Podcasts about his kingdom

Send us a textThe Lord Jesus planted the flag of His Kingdom at the Resurrection. Now, let's unpack the mission! Join us as Pastor Michael begins a series on Jesus and what happened during His 40 days on earth after the Resurrection!

Faith often becomes a checklist—prayer, scripture study, ministry—rather than a living, breathing relationship with Jesus. In this episode of the Unhurried Living Podcast, Alan Fadling speaks with bestselling author and teacher John Eldredge about shifting from a performance-based spiritual life to one rooted in presence, intimacy, and encounter. We talk about how to slow down in a world that values hustle, how to rediscover wonder in the midst of cynicism, and how to create personal rhythms that foster authentic connection with Jesus. If you long to experience Jesus—really—this conversation is for you. John’s latest book, Experience Jesus—Really., invites readers into a deeper awareness of God’s presence and shows how to move from knowing about God to actually knowing Him in relationship. Whether you feel spiritually dry, distracted by life’s pace, or just want to deepen your walk with Christ, this episode offers practical wisdom and hopeful encouragement. Guest Bio: John Eldredge is a bestselling author, counselor, and the president of Wild at Heart, a ministry devoted to helping people discover the heart of God and live more fully in His Kingdom. His books, including Wild at Heart, Beautiful Outlaw, and Get Your Life Back, have guided millions toward a more vibrant and personal walk with God. Through his teaching, writing, and podcasting, John invites people to experience God not as a distant figure, but as a present and personal friend. Connect with John Eldredge:

Acts 10 tells the story of Cornelius, a Roman centurion who feared God and did good works, but still needed salvation through Jesus. At the same time, God was preparing Peter to overcome cultural boundaries to share the Gospel. This moment marked a historic breakthrough: salvation was not just for the Jews, but for everyone. This story reminds us that God is already moving in the hearts of people before we even show up. As we obey, God opens doors for His Kingdom to be advanced through our lives.Russell TolentinoSunday, June 8, 2025 Live at 6:00 PM

How can a small, unassuming shepherd boy be anointed king over a nation? God only knows. The story of David's life proves exactly that, and it shows us this truth: while we may care about the outward appearances of others, God looks at our hearts. Only He knows who we truly are deep down and only He knows who He has chosen for His Kingdom.

Tom Logue - June 15th 2025   Chapters (00:00:15) - Family Connections(00:01:05) - What is Father's Day?(00:01:38) - Good News and Not So Good News(00:04:47) - Matthew, The King in His Kingdom(00:07:04) - Matthew 15: When Jesus left Jerusalem, He withdrew to the gent(00:11:06) - Jesus Christ's Message to the Lost Sheep(00:16:31) - Jesus Calls a Gentile Woman a Dog(00:17:21) - Jesus Called Gensiles Dogs(00:23:39) - The Test of Woman's Faith(00:29:20) - Great Faith is Possible Even from the Most Likely of Candidates(00:33:38) - Jesus tested the woman(00:38:41) - Jesus: Great Faith is Possible Even from the Most Likely of Cand(00:41:08) - What's the Condition of Your Faith?(00:46:26) - God's Commitment to Your Faith(00:53:20) - Pray for People Who Feel Worn Out

The Tongue Conquers Enemies  (Audio) David Eells 9/22/24   A shaking is on the way. War appears to be breaking out on the surface.  The Covert war between the Alliance and the DS is likely to break out in larger overt operations. The DS has invaded the cities with terrorists and military-aged men and CCP Chinese along with others that are expanding the voter rolls within, in order to overthrow President Trump and the Alliance. They are preparing for terrorist acts because of the Brunson case has gone to the Supreme Court which will overthrow the DS government.  This from Operation Disclosure: The Brunson Brothers Voter Fraud Case before the Supreme Court asked a simple question: Did Congress investigate 50 formally filed allegations of voter fraud before certifying the 2020 Election? Obviously not, and rumor was that the Supreme Court had already ruled such on the case. We awaited an announcement likely in favor of Brunson that would dissolve the Biden Administration and all of Congress, plus bring in Martial Law until a new election was held.  Five separate assassination teams actively targeting President Trump. Three are foreign, two domestic. Three Assassination Attempts have come in the last few weeks. Your prayers and faith have cast down all five of these teams. President Trump is insulated.  Congressman Tim Burchett exposed the CIA's Sinister MK ULTRA plot to assassinate Trump! amg-news.com.  As we will see below your prayers and confession will cast most of the lawlessness down.  The DS anarchists plan on mass anarchy and destruction of cities and the Alliance military is being spread coast to coast before the announcement of the Supreme Court ruling in order to defend the cities and liberty from the lawless left who will not accept democracy. We cast down their weapons of warfare.     A New War Is Coming   Michael Boldea Jr. - 04/06/2007   Jeremiah 50:22 A sound of battle is in the land, and of great destruction. James 5:8 You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.   I dreamt I was hearing what were at first faint hoof beats, but the closer they got, the louder they grew, until it was a thundering roar of not one or two horses but what seemed like hundreds. I felt as though the ground beneath me was shaking from the onrushing horses, and the sound of them became so loud, that I suddenly awoke in my bed. As I blinked a few times, adjusting to the darkness in my room, I noticed a shadow at the foot of my bed. I blinked again, and there stood the same man I have seen on previous occasions, dressed in battle armor, his hands resting atop each other before him, on the hilt of his sword.   “What is the meaning of what I just dreamt?” I asked, somehow knowing he had come to give me the interpretation.   “What you heard”, he began, “were the chariots of war, and they are swiftly approaching. A new war is coming, but it will be unlike this present one. Speak as you have spoken, pray as you have prayed, and walk as you have walked for dark days will soon come upon the land to which you are returning. Even now their enemies plot, even now their enemies unite under one banner, and soon they will make their intentions known to the world. There is no refuge but in the Father, and He will guide and protect those who know His voice”. (And confess His promises.)  I blinked again, and the man was gone, and I was left to ponder the words I had heard. I struggled with whether I should make this dream public, for I know the reaction that some will have to it, and the last thing I desire is to stir fear in the heart of any man. After much prayer I felt I was supposed to publish the dream, and though some may receive it as a reason to fear, the true children of God will receive it for what it was, the forewarning of a loving Father, preparing His children for what is to come. God's desire for us is not ignorance, but rather knowledge, that we may prepare our hearts, in prayer and fasting, that we may draw closer to Him, that we make Him our place of refuge long before hardship forces us to seek one. The wise man prepares, while the foolhardy is caught unaware.   Jeremiah 19:15 Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: 'Behold, I will bring on this city and on all her towns all the doom that I have pronounced against it, because they have stiffened their necks that they might not hear My words.       Terrorists Hiding in the States   Michael Boldea Jr. - May 5, 2003  I dreamt I was on a very high ridge, with a great valley spanning out beneath me. The night was calm, the moon and stars shining brightly in the sky. As I looked around trying to get my bearings, I was stunned to see my grandfather (Dumitru Duduman) standing next to me. He looked young and vibrant, his hands in his pockets, and a smile on his face.   “Interesting times ahead my boy, interesting times ahead”, he said. For a minute I was so shocked I couldn't say anything. Finally I blurted out the only thing that came to mind, “They have been interesting ever since you left. Trial after trial, hardship after hardship”.   “Now you know how Jesus felt when He walked the earth”, he answered, “always doing good, always in the Father's will, yet always mocked and rejected, always misunderstood and despised. Besides, it was all a test anyway”.  “A test of what?” I asked.   “For you personally, God wanted to see if you would stay true to your calling even when all seemed lost. He was preparing you and purging you, refining you, for the time when He will use you, and speak to you as He spoke to me”.   Before I could say anything, he lifted his hand to stop me. His fingers were no longer crooked from his arthritis, they were straight, and normal.   “I know what you're going to say my boy, it's not what you want, it's not what you asked for. But you should know by now it is the task you were chosen for. In this you have no choice, besides where can you hide from the face of God? Men have tried before, look how it turned out in the end. To reject what God has planned for you is to deny God. You know what the consequences are”. Unable to find the words to answer, I simply nodded my understanding and allowed him to continue speaking.   “As for why the ministry had to go through what it went through, God has already spoken that to your heart. You already know the answer. God wants all that know of this work, to be certain of one thing. It is He who sustains it; it is He who blesses it, and not the hands of men or their gimmicks. Do you think any of it would still be here after all that has happened if not for God? Never doubt Gods promises concerning this work, or His ability to fulfill them. Hope in God never disappoints; hope in man always leads to disillusionment.” (Amen. God has been preparing and sanctifying His Reformers to be leaders for the soon coming tribulation.)   “Now for the reason I am here. I was sent to show you something. Look and see”, he said, pointing down to the valley below. As I looked, I saw the outline of a map of America then the outlines of states began taking shape. As I continued to watch this map solidify, small lights began to flicker on and off in some of the states. I recognized California, Illinois, Michigan, Arizona, Washington State, Florida, and New York, among the states that lit up. The light was rhythmic, almost like a homing beacon, constant in its progression. I continued watching the lights go on and off, waiting for something else to happen, but nothing did. Finally I said, “I don't understand. What does this mean?”   “These are the places where those who were sent here long ago, to bring fear and cause chaos, have situated themselves. They lay in waiting, planning and plotting destruction. They are as coiled serpents, looking forward to the hour when they will be loosed upon this nation. If God's children pray, once more will He delay the season of sorrow that is yet to come”. (I believe He has done this.)   We stood on the ridge in silence for a long time. After a while the lights stopped flickering in the valley below, and the map began to fade away. Suddenly my grandfather turned his head toward the east, and began to sniff the air as he used to do. “Storms coming my boy, and it's a bad one”, he said. “Now give an old man a hug and let me be on my way. Be vigilant and work while you still can, it's all God asks of any of His servants. If the Father wills it, we will speak again”.   As I hugged my grandfather, I began to hear the rumbling of a great storm. The sky darkened overhead, and the booming of thunder was now audible. In my dream I closed my eyes, and when I opened them again, I was in my bed, awake. I wiped at my cheeks with the back of my hand, and realized I had been crying. As my eyes began to adjust to the dark, I saw that my wife was sitting up in bed, staring at me. When I asked her why she wasn't sleeping, she said I'd been talking in my sleep for over thirty minutes. I tried going back to sleep but sleep would not come. Finally I gave up trying, went into the kitchen and prayed until morning.   Over the past few days, I have spent much time in prayer as to whether I should share this dream or not. I believe that I am supposed to. My prayer is that no one would perceive it as a reason for fear, but rather a reason to hope. God hears the prayers of His children, and as long as He encourages us to pray, we must do so without reservation. The day will come, a day I anticipate with great dread, when God will speak to His children as He spoke to Jeremiah, and say do not pray for this people, or lift up a cry for them any longer. For now, while we still can, may we ceaselessly bring our petitions before the Lord.       Our Secret Place of Safety   David Eells   Everyone is looking for the place of safety in the tribulations to come. One man says the safe place is to be with the Ark of the Covenant, which is said to be in a Chapel next to St Mary of Zion, Ethiopian Orthodox Church in Axum, Ethiopia. I believe that Solomon gave a copy of the Ark to the Queen of Sheba who carried it there.   Be that as it may; God no longer dwells in houses made by men, so the ark is a relic. (Acts 7:47) But Solomon built him (God) a house. (48) Howbeit the Most High dwelleth not in [houses] made with hands. That just tells us that the ark in the temple was just a type and shadow of Jesus in His body. As He said, “I in them, and thou in me, that they may be perfected into one” (Jn.17:23). God now dwells in the ark of Christ and Christ now dwells in the Body of Christ. In us He is the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein [was] a golden pot holding the manna (of the Word in us), and Aaron's rod that budded (a sign of the authority of the High Priest in us), and the tables of the covenant (of the law written on our heart) (Heb.9:4).   The presence of the Ark ensured Israel of victory and protection. When the Philistines captured the Ark it brought a curse on them so terrible that they sent it home with an offering. On the other hand Jesus said in (Mat.5:13) Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost its savor, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out and trodden under foot of men.   Another brother asked me if I thought the Christians will flee for safety to the city of Petra in Jordan. I told him that I thought Petra would be far too small to accommodate them and it would be a natural trap where they could be wiped out. I do believe that some natural Jews will find shelter in Petra, which is the Greek word for “rock”. However, spiritual Jews who are circumcised in heart, have the spiritual Rock of Jesus as a place of safety. Jesus said that standing on Him was the place where Hell had no power over us. (Mat.16:18) And I also say unto thee, that thou art Peter (Gr: “Petros”, meaning a piece of the rock), and upon this rock (Greek: Petra) I will build my church; and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. Jesus is our rock of safety.   Peter himself said that Jesus was the Rock that we are to be founded on. (1Pet.2:5) ye also, as living stones, are built up a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. (6) Because it is contained in scripture, Behold, I lay in Zion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: And he that believeth on him shall not be put to shame. (7) For you therefore that believe is the preciousness: but for such as disbelieve, The stone which the builders rejected, The same was made the head of the corner; (8) and, A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence; for they stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. The disobedient stumble through unbelief in the Word and so are not founded on the Rock. Judgment will take them away wherever they hide.   Those who are obedient to the Word through faith are on the safety of the Rock. (Mat.7:24) Every one therefore that heareth these words of mine, and doeth them, shall be likened unto a wise man, who built his house upon the rock: (25) and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and if fell not: for it was founded upon the rock. (26) And every one that heareth these words of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand: (27) and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and smote upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall thereof. The apostate churches belittle obedience to the Word because of their unbelief.  We don't stand on the Rock in our own strength but our faith gives us God's strength. My wife had a dream of me after we first became Christians. She saw me standing on a Rock in the middle of the ocean. I had leg braces on like crippled people wear to strengthen their legs. I perceived that the Rock was Christ or the Word and the ocean was the curse as was the flood. In our own strength we are crippled and not able to stand on the Word, but the filling of His Spirit and faith in His promises empowers us to be what we normally are not.   It has come to me that only the rich in a time of economic collapse and wrath would be able to fly to the city of Petra, but salvation is for the poor. No amount of money can buy us safety, because it is not a place but a state of being. (Pr.11:4) Riches profit not in the day of wrath; but righteousness delivereth from death. (6) The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them; But the treacherous shall be taken in their own iniquity.   Faith in the Lord makes Him our secret refuge. (Psa.91:1) He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. Notice the confession that puts us on the Rock. (2) I will say of Jehovah, He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in whom I trust. The secret place of safety will be hidden to many who are only called “Christian” but the righteous are safe right in the middle of judgment. (7) A thousand shall fall at thy side, And ten thousand at thy right hand; [But] it shall not come nigh thee. (8) Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold, And see the reward of the wicked. (The good confession that puts us in safety.)  9 For thou, O Jehovah, art my refuge! Thou hast made the Most High thy habitation; 10  There shall no evil befall thee, Neither shall any plague come nigh thy tent. God's angels will protect the righteous wherever they are. (11) For he will give his angels charge over thee, To keep thee in all thy ways. (12) They shall bear thee up in their hands, Lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. They do this for the righteous who believe. (Gal.3:13) Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us; for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: (14) that upon the Gentiles might come the blessing of Abraham in Christ Jesus.   A friend of mine had a very clear dream about the coming invasion of America. He said everyone in the Gulf States was fleeing toward the north to get as far away from the invading army as possible. He was going to get on a shuttle and go too, but the Lord told him to give his place to someone else and sent him and his family into a local city that had been nuked. He had no fear of the radiation or the enemy. It is obvious that God's people will not need to follow the world's example. Paul was not hiding but sharing the Gospel in the most effective time to do so. He said, “[in] journeyings often, [in] perils of rivers, [in] perils of robbers, [in] perils from [my] countrymen, [in] perils from the Gentiles, [in] perils in the city, [in] perils in the wilderness, [in] perils in the sea, [in] perils among false brethren” (2 Cor.11:26).   The Lord told me that this time represented the second 3½ years of the tribulation period. Paul also said, “what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me” (2Tim.3:11). He also said, “But the Lord stood by me, and strengthened me; that through me the message might be fully proclaimed, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. The Lord will deliver me from every evil work, and will save me unto his heavenly kingdom” (2Tim.4:17,18).   If one is called to be a martyr, they will have the protection of God until their testimony is finished and even then only their flesh will be given up for a sacrifice. (Rev.11:7) And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that cometh up out of the abyss shall make war with them, and overcome them, and kill them.      Agree with the Blessed Provisions   David  We are in a battle which can be won by those who will speak the Word of the Lord and confess His promises for safety and provision. The Bible tells us that Death and life are in the power of the tongue (Pro.18:21). Let's look at how we can cooperate with God in the process of sanctification so that we are those who speak life and partake of the benefits of the Kingdom and able to give them to others. (Jas.3:8) But the tongue can no man tame; [it is] a restless evil, [it is] full of deadly poison. (9) Therewith bless we the Lord and Father; and therewith curse we men, who are made after the likeness of God: (10) out of the same mouth cometh forth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. (11) Doth the fountain send forth from the same opening [sweet water] and bitter? (12) can a fig tree, my brethren, yield olives, or a vine figs? neither [can] salt water yield sweet. We want to learn by the grace of God to bring forth those “sweet waters” so that we will not suffer with the wicked.  When Moses and the children of Israel came up to Marah, meaning “bitterness” (Exo 15:22-25), they couldn't drink the water. God commanded that a tree be cast into the waters so that they would be made sweet. Marah represents the bitter waters of the fountain, or mouth, which were cured by the tree, representing the Cross. The Cross has conquered our tongue and has given us this gift of the sweet waters so we can bring forth blessings, instead of the cursings, out of this spring of our mouth. Believe this.  The Bible also tells us, The heart of the wise instructeth his mouth, And addeth learning to his lips (Pro.16:23). So we want to educate ourselves to be swift to hear, slow to speak and slow to wrath (Jas.1:19). We need to think about what we are saying and disagree with the devil because he tempts us to speak the things under the curse and not the things of the Kingdom. The Lord is helping us and He has already conquered the tongue, which no man can tame, but the Lord can through His Word and promises. Jesus was the sacrifice Who gave us a new tongue through the reconciliation.   It says in (Jos.1:6) Be strong and of good courage; for thou shalt cause this people to inherit the land which I sware unto their father to give them. (7) Only be strong and very courageous, to observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest have good success whithersoever thou goest. Notice that God said that Joshua (Hebrew: “Jesus”) was going to cause His people to be brought into their inherited Promised Land. This land belongs to us, not every Pagen alien they can invade us with and we will win this battle with them.  We know that the Promised Land is also us. Heb 6:7-8 For the land which hath drunk the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them for whose sake it is also tilled, receiveth blessing from God: 8 but if it beareth thorns and thistles, it is rejected and nigh unto a curse; whose end is to be burned. Jesus bore this curse let us confess Him before men.  The Son of God is being manifested in His people. (Col.1:27) … Christ in you, the hope of glory. He is a product of the Word of God being assimilated in our life and mouth; Christ is the Word of God (John 1:14). He saved us from our enemies. (Luk.1:70-74) (As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets that have been from of old), 71 Salvation from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us; ...74 To grant unto us that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies Should serve him without fear,  You crucify the spiritual man when you walk and talk in the flesh and for those who have been filled with the Holy Spirit and enlightened, who have tasted of the heavenly gift, this will become a curse unto them. (Heb.6:7) For the land which hath drunk the rain (Those who have partaken of the Word from heaven.) that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them for whose sake it is also tilled, receiveth blessing from God: (8) but if it beareth thorns and thistles, it is rejected and nigh unto a curse; whose end is to be burned. The word “rejected” is adokimos, meaning, specifically, “reprobated.” The apostle Paul said that he kept his body under control if, perhaps, after he had preached to others, he himself would be “rejected” or “reprobated” (1Co 9:27). This has been demonstrated to us.   God doesn't reprobate land; He reprobates people. The Bible is very plain; in the original Greek, we are God's “tilled land” (1Co.3:9). God wants to plow this earth, our natural life, and plant His seed in the midst of it, bringing forth the fruit of Jesus Christ in us. The land that Joshua wants to cause us to inherit is referring to our new fruit and life. Part of that is our bold faith. The spiritual man, the Israelite, is to conquer this land with the edge of the Sword, the Word of God. The spiritual man is to take the land from the enemy, the Canaanite and live in his house, our body, and plant his crop and bear the fruit of the spiritual man.   (Jos.1:7) Only be strong and very courageous, to observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest have good success whithersoever thou goest. Notice that turning to the right or left would cause failure to take our Promised Land from the enemies.   I had a dream many years ago where I was standing on a mountain, looking down into a valley and a road that went down the side of this mountain. The road had a ditch or trench down the middle of it. I was in a car, with one set of tires on one side of the trench and the other set on the other side, going down this road to the bottom of the mountain. I realized I couldn't turn to the right or the left because, if I did, two wheels would fall into the trench and that would be the end of any progress; I wouldn't go any farther. I steered very carefully, not to the right and not to the left, as I went down this mountain. Let us speak what the Word says about us.  The Lord gave me the understanding afterward that this mountain represented the kingdom of the world – man, self or the old life. I was to navigate this road and not turn to the right or left, until I got off of this mountain. As soon as I was at the bottom, I immediately realized that there were enemies everywhere. To the extent that we humble ourselves to the Word of God, going down the mountain of “self,” the more enemies we will have, even religious enemies or so-called “Christian” enemies. (2Ti.3:12) … All that would live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. But as we hold fast to the confession of our hope the enemies will be conquered as our faction was and the political faction shall be. (Luk10:19) Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall in any wise hurt you.  Most of the persecution toward Jesus and the disciples came from the people who called themselves the “people of God” but were not. When I got to the bottom and knew that the enemy was everywhere, I went under a bush and there I found tools that I picked up, and treated them as if they were treasure. These tools were hammers, screwdrivers, wrenches and so on. The Lord later revealed to me that these tools represented the authority to bind and loose (Mat 18:18), as all of these tools do. The Lord made me to know I was coming to a time, when under the bush, I was going to manifest more of this authority. Let us bind our enemies in the name of Jesus.   At the time of the burning bush, Moses was given authority to go into Egypt to act for the Lord. I've been binding and loosing for many years but I believe that we're coming to a time of real power from God. It's only going to come to those who humble themselves and don't turn to the right or to the left, but stay on God's road, a self-crucifying path of obedience to the Word of God. When I picked up these tools, I went up another mountain, which represented Mount Zion. I went through the front doors of a great temple, which I believe represented the New Jerusalem on Mount Zion and I saw Jesus sitting on His throne. I went over and sat down next to Him, as He said that overcomers would do. (Rev.3:21) He that overcometh, I will give to him to sit down with me in my throne, as I also overcame, and sat down with my Father in his throne. This is the throne of dominion over our enemies.  As I was speaking with Jesus, I heard people trying to come into the throne room by a back way and not through the door that I had come through. Jesus is the door in John 10:1. Jesus saw these people and said, “Don't worry about them; they can't come in here.” So these were people looking for “throne room” authority but they wouldn't humble themselves to the Word of God personally. The Pharisees only had physical authority as in our day. God will give authority only to those who overcome according to Rev 2:26. Back to (Jos.1:8) This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth, but thou shalt meditate thereon day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. The spiritual man speaks the Word so that as you walk, it will bring good success when conquering our Promised Land for the Lord. The first fruits are approaching this point. We must speak according to God's promises, even in the midst of the fiery trial. As Christians, we “calleth the things that are not, as though they were” (Rom.4:17). We speak the things we have according to promise and not according to what we see in the world. This is how we change the things around us. This is God's plan. We let the Word, or our agreement with the Word in what we say, come from our mouth so that we may have good success in conquering our Promised Land.   Further on in Joshua, we see that he is still leading the people of God to conquer their Promised Land in order to put to death their enemies there. In this particular case, the head of God's people, Joshua, is conquering the Amorites. (Jos.10:12) Then spake Joshua to the Lord in the day when the Lord delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel; and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; And thou, Moon, in the valley of Aijalon. I believe God is showing us here to what extent He would go to give our enemy into our hands, if we would speak the Word with boldness.   (Jos.10:8) And the Lord said unto Joshua, Fear them not: for I have delivered them into thy hands; there shall not a man of them stand before thee. On a personal and spiritual level that “man” He was referring to was the old man who lived in the Promised Land of our life before the new man took possession. He represented the lusts of the flesh, which would not be able to stand. On a physical and political level it would be the DS and their invading army. Joshua and the children of Israel were having victory over the Amorites but they were running out of time. Remember, the Lord said that if we confess Him before men, He shall confess us before the Father in Mat 10:32.   Likewise, Joshua confessed in the sight of Israel. He was bold and full of faith and he spoke it right in front of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; And thou, Moon, in the valley of Aijalon (Jos.10:12). (13) And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, Until the nation had avenged themselves of their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jashar? And the sun stayed in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day.   Now at first, I thought God just stopped Earth from spinning, but I later realized that the moon stayed in the same relative position as the sun and Earth didn't spin. It's possible the whole solar system had stopped. This is a very dangerous thing to do, unless you also control the rest of the universe. Things would tend toward collision down the road somewhere. Can you imagine that God stopped the solar system and more, just so Israel could conquer their enemy? What kind of other big miracle can you imagine that God would do for us to give us victory over our enemy? God gave the Israelites an awesome victory over their enemies! Of course, they needed the time and, for a whole day, the system was frozen. We have all heard of NASA finding the missing day so they could calculate where things would be at a certain time.  People claim that God only did that back then and does not do that today, simply because of the verse right after it. (Jos.10:14) And there was no day like that before it or after it, that the Lord hearkened unto the voice of a man: for the Lord fought for Israel. Well, the Lord still hearkens unto our voice, for many people speak miracles today and they come to pass as they did in the Bible long after Joshua. The key here is “voice of a man” The creation now hearkens to the voice of God through man.  Jesus said, the words that I have spoken unto you are spirit, and are life (Joh.6:63), meaning they are His Spirit and His life. In other words, it's the life of God living in us; it's the spiritual man who speaks in agreement with the Word of God. Also, it is the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (Eph.6:17). Therefore, it's not as if God is hearkening unto the voice of a man, but He is hearkening unto the voice of His sons. That spiritual man in us is not man, but God. The Son of God is manifesting in His people speaking His Words out of us. When we come into agreement with the Word, we can be trusted. The Lord said, If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatsoever ye will, and it shall be done unto you (Joh.15:7). Why? The Word in you is trustworthy to God. If you fill yourself up with the Word and you desire earnestly to walk in agreement with it, God says you're trustworthy.   A long time after Joshua, the Lord wrote this: (Isa.45:11) Thus saith the Lord, the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker: Ask me of the things that are to come; concerning my sons, and concerning the work of my hands, command ye me. Does God really do that? When you command something to be done, like when His disciples commanded healings, deliverances, provision and so on, God fulfilled it. God gave them the authority, which is the right to use power and it's what we do when we speak in agreement with the Word of God. In effect, what we are doing is commanding God, since He said that if we do, He will do it and Jesus said the same.   Psalm 8 was spoken concerning the natural Adam and his seed, but also in type to spiritual Adam, Jesus Christ, and His seed. (Psa.8:6) Thou makest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; Thou hast put all things under his feet. This was said of man and the Son of man. Jesus said that God had given Him authority because He is son of man (Joh.5:27). Man was given authority on the earth but when Adam sinned, he lost that authority to Satan. However, we gained it back through Jesus Christ because He was faithful. We now have this authority over the works of God's hands when we speak in agreement with the Word of God and He fulfills it. (Lam.3:37) Who is he that saith, and it cometh to pass, when the Lord commandeth it not?   The next thing we see in Joshua is that they went after the five kings who were ruling the Promised Land. (Jos.10:16) And these five kings fled, and hid themselves in the cave at Makkedah. (17) And it was told Joshua, saying, The five kings are found, hidden in the cave at Makkedah. (18) And Joshua said, Roll great stones unto the mouth of the cave, and set men by it to keep them: (19) but stay not ye; pursue after your enemies, and smite the hindmost of them; suffer them not to enter into their cities: for the Lord your God hath delivered them into your hand. The first thing they did was trap the five kings in the cave and then they rolled great stones over the mouth of the cave.   Adam was created from the dust of the earth and this old man is earthly, but as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly (1Co.15:49). We are both earthly and heavenly, a spiritual man of the heavens and the carnal man of the earth represented by this cave in the earth. The carnal man of the earth has a mouth and here it's called “the mouth of the cave.” The Lord made the spiritual men roll these great stones over the mouth of the cave. The five kings represent the five senses and the spiritual man put stones, which represent the Word, over the mouth so the carnal senses are not permitted to speak and bring a curse.   The Bible says that senses must be exercised by the Word of God so that we understand the difference between good and evil. (Heb.5:13) For every one that partaketh of milk is without experience of the word of righteousness; for he is a babe. (14) But solid food is for fullgrown men, [even] those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern good and evil. Born-again people have born-again senses. As spiritual men, we must have spiritual senses. Our carnal senses trap and rule over us and our land when we live according to what we see, hear and feel as the old man and the world does.   God teaches us how to spiritually see in (2Pe.1:3) Seeing that his divine power hath granted unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that called us by his own glory and virtue. We see that God has already provided us everything that pertains unto life and godliness! Now you have the eyes of a dove (Son 1:15). You have the eyes of the Spirit when you begin to see that the promises are true, but the world is transitory. (2Pe.1:4) Whereby he hath granted unto us his precious and exceeding great promises (the stones at the mouth of the cave); that through these ye may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world by lust.   Having eyes to see, we can partake of God's nature. We will have spiritual eyes, ears, touch, spiritual smell (or discernment), spiritual taste and words. We've been given these spiritual gifts that enable the spiritual man to take over. The Israelites had captured the five kings who ruled the Promised Land in a cave and they closed up the mouth with great stones. And we know, Jesus is the Stone; He's the Rock which is the Word of God. These great stones represent the great promises of the Word of God. We're adding learning to our lips, which are the “mouth of the cave.”   When we study the Word of God, we learn and see what we are supposed to say and what we're not supposed to say. It gives us restraint to not say things that would permit a curse upon our life. The Israelites had to conquer the Promised Land, and conquer these kings that ruled over the carnal man and bring the curse upon him. And this is what the parable points to – rolling out those stones in front of the mouth. (Eph.4:29) Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but such as is good for edifying (building-up) as the need may be, that it may give grace to them that hear.   We can see that we can apply many verses when speaking of conquering the DS with all their invaders who are getting ready to overthrow this land we live in. Just a couple come quickly to mind. (Mat.18:18-19) Verily I say unto you, What things soever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and what things soever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 19 Again I say unto you, that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father who is in heaven. And (Mar.11:23-24) Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou taken up and cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that what he saith cometh to pass; he shall have it. 24 Therefore I say unto you, All things whatsoever ye pray and ask for, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. These will come in useful when the invaders rise up.  If we see and walk in the Spirit, then we speak in agreement with the Spirit. (2Co.7:1) Having therefore these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. Our nature is changed by the Word of God when …we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord the Spirit. (2Co 3:18) When we see a need, such as someone living under the curse, we should speak truth with grace to them to overcome, grace to meet that need, whatever it may be. When we speak according to the Kingdom, we are meeting someone's need for God and His benefits. Saving this country from the invaders to whatever extent God permits is a need.  They will be permitted to persecute the apostate Church for it is in rebellion to the Word of our covenant. (Col.3:17) And whatsoever ye do, in word or in deed, [do] all in the name (Greek: “nature, character and authority”) of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Do everything as if you are representing Him because you are an ambassador of Christ (2Co 5:20), so speak His words to this world and His enemies. We're called to confess Him before men always and to speak in His name.   (1Pe.4:11) If any man speaketh, speaking as it were oracles of God; if any man ministereth, [ministering] as of the strength which God supplieth: that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, whose is the glory and the dominion for ever and ever. Amen. When we speak as an oracle of God, that is His Word coming out of us, we're letting the spiritual man, who is in communication with God through our spirit, do the speaking. We don't let the carnal man, the flesh, do the speaking.   To walk holy is to walk separate. The Greek word for “holy” is the same word for “sanctified” and it means “separate”; that is, separated from the world, from sin, separated unto God. We speak His words, think His thoughts and we do His works because He lives in us. The more we do that, the more we grow in holiness. It's the place of Holiness, preservation and provision. Without holiness, no man can see the Lord (Heb 12:14). Holiness is what we grow in when we bear the fruit of Jesus Christ. It is separation from the old man, who is moved and ruled by the carnal senses, unto the new man, who is ruled according to the spiritual senses.   Now let's go to (Isa.11:2) And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord. (3) And his delight shall be in the fear of the Lord; and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither decide after the hearing of his ears; (4) but with righteousness shall he judge the poor (This is poor in the things of the Kingdom), and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth; and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. (5) And righteousness shall be the girdle of his waist, and faithfulness the girdle of his loins.   He's talking about Christ in His first-fruits Man-child in the end-time who will not walk according to the carnal senses because he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither decide after the hearing of his ears (Isa.11:3). Instead, we are to have our senses exercised to discern good from evil (Heb 5:14) by the Word of God, which is the washing of water with the word (Eph.5:26). As our senses are exercised, we begin to see and hear spiritually; we begin to hear and speak the Voice of the Spirit.   It's similar to when David went to slay Goliath, the giant in the land. He went to the brook and pulled out those five smooth stones that were exercised by the washing of the water, which represents the Word. He took only one of those stones and he felled Goliath (1Sa 17). David spoke it to him ahead of time, declaring that he would take off Goliath's head and feed him to the birds. That's very bold! And because David spoke it, that's exactly what he did. The stone, or sense, that David was using was the tongue. The tongue senses tastes but it also speaks the Word. David conquered Goliath because he had spiritual senses.   Now we can return to Joshua. He told the Israelites to go after their enemies, since the five kings were already trapped in the cave and closed off with the stones. Now they were able to conquer those whom the kings had ruled over. (Jos.10:20) And it came to pass, when Joshua and the children of Israel had made an end of slaying them with a very great slaughter, till they were consumed, and the remnant which remained of them had entered into the fortified cities, (21) that all the people returned to the camp to Joshua at Makkedah in peace: none moved his tongue against any of the children of Israel.   (22) Then said Joshua, Open the mouth of the cave, and bring forth those five kings unto me out of the cave. (23) And they did so, and brought forth those five kings unto him out of the cave, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, the king of Eglon. (24) And it came to pass, when they brought forth those kings unto Joshua, that Joshua called for all the men of Israel, and said unto the chiefs of the men of war that went with him, Come near, put your feet upon the necks of these kings. And they came near, and put their feet upon the necks of them.   They let them out of the cave and they had to keep them from speaking, so they put their feet on their necks. It reminds me of the dream I've shared before about being in a war with a giant and not letting the old man speak. When he did, he said, “Bigger, bigger, bigger!” We have a lot of giants around us – a lot of big problems and a lot of big enemies. But we can't let the old man, whom I captured in the dream and who was in bondage to me, speak out of our mouth. I didn't want to let him speak because the old man has the authority to make the situation worse and make the enemy stronger and bigger. I refused him and demanded that the giant be reduced, saying, “No! Smaller, smaller, smaller.”   Similarly, the Israelites put their feet on the kings' necks, causing the five senses to not speak or to rule over the body. (Jos.10:25) And Joshua said unto them, Fear not, nor be dismayed; be strong and of good courage: for thus shall the Lord do to all your enemies against whom ye fight. (Notice, you speak the Word and the Lord will do it. In Rev.12:11, the devil and his angels were cast down by the “word of their testimony” of the saints.)  (26) And afterward Joshua smote them, and put them to death, and hanged them on five trees: and they were hanging upon the trees until the evening. Notice that all of our enemies, firstly our old man, will be conquered in this way. Father said against Babylon in Jer.51:3 …Utterly destroy all her army. We are not permitted to wrestle with flesh nor use fleshly weapons but to “resist not” and if opportunity arises we are to preach Christ to them.  But we have authority over all their power and that includes the principalities and powers. (Luk.10:19) Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall in any wise hurt you. As an example to us, before Jesus' time of crucifixion, when the Jews sought to throw him off a cliff, he just passed through their midst unharmed. I was shot at by an assassin from close range and my angel made the bullet disappear. A tractor back blade was thrown straight at my head by a demon, while Michael watched, but all I felt was a finger on my nose pushing me to the ground with zero pain. That was just ahead of the blade. Michael was sure it had hit and killed me.  My tractor wheel fell into a hole and the tractor was flipping into a gully. I was looking straight down at the ground when the tractor uprighted with me stuck in the seat. It was a work of our satanists. Several other times I escaped them. (Luk.1:68) ...For he hath visited and wrought redemption for his people... 71 Salvation from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us...74 To grant unto us that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies Should serve him without fear.  Jesus Christ was hanged upon a tree, or cross, and they wanted to take Him down before evening, too. Jesus also was buried in a cave. So why is God applying this to the senses of the old man? (Gal.2:20) I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I that live, but Christ living in me: and that life which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, the faith which is in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me. That includes our five senses. The Lord has already taken care of this problem when He was crucified on that tree and you were crucified with Him. You have been given this gift of the new man, for by one offering he hath perfected forever them that are sanctified (Heb.10:14).  We walk in the spirit according to these divine senses that are attuned to the Kingdom of Heaven. These senses see how to walk in the Kingdom. It comes quite naturally to us to walk in the world but it comes supernaturally to us to walk in the Kingdom; that is, to have our senses exercised by the Word of God to see and hear the way God sees and hears, and to smell, or discern, the way God does. It is also to have our emotions in communication with God.   We have the victory over the old man and his senses because he's dead and the new man, Who is Jesus Christ, lives in you. Because of your faith and speaking that faith, God will bring it to pass. He will do it through our faith and not by our works. (Eph.2:8) For by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, [it is] the gift of God; (9) not of works, that no man should glory.   Father, we pray that You will (Psa.141:3) Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; Keep the door of my lips. Amen.  So we know that in the Kingdom of Heaven, there is singing, praise, worship and thanksgiving to the Lord our King. When we do this, we are bringing more of His Kingdom down here to earth. (Mat.6:10)  We have ‘authority over all the power of the enemy' (Luk.10:19). We have power in praise. When we praise the Lord, He gives us the victory!       Worship and Praise   Vines Expository Dictionary on the Greek word Worship: “to make obeisance, do reverence to” (from pros, “towards”, and kuneo, “to kiss”), is the most frequent word rendered “to worship”. It is used of an act of homage or reverence. In other words, worship is an act of love toward God.   Father is looking for those who worship Him with their all: (Joh.4:21) Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when neither in this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, shall ye worship the Father. (22) Ye worship that which ye know not: we worship that which we know; for salvation is from the Jews. (23) But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth: for such doth the Father seek to be his worshippers. (24) God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship in spirit and truth. There is much fake worship -- words without heart and spirit.   Worship is the way to bring God's presence: (Psa.100:1) Make a joyful noise unto Jehovah, all ye lands. (2) Serve Jehovah with gladness: Come before his presence with singing. (3) Know ye that Jehovah, he is God: It is he that hath made us, and we are his; We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. (4) Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, And into his courts with praise: Give thanks unto him, and bless his name. (5) For Jehovah is good; His lovingkindness endureth forever, And his faithfulness unto all generations.   Worship reveals our love and admiration for God and He knows it: (1Ch.29:11) Thine, O Jehovah, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O Jehovah, and thou art exalted as head above all.   Praise Him everywhere, with a new song that comes from your heart, and dancing and with all instruments and enemies will be conquered: (Psa.149:1) Praise ye Jehovah. Sing unto Jehovah a new song, And his praise in the assembly of the saints. (2) Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: Let the children of Zion be joyful in their King. (3) Let them praise his name in the dance: Let them sing praises unto him with timbrel and harp. (4) For Jehovah taketh pleasure in his people: He will beautify the meek with salvation. (5) Let the saints exult in glory: Let them sing for joy upon their beds. (This will bind our enemies works against us.)  (7)  To execute vengeance upon the nations, And punishments upon the peoples;  (8)  To bind their kings with chains, And their nobles with fetters of iron;  (9)  To execute upon them the judgment written: This honor have all his saints. Praise ye Jehovah. (Children can conquer enemies in worship.) Psa 8:2  Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou established strength, Because of thine adversaries, That thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger. (150:1) Praise ye Jehovah. Praise God in his sanctuary: Praise him in the firmament of his power. (2) Praise him for his mighty acts: Praise him according to his excellent greatness. (3) Praise him with trumpet sound: Praise him with psaltery and harp. (4) Praise him with timbrel and dance: Praise him with stringed instruments and pipe. (5) Praise him with loud cymbals: Praise him with high sounding cymbals. (6) Let everything that hath breath praise Jehovah. Praise ye Jehovah. It is the will of the Lord to worship in songs and hymns: (Eph.5:17) Wherefore be ye not foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. (18) And be not drunken with wine, wherein is riot, but be filled with the Spirit; 19 speaking one to another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; (20) giving thanks always for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; We give thanks to God; this is a secret of power because we believe we have already received what we asked, right?   Praise (meaning “brag on”) Him to everyone: (1Ch.16:23) Sing unto Jehovah, all the earth; Show forth his salvation from day to day. (24) Declare his glory among the nations, His marvelous works among all the peoples. (25) For great is Jehovah, and greatly to be praised: He also is to be feared above all gods. (26) For all the gods of the peoples are idols: But Jehovah made the heavens. (27) Honor and majesty are before him: Strength and gladness are in his place. (28) Ascribe unto Jehovah, ye kindreds of the peoples, Ascribe unto Jehovah glory and strength; (29) Ascribe unto Jehovah the glory due unto his name: Bring an offering, and come before him: Worship Jehovah in holy array. (30) Tremble before him, all the earth: The world also is established that it cannot be moved. (31) Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; And let them say among the nations, Jehovah reigneth.   We are taught to worship, praise and pray with hands lifted up to the Lord: (1Ti.2:8) I desire therefore that the men pray in every place, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and disputing. (Psa.63:4) So will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name. (Lam.3:41) Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto God in the heavens. (Neh.8:6) and Ezra blessed Jehovah, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with the lifting up of their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshipped Jehovah with their faces to the ground.   Why lifting up hands? Offering our hands to the Lord for His works and to conquer His enemies: (Exo.17:9) And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: to-morrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in my hand. (10) So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. (11) And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed; and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. (12) But Moses' hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; And his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. (13) And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.   Worship and praise will conquer overwhelming enemies: (2Ch.20:17) Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of Jehovah with you, O Judah and Jerusalem; fear not, nor be dismayed: to-morrow go out against them: for Jehovah is with you. (18) And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground; and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before Jehovah, worshipping Jehovah. (19) And the Levites, of the children of the Kohathites and of the children of the Korahites, stood up to praise Jehovah, the God of Israel, with an exceeding loud voice.   (20) And they rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa: and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem: believe in Jehovah your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper. (21) And when he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed them that should sing unto Jehovah, and give praise in holy array, as they went out before the army, and say, Give thanks unto Jehovah; for his lovingkindness endureth forever. (22) And when they began to sing and to praise, Jehovah set liers-in-wait against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, that were come against Judah; and they were smitten. (The angels will smite the enemies in the land.)  Worship to bind the enemy and their kings: (Psa.149:6) Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, And a two-edged sword in their hand; (7) To execute vengeance upon the nations, And punishments upon the peoples; (The Lord is doing this.) (8) To bind their kings with chains, And their nobles with fetters of iron; (9) To execute upon them the judgment written: This honor have all his saints. Praise ye Jehovah.   Because judgment and enemies are near, fear God and worship Him: (Rev.14:7) and he saith with a great voice, Fear God, and give him glory; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made the heaven and the earth and sea and fountains of waters. (Dan.3:16) Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer thee in this matter. (17) If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace; and he will deliver us out of thy hand, O king. (18) But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.   (2Ki.17:38) and the covenant that I have made with you ye shall not forget; neither shall ye fear other gods: (39) but Jehovah your God shall ye fear; and he will deliver you out of the hand of all your enemies.   We can clap and shout our triumph over our enemies. Triumph is celebrating the victory before we see it: (Psa.47:1) Oh clap your hands, all ye peoples; Shout unto God with the voice of triumph. (Jos.6:20) So the people shouted, and the priests blew the trumpets; and it came to pass, when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, that the people shouted with a great shout, and the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city.   Praise in Hebrew is “Hallal”, meaning brag on the Lord. Give credit or ascribe to the Lord: (Psa.29:1) Ascribe unto Jehovah, O ye sons of the mighty, Ascribe unto Jehovah glory and strength. (2) Ascribe unto Jehovah the glory due unto his name; Worship Jehovah in holy array. (3) The voice of Jehovah is upon the waters: The God of glory thundereth, Even Jehovah upon many waters. (4) The voice of Jehovah is powerful; The voice of Jehovah is full of majesty. (5) The voice of Jehovah breaketh the cedars; Yea, Jehovah breaketh in pieces the cedars of Lebanon. When we speak in agreement with the Word of God, we are giving “voice” to the Word and the angels hearken to His voice. (Psa.103:20) Bless Jehovah, ye his angels, That are mighty in strength, that fulfil his word, Hearkening unto the voice of his word. Amen! 

Listen to a powerful message of hope from Ps Luke de Jong (Senior Leader) as we explore what it means to steward what God has so generously given us, so that we could serve His Kingdom and the world around us well with our generosity.If you would like to know more about Expansion, head to lifenz.org/expansion_To find out more about LIFE, visit us at lifenz.org

Acts 10 tells the story of Cornelius, a Roman centurion who feared God and did good works, but still needed salvation through Jesus. At the same time, God was preparing Peter to overcome cultural boundaries to share the Gospel. This moment marked a historic breakthrough: salvation was not just for the Jews, but for everyone. This story reminds us that God is already moving in the hearts of people before we even show up. As we obey, God opens doors for His Kingdom to be advanced through our lives.Pastor Parris HayashiSunday June 15, 2025 Live at 9:15 AM

Acts 10 tells the story of Cornelius, a Roman centurion who feared God and did good works, but still needed salvation through Jesus. At the same time, God was preparing Peter to overcome cultural boundaries to share the Gospel. This moment marked a historic breakthrough: salvation was not just for the Jews, but for everyone. This story reminds us that God is already moving in the hearts of people before we even show up. As we obey, God opens doors for His Kingdom to be advanced through our lives.Pastor Tim MaFriday June 13, 2025 Live at 7:00 PM

Garrett challenges the myth that success in real estate requires following someone else's formula. Instead, he empowers Christian agents to embrace the unique way God designed them to work, serve, and succeed.Garrett unpacks the concept of your “opportunity zone”—where your past wins, natural wiring, and God-given gifts align—and encourages agents to focus on purpose over performance. This episode is a reminder that you were never meant to fit the mold—you were made to reflect His design.Whether you're new to the industry or feeling burned out by comparison, this message will refocus you on what truly matters: living out your calling with clarity, excellence, and community support.

Are you seeking first the Kingdom of God?In this episode of the Curt Landry Podcast, Rabbi Curt and Darrell Puckett clarify assignment, calling, and purpose–how they work together and how they're distinct. Ultimately, each of these facets belongs to God and is motivated by our desire to please Him and seek His Kingdom first. Join Rabbi and Darrell as they share the power of not despising the day of small beginnings, the principle of multiplication, and how to be battle-ready in warfare through a faith mindset.Resources Referenced–Goals to Grow: https://curtlandry.com/goals25 LionSentry: https://curtlandry.com/lionsentry One New Man app:https://app.onenewman.com

Passage(s): Matthew 4:12-17The Kingdom has come, and the light has dawned. A life apart of this Kingdom is one that has heard the message of King Jesus, has believed what He has spoken, and therefore, responds with a life of seeking the King and His Kingdom in every area of life!

Today we will let several places in Scripture remind us of all the reasons that we have to rest in our King and His Kingdom, especially when it's time to lay our head down on our pillow at night. Why is this so often when our minds race, our worries stir, and our doubt rise? I share about some of my own struggles with sleep, but how learning to shift my mind and heart to truth (in addition to a couple of practical habits that partner with the truth!) I have experienced significant breakthrough! I'm so grateful that Jesus is holding this big, broken world (and anything broken in our own little world) so we can just  b r e a t h e.  I'll talk to you soon!-ChristyStream 'King Who Never Sleeps; Anthems for Rest' now! Follow Christy on Socials: WebsiteFacebook Twitter Instagram TikTok

In Matthew chapters 8-9 as Jesus demonstrates His authority with miracles, He models what it looks like to labor in His Kingdom harvest field. Then in Matthew 9:37-38 He calls his disciples to “ask the Lord of the harvest” to send out more laborers. This sets up chapter 10 where Jesus sends 12 of His disciples out into ministry on their own.

Vishal Mangalwadi returns to challenge the pessimistic theology that has sidelined the Western church for decades. He argues that the West's decline politically and culturally stems from bad theology. We pray, “His Kingdom come and His will be done on earth,” but simultaneously, we as the church in America have retreated from leading in the culture. To move forward, Mangalwadi proposes a bold vision that begins with education reform, calling churches to reclaim their position as centers of discipleship and cultural formation. Drawing from his global experience and biblical conviction, he offers a hopeful roadmap for restoring truth and rebuilding broken nations.Main Topics:Why Western Christianity adopted a pessimistic eschatology—and the cultural costHow the church turned to a private faith and ceded culture to secularismMangalwadi's plan to renew culture through biblically rooted educationJoin us to explore how the church can recover its cultural voice and help replant biblical roots in today's world.View the transcript, leave comments, and check out recommended resources on the Episode Landing Page!Learn More about the 2025 DNA Forum in Panama

Jesus isn't just coming back — He's coming to reign. Join Pastor Robert and his wife Carolyn as they walk us through what Scripture reveals about the coming reign of Jesus and why citizenship in His Kingdom makes all the difference, now and forever.   One by One is the Podcast Ministry of Pastor Robert L. Scott Jr. of Quench Life Christian Fellowship. To learn more about QLCF, visit quenchlife.org. To support our ministry as we spread the Gospel, visit quenchlife.org/giving.

Discover the transformative power of the Holy Spirit!

What if today, we committed to operate our businesses from a philosophy of “It's not about WHAT we sell or HOW MUCH we sell, it's about the LIVES we TOUCH and CHANGE.”  That's “God's way of doing business”. And it's the exact OPPOSITE of everything we have been taught as professional business people. But isn't that always God's way? This counter-cultural philosophy is rooted in Matthew 6:33: But seek first HIS kingdom and HIS righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. What is the Lord asking YOU TO DO as a next step in seeking first HIS Kingdom in YOUR workplace? 

God speaks to Zephaniah, and it's horrifying. God has determined that He is going to judge Judah, the nations, even Jerusalem for their rebellion against God. God points out their rebellion in the way they have turned away and worship idols, they compromise and syncretize with false gods, which ultimately leads to the complacent attitude: God is not going to do anything good or bad to me. Judah and the nations dictate their own lives, their own way, in essence believing that it's our day! The LORD declares instead it's My day, the Day of the LORD. We will examine what the Day of the LORD is likened unto: (Zeph:1:15-16). The Day of the LORD shows no partiality to race, gender, socio-economic standing, it will be the day of all encompassing punishment against all sinners. There is no power, possessions, pedigree, nothing that can protect them from the Day of the LORD. His righteousness is as the Sun, consuming all that stand before Him. (Zeph 3:8)Who wants to hear this, let alone be the one to deliver the message? But who needs to hear this? Everyone. Zephaniah delivers an unpopular message, but it is what God has said, it is what God will do, and it is honoring to God, and one of the most loving things he can do to others is to warn them before they face the edge of the cliff. We who claim to be Christians - we too have a message from God, even more clear and sure! We are called to be Zephaniahs in our day!Will anyone heed the warning from God, and seek His Kingdom first and humble themselves? For those who do the Day of the LORD will be for them a day of protection (Zeph 2:3) a day of restoring of fortunes (2:7) a day The Lord has rendered His righteous justice (2:8 - 3:8), and the Day when the LORD transforms those who have surrendered to Him. It will be the LORD who will transform them, there will be no division, no deceit, no lack, no fear in them, rather they will be transformed to singing, worshipping, and loud exultation - and the LORD Himself will sing with them and over them. For those who have sought His Kingdom first, the Day of the LORD will be their reward for surely they will be with the One in whom they trusted.The Day of the LORD, just as He declared had come to Nineveh in 612 B.C., approx. 30 years after Zephaniah had delivered God's Word, Babylon came and decimated them. It was only a 20years later that the Day of the LORD visited Judah as they were conquered and began the Babylonian exile. In the midst of the day of the LORD, we know there are those who have been hidden by God, Daniel, Ezra, Esther, Nehemiah -.So too, the Day of the LORD has come as demonstrated on the Cross as Jesus Christ took our judgment and purchased our salvation, our protection, our justification. But there is still the Day of the LORD to come - just as God has forewarned through Zephaniah, Joel, Daniel, Matthew, Revelation. Let us therefore, heed God and live continually mindful of the Day of the LORD!

Have you ever felt disqualified to be called by God? In this message, Pastor Nate Nupanga teaches how Moses was faithful with what God put in his hand and how God is calling those with a humble and willing spirit to live for His Kingdom.

This week, Trent Marshall continued our series in Mark by taking a closer look at Jesus' gospel ministry in Galilee. Jesus is the King who pursues people, proves His power, and proclaims the good news. And we're invited to participate in His Kingdom—one that pushes back darkness then and now.

In this final devotion in the Unshakable Series, Pastor Roderick Webster brings an encouraging and deeply convicting message: The true child of God will never be shaken. While trials come and storms rage, those who are truly born again are held firmly in the hands of Jesus and the Father.

Matthew 10:26-31 What do we do with the Gospel that our Lord has given us? At the heart of discipleship is a poured-out faith that seeks as its highest goal, the lifting up of the Lord and the expansion of His Kingdom through a bold and public faith.

God is advancing His Kingdom across the whole world, His power is behind it, and He uses His people to do it. But we are not alone. We have received His power through the Holy Spirit—the Helper and the Comforter—to carry out this work.

How can a small, unassuming shepherd boy be anointed king over a nation? God only knows. The story of David's life proves exactly that, and it shows us this truth: while we may care about the outward appearances of others, God looks at our hearts. Only He knows who we truly are deep down and only He knows who He has chosen for His Kingdom.

Tom Logue - June 8th 2025 True worship starts where no one else can see—in the heart. As we continue our The King & His Kingdom series in Matthew 15, Jesus calls out empty external worship and reminds us that what truly defiles a person comes from within. This message invites us to examine our hearts, repent where needed, and embrace the cleansing power of Jesus' blood. In a world obsessed with appearances, Jesus invites us into something far deeper—a life of genuine worship that flows from a transformed heart. Learn more about our church: https://restoredtemecula.church Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/restoredtemecula and Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/restoredtemecula #Matthew15 #HeartOfWorship #TrueWorship #JesusTransforms #TheKingAndHisKingdom #RestoredTemecula #ChristianSermon #GospelOfMatthew #Repentance #KingdomGrowth Share this message with someone who needs to hear it! Chapters (00:00:15) - A message about Restored Church(00:00:57) - A Prayer for Our Church(00:01:38) - The King and His Kingdom(00:04:51) - Holy Spirit Prayers(00:06:32) - Jesus calls out hypocrisy of the Pharisees(00:11:06) - Jesus' Parable for the Young People(00:12:30) - God's Kingdom Growth(00:18:18) - A Message on Spiritual Growth(00:22:15) - Pharisees: Worship happens in the heart before it happens(00:27:05) - How's Your Heart?: Self Diagnosing Your Heart(00:29:34) - The Real Condition of My Heart(00:35:47) - God's Primary Concern is Your Heart(00:41:38) - First John: If You Walk in the Light(00:46:01) - The Blood of Jesus(00:48:14) - Wonders of the World(00:52:18) - Temptation to Pay More Attention to Your Worship(00:56:19) - Proverbs 7: Forgive Me My Sins(00:58:22) - Prayer for the Room(01:00:17) - Wonders of the Kingdom

Big Idea: Christ and His Kingdom are worth everything.

God uses ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary victories for His Kingdom

On this Vision Sunday, Pastor Eric unpacks the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25, reminding us that God entrusts us with incredible resources—not to bury, but to boldly invest in His Kingdom. As we launch into our FY26 theme of ENGAGE, discover how Purpose Church is inviting everyone, everywhere to fully live out their […]

Jesus talks about one of the amazing and challenging realities of His Kingdom in this week's parable: Forgiveness.

On this Vision Sunday, Pastor Eric unpacks the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25, reminding us that God entrusts us with incredible resources—not to bury, but to boldly invest in His Kingdom. As we launch into our FY26 theme of ENGAGE, discover how Purpose Church is inviting everyone, everywhere to fully live out their […]

Money. We all need it to live. Is your view of money healthy and in alignment with biblical principles?  Is the WAY you use it serving man, or God and His Kingdom.  1 John 3:17 says If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God's love be in that person?   How about your income? How about your company's revenue? Are you tithing from your corporate revenue stream? Have you ever considered it?  We challenge you today, to pray about your personal and corporate tithing. And ask God HOW YOU should be using the income He's blessed YOU WITH to serve your fellow man, God and His Kingdom. 

Join Fr. Jonathan Meyer for today's Rise Up reflection as we journey toward Pentecost. In this video, Fr. Meyer unpacks John 21—where Jesus asks Peter three times, “Do you love me?”—and shows how Peter's willing “Yes” leads him to lay down his life for Christ. As we approach the coming of the Holy Spirit, Fr. Meyer challenges us: Are you willing to die to self, take up your cross daily, and serve God in the ordinary moments of life?

If you need to be encouraged today that God really does care about the details of your life, that He really is better than we know, this episode is for you. He's working, even when we don't see it. He's good, even when we don't feel it. He is sanity, clarity and calm, right in the middle of our chaotic pace. And when we ask Him for His Kingdom perspective, order and life, He answers! Let one generation tell it to the next, He truly is “better than we know.” I'll talk to you soon!Pre-Save King Who Never Sleeps; Anthems for Rest and listen to "Be Where Your Feet Are" now. Follow Christy on Socials: WebsiteFacebook Twitter Instagram TikTok

When will the Messiah arrive to set up His Kingdom and what will His rule look like? Find out with Dr. Nathan Jones on Happy Hour With Dr. Tenpenny!

In this powerful message, Pastor Connor unpacks what happens when the anxiety of life collides with the unshakable sovereignty of God. Drawing from Matthew 6:25–33, we're reminded that God sees, knows, and provides for every detail of our lives — from the birds of the air to the lilies of the field, and especially for you.When worry creeps in, Jesus calls us to trust in the Father's care and to seek first His Kingdom. Discover the peace that comes from letting go of control and holding tight to His promises.

Growing In God Podcast   Web Description: In a message to faithful believers in Monterrey, Mexico, Gary shares with them the answer for Mexico. The answer is the leaven of the Kingdom of Heaven that was implanted within them. This leaven will grow until it influences all of Mexico. And it will not stop until it fills the whole earth.   Show Notes: At the Feast of Unleavened Bread, all leaven is removed from the house and unleavened bread is eaten for seven days. In 1 Corinthians Paul compares this process to what happens within us. During this feast we are to clean out the old leaven from ourselves. God wants us to remove all the influences of this world and this age until we are a new lump of dough that is unleavened. After the Feast of Unleavened Bread, leaven is again added to the bread. As Yeshua (Jesus) said, the Kingdom of Heaven is like leaven added to a lump of dough that grows until the entire lump is leavened. During the days of unleavened bread, we remove the leaven of this world that is not part of the Kingdom of God until we become a new lump of dough. But that is not where we stop. Then the Kingdom of Heaven itself is imparted into our hearts and minds. Like leaven, it grows until we are completely filled with His Kingdom. You could look at your circumstances and say, “I don't see it working.” You cannot necessarily see leaven working either, but slowly and surely it is growing and expanding in the dough. We have removed the old leaven of influences of this world, and now the new leaven of the Kingdom will continue to grow in us and influence everything around us. By this impartation and transformation within us, we become the bread that God can use to feed the world. Key Verses: 1 Corinthians 5:7–8. “Clean out the old leaven.” Romans 12:2. “Do not be conformed to this world.” Matthew 13:33. “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven.” Luke 13:20–21. “To what shall I compare the kingdom of God? It is like leaven.” Colossians 1:13. “He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son.” Philippians 3:20–21. “Our citizenship is in heaven.” Quotes: “We are implanted into the Kingdom, and now the Kingdom is being implanted into us.”  “The days of unleavened bread are finished, and we must become this new loaf of bread that is to feed the world.” “The answer for Mexico is this leaven of His Kingdom. And it is now dwelling in your hearts.”   Takeaways: 1. The Feast of Unleavened Bread has tremendous significance for believers. Paul wrote about this feast and related it to what happens to us rather than to bread. We become unleavened by cleaning out the old influences of the world from our lives. 2. At the end of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, leavened bread is eaten again. And so we do not remain unleavened. Christ imparts to us the leaven of His Kingdom. We have removed the old influences of the world, and we have growing within us the influence of the Kingdom of God. 3. This influence of the Kingdom that expands in our hearts does not stop with us. It will leaven our community, our nation, and ultimately the entire earth.

Have you ever started something with fire in your soul—only to find that same fire dimming over time? Today’s devotional explores what it means to press on in our faith journey even when the road gets rough, the passion fades, and everything in us wants to give up. Whether you're in a spiritual slump or simply tired, this episode reminds you: your race isn't over. Jesus is worth every step.

If you decide to seek first His Kingdom and follow Him, He guarantees an abundant life on earth and He guarantees life eternal with Him forever. That's the best offer anywhere. 

We are a community of Jesus-followers (and the Jesus-curious!) meeting in the heart of Boston. We share this common passion: to encounter God and to see His Kingdom come in our lives and in our city. A church in Boston, for Boston.

Today's “First Monday Freebie” will leave you praising God for His redeeming grace and unconditional love, even when faith can be as small as a mustard seed.   Nicole Chism, from our community group in Tupelo, Mississippi, shares how God's pursuit of kindness walked her out of the darkness of her past and led her to the role of a servant in His Kingdom. Nicole's journey will encourage you to know that there is no story too far gone that the Lord can't turn around and shine His glory through.   IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN: - You need a mentor, an encourager, and a peer in your life - all pointing you to Jesus. - Sometimes you need to search for God in the darkness of your past, and reflect on those times that He protected you. - God will use your suffering to bring you closer to Him. Links:     Your Story Has a Villain: Identify Spiritual Warfare and Learn How to Defeat the Enemy by Jonathan Pokluda   Listen to a similar story:  Ep. 205- Katie Wilson: “Highlighting His Greatness” Become a Patreon Insider to access bonus content~ including a bonus story from Nicole Roberts from our Fairhope community!   Give to StoryTellers Live in honor of Nicole and our past storytellers   Register for our Finding God in the Details: A Guide to Discerning His Voice and Discovering Your  Story workshop being offered in-person on June 18th, 6:00-8:30 PM CST *Future dates- Online on July 8th; 9:30-11:30 AM CST and August 20th; 9:15-11:15 AM CST Need a last-minute summer Bible study idea?! Shop for our When God Shows Up Bible Study series.   Check out all of our live speaking engagement opportunities on our website!   Sign up to receive StoryTellers Live's weekly newsletter for updates and details on our live gatherings!

Welcome to Session Seven of our spring audio Bible study! We're studying The Gospel on the Ground, and we're so excited to join Kristi McLelland as she unpacks the life of the early church in the book of Acts and shows us that the kingdom of God is always on the move, always looking outward to bring meaning and joy to a world searching for true fulfillment and hope. Each week, we'll release the next teaching session, and we'll leave the audio up for all seven sessions through June 16.In the seventh and final session, Kristi explains how the testimony of Christians who have come before us, as seen in Hebrews 11, and the eternal hope we have in Christ fuel a love for God and help us press forward in spreading passing the good news of His Kingdom along to others. She reminds us that God is preparing a place for us in heaven where we'll enjoy Him for all eternity—the hope of glory that spurred on the early church and beckons us to obey God even to this day.LINKSThe Gospel on the GroundMore from KristiRECOMMENDEDRead Kristi's prayer for peace on the Lifeway Women blog. MARKED is a podcast from Lifeway Women: https://women.lifeway.com/blog/podcasts/.Hosted by Elizabeth Hyndman and Andrea Lennon.CONNECT WITH US!Follow Lifeway Women and Kristi McLelland on Instagram.Learn more about the More Than Enough Bible study at lifeway.com/morethanenough. Learn more about Feast at lifeway.com/feast. Learn about the In the Word event at lifeway.com/intheword.

Tom Logue - June 1st 2025 Hypocrisy can hide in the most devoted-looking lives—how do we make sure it's not hiding in ours?As we continue our series The King & His Kingdom in Matthew 15:1–9, Jesus calls out the Pharisees not for breaking the law—but for replacing it with their preferences. It's a sobering look at how easily we trade the heart of worship for appearances, and God's commands for our own comfort. This message challenges us to examine our lives for the subtle signs of hypocrisy—and respond with humility, repentance, and trust in the One who paid the ultimate price for us. Learn more about our church: https://restoredtemecula.church Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/restoredtemecula and Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/restoredtemecula #Matthew15 #JesusAndThePharisees #Hypocrisy #HeartOfWorship #ChristianSermon #TheKingAndHisKingdom #RestoredTemecula #Repentance #GospelFreedom #BiblicalTeaching Share this message with someone who needs to hear it. Chapters (00:00:15) - Sunday Message(00:01:01) - Meeting at Margarita Middle School(00:03:28) - The Kingdom of God(00:04:14) - God's Prayer for Us(00:06:10) - Matthew 15: Then What?(00:08:11) - The Law of Human Flourishing(00:09:23) - The Israelites and Hand Washing(00:15:13) - What They Didn't Understand About Traditions(00:19:21) - Sunday Worship: Who's It For?(00:24:31) - Hypocrites: If You Ever Get Called Out by Jesus,(00:25:43) - Christian Adults in the Room...(00:29:15) - 3 Indicators of Hypocritical Living in Our Own Life(00:33:59) - Hypocrites Make Excuses for Breaking God's Rules(00:39:04) - 3 Indicators of Hypocritical Living(00:40:41) - All Christians Are Guilty of Hypocritical Behavior(00:43:03) - Paul on Romans 5:8(00:48:33) - Hypocrisy in the Gospel(00:55:28) - Prayer Team

“Empowered for War: Close the Gap” calls us to rise in unity, walk in divine empowerment, and wage war against the forces of darkness. Like Caleb and Joshua, endurance and preparation lead to victory—God’s commission does not waver due to time or difficulty. This sermon emphasizes that encounters with the Word and the Spirit of God are necessary to fuel obedience and transformation. Drawing from Shavuot and Acts 2, it reminds us that God closes the gap first—empowering His people through His Spirit—so we can close the gaps in our own lives, in unity with our brothers, and in advancing His Kingdom. The charge is clear: fight for the restoration of creation, overcome chaos, and stand firm in the calling as warriors and priests.

As we continue our walk through the Gospel of Matthew, we come across the story of The Rich Man. We learn that it isn't our works that get us into the Kingdom of Heaven, but only the belief in Jesus. Its through God's grace that we recieve our salvation and that its a gift. Nothing we do for God can get us into His Kingdom. Join us Sundays at 8:30 and 10:30am and Wednesdays at 7:00pm

This week Chris continued our series The Throne Room by walking through the opening of the first four seals and the arrival of the Four Horsemen. We explored what they represent, why they come, and how their presence reveals something deeper about the way God's Kingdom breaks in. At the center of it all is a powerful word spoken in heaven: “Come.” It's a cry for Jesus to come and bring His Kingdom—a cry we're invited to echo here and now.

Daily Dose of Hope May 29, 2025 Day 4 of Week 8   Scripture – Matthew 6:1-18   Prayer: Lord, We come to you today with humble hearts.  Help us think less of ourselves and more about others.  Help us focus more on you, and less on our own wants.  It is our inclination to complain and whine.  Forgive us, Lord.  We need you.  More of you and less of me.  In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional that complements the New Hope bible reading plan.  We are currently going through the Gospels and the book of Acts.  Today, we look at the first half of Matthew 6.  We are continuing to study the Sermon on the Mount.  Jesus is giving us this beautiful picture of what it means to follow him --- your outward actions matter but so does your heart.  Citizens of heaven act differently.  There is a different way of living, a new way of being human, one in which is drastically different from the ways of the world.   The first portion of the Scripture from chapter 6 speaks about giving to the needy.  Don't give like the hypocrites who want attention and honor.  Rather, give quietly and discreetly.  I've had a few acquaintances over the years who really loved to talk about all the wonderful causes they gave to and all the wonderful ways they served.  It was hard to listen to.  Maybe you have been there.  Jesus is basically saying that our giving is an act of the heart.  It's between us and God.    The next portion of the Scripture talks about prayer.  Jesus again speaks of the hypocrites, those who pray loudly in the temple courts and how they have already received their reward – the attention and adoration of on-lookers.  The word hypocrite refers to a play actor on a stage; these people were acting out a part, looking for attention, looking for people to think they were so holy, they were seeking to impress others with their prayers.  Jesus was saying don't be like that – prayer is not about getting attention.  It's about a connection with God. The world tells us that it's influence and approval that matters.  Jesus says not so in the Kingdom of God.  Pray should be sincere and intentional.   Thus, Jesus gives us a pattern of prayer that allows us to be very intentional.  We call this the Lord's Prayer.  We say this almost every week as a family of faith.  This doesn't mean we have to pray exactly like this, but this provides an outline or guideline for us to follow. Let's unpack this.  Jesus starts the prayer this way, “Our Father in heaven...” This first line encourages us to start our prayer with some words about who God is to you - God is my father.  We tend to think of heaven as far off place, but in Greek, the word heaven was equivalent to the sky and all that is in it.  So God is my father who is close to me.  And then he continues, “hallowed be your name.”  This is acknowledging that God is holy, he is worthy, and we give thanks for all he has done for us and all he has blessed us with. Jesus then says, “your kingdom come...”  Remember, God's Kingdom was the way God always intended his world to be, a place where Jesus is ruler and his values are in practice.  These are values like love, justice, mercy, righteousness, and so forth.  So God, help me be part of making your Kingdom a reality right here, right now.    Then we have, “your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” What you might notice is that using this outline that Jesus offers us, we haven't asked God for anything yet!  There's been no list of stuff we want or need, we are just affirming who God is, thanking him, and praying that we can be part of making his will a reality here on earth.   Then, we get to the asking.  Jesus continues, “Give us today our daily bread.” Please notice, we aren't asking for filet mignon, it's give us today our daily bread.  It's provide us what we need for today.  I think this is where we struggle in western culture.  We tend to ask for a lot of wants rather than needs.  I include myself in that one.     The next line Jesus offers us is this, And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. This is acknowledging that unconfessed sin gets in the way of our relationship with God.  Unforgiveness does the same.  It breeds bitterness, it's like a poison that seeps throughout the body.  We have to take care of that to ensure our connection with God and others. And finally, Jesus closes with, “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” Although God isn't the one who tempts us, here we recognize that we are easily tempted.    In the second century, the early church added a closing portion from 2 Samuel that said, “For thine is the Kingdom and the glory and the power forever.”  This just provides one more reminder that it is not about me but about God – it's HIS Kingdom, not mine, HIS glory, not mine, and HIS power.    Again, this was not meant to be legalistic but to provide an intentional structure for our genuine, sincere prayer.   What are your big takeaways about prayer from these scriptures?  What has resonated most with you.    Take a moment and think about all of Jesus' teachings from the Sermon on the Mount thus far.  What has made the biggest impact on you?    Blessings, Pastor Vicki  

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort;" 2 Corinthians 1:3This is a special passage for me because on a day early in my walk with the Lord, I needed comfort, and this verse was in my scheduled reading. Today's episode has taken a turn. As I prayed this morning, I prayed, "The LORD your God is in your midst, a victorious warrior. He will exult over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy." Zephaniah 3:17 for all of you. Pausing momentarily, I said, No, not you, Fred. He is not shouting over you with shouts of joy. Repentance came immediately; what I said was not of faith.What I had planned for this episode, I changed. The following thoughts I meditated on. Theologically:I remembered the people Jesus sought out to be in His kingdom. When God said, I am choosing a man after my own heart, He chose David, even knowing his sin with Bathsheba was coming. God is in charge of our sanctification. I don't know why He acts so differently in us, but the Bible is clear. He is the God who Sanctifies; Exodus 31:13Who did Jesus seek for His Kingdom?A wanton and despised woman by a well, John 4. A crippled man by the wayside, John 5. An adulterous woman in John 8, a blind, useless man in John 9, and the failure of Peter, John 21. Finally, a man on a cross who knew He was a sinner is today in paradise with the Savior he called out to. Luke 23:43"How Does Jesus think of Us?" Now, a sermon by Sinclair Ferguson (listen to it, please)"Father, I desire that they also, whom Thou hast given Me, be with Me where I am, in order that they may behold My glory, which Thou hast given Me; for Thou didst love Me before the foundation of the world." John 17:24These are you and I, beloved of God; we have believed because of the word written by the Apostles. - Gifts from the Father to the Son. Our value is not intrinsic to our virtue, but because we are gifts from the Father to the Son. Our So What? Every time you are tempted to say to yourself, "no, not for you" (your name here), concerning the promises of God, remember Jesus thinks of you right now as a precious gift from the Father, and perish the thought "no. not for me."Brethren, let's pray for one another. "What a man is on his knees before God, that he is and nothing more." Robert Murray M'CheyneeDonation link:https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=G9JGGR5W97D64Or go to www.freerangepreacheronprayer.com and use the Donations tab.Assistant Editor: Seven Jefferson Gossard.www.freerangepreacheronprayer.comfreerangeprayer@gmail.comFacebook - Free Range Preacher MinistriesInstagram: freerangeministriesAll our Scripture quotes are drawn from the NASB 1977 edition.For access to the Voice Over services of Richard Durrington, please visit RichardDurrington.com or email him at Durringtonr@gmail.comOur podcast art was designed by @sammmmmmmmm23 InstagramSeason 007Episode 047

By Richard Kennebeck - God has a great plan for our salvation. Without that plan we would not exist, and we could not have eternal life or enter into His Kingdom. This message discusses various aspects of salvation, how much it costs, whether we can earn it, and if we can lose it.

Many people feel like they're just coping with life, but God has plans for each of us to be fruitful for His Kingdom.