or deleted through prayer because they are warnings. Amos was given two threats from God against Israel but he replied, “Jacob is small, how shall he stand?” Abraham Jewed God down for Sodom. Prophetic words in scripture cannot be changed.   A Great Alien Deception Brandon Biggs/Last Days - 6/27/25 (David's notes in red) https://youtu.be/9epckXNXLN0 Summary: Brandon saw a large flying saucer in the sky with yellow glowing lights going around it. I saw something like lightning bolts shooting out from these lights. People on the ground were deceived by it thinking they were aliens from outer space and wanting to communicate with what they perceived them to be like the movie "E.T.". But they are not aliens but demons. The Lord was very serious wanting us to pray for them. This is a great deception. Other smaller flying saucers were seen in other parts of the world. (This is absolutely happening, and the Lord agrees; just ask him. The government has been dealing with the “Galactic Federation” of planets. I bound them and they lost contact with them. Also, I bound some working in their tech industry and they disappeared. Both of these cases were witnessed by leadership who thought they were aliens.) Transcript of more on this video: First the Cyber-attacks. I (Brandon) had received reports from several of my viewers that the FFA and Air Traffic Control is still using Windows 95 and it would take at least 4 years to update their software costing billions of dollars to renew their whole global system upgrade. (I thought, surely, they are not using 30-year-old software with floppy disks… but we researched this too and it seems to be so.) So what the Lord was showing me about the cyber-attacks is true. Using software from 1995 is a big deal when you are going into a new industrial revolution with AI technology, using quantum computers and the FFA has such outdated software, other countries would be able to tap into the AI and hack into the infrastructure easily. (Sometimes the greatest enemy is within, like the D.S.. Jesus said “all things whatsoever” so ask Him to update the software.) Soon after this, we see in the news, there was an aircraft on fire in the air and had to make an emergency landing. This confirms what the Lord warned me about and I previously shared with you when I saw the plane falling from the sky and all its instrument panels went black and it fell to the ground. I didn't know what caused it and I assumed it was a cyber-attack. I could see it was a flight that left somewhere in middle America and was heading Northeast and halfway to its destination, it went down. (The DS has already proven it can take over our planes and helicopters from the ground. Remember the helicopter that maneuvered itself in front of a plane and killed many. The short President Trump was on that copter but was taken off at the last minute.) (Let me add here where Brandon shares another YouTube post of a screenshot headline from CNN, The caption reads: “American Airlines operations returning to normal after widespread computer outage” American Airlines suffered a widespread outage with its flight information computer system, authorities with two affected airports told CNN.”) https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBqj7_4xib9pKATW4394PmQ/community?lb=UgkxUbJMtOkmJo0obxxxbNg5RZDD_eA7cn5t (Everyone knows we were expecting a cyber-attack from Iran right after the bombing of nuclear facilities in Iran. Indications were, it would be a face saving attack from Iran, possibly involving the “American” name.  This made us vulnerable to a false-flag cyber-attack from the D.S. in order to blame it on Iran and drag the US into WWlll, which they are desperate to do.) Continuing with Brandon's first revelation. I also saw cyber-attacks coming upon our electrical grid and that it was very vulnerable. (I read a report several months ago that the D.S. attempted to cyber-attack the grid and the Alliance stopped it.)  I saw a major city, which was later made known to me as New York, and it was completely dark. They were trying to bring in generators to keep power on to keep people from looting and rioting because it was so dark. I saw big spotlights running trying to keep sections of the city lit up to help the police and law enforcements try to keep order when the power was off. I remember that it was hot outside. (like now) I even saw emergency power being used in hospitals to keep people alive there, but it was only dim lighting. I saw how they were using the big spotlights to shine on these buildings to create a mirror effect to help them see. This would allow more light reflected on the ground rather than shining them straight upwards. (Pray this down) A viewer sent an article from Fox News with the Caption: “Astronomers make a groundbreaking discovery about the largest comet ever observed flying through deep space.” A massive 85-mile-wide frozen giant comet observed near Neptune using powerful telescope in Chile. I don't know if it's coming this way or not Also, we need to pray over our water supply. (Brandon doesn't share anymore about the water supply in this video. However, I read Bill Gates or his organization plans to buy up water suppliers. Given his depopulation history this cannot be good.) He continues, I saw an article from Fox News saying that Trump and BB have agreed on a two-state solution. This is one of the things from the Abraham Accords and they were saying how they wanted to make a two-state solution, and they were agreeing upon it. (Bind this) I have spoken before that if they do this two-state solution, 3 days later the New Madrid fault line will go off and America will be divided in half. (I believe the NM will go off but it will be greatly diminished compared to the dreams and visions because of God's mercy.) When this happened, I saw great big Chinook helicopters flying from the west to the central part of America carrying supplies. It sounded like the earth was shaking, they had so many helicopters over the affected area. And this is where I said before where I saw the Lion's face carved into the side of a building and I had warned everyone that I saw tumbleweeds going down Wall Street. (In the Long Run we will lose Wall Street) The Lord told me to look at the Lion's face and I saw it was the building that was the New York Stock Exchange. The Lord was warning that if they divide Jerusalem, if they do a two-state solution, He is going to divide America. (I believe it will quake and crack but not with a big divide) I saw the nation split down the middle and all the bridges going down from West to East, completely destroyed on the Mississippi River. I saw from Texarkana, Texas, to Tulsa, Oklahoma where I saw over 1800 people die. I saw the massive building at ORU (Oral Roberts University) was split down the middle and on fire when this earthquake happens. Houses that were built on cinderblocks were completely leveled and destroyed. Houses built on a foundation did better. I saw thousands of people died when this event takes place. That is why I've always told people we must not divide Jerusalem, for when we do, 3 days after… Now I want you to hear me, that's how strong this Word was.  I saw the Liberty Bell ringing and old cast iron bells ringing when this event happens. Three days after Jerusalem is divided and agreed upon (Possibly it will be agreed upon but not enforced), there will be 3 days and God will divide America. We must pray that this does not take place. This announcement has been shared on multiple news channels and including The Jerusalem Post. Pray. I told you before that I saw the enemy hovering over the judges' decision making regarding crypto and trying to delay the wealth transfers for the body of Christ. The Lord said, “You must stand in the gap and pray concerning this.” (Jesus said, what we bind on earth is bound in heaven.) The Lord showed me certain cryptos created in the future. We are going into a digital platform, digital currency; digital everything. RFK has been talking about everyone needs to get a tracking device in America (digital ID); some kind of digital tracking either in their body or on their wrist. (He references the end time mark of the beast system and many don't realize how close we are. However, this comes in mid-tribulation and cannot be stopped for “it is written” and divides the play church from the real church.) The Lord said that the American people will be so thankful that we have a strong leader over this country in the days ahead. (President Trump) (True!, but I do not believe he will be president by mid-trib.) The Lord has shown me in so many ways that there will be a great revival and harvest of souls and we're going to see it quickly. He keeps talking to me about it. He said, “A great shaking to awaken.” (The revival will begin with the New Madrid and anointing of the reformers.) And He said, “You are about to see such fearful sights that will bring you to your knees in prayer.” You will see many people praying in the days ahead. (Yes) A great shaking! We are seeing Biblical signs and the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ! (in the reformers) It's time to get serious about the Father's business. (Yes)  Don't get distracted and keep focused on the Lord and the Word. Watch the midterm elections in the fall of 2026 and the decisions that will be made. This was like when I saw Oklahoma divided and they were trying to make it ‘blue'. (democrat) The following are some of the things Brandon is seeing as he is praying in the Spirit: There is so much change coming… I saw the plague again… I see black rats and they have red eyes; very evil looking. They are the carriers of disease. I saw them being released and running on the ground. I see them running on old-looking cobblestone stones with old style villages and old towns. This was in Europe. (The Black Plague) The virus/plague will begin first in Europe, not America. I know this has to do with the plague. I see a glimpse of a factory with the sign “contamination” on it and “caution tape” across the doors. Factories will be shut down. The timing is when it is cold; I see people wearing big coats and coverings on their heads trying to keep warm but there's no one outside; just a few people here and there. This appears to be in a large major city like Chicago or New York. - It's the Big Apple. I see where the people don't want to touch the money. I hear people saying that they're bringing about a new global economy. (going digital) They can't keep the status quo and this is changing everything. Everything is changing to the beast system. These things are the beginning of a new industrial revolution of new technologies. This is the foundation being laid but many of you don't see it. They have to first get rid of the old system before they bring in the new and I saw paper money and it was blue. I don't know what kind of money or currency it was, but it was blue and it had some kind of blue design on it. People did not want to touch it because they were afraid of transferring this virus with the money. (His son shows him a picture of the Euro and he said, yes, that's it.) The Lord had previously told me in another prophecy to “watch the Euro”. He said the Euro would be the first of the dominos to fall. This will introduce the system faster as they don't want to touch the money. What's going on in the shadows? There are things going on in the shadows. I see submarines going to Cuba. I see a black submarine on the east coast of Cuba. It's a very big and long Russian submarine. It was coming from Europe down across the Atlantic. (I don't know yet what this is about.) I saw people who are so distracted; they're so busy with their day to day, Monday through Friday daily activities, they're distracted with just trying to make it and provide for their families. They're like the frog in the pot and the water is rising all around them and it's getting hot. These are the masses who have their eyes fixed on the ground and they don't see what's coming on the horizon. I heard the Lord say, “COVID was a trial run.” I remember the faces the Lord showed me as the virus spreads. It spreads like red and the faces of that country fade. Now I'm seeing it bleed into Africa. I see the Mediterranean and its spreading through Africa and going through Asia and India. Interesting, I think there's not many people in China. When it goes into China, they are spread out more. (Many are dying there now) Not like I see in India where they are very close, touching shoulders. They're wearing white outfits. It hits Australia very hard. It hits Queenland but it took a while to get there. I'm seeing America. I hear the Spirit of the Lord say, “Fear not! Fear not what you are seeing.” He said, “There's so many voices saying so many different things.” I see all flights are grounded. Only those used for emergencies and those aircraft have just a few people on board. I see one plane with only 5 people seated, spread out and they're covered in masks, like COVID. I hear the Lord say, “Pray! Pray! Pray! Pray to lesson the effect of this.” I'm seeing all this at once: earthquakes, asteroids, plagues, volcanoes, droughts, pestilence and the fish [dying] all happening as it pans out before me. I can see Italy and the Vatican and a shaking coming to the Vatican and the Catholic church. (guilty of sacrificing children for power from Satan) I see the DS planning and plotting and I see the Towers again. (A large false-flag.) Now, I just saw something very wild… I see what looks like aliens (demons). I see what looks like flying saucers. This is a big ship that is glowing like gold. It's hovering with an energy around it, and it was demonic. I saw it coming into the earth's atmosphere to deceive many. It had big yellow lights all around it. A big flying saucer coming down with electricity coming off of the yellow lights, like yellow lightning bolts. (The D.S. has planes outfitted to project this. They were stopped once by the Alliance.) Now, listen there's no such thing as aliens. This is demonic. There's going to be an uptick of these kinds of events in the days ahead. I hear the word, “uptick”. There will be an uptick in the events taking place in the skies. A great deception is coming! (strong delusion for those who do not love truth) I see one [flying saucer] over Europe around Italy, around the Vatican. It will be on the news and people will be tripping out. There's like an excitement, but also a fear in the air. I hear the word, “E.T.” (Extra Terrestrial) and I see people trying to communicate with this E.T by holding up poster boards. Many people are going to be deceived by this. It's demonic and it's trying to desensitize you for what is coming. The Lord said, “A great deception is coming. This is not funny. People will fall for this.” The Lord spoke that very sternly. They will show up in Mexico. This is to deceive the people in South America. It will be all over the news. This will be a very massive demonic thing. People need to be prepared to speak against this and tell people that this is demonic. This is NOT “E.T.” They are fallen angels, a great deception. This is how they'll explain away the rapture and where everybody goes. (“After the tribulation” the Lord gathers His elect) I see smaller ones in America and in Canada. It's like the mother ship and other little ones flying around trying to deceive many today. People need to pray. (Rebuke the demons from you but strong delusion will come to many) They're going to be manipulating the weather more. HAARP. You will hear more about manipulating the weather superstorms. Like flooding in China, abnormal rains and abnormal droughts. Weather warfare. A form of weather weapons. They will be trying to perfect it, but it will get out of control. In trying to control, they will lose control. Jet streams and superstorms. Superstorms with exceeding wind that you've never seen before. You've already seen the huge rainfall creating super floods, super rains, super winds and super hail. It will increase and become out of control to be used against the people. (more depopulation to steal minerals) I see record snowfall and record drought. I've talked before about how there will be changes in the seasons. The amount of daylight. These changes to dim the light. It will mess with the animals, their breeding patterns and birds' migration patterns. I see a controlling and manipulation of beef is coming. There will be a fear of eating beef. There will be something wrong with the cows, like madcow disease or something so that it becomes very expensive. They will be trying to manipulate the market. Organic and home-grown beef will be very expensive. This is a bigger deal than it was for the chickens and egg scare that they tried before. Then he explains the disgusting “bug burgers” using insects, worms, crickets, etc. when this happens. Pushing “protein burger bugs” as an alternative protein. (Mud bugs [crawfish] are good!) There's absolutely nothing wrong with the beef and dairy. It's all a form of control and manipulation. It will increase. This next revelation is also from Brandon. It's a YouTube short video he posted on January 20, 2025. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/I6-C1L8onj4 The Lord showed me literally thousands of North Korean men in train cars being taken from North Korea to Russia for the war. These men were not trained fighters. They looked expendable to me. Like they didn't have jobs in offices, etc. They looked like what we would call ‘lower income' people. They were excited to be able to see the world because they had been so oppressed and in bondage. I saw these men on these train cars, and they were celebrating leaving. I heard the Lord say, “But they're going to their death, and they don't even know it. You must pray for them.” A lot of these people have never had the opportunity to hear the Gospel and it grieves me. Because I saw the plan of the enemy to push these men upfront so that the other men didn't have to risk their lives. They were like, ‘We're going to let them fight who were not trained very well so we can let these other guys have a break.' (Kim has sold them out. It's happening on the Russian front) Also, the top 24 highest crime cities are all democratic ruled. Most of the crime in the country is there. Why? Birds of a feather flock together. Criminals know democrats have to be soft on crime because they themselves are criminals. Thank God they mostly destroy their own cities.   Flee to Zion Dayna - 05/23/2010 I received these words and the vision on Wednesday the 5th. They are for the body. Word 1 Start seeking Me. Do not stall and do not think to do so later. My time is fast approaching and all must be ready and in place. Take care that you know My voice, for when I call My sheep, only a few will hear and come. Do not be deceived by the wolves that dress in wool. Know My Word, know My voice. Time is short. Word 2 Look! Do you see the people? Look at them flee, while none give chase. They run to the hills. But you ... you must run to the mountain, for mighty is a mountain. Mount up on your wings and reach the peak. To Zion! To Zion! (Isaiah 2:2) After these words came this vision: I saw the four horses tied to a hitching post. Their saddles are strapped on and all their “gear” is ready. As I had this vision, I was reminded of the vision/dream given to Michael Boldea Jr.: Four Horsemen to Ride Soon. (10/31/07) Then the Lord gave two single words: Urgency! Haste! Then: My horses are ready; they now await their riders! Blessings and love to my brothers and sisters. May the Lord shine bright in you.   Four Horsemen to Ride Soon (David's notes in red) Below is a confirming dream that the four tribulation horse judgments are coming soon.   The Four Horses Michael Boldea Jr. - 10/31/2007 I had a dream and if not for the specific instruction to share what I saw, I would have preferred to keep it to myself. I had gone to bed late, having waited for my wife to get home from work. After seeing that she had arrived home safely, and saying my prayers, I fell into a restful sleep. I dreamt that I was sleeping, when a hand touched my shoulder, and a voice I recognized said, 'wake up'. In my dream I opened my eyes, and my breath caught in my throat as I saw who had awakened me. It was the same messenger, the angel I had seen on previous occasions, dressed in full battle armor, standing by the side of my bed. 'Take my hand' he said, 'I have been sent to show you something'. I barely touched the hand that was extended toward me when my bed and my bedroom evaporated, and I found myself standing before a white, oblong building, that looked allot like a barn or a horse stable. Two large doors made up the front of the structure, and as I looked they began to swing open. I knew wherever I was, it was not of this earth, because everything shone, everything was white, pristine, immaculate. I also knew that whatever the reason for being shown this, was about to be revealed, so I stood in silence, holding the messenger's hand. As soon as the doors were fully open, I saw an angel that looked very much like the one standing beside me, except without the armor, leading a white horse by its reins. (The coming of Jesus in the man-child reformer body.) The horse was large and muscular, but he followed the angel obediently with its head bent low. The angel's countenance was somber as he led the horse away, and for some reason this registered with great clarity. I looked up to the messenger whose hand I was still holding, but he merely nodded toward the white building and the open doors, and said, 'witness'. Another angel soon appeared in the doorway, holding the reins of a red horse, following after the first. I began to realize what I was seeing, and in silence watched as two more angels appeared, each holding the reins of a horse, one black, one of no discernible color, just pale. All four angels were dressed alike, and had the same somber, sorrowful countenance. I stood and watched as all four horses were led out of my sight, and finally when they had disappeared from view, the messenger turned to me and said: 'Go and tell what you have seen. The riders prepare, the horses are ready, and soon they will descend, soon they will be loosed. Remember what you have witnessed, and do not hold back a single word. Soon they descend on wings of fury; soon turmoil will shake earth's very foundation. Prepare yourself, for many will fall and few will stand. Fulfillment is at hand, go and speak what you have seen, and what you have heard. The Kingdom awaits the righteous, the holy will soon see the Lord'. I only realized I was still holding his hand when he let go of mine, and suddenly I was back in my bed, sitting up, fully awake. I am still unsure whether or not it was a dream, or if 'dream' is the right word for it, but for simplicity's sake I will call it a dream. I tried to go back to sleep but could not, vividly remembering the sorrowful look on the faces of the angels who were leading the horses out of the stables. It seems the world is seeing, what the church is refusing to acknowledge, the fact that we are on the cusp of great upheaval not only in this nation, but also throughout the world. These are the days of which the prophets spoke, the days of which Christ warned, the time of distress, of sifting and of separation. My prayer is that we remember always, our hope is in the Lord, and He is faithful to those who are faithful to Him. If one word stands out from this entire dream, it is the word 'prepare' and we must do so with diligence. The children of God must steel themselves for what is coming, prepare their hearts and settle within their soul that the day in which we will have to stand for truth is soon approaching.   UBM Angels Give Some Details of the Coming Great Revival Excerpts from Ministering Angels Through UBM #3 The Revelation of the Soldier Bride and Her Charge Angel Messengers - 8/19/22 (Davids notes in red) The angel Baruch gave this message for us on the 8th day anointing celebration, “Your enemy has been defeated THIS NIGHT and has been placed under your feet. The power of your praise and worship to our God and your Savior Jesus has gone down to the very foundations of hell and has shaken it to its core. And they have risen to the throne room of our Great God and were incorporated with the praises of your brethren, the saints of Heaven, around His throne. Do not go back to the old ways. (He was speaking of very highly praising the Lord for all of His goodness and proclaiming His promises. I.e. confessing our salvation from our enemies as in Psalm 149 and Luke 1.) Be very vigilant not to fall backwards and lose the ground you've taken back from the enemy tonight or he will penetrate your ranks once more. Continue to walk in the Way and the re-dedication of yourselves in faithfulness to Jesus, your Master and Savior. You have put the enemy to flight this night. Do NOT cease from pursuing him and overtaking him. Do not give him time to re-group by relenting in the fight. Our Great General and your Savior, Jesus, is ordering His soldier Bride to report for duty. The training for the greatest revival ever witnessed by man-kind is now beginning. Don't fail to show up.” (Eve said, i.e. don't go “AWOL” (absent without leave). We've been chosen or “drafted” to report for basic training at Ft. Revival. The Lord will be our strength and faithful to get us all in shape… (Eve: I understood that they are all using military terms and imagery in order to stress the revelation of a soldier Bride to us, so that we can begin viewing ourselves in this way because the battle comes before the wedding. So we need to view the Bride as a warrior at the Man-child's side, fighting with the angels and not so much as the dainty, demure, passive figure in her wedding garments.) The angel Shemuel then said, “I have really enjoyed praising, worshipping, and lifting up our God and His Son, our Great General and King of all Kings with you all tonight. Many of the angels have joined in celebrating this event with you. I concur with Baruch's report to you all. Do not fall back. You all have orders to press forward. Also, remember to never leave your fellow soldiers (brethren) behind, struggling to keep up or wounded on the battlefield... A platoon of soldiers is only as strong as its weakest member. Give of your time and gifts sacrificially in order to uphold one another in daily training and on the battlefield. Do not let any fall through the cracks. When the Holy Spirit of God places someone on your heart, get in touch with them as soon as possible. Don't hesitate to communicate with one another because the enemy lurks and hides where the communications have broken down. Don't forget to deploy me abroad to continue fighting the enemies of UBM and all God's elect “both foreign and domestic.” This is my charge concerning UBM and all that pertains to her.” David asked, “What can you tell us about the supernatural methods to get the gospel out and heal, deliver and save?” The angel Baruch said, “The methods of man will not be employed to reach the peoples of the earth. (In the days that are coming.) The methods are all of the spirit realm and will be administered by the angels who are going to distribute the gifts to the saints. (Meaning, the sanctified ones) These include gifts of translation from place to place, language, healing, laying on of hands to impart to others their needs and what they're lacking and to replicate the gifts by passing them on to others whom the angels will point out. Supernatural downloads of wisdom and knowledge will be received for specific situations.” David asked, “What about deliverances?” Baruch said, “The enemy will be on the run during this time. Deliverances will be instantaneous with no resistance on their part. (Many deliverances are this way now if there is cooperation on the part of the victim in repentance and faith.) They will no longer be able to hide in flesh because of the light of revival and the fire of truth that will sweep the elect of the globe.” (Eve said, “Meaning: Demons will be fleeing left and right out of people as the true fire of the Holy Spirit fills each one and searches the depths of each individual. There won't be any place left for them to hide in the elect of God.”) David asked, “Will there be mass healings and deliverances? Baruch said, “Yes. These will all take place on the largest scale in human history.” (Eve said, “Meaning: Masses of people will supernaturally be delivered and healed all at once for times sake because the need is so great and the darkness so pervasive.”) Then the angel Shemuel said, “A great move of God is coming upon the younger generations. (i.e. The millennials - Generation Z) There is a mildew and rottenness that has been cast upon this crop by satan; a perpetual darkness, so that the Son has not shown upon them. They languish and rot in the field and their fruit is poisoned. But the Son is coming to shine down upon them and he will burn up all the disease and mildew of their lives and the heat of His fire will burn through them and cleanse and restore them to the purpose they were created for. There has never been a revival like this that will sweep the whole earth. This will be entirely an act of God; supernatural and undeniable. He will not forsake the youth of this final generation.'   Our Promised DNA Restoration David asked, “What does the coming restoration involve personally? 30 years younger?” The angel Jeruel answered, “Restoration on a DNA cellular level. Faith and power will be imputed to receive healing and restoration. It will be complete restoration not partial. The first fruits are first. They will be the trail blazers. There will also be a mighty supernatural outpouring of spiritual restoration of closeness to God through His Holy Spirit.” Then David asked, “When will the Lord restore our teeth?” The angel Baruch said, “When the DNA restoration takes place, teeth will be restored as well.”   Destroying Your DNA or Restoring Your DNA As we have seen the confession of the curse brings destruction of the DNA. This is what men do every day as a norm as they see their natural face in the mirror instead of the Gospel face of Jesus as in 2Corinthians 3:18. As a narrow example of this very broad principle of the DNA curse, the medical establishment demonstrates this phenomena by pointing out specifically all of man's curses and making sure they fear them so that they can control the people. As Job said in Job 3:25 For the thing which I fear cometh upon me, And that which I am afraid of cometh unto me. Jesus confirmed this saying in Mat 8:13 ... as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. Fear is faith in the curse. The medical establishment confesses the curses and demands that we do so also but they always ultimately lose the patient to the curse. Their pharmakeia actually brings more curses as side effects. They made sure everyone who would listen feared C-19 enough to take the vaccine which people are dying of in a geometric progression. Before this man-made curse the Journal of the American Medical Association said, 450,000 people were dying a year in the US from Iatropic [healer related] causes. The Angels told us that the Lord would return in His Man-child body and completely restore the DNA of his Holy People who confess Him before men. The angel Baruch said, “There is much busyness happening in the Kingdom of our Lord; Much excitement is among the saints and the angels. Everything is prepared and ready for His return.” And then after a moment he said, “The Son is waiting for the Father's command.” David asked, “So the Man-child is coming?” Baruch said, “Surely.” David asked, “What does the coming restoration involve personally?” The angel Jeruel answered, “Restoration on a DNA cellular level. Faith and power will be imputed to receive healing and restoration. It will be complete restoration not partial. The first fruits are first. They will be the trail blazers. There will be a mighty supernatural outpouring of spiritual restoration of closeness to God through His Holy Spirit.” Science is pointing this out. It appears to me that the Lord, through the spoken Words of His Man-child, will bring the frequency needed to restore DNA, and all we need to supply is the Words of Faith in the promises of God which we have known is the cure for the curse. Jesus through His sacrifice took away the devil's power of death (Heb.2:14) for those who believe. He never had the authority of death. Authority is the right to use power. (1Sa.2:6) The Lord killeth, and maketh alive: He bringeth down to Sheol, and bringeth up. Death and life are in the hand of the Lord, not any other. But again, that does not negate our responsibility. (Pro.18:21) Death and life are in the power of the tongue… We need to be careful to agree with God's Word that we fall not under the curse (Rev.22:18-19). (Num.14:28)… As ye have spoken in mine ears, so will I do to you. (Mat.12:37) For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. God reacts to the way we react to His Word. Everything is subject to the Word God has spoken, even His own will. (Psa.138:2)… thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name. God puts the Word first, as a standard to trust even above His own name, which in Hebrew means “character and authority.” God wants us to know that He puts His Word above any desire or purpose that we might think He has. But His Word is His desire and purpose.

Today's Promise: Ephesians 3:16 God promises strength and power through His Holy Spirit no matter what you face today. Real strength begins in your heart and works its way out into your life. God is giving you supernatural strength to face any challenge before you today. The very power of Christ is flowing through you. His Holy Spirit will give you the strength and determination you never thought you had. When your heart is empowered and strengthened, you can do anything. You can go longer than you imagine, further than you thought possible, and stay with it until you finish.

God transforms our lives by His Holy Spirit. He makes us what we ought to be – more loving and joyful. We'll learn how it happens today on The Dwelling Place. We've come in our study of Galatians to chapter five verses sixteen through eighteen To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1425/29

Fellowship with other Christians means let Jesus shine the light of God's Word by His Holy Spirit. Weekend broadcast #535To help support this podcast, please visit walkwiththeking.org/donate and select "Podcast" from the dropdown menu.To hear more from Bob Cook, you can find Walk With The King on Facebook or Instagram.

Pastor Stan Mitchell expresses his God-given desire for daily spiritual growth and closeness to Jesus, emphasizing God's everlasting love and the significance of the cross. He reminds us to be committed to living by scripture, and to ask the Lord to empower us by His Holy Spirit. He repeatedly shares the encouragement to seek God for daily guidance.

I greet you in Jesus' precious name! It is Wednesday morning, the 18th of June, 2025, and this is your friend, Angus Buchan, with a thought for today. We go to the Gospel of Luke 8:48: “And He said to her (Jesus), “Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made you well. Go in peace.” Then we go to Romans 8:11: “But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.” What beautiful scriptures! Remember the woman who had the issue of blood? She could not stop bleeding. She had been to the doctors. She had spent all her money and the doctors had tried to help her, twelve years she was in that state then she went on her own when she knew Jesus was coming. She pushed through the crowd and she said to herself, “If I can only just touch the hem of His garment, I'll be healed." And of course, she did, she pushed through, I can just imagine her going through the crowd and getting nice and low, touching the hem of His garment, and instantly the blood dried up and she was healed. Jesus turned around and said, “Who touched Me?” And the disciples said, “Lord, there are people pushing from all angles. How can we know who touched You?” And she said, “It was me, Lord.” And what did Jesus say? He said, “Go in peace because your faith has made you well.”On Easter Sunday, Resurrection Sunday, just a short while ago, I took the service here at Shalom, and I told them I would be praying for the sick. A lady brought her son to be healed. He was a grown man. He had cancer of the brain. She came forward, we anointed him with oil like we did with all the people who came forward. We prayed a simple prayer of faith, and God, through the power of His Holy Spirit, touched that young man and healed him. Now, she went to the specialist the next week, and she said to the specialist, “My son has been healed in Jesus' name.” She claimed his healing! The specialist looked at her and said, “No, he has got cancer.” She said, “Please do another MRI on him, another test." He did that.He was very, very skeptical and he wanted to know what happened. She said she had been to a healing meeting and she believed her son was healed. Well, reluctantly, he went and did it and afterwards he came out and his face was quite pale. And he said to her, “There is no cancer in your son's brain. He is healed!”Today, claim your healing from Jesus.Have a wonderful day!

To Kill the Firstborn by Theresa T Stark Amazon.com Reading this book will let you see the full richness and soundness Jesus Christ crucifixion and resurrection are personally for you. It will become perfectly clear regarding God's heart towards you and why He manifested the Bible through man. When he sent the bible for us, He means for us to read and follow it while we are here on earth. You will find out that God never wanted us to be in darkness but under His covering within the power of His Spirit. You will understand that once born in the earth from God's Kingdom we arrive equipped to be filled by His Spirit. Although created in an earthen vessel capable of living in the earths atmosphere we obtain a sinful nature. You will learn that it is up to us to get rid of the earthen vessel's characteristics. To renew ourselves back to God and end the earthly lifestyle by reading the Bible daily for Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth. You have to make a choice. We are created for God's Glory and to be filled with His Holy Spirit like Adam and the Lord Jesus Christ. Just make sure it's God's Holy Spirit. This book will answer questions regarding: How the work of the Cross completed your direction for destiny Christianity is not what you thought. It is real. We came from God's Kingdom Your destiny is through the Holy Spirit of God. How to overcome the character you built Releasing your will for eternal life with God Dying is easy with the Holy Spirit Don't play with your life. Now is the time to get it right with God and your eternity. Your soul is worth more alive than dead. Jesus gave His Soul to God. Guess what? And so should you as His follower. Become a vessel for the Master's use. "If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work" (2 Tim. 2:21, KJV).

When everything feels like it’s falling apart, where do you turn? In this powerful devotional, Cindi McMenamin encourages us to place our hope not in answers or outcomes—but in the God who holds all things together. With Scripture, personal insight, and a look at sobering mental health trends, she makes a compelling case for anchoring our hearts in the “God of hope” (Romans 15:13).

But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.' Luke 16:29 ESV I don't know if it's a “guy thing,” but I seem to never be able to find anything in the refrigerator. I'll stand there staring, looking for one thing, absolutely convinced it isn't in there, then insist that what I need was never available in the first place. It isn't until I humble myself (usually out of immature frustration) and ask my wife, “Babe, do you know where this is? I don't see it!” that things get solved. Two seconds tops:“Top shelf, behind the ketchup.” After all my insistence, what I needed was in front of me the whole time. I usually find what I need, but it takes some humbling to get there. Most of the time in life, what we need is right in front of us. As Christians, God has given us everything necessary to thrive: His Word, His Holy Spirit, and our eternal connection to Him through His Son, Jesus. Yet there are many moments when we don't see any of that, even when it's staring us in the face. Sometimes it's due to self-inflicted wounds like apathy, selfishness, or outright rebellion. But often, I'd argue, the issue is far more subtle, and far more dangerous. We fail to see what's in front of us because of comfort. Comfort comes from many sources, our time, money, heritage, zip code, and resources, and it makes us feel secure. But that very comfort can press us to forget, or even disregard, what we've been called to. When we get too comfortable, we're prone to miss everything God has graciously given us. In Luke 16, the rich man had everything, but he missed the suffering man at his gate and the truth of God's Word. His comfort blinded him to eternal realities. So we ask: • What is the Christian truly called to do in life? • In what ways are we ignoring the commission we've been given? • Who do we overlook or avoid because we assume we're already set for eternity. This week, we'll explore these questions and more.

Jesus teaches us that the Kingdom of God is different, and empowered by His Holy Spirit, its citizens live differently.   ---    Jesus was the greatest teacher the world has ever known, and His teachings continue to shape lives still today. Not far from His ministry base of Capernaum, a hill on the northwestern shore of the Sea of Galilee is traditionally known as the site from which Jesus delivered His Sermon on the Mount. In this beautiful place, Jesus sat down and shared a paradigm-shifting message that became the most famous sermon in history – the greatest sermon ever preached!    Sermon Notes: http://bible.com/events/49447887 Submit a Question: bit.ly/BeyondSundayQuestions

By granting us His Holy Spirit, God guarantees us all the blessings of the gospel as our gracious inheritance. From his exposition of the book of Ephesians, today R.C. Sproul explains why everyone who truly trusts in Jesus can have the assurance of everlasting salvation. Get R.C. Sproul's commentary on Ephesians for your donation of any amount: https://gift.renewingyourmind.org/4098/donate   Live outside the U.S. and Canada? Request the ebook edition of R.C. Sproul's commentary on Ephesians for your donation of any amount: https://www.renewingyourmind.org/global   Meet Today's Teacher:   R.C. Sproul (1939–2017) was founder of Ligonier Ministries, first minister of preaching and teaching at Saint Andrew's Chapel, first president of Reformation Bible College, and executive editor of Tabletalk magazine.   Meet the Host:   Nathan W. Bingham is vice president of ministry engagement for Ligonier Ministries, executive producer and host of Renewing Your Mind, and host of the Ask Ligonier podcast. Renewing Your Mind is a donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

Continuing with our series “UNSTOPPABLE Church” today, Pastor Jodi teaches on Unstoppable Power. Violence. Destruction. Division. Anger. These words describe the current condition in our world. We are in a battle. However, the Lord has provided for us everything we need for life and Godliness by giving us His Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit's power enables us to do exceedingly, abundantly more than all we could imagine or think as we engage our broken world and bring the Good news of the resurrection of Jesus.Holy Sprits Power Referenced in:Acts 1:8, 2:22, 3:12, 4:7, 4:33, 6:8, 8:10, 8:13, 10:38, 19:11Key Scriptures:2 Cor 10:3-5, Acts 1:8, 2:1-4, 2:17-18, 3:12, 4:7, 4:33, Rom 8:11

In Acts three, we see some pretty amazing things take place. A lame man is healed, the people are astonished, and Peter reminds them that the lame man's healing was a word of God through His Holy Spirit. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/621/29

On Sunday we continued in our Pentecost series with a teaching from Pete on Acts 1v1-9.  In this key passage we find Jesus expressing a promise to His disciples, that they will be baptized with the Holy Spirit. Jesus explains that this baptism will bring power, which will enable them to fulfill their purpose as His witnesses in all the world. We too, like the disciples, are invited to continually wait and pray for the filling of His Holy Spirit. When we are filled He will strengthen us to share the gospel, to cast out the demonic, to love our neighbor, to grow in holiness, and so much more. Thank you God for being so generous in the outpouring of your Spirit, may we remain ever aware of our need for it.   Link to Sermon Guide & Activations: 06.08.25 Sermon Guide

Power often refers to the ability to control or influence people and events. But true power belongs to and comes from only God--given to us by His Holy Spirit. This power is not derived from human strength and it is transformative. Join us for a compelling workshop of Acts 2.

Can I encourage you today with a powerful truth? The Lord fights for you. Main Points:1. As we face the many battles of this life, physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, relational, and financial, we don't face them alone. God has promised to never leave us or forsake us.2. His Holy Spirit is in us and with us. He will give us strength when we are weary, peace when we are confused, joy when we are sad, and wisdom when we are confused.3. There is no limit to his power, his creativity, his wisdom, and his love for you. Just as a loving earthy father would do everything in his power to protect his children, our Heavenly Father, loves and protects us as well.Today's Scripture Verses:Exodus 14:10-13 - “As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians, marching after them. They were terrified and cried out to the Lord. They said to Moses, “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? Didn't we say to you in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians'? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!” Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again.  The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”Deuteronomy 20:4 - “For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.”1 Corinthians 15:57 - “ But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”Quick Links:Donate to support this podcastLeave a review on Apple PodcastsGet a copy of The 5 Minute Discipleship JournalConnect on SocialJoin The 5 Minute Discipleship Facebook Group

Dave Lomas teaches on God's desire to pour out His Holy Spirit and fill His followers. Slides available at https://bit.ly/4kVKyBU

This weekend, Christians commemorate the historical event when God poured out His Holy Spirit upon the first 120 believers as referenced in Acts chapter 2. This was the catalyst that truly changed the world as men and women, filled with God's Spirit, were sent out as witnesses of Jesus Christ. Today, as we gather together, we are pausing to discuss and pray for the baptism with the Holy Spirit in our generation. We need the power of the Holy Spirit to lead and launch us into all that God has called us to do! Speaker: Pastor Ben Dixon Scripture: John 3:3, John 20:21-22, Matthew 3:11, Acts 1:4-8 Series: Stand Alone Messages For more information visit www.BenDixon.org

As we look forward to Pentecost, we want to spend a few weeks exploring the third person of the Trinity, Holy Spirit. This week, Alex shared how the Church is the family of God, living by the Spirit in every way, revealing the desire of God. The people of God were always meant to live with the Spirit of God, as an apocalyptic community. The word apocalypse in Greek means “uncovering, disclosure, revelation.” We are meant to be a people who reveal the hope of resurrection and the glory of God in the midst of life on this earth. We reveal this through our dependence on Him and connection to Him Our greatest blessing is to live with the Presence of God, His Holy Spirit.    Link to Sermon Guide & Activations: 06.01.25 Sermon Guide

God gives us the deposit of His Holy Spirit as a guarantee that he will not walk away and forget about the rest of the things he has promised us. Dr.Sarah Hall | June 1, 2025 ________________________________________________ We're Incarnation Tallahassee! Visit our website! www.incarnationtlh.org/
 Watch the Livestream youtube.com/live/ZSeuKYY3J2w

By Jon Davies - God expects to harvest fruit from His garden - those who are given His Holy Spirit.

By Tony Stith - In a world growing ever darker and more spiritually diseased, God has given His people a powerful gift: His Holy Spirit. This Pentecost message explores how the Holy Spirit functions not only to strengthen us individually, but also to protect and preserve the spiritual health of the Body of Christ

By Nicholas Sergio - The world is in darkness. God gives us His Holy Spirit so we might shine as lights in the darkness. Do we respect this gift that God has given us to do His will?

Psalm 84:11–12For the LORD God is a sun and shield;the LORD bestows favor and honor.No good thing does he withholdfrom those who walk uprightly.O LORD of hosts,blessed is the one who trusts in you!Last week, we looked at the authors of Psalm 84—the sons of Korah. This week, we'll look at the Psalm itself. I went back and revisited some thoughts from an earlier episode, as well as adding new thoughts and commentary.  Paraphrasing F.B. Meyer: In our need, God becomes exactly what we lack—light in darkness, protection in battle, grace for the moment, and glory to come.I found “grace for the moment” by remembering that God doesn't withhold good. He gives us Himself. He gave us His beloved Son and sent His Holy Spirit to live in us.If you would like to support this podcast with a monthly or one-time donation, thank you!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.sherriyoungward.com/support⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠To find out about upcoming gatherings and new projects, please join my email list at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.sherriyoungward.com